Callaghan College Wallsend Campus vs Margaret Jurd College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Callaghan College Wallsend Campus
Wallsend · Government high school · 7-10
890 students · ICSEA 952
Margaret Jurd College
Shortland · Independent special · U
103 students · ICSEA 889
| Measure | Callaghan College Wallsend Campus Wallsend NSW | Margaret Jurd College Shortland NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 34 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #392 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #1089 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-10 | U |
| Students | 890 | 103 |
| Girls / boys | 437 / 453 | 53 / 50 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 262 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -20% | +45% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 952 | 889 |
| ICSEA percentile | 26th | 9th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 46% | 56% |
| Students per teacher | 11.7 | 5.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 75.9 | 18.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 21.4 | 26.5 |
| Language background other than English | 19% | 0% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 46% |
| Suburb | Wallsend 2287 | Shortland 2307 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | wallsend-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.mjc.nsw.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Callaghan College Wallsend Campus has the higher ICSEA (952 vs 889), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Margaret Jurd College has fewer students per teacher (5.6 vs 11.7).
- •Callaghan College Wallsend Campus is the larger school with 890 students compared with 103.
- •Margaret Jurd College has grown faster over five years (45% vs -20%).
- •Callaghan College Wallsend Campus is a government school while Margaret Jurd College is an independent 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 Callaghan College Wallsend Campus better than Margaret Jurd College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Callaghan College Wallsend Campus and Margaret Jurd College?
About 2.4 km in a straight line, between Wallsend and Shortland in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Callaghan College Wallsend Campus has 11.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Margaret Jurd College has 5.6.
How do Callaghan College Wallsend Campus and Margaret Jurd College rank in NSW?
Callaghan College Wallsend Campus is 392nd of 539 and Margaret Jurd College is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.