Palmerston College vs Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 810 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Palmerston College
Driver · Government high school · 7-12
1,267 students · ICSEA 884
Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School
Woodroffe · Catholic primary · T-6
165 students · ICSEA 983
| Measure | Palmerston College Driver NT | Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Woodroffe NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 22 Lower 50% | 46 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #21 of 23 | #20 of 52 |
| National rank (type) | #1378 of 1,472 | #3048 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | T-6 |
| Students | 1,267 | 165 |
| Girls / boys | 574 / 693 | 76 / 89 |
| Foundation intake | – | 24 |
| Year 7 cohort | 228 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 140 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +4% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 884 | 983 |
| ICSEA percentile | 8th | 39th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 32% |
| Students per teacher | 11.4 | 12.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 110.6 | 13.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 76.3 | 6.6 |
| Language background other than English | 30% | 25% |
| Indigenous students | 39% | 16% |
| Suburb | Driver 0830 | Woodroffe 0830 |
| Council area | Palmerston | Palmerston |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.palmerstoncollege.nt.edu.au/ | www.shpsnt.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (45.5 vs 22.2).
- •Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (983 vs 884), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Palmerston College has fewer students per teacher (11.4 vs 12.1).
- •Palmerston College is the larger school with 1,267 students compared with 165.
- •Palmerston College has grown faster over five years (4% vs -8%).
- •Palmerston College is a government school while Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School is a catholic 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 Palmerston College better than Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School ranks higher (45.5 vs 22.2 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 Palmerston College and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School?
About 810 m in a straight line, between Driver and Woodroffe in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Palmerston College has 11.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School has 12.1.
How do Palmerston College and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School rank in NT?
Palmerston College is 21st of 23 and Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School is 20th of 52 among secondary schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.