Smiths Hill High School vs St Brigid's Catholic Primary School
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.
Smiths Hill High School
Wollongong · Government high school · 7-12
736 students · ICSEA 1186
St Brigid's Catholic Primary School
Gwynneville · Catholic primary · K-6
175 students · ICSEA 1083
| Measure | Smiths Hill High School Wollongong NSW | St Brigid's Catholic Primary School Gwynneville NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 74 Top 25% | 66 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #64 of 539 | #460 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | #180 of 1,472 | #1379 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | K-6 |
| Students | 736 | 175 |
| Girls / boys | 320 / 416 | 83 / 92 |
| Foundation intake | – | 25 |
| Year 7 cohort | 120 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 134 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | -5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1186 | 1083 |
| ICSEA percentile | 99th | 79th |
| Top SEA quarter | 67% | 37% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 2% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 13.4 | 15.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 55.0 | 11.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.7 | 5.1 |
| Language background other than English | 42% | 27% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 3% |
| Suburb | Wollongong 2500 | Gwynneville 2500 |
| Council area | Wollongong | Wollongong |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | smithshill-h.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.sbgdow.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Smiths Hill High School scores higher on the Success Index (74.4 vs 66.0).
- •Smiths Hill High School has the higher ICSEA (1186 vs 1083), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Smiths Hill High School has fewer students per teacher (13.4 vs 15.1).
- •Smiths Hill High School is the larger school with 736 students compared with 175.
- •Smiths Hill High School has grown faster over five years (1% vs -5%).
- •Smiths Hill High School is a government school while St Brigid'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 Smiths Hill High School better than St Brigid's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, Smiths Hill High School ranks higher (74.4 vs 66.0 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 Smiths Hill High School and St Brigid's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Wollongong and Gwynneville in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Smiths Hill High School has 13.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Brigid's Catholic Primary School has 15.1.
How do Smiths Hill High School and St Brigid's Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Smiths Hill High School is 64th of 539 and St Brigid's Catholic Primary School is 460th of 1,619 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.