Bowral Public School vs St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 510 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bowral Public School
Bowral · Government primary · K-6
484 students · ICSEA 1090
St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School
Bowral · Catholic primary · K-6
219 students · ICSEA 1103
| Measure | Bowral Public School Bowral NSW | St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School Bowral NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 64 Top 50% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #500 of 1,619 | #399 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1513 of 4,908 | #1235 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 484 | 219 |
| Girls / boys | 242 / 242 | 110 / 109 |
| Foundation intake | 77 | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | -40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1090 | 1103 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 85th |
| Top SEA quarter | 37% | 40% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 9% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 18.6 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 26.0 | 13.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.8 | 7.3 |
| Language background other than English | 20% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 3% |
| Suburb | Bowral 2576 | Bowral 2576 |
| Council area | Wingecarribee | Wingecarribee |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | bowral-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stabdow.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (67.7 vs 64.3).
- •St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1103 vs 1090), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (16.8 vs 18.6).
- •Bowral Public School is the larger school with 484 students compared with 219.
- •Bowral Public School has grown faster over five years (-14% vs -40%).
- •Bowral Public School is a government school while St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School is a catholic school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Camden
Frequently asked questions
Is Bowral Public School better than St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School ranks higher (67.7 vs 64.3 out of 100). The index measures community advantage and momentum from ACARA data, not teaching quality, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Bowral Public School and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School?
About 510 m in a straight line, between Bowral and Bowral in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bowral Public School has 18.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School has 16.8.
How do Bowral Public School and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Bowral Public School is 500th of 1,619 and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School is 399th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.