Hunter Sports High School vs St Mary's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 697 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Hunter Sports High School
Gateshead · Government high school · 7-12
941 students · ICSEA 955
St Mary's Catholic College
Gateshead · Catholic high school · 7-12
989 students · ICSEA 1062
| Measure | Hunter Sports High School Gateshead NSW | St Mary's Catholic College Gateshead NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 47 Lower 50% | 73 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #296 of 539 | #75 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #797 of 1,472 | #211 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 941 | 989 |
| Girls / boys | 398 / 543 | 497 / 492 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 194 | 206 |
| Year 12 cohort | 94 | 125 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +15% | +15% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 955 | 1062 |
| ICSEA percentile | 27th | 73th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 29% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 39% | 13% |
| Students per teacher | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 77.1 | 82.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.8 | 22.5 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 6% |
| Indigenous students | 24% | 8% |
| Suburb | Gateshead 2290 | Gateshead 2290 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | hunterspt-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | gatesheadsm.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (73.0 vs 47.0).
- •St Mary's Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1062 vs 955), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's Catholic College is the larger school with 989 students compared with 941.
- •Hunter Sports High School is a government school while St Mary's Catholic College 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 Hunter Sports High School better than St Mary's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic College ranks higher (73.0 vs 47.0 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 Hunter Sports High School and St Mary's Catholic College?
About 697 m in a straight line, between Gateshead and Gateshead in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Hunter Sports High School has 12.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic College has 12.0.
How do Hunter Sports High School and St Mary's Catholic College rank in NSW?
Hunter Sports High School is 296th of 539 and St Mary's Catholic College is 75th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.