Byron Bay Public School vs St Finbarr's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 2.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Byron Bay Public School
Byron Bay · Government primary · K-6
461 students · ICSEA 1067
St Finbarr's Primary School
Byron Bay · Catholic primary · K-6
325 students · ICSEA 1096
| Measure | Byron Bay Public School Byron Bay NSW | St Finbarr's Primary School Byron Bay NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 55 Top 50% | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #775 of 1,619 | #257 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #2363 of 4,908 | #865 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 461 | 325 |
| Girls / boys | 215 / 246 | 152 / 173 |
| Foundation intake | 65 | 42 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -31% | +10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1067 | 1096 |
| ICSEA percentile | 74th | 83th |
| Top SEA quarter | 28% | 36% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 10% | 5% |
| Students per teacher | 17.5 | 15.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 26.3 | 20.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.8 | 6.8 |
| Language background other than English | 23% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 2% |
| Suburb | Byron Bay 2481 | Byron Bay 2481 |
| Council area | Byron | Byron |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | byronbay-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.bbplism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Finbarr's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (71.6 vs 54.5).
- •St Finbarr's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1096 vs 1067), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Finbarr's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (15.6 vs 17.5).
- •Byron Bay Public School is the larger school with 461 students compared with 325.
- •St Finbarr's Primary School has grown faster over five years (10% vs -31%).
- •Byron Bay Public School is a government school while St Finbarr's 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 Mount Gravatt East
Frequently asked questions
Is Byron Bay Public School better than St Finbarr's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Finbarr's Primary School ranks higher (71.6 vs 54.5 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 Byron Bay Public School and St Finbarr's Primary School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Byron Bay and Byron Bay in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Byron Bay Public School has 17.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Finbarr's Primary School has 15.6.
How do Byron Bay Public School and St Finbarr's Primary School rank in NSW?
Byron Bay Public School is 775th of 1,619 and St Finbarr's Primary School is 257th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.