St John's Primary School vs The Pocket Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 5.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St John's Primary School
Mullumbimby · Catholic primary · K-6
63 students · ICSEA 1038
The Pocket Public School
The Pocket · Government primary · K-6
111 students · ICSEA 1068
| Measure | St John's Primary School Mullumbimby NSW | The Pocket Public School The Pocket NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 59 Top 50% | 67 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #432 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1319 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 63 | 111 |
| Girls / boys | 35 / 28 | 61 / 50 |
| Foundation intake | 6 | 13 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -33% | +21% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1038 | 1068 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 75th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 14% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 7.3 | 18.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.6 | 6.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.7 | 1.7 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 24% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 1% |
| Suburb | Mullumbimby 2482 | The Pocket 2483 |
| Council area | Byron | Byron |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.mbyplism.catholic.edu.au | thepocket-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •The Pocket Public School scores higher on the Success Index (66.7 vs 58.9).
- •The Pocket Public School has the higher ICSEA (1068 vs 1038), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St John's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (7.3 vs 18.2).
- •The Pocket Public School is the larger school with 111 students compared with 63.
- •The Pocket Public School has grown faster over five years (21% vs -33%).
- •St John's Primary School is a catholic school while The Pocket 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 John's Primary School better than The Pocket Public School?
On the Success Index, The Pocket Public School ranks higher (66.7 vs 58.9 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 John's Primary School and The Pocket Public School?
About 5.2 km in a straight line, between Mullumbimby and The Pocket in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St John's Primary School has 7.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Pocket Public School has 18.2.
How do St John's Primary School and The Pocket Public School rank in NSW?
St John's Primary School is unranked and The Pocket Public School is 432nd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.