Balgownie Public School vs Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 2.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Balgownie Public School
Balgownie · Government primary · K-6
329 students · ICSEA 1076
Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School
Fairy Meadow · Catholic primary · K-6
335 students · ICSEA 1081
| Measure | Balgownie Public School Balgownie NSW | Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School Fairy Meadow NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 61 Top 50% | 63 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #616 of 1,619 | #536 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1877 of 4,908 | #1643 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 329 | 335 |
| Girls / boys | 182 / 147 | 148 / 187 |
| Foundation intake | 41 | 46 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | -21% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1076 | 1081 |
| ICSEA percentile | 77th | 79th |
| Top SEA quarter | 32% | 31% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 17.6 | 14.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.7 | 22.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.9 | 11.3 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 1% |
| Suburb | Balgownie 2519 | Fairy Meadow 2519 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | balgownie-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.gsfmdow.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (63.0 vs 60.6).
- •Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1081 vs 1076), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School has fewer students per teacher (14.9 vs 17.6).
- •Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 335 students compared with 329.
- •Balgownie Public School has grown faster over five years (-1% vs -21%).
- •Balgownie Public School is a government school while Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School is a catholic 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 Balgownie Public School better than Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School ranks higher (63.0 vs 60.6 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 Balgownie Public School and Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Balgownie and Fairy Meadow in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Balgownie Public School has 17.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School has 14.9.
How do Balgownie Public School and Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Balgownie Public School is 616th of 1,619 and Good Samaritan Catholic Primary School is 536th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.