Bellingen Public School vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 648 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bellingen Public School
Bellingen · Government primary · K-6
219 students · ICSEA 998
St Mary's Primary School
Bellingen · Catholic primary · K-6
123 students · ICSEA 1039
| Measure | Bellingen Public School Bellingen NSW | St Mary's Primary School Bellingen NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 47 Lower 50% | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #933 of 1,619 | #592 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #2885 of 4,908 | #1811 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 219 | 123 |
| Girls / boys | 109 / 110 | 49 / 74 |
| Foundation intake | 25 | 21 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -42% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 998 | 1039 |
| ICSEA percentile | 46th | 64th |
| Top SEA quarter | 18% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 34% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 13.5 | 12.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 16.2 | 9.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.8 | 7.3 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 9% |
| Suburb | Bellingen 2454 | Bellingen 2454 |
| Council area | Bellingen | Bellingen |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | bellingen-p.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 47.3).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1039 vs 998), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (12.6 vs 13.5).
- •Bellingen Public School is the larger school with 219 students compared with 123.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (1% vs -42%).
- •Bellingen Public 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 Public School better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (61.4 vs 47.3 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 Public School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 648 m in a straight line, between Bellingen and Bellingen in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bellingen Public School has 13.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 12.6.
How do Bellingen Public School and St Mary's Primary School rank in NSW?
Bellingen Public School is 933rd of 1,619 and St Mary's Primary School is 592nd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.