Holy Family Primary School vs Merewether Heights Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Holy Family Primary School
Merewether Beach · Catholic primary · K-6
198 students · ICSEA 1132
Merewether Heights Public School
Merewether Heights · Government primary · K-6
269 students · ICSEA 1129
| Measure | Holy Family Primary School Merewether Beach NSW | Merewether Heights Public School Merewether Heights NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 10% | 71 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #152 of 1,619 | #295 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #569 of 4,908 | #975 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 198 | 269 |
| Girls / boys | 93 / 105 | 132 / 137 |
| Foundation intake | 18 | 32 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | -24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1132 | 1129 |
| ICSEA percentile | 92th | 91th |
| Top SEA quarter | 52% | 52% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 13.1 | 17.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 15.1 | 15.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.7 | 2.6 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 3% |
| Suburb | Merewether Beach 2291 | Merewether Heights 2291 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | merewetherbeach.catholic.edu.au | merewethht-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Holy Family Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (74.6 vs 70.5).
- •Holy Family Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1132 vs 1129), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Holy Family Primary School has fewer students per teacher (13.1 vs 17.6).
- •Merewether Heights Public School is the larger school with 269 students compared with 198.
- •Holy Family Primary School has grown faster over five years (-17% vs -24%).
- •Holy Family Primary School is a catholic school while Merewether Heights 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 Family Primary School better than Merewether Heights Public School?
On the Success Index, Holy Family Primary School ranks higher (74.6 vs 70.5 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 Family Primary School and Merewether Heights Public School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Merewether Beach and Merewether Heights in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Holy Family Primary School has 13.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Merewether Heights Public School has 17.6.
How do Holy Family Primary School and Merewether Heights Public School rank in NSW?
Holy Family Primary School is 152nd of 1,619 and Merewether Heights Public School is 295th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.