St Joseph's School vs St Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 85 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Joseph's School
Trafalgar · Catholic primary · Prep-6
103 students · ICSEA 1007
St Mary's School
Hastings · Catholic primary · Prep-6
126 students · ICSEA 1008
| Measure | St Joseph's School Trafalgar VIC | St Mary's School Hastings VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 46 Lower 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #973 of 1,290 | #818 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #3039 of 4,908 | #2471 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 103 | 126 |
| Girls / boys | 49 / 54 | 62 / 64 |
| Foundation intake | 12 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -10% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1007 | 1008 |
| ICSEA percentile | 50th | 50th |
| Top SEA quarter | 6% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 29% | 34% |
| Students per teacher | 14.2 | 9.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 7.2 | 12.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.8 | 8.7 |
| Language background other than English | 1% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 6% |
| Suburb | Trafalgar 3824 | Hastings 3915 |
| Council area | Baw Baw | Mornington Peninsula |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | www.trafalgar.catholic.edu.au | www.smhastings.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (53.3 vs 45.6).
- •St Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1008 vs 1007), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (9.8 vs 14.2).
- •St Mary's School is the larger school with 126 students compared with 103.
- •St Mary's School has grown faster over five years (14% vs -10%).
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 Joseph's School better than St Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's School ranks higher (53.3 vs 45.6 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 Joseph's School and St Mary's School?
About 85 km in a straight line, between Trafalgar and Hastings in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Joseph's School has 14.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's School has 9.8.
How do St Joseph's School and St Mary's School rank in VIC?
St Joseph's School is 973rd of 1,290 and St Mary's School is 818th of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.