Gorokan High School vs St Mary's Catholic Primary School
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.
Gorokan High School
Lake Haven · Government high school · 7-12
981 students · ICSEA 923
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Noraville · Catholic primary · K-6
545 students · ICSEA 1034
| Measure | Gorokan High School Lake Haven NSW | St Mary's Catholic Primary School Noraville NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 24 Lower 50% | 53 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #487 of 539 | #817 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1329 of 1,472 | #2496 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 981 | 545 |
| Girls / boys | 458 / 523 | 251 / 294 |
| Foundation intake | – | 77 |
| Year 7 cohort | 207 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 108 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | +16% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 923 | 1034 |
| ICSEA percentile | 16th | 62th |
| Top SEA quarter | 4% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 56% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 12.3 | 18.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 79.5 | 29.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 22.6 | 5.3 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 21% | 10% |
| Suburb | Lake Haven 2263 | Noraville 2263 |
| Council area | Central Coast (NSW) | Central Coast (NSW) |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | gorokan-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.smtdbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (52.9 vs 24.3).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1034 vs 923), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Gorokan High School has fewer students per teacher (12.3 vs 18.3).
- •Gorokan High School is the larger school with 981 students compared with 545.
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (16% vs -3%).
- •Gorokan High School is a government school while St Mary's Catholic 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 Gorokan High School better than St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (52.9 vs 24.3 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 Gorokan High School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
About 5.5 km in a straight line, between Lake Haven and Noraville in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Gorokan High School has 12.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic Primary School has 18.3.
How do Gorokan High School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Gorokan High School is 487th of 539 and St Mary's Catholic Primary School is 817th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.