St Joseph's Primary School vs The Small School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 411 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Joseph's Primary School
South Murwillumbah · Catholic primary · K-6
161 students · ICSEA 1011
The Small School
Murwillumbah · Independent combined · K-10
67 students · ICSEA 1071
| Measure | St Joseph's Primary School South Murwillumbah NSW | The Small School Murwillumbah NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #837 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #2553 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-10 |
| Students | 161 | 67 |
| Girls / boys | 74 / 87 | 35 / 32 |
| Foundation intake | 20 | 6 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 6 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +18% | +168% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1011 | 1071 |
| ICSEA percentile | 52th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 34% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 12.8 | 10.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.6 | 6.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.8 | 6.4 |
| Language background other than English | 1% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 3% |
| Suburb | South Murwillumbah 2484 | Murwillumbah 2484 |
| Council area | Tweed | Tweed |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.smurplism.catholic.edu.au/ | www.thesmallschool.org.au/ |
The verdict
- •The Small School scores higher on the Success Index (63.8 vs 52.1).
- •The Small School has the higher ICSEA (1071 vs 1011), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Small School has fewer students per teacher (10.8 vs 12.8).
- •St Joseph's Primary School is the larger school with 161 students compared with 67.
- •The Small School has grown faster over five years (168% vs 18%).
- •St Joseph's Primary School is a catholic school while The Small School is an independent 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 Joseph's Primary School better than The Small School?
On the Success Index, The Small School ranks higher (63.8 vs 52.1 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 Primary School and The Small School?
About 411 m in a straight line, between South Murwillumbah and Murwillumbah in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Joseph's Primary School has 12.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Small School has 10.8.
How do St Joseph's Primary School and The Small School rank in NSW?
St Joseph's Primary School is 837th of 1,619 and The Small School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.