Bees Creek Primary School vs Good Shepherd Lutheran College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 5.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bees Creek Primary School
Freds Pass · Government primary · T-6
283 students · ICSEA 976
Good Shepherd Lutheran College
Howard Springs · Independent combined · T-12
1,117 students · ICSEA 1025
| Measure | Bees Creek Primary School Freds Pass NT | Good Shepherd Lutheran College Howard Springs NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 32 Lower 50% | 47 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #32 of 52 | #8 of 40 |
| National rank (type) | #3976 of 4,908 | #723 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | T-6 | T-12 |
| Students | 283 | 1,117 |
| Girls / boys | 152 / 131 | 575 / 542 |
| Foundation intake | 39 | 64 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 150 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 53 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -18% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 976 | 1025 |
| ICSEA percentile | 36th | 58th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 30% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 15.5 | 12.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.3 | 90.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.5 | 48.6 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 19% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 7% |
| Suburb | Freds Pass 0822 | Howard Springs 0835 |
| Council area | Litchfield | Litchfield |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | beescreekschool.com | www.goodshepherd.nt.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Good Shepherd Lutheran College scores higher on the Success Index (46.8 vs 32.1).
- •Good Shepherd Lutheran College has the higher ICSEA (1025 vs 976), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Good Shepherd Lutheran College has fewer students per teacher (12.4 vs 15.5).
- •Good Shepherd Lutheran College is the larger school with 1,117 students compared with 283.
- •Good Shepherd Lutheran College has grown faster over five years (4% vs -18%).
- •Bees Creek Primary School is a government school while Good Shepherd Lutheran College 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 Bees Creek Primary School better than Good Shepherd Lutheran College?
On the Success Index, Good Shepherd Lutheran College ranks higher (46.8 vs 32.1 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 Bees Creek Primary School and Good Shepherd Lutheran College?
About 5.8 km in a straight line, between Freds Pass and Howard Springs in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bees Creek Primary School has 15.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Good Shepherd Lutheran College has 12.4.
How do Bees Creek Primary School and Good Shepherd Lutheran College rank in NT?
Bees Creek Primary School is 32nd of 52 and Good Shepherd Lutheran College is 8th of 40 among primary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.