Cardiff South Public School vs St Mary's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 2.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cardiff South Public School
Cardiff South · Government primary · P-6
298 students · ICSEA 1017
St Mary's Primary School
Warners Bay · Catholic primary · K-6
418 students · ICSEA 1093
| Measure | Cardiff South Public School Cardiff South NSW | St Mary's Primary School Warners Bay NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 52 Top 50% | 64 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #841 of 1,619 | #513 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #2564 of 4,908 | #1565 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | P-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 298 | 418 |
| Girls / boys | 143 / 155 | 203 / 215 |
| Foundation intake | 53 | 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 | 1017 | 1093 |
| ICSEA percentile | 54th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 17% | 37% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 23% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 16.6 | 18.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.0 | 22.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.8 | 7.1 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 5% |
| Suburb | Cardiff South 2285 | Warners Bay 2282 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | cardiffsth-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 51.8).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1093 vs 1017), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cardiff South Public School has fewer students per teacher (16.6 vs 18.3).
- •St Mary's Primary School is the larger school with 418 students compared with 298.
- •St Mary's Primary School has grown faster over five years (7% vs 0%).
- •Cardiff South 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 Cardiff South Public School better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (63.9 vs 51.8 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 Cardiff South Public School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 2.9 km in a straight line, between Cardiff South and Warners Bay in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cardiff South Public School has 16.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 18.3.
How do Cardiff South Public School and St Mary's Primary School rank in NSW?
Cardiff South Public School is 841st 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.