Katherine School Of The Air vs MacFarlane Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Northern Territory, 2.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Katherine School Of The Air
Katherine · Government combined · T-9
137 students · ICSEA 931
MacFarlane Primary School
Katherine East · Government primary · T-6
189 students · ICSEA 665
| Measure | Katherine School Of The Air Katherine NT | MacFarlane Primary School Katherine East NT |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 34 Lower 50% | 22 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #12 of 40 | #46 of 52 |
| National rank (type) | #978 of 1,259 | #4708 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Combined | Primary |
| Year range | T-9 | T-6 |
| Students | 137 | 189 |
| Girls / boys | 68 / 69 | 91 / 98 |
| Foundation intake | 13 | 20 |
| Year 7 cohort | 5 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -17% | +4% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 931 | 665 |
| ICSEA percentile | 18th | 1th |
| Top SEA quarter | 14% | 0% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 32% | 89% |
| Students per teacher | 7.3 | 14.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 18.6 | 13.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 12.6 | 19.1 |
| Language background other than English | 37% | 91% |
| Indigenous students | 18% | 92% |
| Suburb | Katherine 0850 | Katherine East 0850 |
| Council area | Katherine | Katherine |
| Remoteness | Remote | Remote |
| Website | www.ksa.nt.edu.au/ | www.macfarlaneprimary.nt.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Katherine School Of The Air scores higher on the Success Index (34.1 vs 21.5).
- •Katherine School Of The Air has the higher ICSEA (931 vs 665), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Katherine School Of The Air has fewer students per teacher (7.3 vs 14.5).
- •MacFarlane Primary School is the larger school with 189 students compared with 137.
- •MacFarlane Primary School has grown faster over five years (4% vs -17%).
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 Katherine School Of The Air better than MacFarlane Primary School?
On the Success Index, Katherine School Of The Air ranks higher (34.1 vs 21.5 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 Katherine School Of The Air and MacFarlane Primary School?
About 2.3 km in a straight line, between Katherine and Katherine East in Northern Territory.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Katherine School Of The Air has 7.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and MacFarlane Primary School has 14.5.
How do Katherine School Of The Air and MacFarlane Primary School rank in NT?
Katherine School Of The Air is 12th of 40 and MacFarlane Primary School is 46th of 52 among combined schools in Northern Territory on the 2025 Success Index.