St Joseph's Catholic Primary School vs St Michael's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Bulli · Catholic primary · K-6
412 students · ICSEA 1121
St Michael's Catholic Primary School
Thirroul · Catholic primary · K-6
183 students · ICSEA 1130
| Measure | St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Bulli NSW | St Michael's Catholic Primary School Thirroul NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 74 Top 25% | 78 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #179 of 1,619 | #76 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #653 of 4,908 | #294 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 412 | 183 |
| Girls / boys | 204 / 208 | 91 / 92 |
| Foundation intake | 59 | 29 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1121 | 1130 |
| ICSEA percentile | 90th | 91th |
| Top SEA quarter | 48% | 49% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 16.3 | 14.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 25.2 | 12.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.6 | 3.4 |
| Language background other than English | 1% | 1% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Bulli 2516 | Thirroul 2515 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.sjbdow.catholic.edu.au | www.smtdow.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Michael's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (78.4 vs 73.8).
- •St Michael's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1130 vs 1121), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Michael's Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (14.4 vs 16.3).
- •St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 412 students compared with 183.
- •St Joseph's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (3% vs -6%).
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 Joseph's Catholic Primary School better than St Michael's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Michael's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (78.4 vs 73.8 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 Joseph's Catholic Primary School and St Michael's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Bulli and Thirroul in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School has 16.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Michael's Catholic Primary School has 14.4.
How do St Joseph's Catholic Primary School and St Michael's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is 179th of 1,619 and St Michael's Catholic Primary School is 76th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.