Newington Primary School vs St Patrick's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Newington Primary School
Ballarat · Government primary · Prep-6
278 students · ICSEA 1007
St Patrick's School
Ballarat · Catholic primary · Prep-6
249 students · ICSEA 1096
| Measure | Newington Primary School Ballarat VIC | St Patrick's School Ballarat VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 54 Top 50% | 70 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #808 of 1,290 | #400 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2433 of 4,908 | #1000 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 278 | 249 |
| Girls / boys | 137 / 141 | 124 / 125 |
| Foundation intake | 35 | 42 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -16% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1007 | 1096 |
| ICSEA percentile | 50th | 83th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 35% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 32% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 13.4 | 16.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 20.8 | 15.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.0 | 7.9 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 0% |
| Suburb | Ballarat 3350 | Ballarat 3350 |
| Council area | Ballarat | Ballarat |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.newingtonps.vic.edu.au/ | www.spballarat.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's School scores higher on the Success Index (70.2 vs 53.7).
- •St Patrick's School has the higher ICSEA (1096 vs 1007), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Newington Primary School has fewer students per teacher (13.4 vs 16.1).
- •Newington Primary School is the larger school with 278 students compared with 249.
- •St Patrick's School has grown faster over five years (-1% vs -16%).
- •Newington Primary School is a government school while St Patrick'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 Newington Primary School better than St Patrick's School?
On the Success Index, St Patrick's School ranks higher (70.2 vs 53.7 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 Newington Primary School and St Patrick's School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Ballarat and Ballarat in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Newington Primary School has 13.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Patrick's School has 16.1.
How do Newington Primary School and St Patrick's School rank in VIC?
Newington Primary School is 808th of 1,290 and St Patrick's School is 400th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.