Novo Education Space vs St Mary Star of the Sea College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Novo Education Space
Wollongong · Independent special · 9-12
44 students · ICSEA 983
St Mary Star of the Sea College
Wollongong · Independent high school · 7-12
1,128 students · ICSEA 1104
| Measure | Novo Education Space Wollongong NSW | St Mary Star of the Sea College Wollongong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 77 Top 10% |
| State rank (type) | – | #37 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #106 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | 9-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 44 | 1,128 |
| Girls / boys | 25 / 19 | 1,128 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 189 |
| Year 12 cohort | 7 | 181 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -50% | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 983 | 1104 |
| ICSEA percentile | 39th | 85th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 42% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 39% | 7% |
| Students per teacher | 4.9 | 12.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 9.0 | 91.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.8 | 34.0 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 11% |
| Indigenous students | 11% | 3% |
| Suburb | Wollongong 2500 | Wollongong 2500 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.alescoillawarra.nsw.edu.au | www.stmarys.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary Star of the Sea College has the higher ICSEA (1104 vs 983), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Novo Education Space has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 12.3).
- •St Mary Star of the Sea College is the larger school with 1,128 students compared with 44.
- •St Mary Star of the Sea College has grown faster over five years (3% vs -50%).
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 Novo Education Space better than St Mary Star of the Sea College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Novo Education Space and St Mary Star of the Sea College?
About 1.4 km in a straight line, between Wollongong and Wollongong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Novo Education Space has 4.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary Star of the Sea College has 12.3.
How do Novo Education Space and St Mary Star of the Sea College rank in NSW?
Novo Education Space is unranked and St Mary Star of the Sea College is 37th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.