John Hartley School B-6 vs St Columba College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
John Hartley School B-6
Smithfield Plains · Government primary · U, R-6
685 students · ICSEA 903
St Columba College
Andrews Farm · Catholic combined · R-12
1,519 students · ICSEA 973
| Measure | John Hartley School B-6 Smithfield Plains SA | St Columba College Andrews Farm SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 27 Lower 50% | 29 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #307 of 348 | #129 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #4322 of 4,908 | #1098 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | U, R-6 | R-12 |
| Students | 685 | 1,519 |
| Girls / boys | 333 / 352 | 781 / 738 |
| Foundation intake | 115 | 100 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 147 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 113 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 903 | 973 |
| ICSEA percentile | 11th | 34th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 45% |
| Students per teacher | 13.1 | 13.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 52.4 | 116.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 42.3 | 84.1 |
| Language background other than English | 25% | 40% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 4% |
| Suburb | Smithfield Plains 5114 | Andrews Farm 5114 |
| Council area | Playford | Playford |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.hartley.sa.edu.au | www.stcolumba.com.au |
The verdict
- •St Columba College scores higher on the Success Index (29.0 vs 27.4).
- •St Columba College has the higher ICSEA (973 vs 903), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Columba College is the larger school with 1,519 students compared with 685.
- •John Hartley School B-6 is a government school while St Columba College 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 John Hartley School B-6 better than St Columba College?
On the Success Index, St Columba College ranks higher (29.0 vs 27.4 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 John Hartley School B-6 and St Columba College?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Smithfield Plains and Andrews Farm in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
John Hartley School B-6 has 13.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba College has 13.0.
How do John Hartley School B-6 and St Columba College rank in SA?
John Hartley School B-6 is 307th of 348 and St Columba College is 129th of 145 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.