Fern Bay Public School vs San Clemente Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 5.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Fern Bay Public School
Fern Bay · Government primary · K-6
182 students · ICSEA 1002
San Clemente Catholic College
Mayfield · Catholic high school · 7-10
605 students · ICSEA 1038
| Measure | Fern Bay Public School Fern Bay NSW | San Clemente Catholic College Mayfield NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | 66 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #888 of 1,619 | #156 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #2732 of 4,908 | #393 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-10 |
| Students | 182 | 605 |
| Girls / boys | 93 / 89 | 296 / 309 |
| Foundation intake | 26 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 142 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +72% | -14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1002 | 1038 |
| ICSEA percentile | 48th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 13% | 24% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 18.2 | 11.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 10.0 | 53.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 1.8 | 13.0 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 15% | 9% |
| Suburb | Fern Bay 2295 | Mayfield 2304 |
| Council area | Port Stephens | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | fernbay-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.medowiecmcc.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •San Clemente Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (65.5 vs 49.5).
- •San Clemente Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1038 vs 1002), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •San Clemente Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (11.3 vs 18.2).
- •San Clemente Catholic College is the larger school with 605 students compared with 182.
- •Fern Bay Public School has grown faster over five years (72% vs -14%).
- •Fern Bay Public School is a government school while San Clemente Catholic College 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 Fern Bay Public School better than San Clemente Catholic College?
On the Success Index, San Clemente Catholic College ranks higher (65.5 vs 49.5 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 Fern Bay Public School and San Clemente Catholic College?
About 5.5 km in a straight line, between Fern Bay and Mayfield in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Fern Bay Public School has 18.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and San Clemente Catholic College has 11.3.
How do Fern Bay Public School and San Clemente Catholic College rank in NSW?
Fern Bay Public School is 888th of 1,619 and San Clemente Catholic College is 156th of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.