Holy Family Primary School vs Newcastle High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.0 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
Newcastle High School
Hamilton · Government high school · 7-12
1,072 students · ICSEA 1027
| Measure | Holy Family Primary School Merewether Beach NSW | Newcastle High School Hamilton NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 75 Top 10% | 61 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #152 of 1,619 | #201 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #569 of 4,908 | #501 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | K-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 198 | 1,072 |
| Girls / boys | 93 / 105 | 510 / 562 |
| Foundation intake | 18 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 130 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 158 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | -11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1132 | 1027 |
| ICSEA percentile | 92th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 52% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 13.1 | 11.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 15.1 | 94.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.7 | 24.6 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 13% |
| Suburb | Merewether Beach 2291 | Hamilton 2303 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | merewetherbeach.catholic.edu.au | newcastle-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Holy Family Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (74.6 vs 60.6).
- •Holy Family Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1132 vs 1027), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Newcastle High School has fewer students per teacher (11.3 vs 13.1).
- •Newcastle High School is the larger school with 1,072 students compared with 198.
- •Newcastle High School has grown faster over five years (-11% vs -17%).
- •Holy Family Primary School is a catholic school while Newcastle High 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 Newcastle High School?
On the Success Index, Holy Family Primary School ranks higher (74.6 vs 60.6 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 Newcastle High School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Merewether Beach and Hamilton 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 Newcastle High School has 11.3.
How do Holy Family Primary School and Newcastle High School rank in NSW?
Holy Family Primary School is 152nd of 1,619 and Newcastle High School is 201st of 539 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.