Bourke Public School vs Cabbage Tree Island Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 737 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bourke Public School
Bourke · Government primary · K-6
145 students · ICSEA 702
Cabbage Tree Island Public School
Cabbage Tree Island · Government primary · K-6
21 students · ICSEA 694
| Measure | Bourke Public School Bourke NSW | Cabbage Tree Island Public School Cabbage Tree Island NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 19 Lower 50% | 19 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1586 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #4799 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 145 | 21 |
| Girls / boys | 74 / 71 | 10 / 11 |
| Foundation intake | 17 | 2 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | -45% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 702 | 694 |
| ICSEA percentile | 1th | 1th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 79% | 88% |
| Students per teacher | 6.6 | 5.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 22.1 | 3.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 8.9 | 1.9 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 81% | 100% |
| Suburb | Bourke 2840 | Cabbage Tree Island 2477 |
| Council area | Bourke | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Very Remote | Inner Regional |
| Website | bourke-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | cabbagetre-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (19.4 vs 19.2).
- •Bourke Public School has the higher ICSEA (702 vs 694), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cabbage Tree Island Public School has fewer students per teacher (5.4 vs 6.6).
- •Bourke Public School is the larger school with 145 students compared with 21.
- •Bourke Public School has grown faster over five years (-17% vs -45%).
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Bourke Public School better than Cabbage Tree Island Public School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Bourke Public School and Cabbage Tree Island Public School?
About 737 km in a straight line, between Bourke and Cabbage Tree Island in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bourke Public School has 6.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Cabbage Tree Island Public School has 5.4.
How do Bourke Public School and Cabbage Tree Island Public School rank in NSW?
Bourke Public School is 1586th of 1,619 and Cabbage Tree Island Public School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.