Chifley College Bidwill Campus vs Melville High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 349 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Chifley College Bidwill Campus
Bidwill · Government high school · 7-12
720 students · ICSEA 849
Melville High School
Kempsey · Government high school · 7-12
355 students · ICSEA 849
| Measure | Chifley College Bidwill Campus Bidwill NSW | Melville High School Kempsey NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 18 Lower 50% | 18 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #527 of 539 | #530 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #1429 of 1,472 | #1432 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 720 | 355 |
| Girls / boys | 347 / 373 | 174 / 181 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 119 | 71 |
| Year 12 cohort | 83 | 34 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +11% | -40% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 849 | 849 |
| ICSEA percentile | 5th | 5th |
| Top SEA quarter | 1% | 2% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 81% | 67% |
| Students per teacher | 10.8 | 7.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 66.4 | 48.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.3 | 16.6 |
| Language background other than English | 45% | 5% |
| Indigenous students | 26% | 43% |
| Suburb | Bidwill 2770 | Kempsey 2440 |
| Council area | Blacktown | Kempsey |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Inner Regional |
| Website | bidwill-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | melville-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (18.1 vs 18.0).
- •Melville High School has fewer students per teacher (7.3 vs 10.8).
- •Chifley College Bidwill Campus is the larger school with 720 students compared with 355.
- •Chifley College Bidwill Campus has grown faster over five years (11% vs -40%).
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 Chifley College Bidwill Campus better than Melville High 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 Chifley College Bidwill Campus and Melville High School?
About 349 km in a straight line, between Bidwill and Kempsey in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Chifley College Bidwill Campus has 10.8 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Melville High School has 7.3.
How do Chifley College Bidwill Campus and Melville High School rank in NSW?
Chifley College Bidwill Campus is 527th of 539 and Melville High School is 530th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.