Hesket Primary School vs St Ambrose's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 8.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Hesket Primary School
Hesket · Government primary · Prep-6
76 students · ICSEA 1087
St Ambrose's School
Woodend · Catholic primary · Prep-6
225 students · ICSEA 1109
| Measure | Hesket Primary School Hesket VIC | St Ambrose's School Woodend VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 74 Top 25% | 75 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | #261 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #554 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 76 | 225 |
| Girls / boys | 41 / 35 | 101 / 124 |
| Foundation intake | 14 | 31 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +117% | -11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1087 | 1109 |
| ICSEA percentile | 81th | 87th |
| Top SEA quarter | 38% | 42% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 14% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 9.7 | 14.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 7.8 | 15.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.0 | 6.2 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 1% |
| Suburb | Hesket 3442 | Woodend 3442 |
| Council area | Macedon Ranges | Macedon Ranges |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.hesketps.vic.edu.au | www.sawoodend.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (74.3 vs 74.8).
- •St Ambrose's School has the higher ICSEA (1109 vs 1087), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Hesket Primary School has fewer students per teacher (9.7 vs 14.4).
- •St Ambrose's School is the larger school with 225 students compared with 76.
- •Hesket Primary School has grown faster over five years (117% vs -11%).
- •Hesket Primary School is a government school while St Ambrose's 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 Hesket Primary School better than St Ambrose's 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 Hesket Primary School and St Ambrose's School?
About 8.0 km in a straight line, between Hesket and Woodend in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Hesket Primary School has 9.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Ambrose's School has 14.4.
How do Hesket Primary School and St Ambrose's School rank in VIC?
Hesket Primary School is unranked and St Ambrose's School is 261st of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.