Merewether Heights Public School vs St Columba's Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in New South Wales, 1.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Merewether Heights Public School
Merewether Heights · Government primary · K-6
269 students · ICSEA 1129
St Columba's Primary School
Adamstown · Catholic primary · K-6
168 students · ICSEA 1107
| Measure | Merewether Heights Public School Merewether Heights NSW | St Columba's Primary School Adamstown NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 71 Top 25% | 69 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #295 of 1,619 | #328 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #975 of 4,908 | #1079 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 269 | 168 |
| Girls / boys | 132 / 137 | 87 / 81 |
| Foundation intake | 32 | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -24% | -24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1129 | 1107 |
| ICSEA percentile | 91th | 86th |
| Top SEA quarter | 52% | 44% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 3% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 17.6 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 15.3 | 10.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.6 | 3.1 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 8% |
| Suburb | Merewether Heights 2291 | Adamstown 2289 |
| Council area | Newcastle | Newcastle |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | merewethht-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.adamstownsc.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Merewether Heights Public School scores higher on the Success Index (70.5 vs 69.3).
- •Merewether Heights Public School has the higher ICSEA (1129 vs 1107), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Columba's Primary School has fewer students per teacher (16.8 vs 17.6).
- •Merewether Heights Public School is the larger school with 269 students compared with 168.
- •Merewether Heights Public School is a government school while St Columba's Primary School 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 Merewether Heights Public School better than St Columba's Primary School?
On the Success Index, Merewether Heights Public School ranks higher (70.5 vs 69.3 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 Merewether Heights Public School and St Columba's Primary School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Merewether Heights and Adamstown in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Merewether Heights Public School has 17.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba's Primary School has 16.8.
How do Merewether Heights Public School and St Columba's Primary School rank in NSW?
Merewether Heights Public School is 295th of 1,619 and St Columba's Primary School is 328th of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.