Bittern Primary School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 4.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bittern Primary School
Bittern · Government primary · Prep-6
78 students · ICSEA 978
St Mary's School
Hastings · Catholic primary · Prep-6
126 students · ICSEA 1008
| Measure | Bittern Primary School Bittern VIC | St Mary's School Hastings VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 41 Lower 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #818 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #2471 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 78 | 126 |
| Girls / boys | 48 / 30 | 62 / 64 |
| Foundation intake | 7 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -40% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 978 | 1008 |
| ICSEA percentile | 37th | 50th |
| Top SEA quarter | 9% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 46% | 34% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 9.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.8 | 12.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.4 | 8.7 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 6% |
| Suburb | Bittern 3918 | Hastings 3915 |
| Council area | Mornington Peninsula | Mornington Peninsula |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.bitternps.vic.edu.au | www.smhastings.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (53.3 vs 41.4).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1008 vs 978), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (9.8 vs 11.5).
- •St Mary's School is the larger school with 126 students compared with 78.
- •St Mary's School has grown faster over five years (14% vs -40%).
- •Bittern 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Bittern Primary School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (53.3 vs 41.4 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 Bittern Primary School and St Mary's School?
About 4.4 km in a straight line, between Bittern and Hastings in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bittern Primary School has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 9.8.
How do Bittern Primary School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
Bittern Primary School is unranked and St Mary's School is 818th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.