Mercy Catholic College vs St Thomas' Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mercy Catholic College
Chatswood · Catholic high school · 7-12
728 students · ICSEA 1134
St Thomas' Catholic Primary School
Willoughby · Catholic primary · K-6
277 students · ICSEA 1161
| Measure | Mercy Catholic College Chatswood NSW | St Thomas' Catholic Primary School Willoughby NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 77 Top 10% | 75 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | #45 of 539 | #136 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #119 of 1,472 | #531 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 728 | 277 |
| Girls / boys | 728 / 0 | 144 / 133 |
| Foundation intake | – | 38 |
| Year 7 cohort | 126 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 125 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +3% | -23% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1134 | 1161 |
| ICSEA percentile | 92th | 97th |
| Top SEA quarter | 52% | 65% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 0% |
| Students per teacher | 12.9 | 15.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 56.4 | 18.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.5 | 4.1 |
| Language background other than English | 41% | 26% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Chatswood 2067 | Willoughby 2068 |
| Council area | Willoughby | Willoughby |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.mercychatswood.nsw.edu.au | www.stwdbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mercy Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (76.7 vs 75.1).
- •St Thomas' Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1161 vs 1134), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mercy Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (12.9 vs 15.3).
- •Mercy Catholic College is the larger school with 728 students compared with 277.
- •Mercy Catholic College has grown faster over five years (3% vs -23%).
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 Mercy Catholic College better than St Thomas' Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, Mercy Catholic College ranks higher (76.7 vs 75.1 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 Mercy Catholic College and St Thomas' Catholic Primary School?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Chatswood and Willoughby in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mercy Catholic College has 12.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Thomas' Catholic Primary School has 15.3.
How do Mercy Catholic College and St Thomas' Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Mercy Catholic College is 45th of 539 and St Thomas' Catholic Primary School is 136th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.