JRLF - Herdsmans Cove Primary School vs St Paul's Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Tasmania, 1.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
JRLF - Herdsmans Cove Primary School
Herdsmans Cove · Government primary · K-6
144 students · ICSEA 772
St Paul's Catholic School
Bridgewater · Catholic primary · Prep-6
178 students · ICSEA 895
| Measure | JRLF - Herdsmans Cove Primary School Herdsmans Cove TAS | St Paul's Catholic School Bridgewater TAS |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 18 Lower 50% | 27 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #132 of 132 | #105 of 132 |
| National rank (type) | #4840 of 4,908 | #4395 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 144 | 178 |
| Girls / boys | 74 / 70 | 89 / 89 |
| Foundation intake | 12 | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -14% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 772 | 895 |
| ICSEA percentile | 2th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 0% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 91% | 62% |
| Students per teacher | 7.0 | 9.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.7 | 18.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.9 | 12.9 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 42% | 29% |
| Suburb | Herdsmans Cove 7030 | Bridgewater 7030 |
| Council area | Brighton | Brighton |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | jrlf.education.tas.edu.au/ | www.stpauls.tas.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Paul's Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (26.5 vs 18.2).
- •St Paul's Catholic School has the higher ICSEA (895 vs 772), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •JRLF - Herdsmans Cove Primary School has fewer students per teacher (7.0 vs 9.8).
- •St Paul's Catholic School is the larger school with 178 students compared with 144.
- •St Paul's Catholic School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -14%).
- •JRLF - Herdsmans Cove Primary School is a government school while St Paul's 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 JRLF - Herdsmans Cove Primary School better than St Paul's Catholic School?
On the Success Index, St Paul's Catholic School ranks higher (26.5 vs 18.2 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 JRLF - Herdsmans Cove Primary School and St Paul's Catholic School?
About 1.8 km in a straight line, between Herdsmans Cove and Bridgewater in Tasmania.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
JRLF - Herdsmans Cove Primary School has 7.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Paul's Catholic School has 9.8.
How do JRLF - Herdsmans Cove Primary School and St Paul's Catholic School rank in TAS?
JRLF - Herdsmans Cove Primary School is 132nd of 132 and St Paul's Catholic School is 105th of 132 among primary schools in Tasmania on the 2025 Success Index.