St Thomas More Primary School vs Sunshine Beach State High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 611 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Thomas More Primary School
Sunshine Beach · Catholic primary · Prep-6
578 students · ICSEA 1086
Sunshine Beach State High School
Sunshine Beach · Government high school · 7-12
1,405 students · ICSEA 1043
| Measure | St Thomas More Primary School Sunshine Beach QLD | Sunshine Beach State High School Sunshine Beach QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 62 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #178 of 804 | #52 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #1719 of 4,908 | #459 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 578 | 1,405 |
| Girls / boys | 282 / 296 | 687 / 718 |
| Foundation intake | 79 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 212 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 233 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | -11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1086 | 1043 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 66th |
| Top SEA quarter | 31% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 18% |
| Students per teacher | 17.7 | 11.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.6 | 121.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.2 | 44.6 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 3% |
| Suburb | Sunshine Beach 4567 | Sunshine Beach 4567 |
| Council area | Noosa | Noosa |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.stmsunshine.qld.edu.au | sunshinebeachhigh.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (62.3 vs 62.2).
- •St Thomas More Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1086 vs 1043), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sunshine Beach State High School has fewer students per teacher (11.6 vs 17.7).
- •Sunshine Beach State High School is the larger school with 1,405 students compared with 578.
- •Sunshine Beach State High School has grown faster over five years (-11% vs -16%).
- •St Thomas More Primary School is a catholic school while Sunshine Beach State High 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 Thomas More Primary School better than Sunshine Beach State High School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are St Thomas More Primary School and Sunshine Beach State High School?
About 611 m in a straight line, between Sunshine Beach and Sunshine Beach in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Thomas More Primary School has 17.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sunshine Beach State High School has 11.6.
How do St Thomas More Primary School and Sunshine Beach State High School rank in QLD?
St Thomas More Primary School is 178th of 804 and Sunshine Beach State High School is 52nd of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.