Holy Cross Catholic Primary School vs Waterfall Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 5.5 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
Waterfall Public School
Waterfall · Government primary · K-6
17 students · ICSEA 1031
| Measure | Holy Cross Catholic Primary School Helensburgh NSW | Waterfall Public School Waterfall NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 69 Top 25% | 61 Top 50% |
| 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 | 17 |
| Girls / boys | 97 / 87 | 9 / 8 |
| Foundation intake | 27 | 1 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | – |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1071 | 1031 |
| ICSEA percentile | 76th | 60th |
| Top SEA quarter | 33% | 22% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 11% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 15.2 | – |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.1 | 1.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.5 | 1.3 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 33% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 24% |
| Suburb | Helensburgh 2508 | Waterfall 2233 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Sutherland |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.hchdow.catholic.edu.au | waterfall-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Holy Cross Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (68.6 vs 61.3).
- •Holy Cross Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1071 vs 1031), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Holy Cross Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 184 students compared with 17.
- •Holy Cross Catholic Primary School is a catholic school while Waterfall 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 Waterfall Public School?
On the Success Index, Holy Cross Catholic Primary School ranks higher (68.6 vs 61.3 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 Holy Cross Catholic Primary School and Waterfall Public School?
About 5.5 km in a straight line, between Helensburgh and Waterfall in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Staffing data is not available for one of the schools.
How do Holy Cross Catholic Primary School and Waterfall Public School rank in NSW?
Holy Cross Catholic Primary School is 357th of 1,619 and Waterfall Public School is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.