Newling Public School vs St Mary'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.
Newling Public School
Armidale · Government primary · K-6
165 students · ICSEA 802
St Mary's Primary School
Armidale · Catholic primary · K-6
327 students · ICSEA 1038
| Measure | Newling Public School Armidale NSW | St Mary's Primary School Armidale NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 29 Lower 50% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1380 of 1,619 | #753 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #4238 of 4,908 | #2297 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | K-6 | K-6 |
| Students | 165 | 327 |
| Girls / boys | 82 / 83 | 169 / 158 |
| Foundation intake | 22 | 49 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +47% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 802 | 1038 |
| ICSEA percentile | 3th | 63th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 25% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 70% | 17% |
| Students per teacher | 10.7 | 15.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 15.4 | 21.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.2 | 9.4 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 20% |
| Indigenous students | 64% | 11% |
| Suburb | Armidale 2350 | Armidale 2350 |
| Council area | Armidale | Armidale |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | newling-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | stmarysarmidale.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (55.4 vs 28.6).
- •St Mary's Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1038 vs 802), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Newling Public School has fewer students per teacher (10.7 vs 15.1).
- •St Mary's Primary School is the larger school with 327 students compared with 165.
- •Newling Public School has grown faster over five years (47% vs 3%).
- •Newling Public School is a government school while St Mary'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 Newling Public School better than St Mary's Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Primary School ranks higher (55.4 vs 28.6 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 Newling Public School and St Mary's Primary School?
About 1.5 km in a straight line, between Armidale and Armidale in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Newling Public School has 10.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Primary School has 15.1.
How do Newling Public School and St Mary's Primary School rank in NSW?
Newling Public School is 1380th of 1,619 and St Mary's Primary School is 753rd of 1,619 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.