Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus vs St Augustine's College Sydney
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus
Freshwater · Government high school · 11-12
647 students · ICSEA 1098
St Augustine's College Sydney
Brookvale · Independent combined · 5-12
1,580 students · ICSEA 1141
| Measure | Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus Freshwater NSW | St Augustine's College Sydney Brookvale NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 83 Top 5% | 77 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #11 of 539 | #57 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #36 of 1,472 | #159 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 11-12 | 5-12 |
| Students | 647 | 1,580 |
| Girls / boys | 427 / 220 | 0 / 1,580 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 230 |
| Year 12 cohort | 322 | 213 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | +11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1098 | 1141 |
| ICSEA percentile | 84th | 93th |
| Top SEA quarter | 38% | 56% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 5% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 10.7 | 11.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 60.5 | 139.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.3 | 61.7 |
| Language background other than English | 19% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 1% |
| Suburb | Freshwater 2096 | Brookvale 2100 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | nbscfreshw-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.saintaug.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus scores higher on the Success Index (83.0 vs 76.8).
- •St Augustine's College Sydney has the higher ICSEA (1141 vs 1098), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus has fewer students per teacher (10.7 vs 11.4).
- •St Augustine's College Sydney is the larger school with 1,580 students compared with 647.
- •St Augustine's College Sydney has grown faster over five years (11% vs 2%).
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus is a government school while St Augustine's College Sydney is an independent 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 Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus better than St Augustine's College Sydney?
On the Success Index, Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus ranks higher (83.0 vs 76.8 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 Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus and St Augustine's College Sydney?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Freshwater and Brookvale in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus has 10.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Augustine's College Sydney has 11.4.
How do Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus and St Augustine's College Sydney rank in NSW?
Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Senior Campus is 11th of 539 and St Augustine's College Sydney is 57th of 314 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.