Cardiff South Public School vs Hillsborough Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cardiff South Public School
Cardiff South · Government primary · P-6
298 students · ICSEA 1017
Hillsborough Public School
Charlestown · Government primary · K-6
164 students · ICSEA 1020
| Measure | Cardiff South Public School Cardiff South NSW | Hillsborough Public School Charlestown NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #841 of 1,619 | #872 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #2564 of 4,908 | #2667 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | P-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 298 | 164 |
| Girls / boys | 143 / 155 | 75 / 89 |
| Foundation intake | 53 | 29 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | -33% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1017 | 1020 |
| ICSEA percentile | 54th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 23% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 16.6 | 15.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.0 | 10.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.8 | 2.0 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 19% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 14% |
| Suburb | Cardiff South 2285 | Charlestown 2290 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | cardiffsth-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | hillsboro-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Cardiff South Public School scores higher on the Success Index (51.8 vs 50.2).
- •Hillsborough Public School has the higher ICSEA (1020 vs 1017), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Hillsborough Public School has fewer students per teacher (15.2 vs 16.6).
- •Cardiff South Public School is the larger school with 298 students compared with 164.
- •Cardiff South Public School has grown faster over five years (0% vs -33%).
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 Cardiff South Public School better than Hillsborough Public School?
On the Success Index, Cardiff South Public School ranks higher (51.8 vs 50.2 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 Cardiff South Public School and Hillsborough Public School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Cardiff South and Charlestown in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cardiff South Public School has 16.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Hillsborough Public School has 15.2.
How do Cardiff South Public School and Hillsborough Public School rank in NSW?
Cardiff South Public School is 841st of 1,619 and Hillsborough Public School is 872nd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.