Bellingen High School vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 989 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bellingen High School
Bellingen · Government high school · 7-12
584 students · ICSEA 1006
St Mary's Primary School
Bellingen · Catholic primary · K-6
123 students · ICSEA 1039
| Measure | Bellingen High School Bellingen NSW | St Mary's Primary School Bellingen NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #264 of 539 | #592 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #691 of 1,472 | #1811 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 584 | 123 |
| Girls / boys | 311 / 273 | 49 / 74 |
| Foundation intake | – | 21 |
| Year 7 cohort | 127 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 60 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1006 | 1039 |
| ICSEA percentile | 49th | 64th |
| Top SEA quarter | 15% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 29% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 11.6 | 12.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 50.2 | 9.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.1 | 7.3 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 9% |
| Suburb | Bellingen 2454 | Bellingen 2454 |
| Council area | Bellingen | Bellingen |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | bellingen-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.stmarysbellingen.nsw.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (61.4 vs 52.1).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1039 vs 1006), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bellingen High School has fewer students per teacher (11.6 vs 12.6).
- •Bellingen High School is the larger school with 584 students compared with 123.
- •Bellingen High School is a government school while St Mary'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 Bellingen High School better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (61.4 vs 52.1 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 Bellingen High School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 989 m in a straight line, between Bellingen and Bellingen in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bellingen High School has 11.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 12.6.
How do Bellingen High School and St Mary's Primary School rank in NSW?
Bellingen High School is 264th of 539 and St Mary's Primary School is 592nd of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.