Cobains Primary School vs St Thomas' School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 5.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cobains Primary School
Cobains · Government primary · Prep-6
46 students · ICSEA 939
St Thomas' School
Sale · Catholic primary · Prep-6
289 students · ICSEA 1039
| Measure | Cobains Primary School Cobains VIC | St Thomas' School Sale VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 30 Lower 50% | 58 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #704 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #2090 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 46 | 289 |
| Girls / boys | 21 / 25 | 153 / 136 |
| Foundation intake | 8 | 43 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +18% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 939 | 1039 |
| ICSEA percentile | 21th | 64th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 58% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 8.7 | 14.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 5.3 | 20.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.9 | 9.9 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 2% |
| Suburb | Cobains 3851 | Sale 3850 |
| Council area | Wellington | Wellington |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.cobains.vic.edu.au | www.sttsale.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Thomas' School scores higher on the Success Index (58.0 vs 29.5).
- •St Thomas' School has the higher ICSEA (1039 vs 939), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cobains Primary School has fewer students per teacher (8.7 vs 14.0).
- •St Thomas' School is the larger school with 289 students compared with 46.
- •Cobains Primary School has grown faster over five years (18% vs -8%).
- •Cobains Primary School is a government school while St Thomas' 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 Cobains Primary School better than St Thomas' School?
On the Success Index, St Thomas' School ranks higher (58.0 vs 29.5 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 Cobains Primary School and St Thomas' School?
About 5.1 km in a straight line, between Cobains and Sale in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cobains Primary School has 8.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Thomas' School has 14.0.
How do Cobains Primary School and St Thomas' School rank in VIC?
Cobains Primary School is unranked and St Thomas' School is 704th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.