St Michael's Primary School vs St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Michael's Primary School
Nelson Bay · Catholic primary · K-6
269 students · ICSEA 1040
St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens
Salamander Bay · Independent combined · K-12
821 students · ICSEA 1072
| Measure | St Michael's Primary School Nelson Bay NSW | St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens Salamander Bay NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 61 Top 50% | 65 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #620 of 1,619 | #119 of 314 |
| National rank (type) | #1891 of 4,908 | #381 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-12 |
| Students | 269 | 821 |
| Girls / boys | 138 / 131 | 420 / 401 |
| Foundation intake | 40 | 46 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 96 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 62 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -1% | +14% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1040 | 1072 |
| ICSEA percentile | 64th | 76th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 32% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 18% | 10% |
| Students per teacher | 14.5 | 11.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.5 | 70.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.8 | 25.0 |
| Language background other than English | 21% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 6% |
| Suburb | Nelson Bay 2315 | Salamander Bay 2317 |
| Council area | Port Stephens | Port Stephens |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | nelsonbay.catholic.edu.au | www.spcc.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens scores higher on the Success Index (64.5 vs 60.5).
- •St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens has the higher ICSEA (1072 vs 1040), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens has fewer students per teacher (11.7 vs 14.5).
- •St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens is the larger school with 821 students compared with 269.
- •St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens has grown faster over five years (14% vs -1%).
- •St Michael's Primary School is a catholic 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.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Belmont
Frequently asked questions
Is St Michael's Primary 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 60.5 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 St Michael's Primary School and St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens?
About 2.9 km in a straight line, between Nelson Bay and Salamander Bay in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Michael's Primary School has 14.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens has 11.7.
How do St Michael's Primary School and St Philip's Christian College - Port Stephens rank in NSW?
St Michael's Primary School is 620th 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.