Good Shepherd School vs St Columba's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 16 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Good Shepherd School
Wheelers Hill · Catholic primary · Prep-6
474 students · ICSEA 1151
St Columba's School
Elwood · Catholic primary · Prep-6
137 students · ICSEA 1152
| Measure | Good Shepherd School Wheelers Hill VIC | St Columba's School Elwood VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 79 Top 5% | 84 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #151 of 1,290 | #35 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #275 of 4,908 | #59 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 474 | 137 |
| Girls / boys | 228 / 246 | 66 / 71 |
| Foundation intake | 54 | 30 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -9% | -12% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1151 | 1152 |
| ICSEA percentile | 95th | 95th |
| Top SEA quarter | 59% | 60% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 1% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 15.6 | 10.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 30.4 | 13.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.6 | 5.4 |
| Language background other than English | 77% | 23% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 1% |
| Suburb | Wheelers Hill 3150 | Elwood 3184 |
| Council area | Monash | Port Phillip |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.goodshep.vic.edu.au | www.stcolumbasprimary.org |
The verdict
- •St Columba's School scores higher on the Success Index (83.8 vs 78.7).
- •St Columba's School has the higher ICSEA (1152 vs 1151), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Columba's School has fewer students per teacher (10.1 vs 15.6).
- •Good Shepherd School is the larger school with 474 students compared with 137.
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 Good Shepherd School better than St Columba's School?
On the Success Index, St Columba's School ranks higher (83.8 vs 78.7 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 Good Shepherd School and St Columba's School?
About 16 km in a straight line, between Wheelers Hill and Elwood in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Good Shepherd School has 15.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba's School has 10.1.
How do Good Shepherd School and St Columba's School rank in VIC?
Good Shepherd School is 151st of 1,290 and St Columba's School is 35th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.