St Mary's Catholic College vs Whitebridge High School
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in New South Wales, 2.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Mary's Catholic College
Gateshead · Catholic high school · 7-12
989 students · ICSEA 1062
Whitebridge High School
Whitebridge · Government high school · 7-12
915 students · ICSEA 1022
| Measure | St Mary's Catholic College Gateshead NSW | Whitebridge High School Whitebridge NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 73 Top 25% | 55 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #75 of 539 | #241 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | #211 of 1,472 | #629 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 989 | 915 |
| Girls / boys | 497 / 492 | 410 / 505 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 206 | 183 |
| Year 12 cohort | 125 | 101 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +15% | -5% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1062 | 1022 |
| ICSEA percentile | 73th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 29% | 21% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 13% | 25% |
| Students per teacher | 12.0 | 12.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 82.6 | 72.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 22.5 | 19.4 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 11% |
| Suburb | Gateshead 2290 | Whitebridge 2290 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | gatesheadsm.catholic.edu.au | whitebridg-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (73.0 vs 54.9).
- •St Mary's Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1062 vs 1022), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Mary's Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (12.0 vs 12.5).
- •St Mary's Catholic College is the larger school with 989 students compared with 915.
- •St Mary's Catholic College has grown faster over five years (15% vs -5%).
- •St Mary's Catholic College is a catholic school while Whitebridge High School is a government 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 St Mary's Catholic College better than Whitebridge High School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic College ranks higher (73.0 vs 54.9 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 St Mary's Catholic College and Whitebridge High School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Gateshead and Whitebridge in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Mary's Catholic College has 12.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Whitebridge High School has 12.5.
How do St Mary's Catholic College and Whitebridge High School rank in NSW?
St Mary's Catholic College is 75th of 539 and Whitebridge High School is 241st of 539 among secondary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.