Eaglehawk Secondary College vs Lightning Reef Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Eaglehawk Secondary College
Eaglehawk · Government high school · 7-10
561 students · ICSEA 922
Lightning Reef Primary School
Bendigo · Government primary · Prep-6
165 students · ICSEA 858
| Measure | Eaglehawk Secondary College Eaglehawk VIC | Lightning Reef Primary School Bendigo VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 26 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #335 of 348 | #1266 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #1286 of 1,472 | #4440 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-10 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 561 | 165 |
| Girls / boys | 265 / 296 | 74 / 91 |
| Foundation intake | – | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | 145 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 922 | 858 |
| ICSEA percentile | 16th | 5th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 59% | 79% |
| Students per teacher | 9.7 | 8.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 57.4 | 18.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 30.7 | 9.4 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 43% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 12% |
| Suburb | Eaglehawk 3556 | Bendigo 3550 |
| Council area | Greater Bendigo | Greater Bendigo |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.eaglehawksc.vic.edu.au/ | www.lightningreefps.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (25.7 vs 25.9).
- •Eaglehawk Secondary College has the higher ICSEA (922 vs 858), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Lightning Reef Primary School has fewer students per teacher (8.9 vs 9.7).
- •Eaglehawk Secondary College is the larger school with 561 students compared with 165.
- •Lightning Reef Primary School has grown faster over five years (-8% vs -15%).
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 Eaglehawk Secondary College better than Lightning Reef Primary 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 Eaglehawk Secondary College and Lightning Reef Primary School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Eaglehawk and Bendigo in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Eaglehawk Secondary College has 9.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Lightning Reef Primary School has 8.9.
How do Eaglehawk Secondary College and Lightning Reef Primary School rank in VIC?
Eaglehawk Secondary College is 335th of 348 and Lightning Reef Primary School is 1266th of 1,290 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.