Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College vs St Francis of the Fields School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 6.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College
Bendigo · Government high school · 7-10
1,030 students · ICSEA 1016
St Francis of the Fields School
Strathfieldsaye · Catholic primary · Prep-6
614 students · ICSEA 1093
| Measure | Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College Bendigo VIC | St Francis of the Fields School Strathfieldsaye VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 46 Lower 50% | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #237 of 348 | #360 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #816 of 1,472 | #847 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-10 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,030 | 614 |
| Girls / boys | 465 / 565 | 307 / 307 |
| Foundation intake | – | 88 |
| Year 7 cohort | 263 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -31% | +0% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1016 | 1093 |
| ICSEA percentile | 54th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 18% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 30% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 13.2 | 14.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 77.9 | 42.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 35.1 | 14.4 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 1% |
| Suburb | Bendigo 3550 | Strathfieldsaye 3551 |
| Council area | Greater Bendigo | Greater Bendigo |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.bse.vic.edu.au | www.sfstrathfieldsaye.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Francis of the Fields School scores higher on the Success Index (71.8 vs 46.2).
- •St Francis of the Fields School has the higher ICSEA (1093 vs 1016), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (13.2 vs 14.4).
- •Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College is the larger school with 1,030 students compared with 614.
- •St Francis of the Fields School has grown faster over five years (0% vs -31%).
- •Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College is a government school while St Francis of the Fields 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 Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College better than St Francis of the Fields School?
On the Success Index, St Francis of the Fields School ranks higher (71.8 vs 46.2 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 Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College and St Francis of the Fields School?
About 6.4 km in a straight line, between Bendigo and Strathfieldsaye in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College has 13.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Francis of the Fields School has 14.4.
How do Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College and St Francis of the Fields School rank in VIC?
Bendigo South East 7-10 Secondary College is 237th of 348 and St Francis of the Fields School is 360th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.