Carinya School vs Marist Catholic College Penshurst
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 685 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Carinya School
Mortdale · Government special · U
55 students · ICSEA 975
Marist Catholic College Penshurst
Mortdale · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,343 students · ICSEA 1090
| Measure | Carinya School Mortdale NSW | Marist Catholic College Penshurst Mortdale NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #69 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #197 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 55 | 1,343 |
| Girls / boys | 10 / 45 | 680 / 663 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 238 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 202 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +17% | +34% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 975 | 1090 |
| ICSEA percentile | 35th | 81th |
| Top SEA quarter | 12% | 34% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 4.9 | 13.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 11.2 | 96.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.5 | 25.7 |
| Language background other than English | 29% | 70% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 2% |
| Suburb | Mortdale 2223 | Mortdale 2223 |
| Council area | Georges River | Georges River |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | carinya-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | maristpenshurst.syd.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Marist Catholic College Penshurst has the higher ICSEA (1090 vs 975), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Carinya School has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 13.9).
- •Marist Catholic College Penshurst is the larger school with 1,343 students compared with 55.
- •Marist Catholic College Penshurst has grown faster over five years (34% vs 17%).
- •Carinya School is a government school while Marist Catholic College Penshurst 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 Carinya School better than Marist Catholic College Penshurst?
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 Carinya School and Marist Catholic College Penshurst?
About 685 m in a straight line, between Mortdale and Mortdale in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Carinya School has 4.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Marist Catholic College Penshurst has 13.9.
How do Carinya School and Marist Catholic College Penshurst rank in NSW?
Carinya School is unranked and Marist Catholic College Penshurst is 69th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.