Murwillumbah Public School vs St Joseph's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 886 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Murwillumbah Public School
Murwillumbah · Government primary · K-6
149 students · ICSEA 959
St Joseph's Primary School
South Murwillumbah · Catholic primary · K-6
161 students · ICSEA 1011
| Measure | Murwillumbah Public School Murwillumbah NSW | St Joseph's Primary School South Murwillumbah NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 38 Lower 50% | 52 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1138 of 1,619 | #837 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #3565 of 4,908 | #2553 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 149 | 161 |
| Girls / boys | 91 / 58 | 74 / 87 |
| Foundation intake | 18 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -40% | +18% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 959 | 1011 |
| ICSEA percentile | 28th | 52th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 46% | 34% |
| Students per teacher | 8.5 | 12.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 17.6 | 12.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.7 | 4.8 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 2% |
| Suburb | Murwillumbah 2484 | South Murwillumbah 2484 |
| Council area | Tweed | Tweed |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | murwillumb-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.smurplism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Joseph's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (52.1 vs 38.1).
- •St Joseph's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1011 vs 959), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Murwillumbah Public School has fewer students per teacher (8.5 vs 12.8).
- •St Joseph's Primary School is the larger school with 161 students compared with 149.
- •St Joseph's Primary School has grown faster over five years (18% vs -40%).
- •Murwillumbah Public 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 Murwillumbah Public School better than St Joseph's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Joseph's Primary School ranks higher (52.1 vs 38.1 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 Murwillumbah Public School and St Joseph's Primary School?
About 886 m in a straight line, between Murwillumbah and South Murwillumbah in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Murwillumbah Public School has 8.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Joseph's Primary School has 12.8.
How do Murwillumbah Public School and St Joseph's Primary School rank in NSW?
Murwillumbah Public School is 1138th of 1,619 and St Joseph's Primary School is 837th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.