Blackburn Primary School vs St Thomas the Apostle School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 715 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Blackburn Primary School
Blackburn · Government primary · Prep-6
440 students · ICSEA 1141
St Thomas the Apostle School
Blackburn · Catholic primary · Prep-6
185 students · ICSEA 1130
| Measure | Blackburn Primary School Blackburn VIC | St Thomas the Apostle School Blackburn VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 79 Top 5% | 78 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #149 of 1,290 | #165 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #271 of 4,908 | #316 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 440 | 185 |
| Girls / boys | 218 / 222 | 97 / 88 |
| Foundation intake | 73 | 18 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -10% | -38% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1141 | 1130 |
| ICSEA percentile | 94th | 91th |
| Top SEA quarter | 58% | 51% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 15.3 | 12.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 28.7 | 14.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.1 | 6.0 |
| Language background other than English | 55% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Blackburn 3130 | Blackburn 3130 |
| Council area | Whitehorse | Whitehorse |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.blackburnps.vic.edu.au | www.stblackburn.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (78.7 vs 78.2).
- •Blackburn Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1141 vs 1130), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Thomas the Apostle School has fewer students per teacher (12.4 vs 15.3).
- •Blackburn Primary School is the larger school with 440 students compared with 185.
- •Blackburn Primary School has grown faster over five years (-10% vs -38%).
- •Blackburn Primary School is a government school while St Thomas the Apostle 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 Hawthorn
Frequently asked questions
Is Blackburn Primary School better than St Thomas the Apostle 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 Blackburn Primary School and St Thomas the Apostle School?
About 715 m in a straight line, between Blackburn and Blackburn in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Blackburn Primary School has 15.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Thomas the Apostle School has 12.4.
How do Blackburn Primary School and St Thomas the Apostle School rank in VIC?
Blackburn Primary School is 149th of 1,290 and St Thomas the Apostle School is 165th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.