Bundaberg State High School vs St Mary's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 2.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bundaberg State High School
Bundaberg South · Government high school · 7-12
1,593 students · ICSEA 944
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Bundaberg · Catholic primary · Prep-6
490 students · ICSEA 995
| Measure | Bundaberg State High School Bundaberg South QLD | St Mary's Catholic Primary School Bundaberg QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 32 Lower 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #189 of 269 | #460 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1141 of 1,472 | #3383 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,593 | 490 |
| Girls / boys | 797 / 796 | 246 / 244 |
| Foundation intake | – | 72 |
| Year 7 cohort | 360 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 195 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +8% | +38% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 944 | 995 |
| ICSEA percentile | 23th | 44th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 10% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 51% | 29% |
| Students per teacher | 12.6 | 17.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 126.2 | 28.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 54.3 | 20.7 |
| Language background other than English | 8% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 8% |
| Suburb | Bundaberg South 4670 | Bundaberg 4670 |
| Council area | Bundaberg | Bundaberg |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | bundabergshs.eq.edu.au | www.stmarysbundaberg.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (40.6 vs 31.6).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (995 vs 944), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Bundaberg State High School has fewer students per teacher (12.6 vs 17.1).
- •Bundaberg State High School is the larger school with 1,593 students compared with 490.
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (38% vs 8%).
- •Bundaberg State High School is a government school while St Mary'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 Bundaberg State High School better than St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (40.6 vs 31.6 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 Bundaberg State High School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School?
About 2.7 km in a straight line, between Bundaberg South and Bundaberg in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bundaberg State High School has 12.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Mary's Catholic Primary School has 17.1.
How do Bundaberg State High School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School rank in QLD?
Bundaberg State High School is 189th of 269 and St Mary's Catholic Primary School is 460th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.