Kirwan State School vs St Benedict's Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 3.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Kirwan State School
Kirwan · Government primary · Prep-6
698 students · ICSEA 927
St Benedict's Catholic School
Shaw · Catholic primary · Prep-6
613 students · ICSEA 1014
| Measure | Kirwan State School Kirwan QLD | St Benedict's Catholic School Shaw QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 20 Lower 50% | 52 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #754 of 804 | #303 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #4774 of 4,908 | #2538 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 698 | 613 |
| Girls / boys | 337 / 361 | 289 / 324 |
| Foundation intake | 87 | 99 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | +97% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 927 | 1014 |
| ICSEA percentile | 17th | 53th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 14.8 | 17.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 47.1 | 35.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 23.3 | 18.2 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 24% | 9% |
| Suburb | Kirwan 4817 | Shaw 4818 |
| Council area | Townsville | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | kirwanss.eq.edu.au | www.stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Benedict's Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (52.3 vs 20.1).
- •St Benedict's Catholic School has the higher ICSEA (1014 vs 927), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Kirwan State School has fewer students per teacher (14.8 vs 17.2).
- •Kirwan State School is the larger school with 698 students compared with 613.
- •St Benedict's Catholic School has grown faster over five years (97% vs -17%).
- •Kirwan State School is a government school while St Benedict's Catholic 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 Kirwan State School better than St Benedict's Catholic School?
On the Success Index, St Benedict's Catholic School ranks higher (52.3 vs 20.1 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 Kirwan State School and St Benedict's Catholic School?
About 3.9 km in a straight line, between Kirwan and Shaw in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Kirwan State School has 14.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Benedict's Catholic School has 17.2.
How do Kirwan State School and St Benedict's Catholic School rank in QLD?
Kirwan State School is 754th of 804 and St Benedict's Catholic School is 303rd of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.