Shoal Bay Public School vs St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 6.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Shoal Bay Public School
Shoal Bay · Government primary · K-6
237 students · ICSEA 962
St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens
Salamander Bay · Independent combined · K-12
821 students · ICSEA 1072
| Measure | Shoal Bay Public School Shoal Bay NSW | St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens Salamander Bay NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 25 Lower 50% | 65 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1471 of 1,619 | #119 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #4481 of 4,908 | #381 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-12 |
| Students | 237 | 821 |
| Girls / boys | 113 / 124 | 420 / 401 |
| Foundation intake | 28 | 46 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 96 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 62 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -39% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 962 | 1072 |
| ICSEA percentile | 30th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 32% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 17.3 | 11.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 13.7 | 70.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 2.6 | 25.0 |
| Language background other than English | 13% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 16% | 6% |
| Suburb | Shoal Bay 2315 | Salamander Bay 2317 |
| Council area | Port Stephens | Port Stephens |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | shoalbay-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.spcc.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens scores higher on the Success Index (64.5 vs 25.2).
- •St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens has the higher ICSEA (1072 vs 962), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 17.3).
- •St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens is the larger school with 821 students compared with 237.
- •St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens has grown faster over five years (14% vs -39%).
- •Shoal Bay Public School is a government school while St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens 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 Shoal Bay Public School better than St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens?
On the Success Index, St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens ranks higher (64.5 vs 25.2 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 Shoal Bay Public School and St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens?
About 6.1 km in a straight line, between Shoal Bay and Salamander Bay in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Shoal Bay Public School has 17.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens has 11.7.
How do Shoal Bay Public School and St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens rank in NSW?
Shoal Bay Public School is 1471st of 1,619 and St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens is 119th of 314 among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.