Sassafras Primary School vs St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 4.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Sassafras Primary School
Sassafras · Government primary · Prep-6
29 students · ICSEA 1055
St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School
The Basin · Catholic primary · Prep-6
255 students · ICSEA 1069
| Measure | Sassafras Primary School Sassafras VIC | St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School The Basin VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 63 Top 50% | 70 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #412 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1037 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 29 | 255 |
| Girls / boys | 11 / 18 | 130 / 125 |
| Foundation intake | 3 | 49 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -51% | +26% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1055 | 1069 |
| ICSEA percentile | 70th | 75th |
| Top SEA quarter | 24% | 27% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 16% | 15% |
| Students per teacher | 9.4 | 14.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 3.0 | 17.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.1 | 10.6 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 24% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 0% |
| Suburb | Sassafras 3787 | The Basin 3154 |
| Council area | Yarra Ranges | Knox |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.sassafrasps.vic.edu.au | www.sbthebasin.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (69.7 vs 62.7).
- •St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1069 vs 1055), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sassafras Primary School has fewer students per teacher (9.4 vs 14.4).
- •St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 255 students compared with 29.
- •St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (26% vs -51%).
- •Sassafras Primary School is a government school while St Bernadette's Catholic Primary 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 Sassafras Primary School better than St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (69.7 vs 62.7 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 Sassafras Primary School and St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School?
About 4.0 km in a straight line, between Sassafras and The Basin in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sassafras Primary School has 9.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School has 14.4.
How do Sassafras Primary School and St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School rank in VIC?
Sassafras Primary School is unranked and St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School is 412th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.