Living School vs Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Living School
Lismore · Independent combined · K-12
313 students · ICSEA 1037
Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School
East Lismore · Catholic primary · K-6
189 students · ICSEA 1001
| Measure | Living School Lismore NSW | Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School East Lismore NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 47 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #131 of 314 | #941 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #421 of 1,259 | #2906 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 313 | 189 |
| Girls / boys | 150 / 163 | 77 / 112 |
| Foundation intake | 21 | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | 22 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 12 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +219% | -17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1037 | 1001 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 47th |
| Top SEA quarter | 25% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 26% |
| Students per teacher | 9.7 | 11.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.2 | 16.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.0 | 7.1 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 11% |
| Suburb | Lismore 2480 | East Lismore 2480 |
| Council area | Lismore | Lismore |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | living.school | www.lisslism.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Living School scores higher on the Success Index (62.0 vs 47.1).
- •Living School has the higher ICSEA (1037 vs 1001), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Living School has fewer students per teacher (9.7 vs 11.8).
- •Living School is the larger school with 313 students compared with 189.
- •Living School has grown faster over five years (219% vs -17%).
- •Living School is a independent school while Our Lady Help of Christians 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 Living School better than Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School?
On the Success Index, Living School ranks higher (62.0 vs 47.1 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 Living School and Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Lismore and East Lismore in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Living School has 9.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School has 11.8.
How do Living School and Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School rank in NSW?
Living School is 131st of 314 and Our Lady Help of Christians Primary School is 941st of 1,619 among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.