Goonengerry Public School vs Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 6.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Goonengerry Public School
Goonengerry · Government primary · K-6
57 students · ICSEA 1048
Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School
Mullumbimby · Independent combined · K-12
587 students · ICSEA 1070
| Measure | Goonengerry Public School Goonengerry NSW | Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School Mullumbimby NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 59 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #154 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | – | #482 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-12 |
| Students | 57 | 587 |
| Girls / boys | 29 / 28 | 315 / 272 |
| Foundation intake | 8 | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 50 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 34 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +12% | -10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1048 | 1070 |
| ICSEA percentile | 68th | 75th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 11% | 8% |
| Students per teacher | 15.0 | 10.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 3.8 | 58.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 1.4 | 46.1 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 27% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 6% |
| Suburb | Goonengerry 2482 | Mullumbimby 2482 |
| Council area | Byron | Byron |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | goonengerr-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.shearwater.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Goonengerry Public School scores higher on the Success Index (62.2 vs 58.8).
- •Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School has the higher ICSEA (1070 vs 1048), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School has fewer students per teacher (10.0 vs 15.0).
- •Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School is the larger school with 587 students compared with 57.
- •Goonengerry Public School has grown faster over five years (12% vs -10%).
- •Goonengerry Public School is a government school while Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School is an independent 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 Goonengerry Public School better than Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School?
On the Success Index, Goonengerry Public School ranks higher (62.2 vs 58.8 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 Goonengerry Public School and Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School?
About 6.1 km in a straight line, between Goonengerry and Mullumbimby in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Goonengerry Public School has 15.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School has 10.0.
How do Goonengerry Public School and Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School rank in NSW?
Goonengerry Public School is unranked and Shearwater, the Mullumbimby Steiner School is 154th of 314 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.