Holy Cross Catholic Primary School vs Scarborough Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 9.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School
Helensburgh · Catholic primary · K-6
184 students · ICSEA 1071
Scarborough Public School
Scarborough · Government primary · K-6
54 students · ICSEA 1080
| Measure | Holy Cross Catholic Primary School Helensburgh NSW | Scarborough Public School Scarborough NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 69 Top 25% | 68 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #357 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #1146 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 184 | 54 |
| Girls / boys | 97 / 87 | 28 / 26 |
| Foundation intake | 27 | 5 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | -14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1071 | 1080 |
| ICSEA percentile | 76th | 78th |
| Top SEA quarter | 33% | 36% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 11% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 15.2 | 13.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.1 | 4.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.5 | 1.4 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 4% |
| Suburb | Helensburgh 2508 | Scarborough 2515 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au | scarboroug-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (68.6 vs 68.0).
- •Scarborough Public School has the higher ICSEA (1080 vs 1071), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Scarborough Public School has fewer students per teacher (13.5 vs 15.2).
- •Holy Cross Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 184 students compared with 54.
- •Holy Cross Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -14%).
- •Holy Cross Catholic Primary School is a catholic school while Scarborough Public School is a government 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 Holy Cross Catholic Primary School better than Scarborough Public School?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Holy Cross Catholic Primary School and Scarborough Public School?
About 9.1 km in a straight line, between Helensburgh and Scarborough in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School has 15.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Scarborough Public School has 13.5.
How do Holy Cross Catholic Primary School and Scarborough Public School rank in NSW?
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School is 357th of 1,619 and Scarborough Public School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.