Arnolds Creek Primary School vs St Catherine of Siena School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Arnolds Creek Primary School
Harkness · Government primary · Prep-6
724 students · ICSEA 999
St Catherine of Siena School
Melton West · Catholic primary · Prep-6
522 students · ICSEA 1002
| Measure | Arnolds Creek Primary School Harkness VIC | St Catherine of Siena School Melton West VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #867 of 1,290 | #869 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2656 of 4,908 | #2662 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 724 | 522 |
| Girls / boys | 361 / 363 | 279 / 243 |
| Foundation intake | 88 | 75 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +25% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 999 | 1002 |
| ICSEA percentile | 46th | 48th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 34% | 34% |
| Students per teacher | 14.5 | 15.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 49.9 | 33.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.8 | 19.7 |
| Language background other than English | 50% | 53% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 1% |
| Suburb | Harkness 3337 | Melton West 3337 |
| Council area | Melton | Melton |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | arnoldscreekps.vic.edu.au/ | www.scmeltonwest.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (50.4 vs 50.4).
- •St Catherine of Siena School has the higher ICSEA (1002 vs 999), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Arnolds Creek Primary School has fewer students per teacher (14.5 vs 15.4).
- •Arnolds Creek Primary School is the larger school with 724 students compared with 522.
- •Arnolds Creek Primary School has grown faster over five years (25% vs 4%).
- •Arnolds Creek Primary School is a government school while St Catherine of Siena 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 Arnolds Creek Primary School better than St Catherine of Siena School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Arnolds Creek Primary School and St Catherine of Siena School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Harkness and Melton West in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Arnolds Creek Primary School has 14.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Catherine of Siena School has 15.4.
How do Arnolds Creek Primary School and St Catherine of Siena School rank in VIC?
Arnolds Creek Primary School is 867th of 1,290 and St Catherine of Siena School is 869th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.