Great Lakes College Forster Campus vs Holy Name Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 3.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Great Lakes College Forster Campus
Forster · Government high school · 7-10
478 students · ICSEA 936
Holy Name Primary School
Forster · Catholic primary · K-6
345 students · ICSEA 1014
| Measure | Great Lakes College Forster Campus Forster NSW | Holy Name Primary School Forster NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 32 Lower 50% | 52 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #410 of 539 | #836 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1130 of 1,472 | #2547 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-10 | K-6 |
| Students | 478 | 345 |
| Girls / boys | 236 / 242 | 165 / 180 |
| Foundation intake | – | 59 |
| Year 7 cohort | 127 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -22% | +33% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 936 | 1014 |
| ICSEA percentile | 20th | 53th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 49% | 26% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 16.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 50.3 | 21.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 16.8 | 13.7 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 17% |
| Indigenous students | 24% | 13% |
| Suburb | Forster 2428 | Forster 2428 |
| Council area | Mid-Coast | Mid-Coast |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | glcforster-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | forster.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Holy Name Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (52.1 vs 32.2).
- •Holy Name Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1014 vs 936), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Great Lakes College Forster Campus has fewer students per teacher (9.5 vs 16.4).
- •Great Lakes College Forster Campus is the larger school with 478 students compared with 345.
- •Holy Name Primary School has grown faster over five years (33% vs -22%).
- •Great Lakes College Forster Campus is a government school while Holy Name 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 Great Lakes College Forster Campus better than Holy Name Primary School?
On the Success Index, Holy Name Primary School ranks higher (52.1 vs 32.2 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 Great Lakes College Forster Campus and Holy Name Primary School?
About 3.8 km in a straight line, between Forster and Forster in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Great Lakes College Forster Campus has 9.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Holy Name Primary School has 16.4.
How do Great Lakes College Forster Campus and Holy Name Primary School rank in NSW?
Great Lakes College Forster Campus is 410th of 539 and Holy Name Primary School is 836th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.