Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School vs St Nicholas' Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 6.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School
Calala · Government high school · 7-12
606 students · ICSEA 1025
St Nicholas' Primary School
Tamworth · Catholic primary · K-6
586 students · ICSEA 1042
| Measure | Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School Calala NSW | St Nicholas' Primary School Tamworth NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 63 Top 50% | 56 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #174 of 539 | #732 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #440 of 1,472 | #2234 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 606 | 586 |
| Girls / boys | 0 / 606 | 284 / 302 |
| Foundation intake | – | 76 |
| Year 7 cohort | 111 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 83 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1025 | 1042 |
| ICSEA percentile | 58th | 65th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 26% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 17% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 12.0 | 15.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 50.4 | 37.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 13.9 | 17.8 |
| Language background other than English | 2% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 11% |
| Suburb | Calala 2340 | Tamworth 2340 |
| Council area | Tamworth | Tamworth |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | farreragri-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | stnicholastamworth.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School scores higher on the Success Index (63.0 vs 56.3).
- •St Nicholas' Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1042 vs 1025), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School has fewer students per teacher (12.0 vs 15.5).
- •Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School is the larger school with 606 students compared with 586.
- •Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School is a government school while St Nicholas' 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 Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School better than St Nicholas' Primary School?
On the Success Index, Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School ranks higher (63.0 vs 56.3 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 Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School and St Nicholas' Primary School?
About 6.4 km in a straight line, between Calala and Tamworth in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School has 12.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Nicholas' Primary School has 15.5.
How do Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School and St Nicholas' Primary School rank in NSW?
Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School is 174th of 539 and St Nicholas' Primary School is 732nd of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.