St Catherine's School vs Thomastown Secondary College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Catherine's School
Lalor · Catholic primary · Prep-6
289 students · ICSEA 1036
Thomastown Secondary College
Thomastown · Government high school · 7-12
461 students · ICSEA 926
| Measure | St Catherine's School Lalor VIC | Thomastown Secondary College Thomastown VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 60 Top 50% | 24 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #653 of 1,290 | #337 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #1928 of 4,908 | #1328 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 289 | 461 |
| Girls / boys | 146 / 143 | 210 / 251 |
| Foundation intake | 42 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 85 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 59 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | 24 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | 1.3% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | -23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1036 | 926 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 17th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 3% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 21% | 63% |
| Students per teacher | 12.4 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.2 | 41.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.4 | 13.7 |
| Language background other than English | 54% | 83% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 2% |
| Suburb | Lalor 3075 | Thomastown 3074 |
| Council area | Whittlesea | Whittlesea |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.sclalorwest.catholic.edu.au | www.thomassc.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Catherine's School scores higher on the Success Index (60.0 vs 24.4).
- •St Catherine's School has the higher ICSEA (1036 vs 926), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Thomastown Secondary College has fewer students per teacher (11.1 vs 12.4).
- •Thomastown Secondary College is the larger school with 461 students compared with 289.
- •St Catherine's School has grown faster over five years (-8% vs -23%).
- •St Catherine's School is a catholic school while Thomastown Secondary College is a government 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Coolaroo
Frequently asked questions
Is St Catherine's School better than Thomastown Secondary College?
On the Success Index, St Catherine's School ranks higher (60.0 vs 24.4 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 Catherine's School and Thomastown Secondary College?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Lalor and Thomastown in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Catherine's School has 12.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Thomastown Secondary College has 11.1.
How do St Catherine's School and Thomastown Secondary College rank in VIC?
St Catherine's School is 653rd of 1,290 and Thomastown Secondary College is 337th of 348 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.