St Carthage's Primary School vs The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 724 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Carthage's Primary School
Lismore · Catholic primary · K-6
580 students · ICSEA 1064
The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus
North Lismore · Government high school · 7-12
494 students · ICSEA 950
| Measure | St Carthage's Primary School Lismore NSW | The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus North Lismore NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 64 Top 50% | 35 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #507 of 1,619 | #380 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1530 of 4,908 | #1065 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 580 | 494 |
| Girls / boys | 302 / 278 | 232 / 262 |
| Foundation intake | 81 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 86 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 57 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | 0% | -30% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1064 | 950 |
| ICSEA percentile | 73th | 25th |
| Top SEA quarter | 29% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 11% | 48% |
| Students per teacher | 17.8 | 8.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.5 | 58.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.3 | 13.3 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 19% |
| Suburb | Lismore 2480 | North Lismore 2480 |
| Council area | Lismore | Lismore |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.stcarthlism.catholic.edu.au | richmondri-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •St Carthage's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (64.2 vs 34.9).
- •St Carthage's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1064 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus has fewer students per teacher (8.5 vs 17.8).
- •St Carthage's Primary School is the larger school with 580 students compared with 494.
- •St Carthage's Primary School has grown faster over five years (0% vs -30%).
- •St Carthage's Primary School is a catholic school while The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus 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 St Carthage's Primary School better than The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus?
On the Success Index, St Carthage's Primary School ranks higher (64.2 vs 34.9 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 St Carthage's Primary School and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus?
About 724 m in a straight line, between Lismore and North Lismore in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Carthage's Primary School has 17.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus has 8.5.
How do St Carthage's Primary School and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus rank in NSW?
St Carthage's Primary School is 507th of 1,619 and The Rivers Secondary College, Richmond River High Campus is 380th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.