Goonellabah Public School vs The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Goonellabah Public School
Goonellabah · Government primary · K-6
226 students · ICSEA 847
The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus
Lismore · Government high school · 7-12
438 students · ICSEA 934
| Measure | Goonellabah Public School Goonellabah NSW | The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus Lismore NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 29 Lower 50% | 38 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1379 of 1,619 | #349 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #4234 of 4,908 | #988 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 226 | 438 |
| Girls / boys | 115 / 111 | 211 / 227 |
| Foundation intake | 34 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 76 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 53 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 847 | 934 |
| ICSEA percentile | 5th | 19th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 68% | 50% |
| Students per teacher | 11.2 | 10.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 20.2 | 42.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.5 | 11.4 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 47% | 21% |
| Suburb | Goonellabah 2480 | Lismore 2480 |
| Council area | Lismore | Lismore |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | goonellaba-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | lismore-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus scores higher on the Success Index (38.4 vs 28.6).
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus has the higher ICSEA (934 vs 847), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus has fewer students per teacher (10.3 vs 11.2).
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus is the larger school with 438 students compared with 226.
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus has grown faster over five years (-8% vs -15%).
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 Goonellabah Public School better than The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus?
On the Success Index, The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus ranks higher (38.4 vs 28.6 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 Goonellabah Public School and The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus?
About 2.5 km in a straight line, between Goonellabah and Lismore in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Goonellabah Public School has 11.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus has 10.3.
How do Goonellabah Public School and The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus rank in NSW?
Goonellabah Public School is 1379th of 1,619 and The Rivers Secondary College, Lismore High Campus is 349th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.