Bellbrae Primary School vs Freshwater Creek Steiner School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 8.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bellbrae Primary School
Bellbrae · Government primary · Prep-6
492 students · ICSEA 1119
Freshwater Creek Steiner School
Freshwater Creek · Independent primary · Prep-6
144 students · ICSEA 1094
| Measure | Bellbrae Primary School Bellbrae VIC | Freshwater Creek Steiner School Freshwater Creek VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 10% | 75 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #263 of 1,290 | #246 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #558 of 4,908 | #507 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 492 | 144 |
| Girls / boys | 244 / 248 | 73 / 71 |
| Foundation intake | 78 | 24 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | +13% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1119 | 1094 |
| ICSEA percentile | 89th | 83th |
| Top SEA quarter | 48% | 41% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 15.4 | 10.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.0 | 13.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.6 | 11.5 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 5% |
| Suburb | Bellbrae 3228 | Freshwater Creek 3216 |
| Council area | Surf Coast | Surf Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.bellbraeps.vic.edu.au | www.fwcss.com.au/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (74.7 vs 75.3).
- •Bellbrae Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1119 vs 1094), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Freshwater Creek Steiner School has fewer students per teacher (10.7 vs 15.4).
- •Bellbrae Primary School is the larger school with 492 students compared with 144.
- •Freshwater Creek Steiner School has grown faster over five years (13% vs 3%).
- •Bellbrae Primary School is a government school while Freshwater Creek Steiner 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 Bellbrae Primary School better than Freshwater Creek Steiner 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 Bellbrae Primary School and Freshwater Creek Steiner School?
About 8.0 km in a straight line, between Bellbrae and Freshwater Creek in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bellbrae Primary School has 15.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Freshwater Creek Steiner School has 10.7.
How do Bellbrae Primary School and Freshwater Creek Steiner School rank in VIC?
Bellbrae Primary School is 263rd of 1,290 and Freshwater Creek Steiner School is 246th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.