St Catherine's School vs Thomastown West Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary 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 West Primary School
Thomastown · Government primary · Prep-6
204 students · ICSEA 970
| Measure | St Catherine's School Lalor VIC | Thomastown West Primary School Thomastown VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 60 Top 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #653 of 1,290 | #1070 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #1928 of 4,908 | #3393 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 289 | 204 |
| Girls / boys | 146 / 143 | 108 / 96 |
| Foundation intake | 42 | 26 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | -35% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1036 | 970 |
| ICSEA percentile | 63th | 33th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 7% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 21% | 45% |
| Students per teacher | 12.4 | 11.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.2 | 17.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.4 | 8.4 |
| Language background other than English | 54% | 77% |
| 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.thomwestps.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Catherine's School scores higher on the Success Index (60.0 vs 40.5).
- •St Catherine's School has the higher ICSEA (1036 vs 970), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Thomastown West Primary School has fewer students per teacher (11.4 vs 12.4).
- •St Catherine's School is the larger school with 289 students compared with 204.
- •St Catherine's School has grown faster over five years (-8% vs -35%).
- •St Catherine's School is a catholic school while Thomastown West Primary School 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is St Catherine's School better than Thomastown West Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Catherine's School ranks higher (60.0 vs 40.5 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 West Primary School?
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 West Primary School has 11.4.
How do St Catherine's School and Thomastown West Primary School rank in VIC?
St Catherine's School is 653rd of 1,290 and Thomastown West Primary School is 1070th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.