Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell vs Sawtell Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell
Toormina · Catholic primary · K-6
490 students · ICSEA 1052
Sawtell Public School
Sawtell · Government primary · K-6
293 students · ICSEA 1003
| Measure | Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell Toormina NSW | Sawtell Public School Sawtell NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 65 Top 50% | 47 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #476 of 1,619 | #935 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #1454 of 4,908 | #2893 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 490 | 293 |
| Girls / boys | 263 / 227 | 147 / 146 |
| Foundation intake | 64 | 57 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | -10% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1052 | 1003 |
| ICSEA percentile | 69th | 48th |
| Top SEA quarter | 24% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 15% | 30% |
| Students per teacher | 16.1 | 17.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 30.4 | 17.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.3 | 2.7 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 16% |
| Suburb | Toormina 2452 | Sawtell 2452 |
| Council area | Coffs Harbour | Coffs Harbour |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | moodle.sawplism.catholic.edu.au | sawtell-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell scores higher on the Success Index (65.0 vs 47.3).
- •Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell has the higher ICSEA (1052 vs 1003), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell has fewer students per teacher (16.1 vs 17.1).
- •Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell is the larger school with 490 students compared with 293.
- •Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell has grown faster over five years (14% vs -10%).
- •Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell is a catholic school while Sawtell 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 Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell better than Sawtell Public School?
On the Success Index, Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell ranks higher (65.0 vs 47.3 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 Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell and Sawtell Public School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Toormina and Sawtell in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell has 16.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sawtell Public School has 17.1.
How do Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell and Sawtell Public School rank in NSW?
Mary Help of Christians Primary School Sawtell is 476th of 1,619 and Sawtell Public School is 935th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.