Callaghan College Waratah Campus vs Newcastle Senior School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 681 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Callaghan College Waratah Campus
Waratah · Government high school · 7-10
848 students · ICSEA 957
Newcastle Senior School
Waratah · Government special · U
37 students · ICSEA 960
| Measure | Callaghan College Waratah Campus Waratah NSW | Newcastle Senior School Waratah NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 43 Lower 50% | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | #320 of 539 | – |
| National rank (type) | #880 of 1,472 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Special |
| Year range | 7-10 | U |
| Students | 848 | 37 |
| Girls / boys | 376 / 472 | 9 / 28 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 224 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | 0% | -27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 957 | 960 |
| ICSEA percentile | 28th | 29th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 12% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 40% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 3.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 70.1 | 11.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.5 | 9.4 |
| Language background other than English | 26% | 21% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 22% |
| Suburb | Waratah 2298 | Waratah 2298 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | waratah-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | newcastles-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Newcastle Senior School has the higher ICSEA (960 vs 957), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Newcastle Senior School has fewer students per teacher (3.3 vs 12.1).
- •Callaghan College Waratah Campus is the larger school with 848 students compared with 37.
- •Callaghan College Waratah Campus has grown faster over five years (0% vs -27%).
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 Waratah Campus better than Newcastle Senior School?
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 Waratah Campus and Newcastle Senior School?
About 681 m in a straight line, between Waratah and Waratah in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Callaghan College Waratah Campus has 12.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Newcastle Senior School has 3.3.
How do Callaghan College Waratah Campus and Newcastle Senior School rank in NSW?
Callaghan College Waratah Campus is 320th of 539 and Newcastle Senior School is unranked among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.