Punchbowl Primary School vs St Thomas More's Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Tasmania, 1.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Punchbowl Primary School
Newstead · Government primary · K-6
317 students · ICSEA 1029
St Thomas More's Catholic School
Newstead · Catholic primary · Prep-6
315 students · ICSEA 1033
| Measure | Punchbowl Primary School Newstead TAS | St Thomas More's Catholic School Newstead TAS |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 58 Top 50% | 51 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #32 of 132 | #44 of 132 |
| National rank (type) | #2085 of 4,908 | #2654 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 317 | 315 |
| Girls / boys | 160 / 157 | 156 / 159 |
| Foundation intake | 33 | 45 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -13% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 1033 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 61th |
| Top SEA quarter | 23% | 17% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 14.0 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 21.5 | 18.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.3 | 12.2 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 4% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 6% |
| Suburb | Newstead 7250 | Newstead 7250 |
| Council area | Launceston | Launceston |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | punchbowlprimary.education.tas.edu.au/ | www.stm.tas.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Punchbowl Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (58.0 vs 50.5).
- •St Thomas More's Catholic School has the higher ICSEA (1033 vs 1029), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Punchbowl Primary School has fewer students per teacher (14.0 vs 16.8).
- •Punchbowl Primary School is the larger school with 317 students compared with 315.
- •St Thomas More's Catholic School has grown faster over five years (1% vs -13%).
- •Punchbowl Primary School is a government school while St Thomas More'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 Punchbowl Primary School better than St Thomas More's Catholic School?
On the Success Index, Punchbowl Primary School ranks higher (58.0 vs 50.5 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 Punchbowl Primary School and St Thomas More's Catholic School?
About 1.0 km in a straight line, between Newstead and Newstead in Tasmania.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Punchbowl Primary School has 14.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Thomas More's Catholic School has 16.8.
How do Punchbowl Primary School and St Thomas More's Catholic School rank in TAS?
Punchbowl Primary School is 32nd of 132 and St Thomas More's Catholic School is 44th of 132 among primary schools in Tasmania on the 2025 Success Index.