Bucasia State School vs St Brendan's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 2.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bucasia State School
Bucasia · Government primary · Prep-6
476 students · ICSEA 962
St Brendan's Catholic Primary School
Mackay · Catholic primary · Prep-6
439 students · ICSEA 1018
| Measure | Bucasia State School Bucasia QLD | St Brendan's Catholic Primary School Mackay QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 32 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #569 of 804 | #325 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #3970 of 4,908 | #2676 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 476 | 439 |
| Girls / boys | 211 / 265 | 225 / 214 |
| Foundation intake | 62 | 69 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +8% | +45% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 962 | 1018 |
| ICSEA percentile | 29th | 55th |
| Top SEA quarter | 7% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 42% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 15.3 | 17.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 31.2 | 25.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 17.1 | 14.0 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 8% |
| Suburb | Bucasia 4750 | Mackay 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | bucasiass.eq.edu.au | www.sbnmrok.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Brendan's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (50.1 vs 32.2).
- •St Brendan's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1018 vs 962), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bucasia State School has fewer students per teacher (15.3 vs 17.3).
- •Bucasia State School is the larger school with 476 students compared with 439.
- •St Brendan's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (45% vs 8%).
- •Bucasia State School is a government school while St Brendan'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 Bucasia State School better than St Brendan's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Brendan's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (50.1 vs 32.2 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 Bucasia State School and St Brendan's Catholic Primary School?
About 2.4 km in a straight line, between Bucasia and Mackay in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bucasia State School has 15.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Brendan's Catholic Primary School has 17.3.
How do Bucasia State School and St Brendan's Catholic Primary School rank in QLD?
Bucasia State School is 569th of 804 and St Brendan's Catholic Primary School is 325th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.