MacKillop College Port Macquarie vs St Columba Anglican School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
MacKillop College Port Macquarie
Port Macquarie · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,107 students · ICSEA 1068
St Columba Anglican School
Port Macquarie · Independent combined · K-12
1,221 students · ICSEA 1116
| Measure | MacKillop College Port Macquarie Port Macquarie NSW | St Columba Anglican School Port Macquarie NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 73 Top 25% | 72 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #79 of 539 | #81 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #222 of 1,472 | #230 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 1,107 | 1,221 |
| Girls / boys | 562 / 545 | 595 / 626 |
| Foundation intake | – | 65 |
| Year 7 cohort | 213 | 133 |
| Year 12 cohort | 135 | 85 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1068 | 1116 |
| ICSEA percentile | 75th | 88th |
| Top SEA quarter | 30% | 47% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 10% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 11.5 | 12.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 96.3 | 99.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 32.3 | 48.0 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 16% |
| Indigenous students | 5% | 5% |
| Suburb | Port Macquarie 2444 | Port Macquarie 2444 |
| Council area | Port Macquarie-Hastings | Port Macquarie-Hastings |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.pmaclism.catholic.edu.au | www.scas.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (72.5 vs 71.8).
- •St Columba Anglican School has the higher ICSEA (1116 vs 1068), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •MacKillop College Port Macquarie has fewer students per teacher (11.5 vs 12.3).
- •St Columba Anglican School is the larger school with 1,221 students compared with 1,107.
- •St Columba Anglican School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -3%).
- •MacKillop College Port Macquarie is a catholic school while St Columba Anglican School is an independent 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 MacKillop College Port Macquarie better than St Columba Anglican 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 MacKillop College Port Macquarie and St Columba Anglican School?
About 2.1 km in a straight line, between Port Macquarie and Port Macquarie in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
MacKillop College Port Macquarie has 11.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba Anglican School has 12.3.
How do MacKillop College Port Macquarie and St Columba Anglican School rank in NSW?
MacKillop College Port Macquarie is 79th of 539 and St Columba Anglican School is 81st of 314 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.