Pacific Valley Christian School vs Palmers Island Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 8.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Pacific Valley Christian School
Townsend · Independent combined · K-12
277 students · ICSEA 985
Palmers Island Public School
Palmers Island · Government primary · K-6
56 students · ICSEA 944
| Measure | Pacific Valley Christian School Townsend NSW | Palmers Island Public School Palmers Island NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 34 Lower 50% | 34 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #262 of 314 | – |
| National rank (type) | #976 of 1,259 | – |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | K-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 277 | 56 |
| Girls / boys | 137 / 140 | 23 / 33 |
| Foundation intake | 19 | 5 |
| Year 7 cohort | 33 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 16 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | +47% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 985 | 944 |
| ICSEA percentile | 40th | 23th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 35% | 51% |
| Students per teacher | 11.6 | 8.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.9 | 6.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.3 | 3.5 |
| Language background other than English | 11% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 10% | 14% |
| Suburb | Townsend 2463 | Palmers Island 2463 |
| Council area | Clarence Valley | Clarence Valley |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.pacificvalley.nsw.edu.au/ | palmersisl-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (34.2 vs 33.8).
- •Pacific Valley Christian School has the higher ICSEA (985 vs 944), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Palmers Island Public School has fewer students per teacher (8.8 vs 11.6).
- •Pacific Valley Christian School is the larger school with 277 students compared with 56.
- •Palmers Island Public School has grown faster over five years (47% vs -16%).
- •Pacific Valley Christian School is a independent school while Palmers Island Public School is a government 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 Pacific Valley Christian School better than Palmers Island Public School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Pacific Valley Christian School and Palmers Island Public School?
About 8.3 km in a straight line, between Townsend and Palmers Island in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Pacific Valley Christian School has 11.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Palmers Island Public School has 8.8.
How do Pacific Valley Christian School and Palmers Island Public School rank in NSW?
Pacific Valley Christian School is 262nd of 314 and Palmers Island Public School is unranked among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.