Holy Spirit School vs St Bernadette's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Holy Spirit School
Thornbury · Catholic primary · Prep-6
129 students · ICSEA 1107
St Bernadette's School
Ivanhoe · Catholic primary · Prep-6
191 students · ICSEA 1149
| Measure | Holy Spirit School Thornbury VIC | St Bernadette's School Ivanhoe VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 71 Top 25% | 81 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #374 of 1,290 | #87 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #901 of 4,908 | #146 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 129 | 191 |
| Girls / boys | 71 / 58 | 111 / 80 |
| Foundation intake | 12 | 19 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -36% | -20% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1107 | 1149 |
| ICSEA percentile | 86th | 95th |
| Top SEA quarter | 41% | 59% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 13.6 | 12.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.5 | 15.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.4 | 4.9 |
| Language background other than English | 61% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Thornbury 3071 | Ivanhoe 3079 |
| Council area | Darebin | Banyule |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.hsthornburyeast.catholic.edu.au | www.sbivanhoe.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Bernadette's School scores higher on the Success Index (81.1 vs 71.2).
- •St Bernadette's School has the higher ICSEA (1149 vs 1107), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Bernadette's School has fewer students per teacher (12.6 vs 13.6).
- •St Bernadette's School is the larger school with 191 students compared with 129.
- •St Bernadette's School has grown faster over five years (-20% vs -36%).
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 Holy Spirit School better than St Bernadette's School?
On the Success Index, St Bernadette's School ranks higher (81.1 vs 71.2 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 Holy Spirit School and St Bernadette's School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Thornbury and Ivanhoe in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Holy Spirit School has 13.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Bernadette's School has 12.6.
How do Holy Spirit School and St Bernadette's School rank in VIC?
Holy Spirit School is 374th of 1,290 and St Bernadette's School is 87th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.