Pentland Primary School vs St Bernard's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 2.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Pentland Primary School
Bacchus Marsh · Government primary · Prep-6
556 students · ICSEA 1009
St Bernard's School
Bacchus Marsh · Catholic primary · Prep-6
328 students · ICSEA 1035
| Measure | Pentland Primary School Bacchus Marsh VIC | St Bernard's School Bacchus Marsh VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 59 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #721 of 1,290 | #677 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2142 of 4,908 | #2002 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 556 | 328 |
| Girls / boys | 255 / 301 | 187 / 141 |
| Foundation intake | 102 | 54 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +64% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1009 | 1035 |
| ICSEA percentile | 51th | 62th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 13% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 30% | 21% |
| Students per teacher | 14.1 | 13.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 39.5 | 24.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.7 | 11.5 |
| Language background other than English | 33% | 14% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 3% |
| Suburb | Bacchus Marsh 3340 | Bacchus Marsh 3340 |
| Council area | Moorabool | Moorabool |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.pentlandps.vic.edu.au | www.sbbacchusmarsh.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Bernard's School scores higher on the Success Index (59.1 vs 57.2).
- •St Bernard's School has the higher ICSEA (1035 vs 1009), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Bernard's School has fewer students per teacher (13.3 vs 14.1).
- •Pentland Primary School is the larger school with 556 students compared with 328.
- •Pentland Primary School has grown faster over five years (64% vs -2%).
- •Pentland Primary School is a government school while St Bernard'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 Pentland Primary School better than St Bernard's School?
On the Success Index, St Bernard's School ranks higher (59.1 vs 57.2 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 Pentland Primary School and St Bernard's School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between Bacchus Marsh and Bacchus Marsh in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Pentland Primary School has 14.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Bernard's School has 13.3.
How do Pentland Primary School and St Bernard's School rank in VIC?
Pentland Primary School is 721st of 1,290 and St Bernard's School is 677th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.