McAuley Catholic College vs St Bede's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 362 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
McAuley Catholic College
Clarenza · Catholic high school · 7-12
602 students · ICSEA 1031
St Bede's Catholic College
Chisholm · Catholic high school · 7-12
910 students · ICSEA 1030
| Measure | McAuley Catholic College Clarenza NSW | St Bede's Catholic College Chisholm NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 71 Top 25% | 71 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #98 of 539 | #106 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #262 of 1,472 | #278 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 602 | 910 |
| Girls / boys | 334 / 268 | 489 / 421 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 126 | 179 |
| Year 12 cohort | 66 | 78 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +18% | +154% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1031 | 1030 |
| ICSEA percentile | 60th | 60th |
| Top SEA quarter | 21% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 20% | 20% |
| Students per teacher | 10.5 | 11.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 57.4 | 79.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 25.0 | 18.2 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 9% |
| Suburb | Clarenza 2460 | Chisholm 2322 |
| Council area | Clarence Valley | Maitland |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | www.grafslism.catholic.edu.au/ | www.chisholmsb.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (71.2 vs 70.5).
- •McAuley Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1031 vs 1030), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •McAuley Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (10.5 vs 11.4).
- •St Bede's Catholic College is the larger school with 910 students compared with 602.
- •St Bede's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (154% vs 18%).
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 McAuley Catholic College better than St Bede's Catholic College?
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 McAuley Catholic College and St Bede's Catholic College?
About 362 km in a straight line, between Clarenza and Chisholm in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
McAuley Catholic College has 10.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Bede's Catholic College has 11.4.
How do McAuley Catholic College and St Bede's Catholic College rank in NSW?
McAuley Catholic College is 98th of 539 and St Bede's Catholic College is 106th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.