Belair Public School vs St Columba's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.6 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Belair Public School
Adamstown · Government primary · K-6
409 students · ICSEA 1103
St Columba's Primary School
Adamstown · Catholic primary · K-6
168 students · ICSEA 1107
| Measure | Belair Public School Adamstown NSW | St Columba's Primary School Adamstown NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 65 Top 50% | 69 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #484 of 1,619 | #328 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1476 of 4,908 | #1079 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 409 | 168 |
| Girls / boys | 194 / 215 | 87 / 81 |
| Foundation intake | 62 | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -15% | -24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1103 | 1107 |
| ICSEA percentile | 85th | 86th |
| Top SEA quarter | 45% | 44% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 19.5 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 21.0 | 10.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.6 | 3.1 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 8% |
| Suburb | Adamstown 2289 | Adamstown 2289 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | belair-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.adamstownsc.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Columba's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (69.3 vs 64.7).
- •St Columba's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1107 vs 1103), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Columba's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (16.8 vs 19.5).
- •Belair Public School is the larger school with 409 students compared with 168.
- •Belair Public School has grown faster over five years (-15% vs -24%).
- •Belair Public School is a government school while St Columba's 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 Belair Public School better than St Columba's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Columba's Primary School ranks higher (69.3 vs 64.7 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 Belair Public School and St Columba's Primary School?
About 1.6 km in a straight line, between Adamstown and Adamstown in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Belair Public School has 19.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba's Primary School has 16.8.
How do Belair Public School and St Columba's Primary School rank in NSW?
Belair Public School is 484th of 1,619 and St Columba's Primary School is 328th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.