Columba Catholic School vs Garfield Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 3.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Columba Catholic School
Bunyip · Catholic primary · Prep-6
291 students · ICSEA 1009
Garfield Primary School
Garfield · Government primary · Prep-6
130 students · ICSEA 996
| Measure | Columba Catholic School Bunyip VIC | Garfield Primary School Garfield VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 54 Top 50% | 49 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #790 of 1,290 | #903 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2372 of 4,908 | #2780 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 291 | 130 |
| Girls / boys | 141 / 150 | 63 / 67 |
| Foundation intake | 43 | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +48% | -6% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1009 | 996 |
| ICSEA percentile | 51th | 45th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 32% | 36% |
| Students per teacher | 14.7 | 10.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.8 | 12.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.0 | 2.1 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 1% |
| Suburb | Bunyip 3815 | Garfield 3814 |
| Council area | Cardinia | Cardinia |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.bunyip.catholic.edu.au | www.garfieldps.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Columba Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (54.4 vs 48.8).
- •Columba Catholic School has the higher ICSEA (1009 vs 996), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Garfield Primary School has fewer students per teacher (10.3 vs 14.7).
- •Columba Catholic School is the larger school with 291 students compared with 130.
- •Columba Catholic School has grown faster over five years (48% vs -6%).
- •Columba Catholic School is a catholic school while Garfield Primary School is a government 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 Columba Catholic School better than Garfield Primary School?
On the Success Index, Columba Catholic School ranks higher (54.4 vs 48.8 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 Columba Catholic School and Garfield Primary School?
About 3.7 km in a straight line, between Bunyip and Garfield in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Columba Catholic School has 14.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Garfield Primary School has 10.3.
How do Columba Catholic School and Garfield Primary School rank in VIC?
Columba Catholic School is 790th of 1,290 and Garfield Primary School is 903rd of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.