Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus vs St Paul's Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 3.1 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 Paul's Catholic College
Manly · Catholic high school · 7-12
468 students · ICSEA 1091
| Measure | Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus Manly Vale NSW | St Paul's Catholic College Manly NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 68 Top 25% | 82 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #140 of 539 | #14 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #346 of 1,472 | #45 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,023 | 468 |
| Girls / boys | 1,023 / 0 | 85 / 383 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 140 | 143 |
| Year 12 cohort | 142 | 45 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -21% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1115 | 1091 |
| ICSEA percentile | 88th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 46% | 34% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 14.4 | 11.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 71.1 | 42.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 14.2 | 11.2 |
| Language background other than English | 32% | 18% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 1% |
| 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.stpaulsdbb.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Paul's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (81.9 vs 67.5).
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus has the higher ICSEA (1115 vs 1091), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Paul's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (11.1 vs 14.4).
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus is the larger school with 1,023 students compared with 468.
- •St Paul's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (17% vs -21%).
- •Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus is a government school while St Paul's Catholic College 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 Paul's Catholic College?
On the Success Index, St Paul's Catholic College ranks higher (81.9 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 Paul's Catholic College?
About 3.1 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 Paul's Catholic College has 11.1.
How do Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus and St Paul's Catholic College rank in NSW?
Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus is 140th of 539 and St Paul's Catholic College is 14th of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.