Biddabah Public School vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Biddabah Public School
Warners Bay · Government primary · K-6
348 students · ICSEA 1065
St Mary's Primary School
Warners Bay · Catholic primary · K-6
418 students · ICSEA 1093
| Measure | Biddabah Public School Warners Bay NSW | St Mary's Primary School Warners Bay NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 61 Top 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #598 of 1,619 | #513 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1822 of 4,908 | #1565 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 348 | 418 |
| Girls / boys | 173 / 175 | 203 / 215 |
| Foundation intake | 49 | 61 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1065 | 1093 |
| ICSEA percentile | 74th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 37% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 16% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 18.3 | 18.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 19.0 | 22.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.0 | 7.1 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 5% |
| Suburb | Warners Bay 2282 | Warners Bay 2282 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | biddabah-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | warnersbay.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (63.9 vs 61.2).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1093 vs 1065), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's Primary School is the larger school with 418 students compared with 348.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (7% vs 0%).
- •Biddabah 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Belmont
Frequently asked questions
Is Biddabah Public School better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (63.9 vs 61.2 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 Biddabah Public School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Warners Bay and Warners Bay in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Biddabah Public School has 18.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 18.3.
How do Biddabah Public School and St Mary's Primary School rank in NSW?
Biddabah Public School is 598th of 1,619 and St Mary's Primary School is 513th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.