Forest Primary School vs St Peter Chanel Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Tasmania, 9.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Forest Primary School
Forest · Government primary · K-6
99 students · ICSEA 903
St Peter Chanel Catholic School
Smithton · Catholic primary · Prep-6
125 students · ICSEA 889
| Measure | Forest Primary School Forest TAS | St Peter Chanel Catholic School Smithton TAS |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 24 Lower 50% | 28 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #113 of 132 | #102 of 132 |
| National rank (type) | #4550 of 4,908 | #4297 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 99 | 125 |
| Girls / boys | 45 / 54 | 53 / 72 |
| Foundation intake | 12 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -40% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 903 | 889 |
| ICSEA percentile | 11th | 9th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 59% | 58% |
| Students per teacher | 11.2 | 10.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.5 | 11.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 7.3 | 10.5 |
| Language background other than English | 1% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 24% | 42% |
| Suburb | Forest 7330 | Smithton 7330 |
| Council area | Circular Head | Circular Head |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | tuartforestps.wa.edu.au/ | stpeterchanel.tas.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Peter Chanel Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (27.8 vs 24.1).
- •Forest Primary School has the higher ICSEA (903 vs 889), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Peter Chanel Catholic School has fewer students per teacher (10.5 vs 11.2).
- •St Peter Chanel Catholic School is the larger school with 125 students compared with 99.
- •St Peter Chanel Catholic School has grown faster over five years (1% vs -40%).
- •Forest Primary School is a government school while St Peter Chanel 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 Forest Primary School better than St Peter Chanel Catholic School?
On the Success Index, St Peter Chanel Catholic School ranks higher (27.8 vs 24.1 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 Forest Primary School and St Peter Chanel Catholic School?
About 9.9 km in a straight line, between Forest and Smithton in Tasmania.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Forest Primary School has 11.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Peter Chanel Catholic School has 10.5.
How do Forest Primary School and St Peter Chanel Catholic School rank in TAS?
Forest Primary School is 113th of 132 and St Peter Chanel Catholic School is 102nd of 132 among primary schools in Tasmania on the 2025 Success Index.