St James' Primary School vs Tweed Heads South Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St James' Primary School
Banora Point · Catholic primary · K-6
406 students · ICSEA 1068
Tweed Heads South Public School
Tweed Heads South · Government primary · P-6
142 students · ICSEA 882
| Measure | St James' Primary School Banora Point NSW | Tweed Heads South Public School Tweed Heads South NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 72 Top 25% | 27 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #240 of 1,619 | #1437 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #825 of 4,908 | #4382 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | P-6 |
| Students | 406 | 142 |
| Girls / boys | 201 / 205 | 67 / 75 |
| Foundation intake | 60 | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | -22% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1068 | 882 |
| ICSEA percentile | 75th | 8th |
| Top SEA quarter | 27% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 7% | 61% |
| Students per teacher | 14.1 | 7.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 28.8 | 18.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.2 | 7.3 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 26% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 35% |
| Suburb | Banora Point 2486 | Tweed Heads South 2486 |
| Council area | Tweed | Tweed |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bpplism.catholic.edu.au | tweedhdest-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •St James' Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (72.0 vs 26.7).
- •St James' Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1068 vs 882), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Tweed Heads South Public School has fewer students per teacher (7.8 vs 14.1).
- •St James' Primary School is the larger school with 406 students compared with 142.
- •St James' Primary School has grown faster over five years (6% vs -22%).
- •St James' Primary School is a catholic school while Tweed Heads South 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 St James' Primary School better than Tweed Heads South Public School?
On the Success Index, St James' Primary School ranks higher (72.0 vs 26.7 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 James' Primary School and Tweed Heads South Public School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Banora Point and Tweed Heads South in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St James' Primary School has 14.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Tweed Heads South Public School has 7.8.
How do St James' Primary School and Tweed Heads South Public School rank in NSW?
St James' Primary School is 240th of 1,619 and Tweed Heads South Public School is 1437th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.