Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus vs St Mary's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus
Manly Vale · Government high school · 7-12
1,023 students · ICSEA 1115
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Manly · Catholic primary · K-6
330 students · ICSEA 1159
| Measure | Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus Manly Vale NSW | St Mary's Catholic Primary School Manly NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 68 Top 25% | 80 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #140 of 539 | #43 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #346 of 1,472 | #186 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 1,023 | 330 |
| Girls / boys | 1,023 / 0 | 179 / 151 |
| Foundation intake | – | 51 |
| Year 7 cohort | 140 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 142 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -21% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1115 | 1159 |
| ICSEA percentile | 88th | 97th |
| Top SEA quarter | 46% | 65% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 2% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 16.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 71.1 | 19.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.2 | 4.0 |
| Language background other than English | 32% | 26% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Manly Vale 2093 | Manly 2095 |
| Council area | Northern Beaches | Northern Beaches |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | nbscmgirls-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.smmdbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (80.1 vs 67.5).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1159 vs 1115), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus has fewer students per teacher (14.4 vs 16.9).
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus is the larger school with 1,023 students compared with 330.
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (17% vs -21%).
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus is a government school while St Mary's Catholic 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 Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus better than St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (80.1 vs 67.5 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 Mackellar Girls Campus and St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.9 km in a straight line, between Manly Vale and Manly in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus has 14.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic Primary School has 16.9.
How do Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus and St Mary's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus is 140th of 539 and St Mary's Catholic Primary School is 43rd of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.