St Benedict's Catholic School vs The Willows State School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 3.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Benedict's Catholic School
Shaw · Catholic primary · Prep-6
613 students · ICSEA 1014
The Willows State School
Kirwan · Government primary · Prep-6
876 students · ICSEA 956
| Measure | St Benedict's Catholic School Shaw QLD | The Willows State School Kirwan QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 32 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #303 of 804 | #575 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #2538 of 4,908 | #3989 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 613 | 876 |
| Girls / boys | 289 / 324 | 437 / 439 |
| Foundation intake | 99 | 121 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +97% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1014 | 956 |
| ICSEA percentile | 53th | 27th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 20% | 38% |
| Students per teacher | 17.2 | 14.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.6 | 62.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 18.2 | 27.3 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 19% |
| Suburb | Shaw 4818 | Kirwan 4817 |
| Council area | Townsville | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.stbenedicts.catholic.edu.au/ | thewillowsss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Benedict's Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (52.3 vs 31.9).
- •St Benedict's Catholic School has the higher ICSEA (1014 vs 956), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Willows State School has fewer students per teacher (14.1 vs 17.2).
- •The Willows State School is the larger school with 876 students compared with 613.
- •St Benedict's Catholic School has grown faster over five years (97% vs -3%).
- •St Benedict's Catholic School is a catholic school while The Willows State School is a government 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 Benedict's Catholic School better than The Willows State School?
On the Success Index, St Benedict's Catholic School ranks higher (52.3 vs 31.9 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 Benedict's Catholic School and The Willows State School?
About 3.2 km in a straight line, between Shaw and Kirwan in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Benedict's Catholic School has 17.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Willows State School has 14.1.
How do St Benedict's Catholic School and The Willows State School rank in QLD?
St Benedict's Catholic School is 303rd of 804 and The Willows State School is 575th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.