Sacred Heart College vs The Friends' School
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in Tasmania, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Sacred Heart College
New Town · Catholic combined · Prep-10
934 students · ICSEA 1017
The Friends' School
North Hobart · Independent combined · Prep-12
1,269 students · ICSEA 1149
| Measure | Sacred Heart College New Town TAS | The Friends' School North Hobart TAS |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 45 Lower 50% | 80 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #24 of 51 | #2 of 51 |
| National rank (type) | #757 of 1,259 | #116 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-10 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 934 | 1,269 |
| Girls / boys | 480 / 454 | 648 / 621 |
| Foundation intake | 54 | 48 |
| Year 7 cohort | 134 | 144 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 138 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | +5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1017 | 1149 |
| ICSEA percentile | 55th | 95th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 63% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 12.5 | 9.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 74.8 | 128.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 49.7 | 69.8 |
| Language background other than English | 19% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 2% |
| Suburb | New Town 7008 | North Hobart 7000 |
| Council area | Hobart | Hobart |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.shc.tas.edu.au | www.friends.tas.edu.au |
The verdict
- •The Friends' School scores higher on the Success Index (79.8 vs 45.4).
- •The Friends' School has the higher ICSEA (1149 vs 1017), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •The Friends' School has fewer students per teacher (9.9 vs 12.5).
- •The Friends' School is the larger school with 1,269 students compared with 934.
- •Sacred Heart College is a catholic school while The Friends' School is an independent 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Torquay
Frequently asked questions
Is Sacred Heart College better than The Friends' School?
On the Success Index, The Friends' School ranks higher (79.8 vs 45.4 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 Sacred Heart College and The Friends' School?
About 1.1 km in a straight line, between New Town and North Hobart in Tasmania.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sacred Heart College has 12.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Friends' School has 9.9.
How do Sacred Heart College and The Friends' School rank in TAS?
Sacred Heart College is 24th of 51 and The Friends' School is 2nd of 51 among combined schools in Tasmania on the 2025 Success Index.