Bairnsdale West Primary School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 2.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bairnsdale West Primary School
Bairnsdale · Government primary · Prep-6
328 students · ICSEA 913
St Mary's School
Bairnsdale · Catholic primary · Prep-6
473 students · ICSEA 1024
| Measure | Bairnsdale West Primary School Bairnsdale VIC | St Mary's School Bairnsdale VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 33 Lower 50% | 48 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1199 of 1,290 | #911 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #3941 of 4,908 | #2811 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 328 | 473 |
| Girls / boys | 162 / 166 | 217 / 256 |
| Foundation intake | 43 | 68 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 913 | 1024 |
| ICSEA percentile | 13th | 58th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 58% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 13.0 | 17.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 25.3 | 26.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 26.9 | 16.8 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 20% | 4% |
| Suburb | Bairnsdale 3875 | Bairnsdale 3875 |
| Council area | East Gippsland | East Gippsland |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.bwestps.vic.edu.au | www.stmbairns.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (48.4 vs 32.6).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1024 vs 913), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bairnsdale West Primary School has fewer students per teacher (13.0 vs 17.6).
- •St Mary's School is the larger school with 473 students compared with 328.
- •Bairnsdale West Primary School is a government school while St Mary's 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.
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 Springvale
Frequently asked questions
Is Bairnsdale West Primary School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (48.4 vs 32.6 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 Bairnsdale West Primary School and St Mary's School?
About 2.7 km in a straight line, between Bairnsdale and Bairnsdale in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bairnsdale West Primary School has 13.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 17.6.
How do Bairnsdale West Primary School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Bairnsdale West Primary School is 1199th of 1,290 and St Mary's School is 911th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.