St Bernadette's School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 240 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Bernadette's School
Sunshine North · Catholic primary · Prep-6
333 students · ICSEA 1005
St Mary's School
Rutherglen · Catholic primary · Prep-6
104 students · ICSEA 1004
| Measure | St Bernadette's School Sunshine North VIC | St Mary's School Rutherglen VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 49 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #742 of 1,290 | #894 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #2216 of 4,908 | #2759 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 333 | 104 |
| Girls / boys | 170 / 163 | 57 / 47 |
| Foundation intake | 46 | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -6% | +20% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1005 | 1004 |
| ICSEA percentile | 49th | 49th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 32% | 32% |
| Students per teacher | 13.1 | 11.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 25.4 | 8.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.8 | 4.9 |
| Language background other than English | 84% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 7% |
| Suburb | Sunshine North 3020 | Rutherglen 3685 |
| Council area | Brimbank | Indigo |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.stbsunshinenth.catholic.edu.au | www.smrutherglen.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Bernadette's School scores higher on the Success Index (56.5 vs 49.2).
- •St Bernadette's School has the higher ICSEA (1005 vs 1004), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 13.1).
- •St Bernadette's School is the larger school with 333 students compared with 104.
- •St Mary's School has grown faster over five years (20% vs -6%).
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 St Bernadette's School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Bernadette's School ranks higher (56.5 vs 49.2 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 St Bernadette's School and St Mary's School?
About 240 km in a straight line, between Sunshine North and Rutherglen in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Bernadette's School has 13.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 11.7.
How do St Bernadette's School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
St Bernadette's School is 742nd of 1,290 and St Mary's School is 894th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.