St Thomas More Primary School vs Sunshine Beach State School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 260 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 School
Sunshine Beach · Government primary · Prep-6
706 students · ICSEA 1083
| Measure | St Thomas More Primary School Sunshine Beach QLD | Sunshine Beach State School Sunshine Beach QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 66 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #178 of 804 | #139 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1719 of 4,908 | #1399 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 578 | 706 |
| Girls / boys | 282 / 296 | 324 / 382 |
| Foundation intake | 79 | 76 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | -16% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1086 | 1083 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 80th |
| Top SEA quarter | 31% | 34% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 9% |
| Students per teacher | 17.7 | 15.2 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.6 | 46.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.2 | 17.5 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 26% |
| 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 | sunshinebeachss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Sunshine Beach State School scores higher on the Success Index (65.8 vs 62.3).
- •St Thomas More Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1086 vs 1083), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sunshine Beach State School has fewer students per teacher (15.2 vs 17.7).
- •Sunshine Beach State School is the larger school with 706 students compared with 578.
- •St Thomas More Primary School is a catholic school while Sunshine Beach 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 Thomas More Primary School better than Sunshine Beach State School?
On the Success Index, Sunshine Beach State School ranks higher (65.8 vs 62.3 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 Thomas More Primary School and Sunshine Beach State School?
About 260 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 School has 15.2.
How do St Thomas More Primary School and Sunshine Beach State School rank in QLD?
St Thomas More Primary School is 178th of 804 and Sunshine Beach State School is 139th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.