Caldera School vs St James' Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 430 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Caldera School
Tweed Heads South · Government special · U
24 students · ICSEA 936
St James' Primary School
Banora Point · Catholic primary · K-6
406 students · ICSEA 1068
| Measure | Caldera School Tweed Heads South NSW | St James' Primary School Banora Point NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #240 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #825 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | K-6 |
| Students | 24 | 406 |
| Girls / boys | 7 / 17 | 201 / 205 |
| Foundation intake | – | 60 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 936 | 1068 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 75th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 27% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 45% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 2.9 | 14.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.2 | 28.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.0 | 6.2 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 33% | 7% |
| Suburb | Tweed Heads South 2486 | Banora Point 2486 |
| Council area | Tweed | Tweed |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | caldera-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.bpplism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St James' Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1068 vs 936), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Caldera School has fewer students per teacher (2.9 vs 14.1).
- •St James' Primary School is the larger school with 406 students compared with 24.
- •St James' Primary School has grown faster over five years (6% vs -8%).
- •Caldera School is a government school while St James' 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Caldera School better than St James' Primary 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 Caldera School and St James' Primary School?
About 430 m in a straight line, between Tweed Heads South and Banora Point in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Caldera School has 2.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St James' Primary School has 14.1.
How do Caldera School and St James' Primary School rank in NSW?
Caldera School is unranked and St James' Primary School is 240th of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.