Evans River Community School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 9.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Evans River Community School
Evans Head · Government combined · K-12
531 students · ICSEA 955
St Joseph's Primary School
Woodburn · Catholic primary · K-6
83 students · ICSEA 984
| Measure | Evans River Community School Evans Head NSW | St Joseph's Primary School Woodburn NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 43 Lower 50% | 44 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #237 of 314 | #1019 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #815 of 1,259 | #3175 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 531 | 83 |
| Girls / boys | 272 / 259 | 39 / 44 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | 6 |
| Year 7 cohort | 77 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 21 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +5% | -22% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 955 | 984 |
| ICSEA percentile | 27th | 39th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 33% |
| Students per teacher | 10.1 | 10.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 52.2 | 7.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.1 | 5.2 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 12% |
| Suburb | Evans Head 2473 | Woodburn 2472 |
| Council area | Richmond Valley | Richmond Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | evansriver-c.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.wdbplism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (43.6 vs 42.5).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (984 vs 955), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Evans River Community School is the larger school with 531 students compared with 83.
- •Evans River Community School has grown faster over five years (5% vs -22%).
- •Evans River Community School is a government school while St Joseph'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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Evans River Community School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (43.6 vs 42.5 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 Evans River Community School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 9.6 km in a straight line, between Evans Head and Woodburn in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Evans River Community School has 10.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 10.6.
How do Evans River Community School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Evans River Community School is 237th of 314 and St Joseph's Primary School is 1019th of 1,619 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.