Small government primary in Bendigo, VIC; 165 students, Prep–6, 43% language-diverse, 12% Indigenous.
NAPLAN 35 points below national year-level averages and growth below the national median; the result is a C+ overall.
Lightning Reef Primary School is also known as LRPS, LRPS Bendigo and Lightning Reef PS.
Lightning Reef Primary School draws students from the Lightning Reef Primary School.
Lightning Reef Primary School has an overall SchoolRank score of 34.2/100, rated "Below Average". This score is calculated from academic results, student growth, wellbeing, extracurricular programs, and value for money. Academically, the school scores 36/100, indicating developing performance relative to other Australian schools. The school's ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) is 858, below the national average of 1,000.
In 2025 NAPLAN testing at Lightning Reef Primary School, Year 3 students averaged 390 across the tested NAPLAN domains, below the national average of 407 for that year level, and Year 5 students averaged 436, well below the national average of 490 for that year level. National averages are specific to each year level, because NAPLAN scores are scaled so older year levels score higher, a school-wide average can't be compared with a single national figure.
Lightning Reef Primary School is a very small government primary school with approximately 165 students. It offers education for years Prep-6. As a government school, enrolment is generally available to students living within the school's designated catchment zone. Families outside the zone may apply for out-of-area placement subject to availability.
Lightning Reef Primary School is a government school, so there are no tuition fees. Families may be asked to contribute to voluntary school fees covering materials, excursions, and activities. The school has a value score of 38/100 on SchoolRank, which compares educational outcomes relative to cost, government schools typically score well on this measure.
Lightning Reef Primary School has a student-to-teacher ratio of 8.9:1. This is well below the national average of approximately 14:1, meaning students generally receive more individual attention. Support staff make up 34% of the workforce, providing additional learning assistance and pastoral care. The student attendance rate is 88%, which is moderate.
Lightning Reef Primary School is located in Bendigo, VIC, classified as a inner regional school. With an ICSEA of 858 (5th percentile), the school community's socio-educational advantage is below average, which means the school serves a community with greater socio-educational challenges. ICSEA measures the educational advantage of a school's community, not the school's quality, a lower ICSEA school with strong academic scores may indicate particularly effective teaching.