Burdekin Catholic High School vs Mary Help of Christians Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 81 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Burdekin Catholic High School
Ayr · Catholic high school · 7-12
293 students · ICSEA 989
Mary Help of Christians Catholic College
Shaw · Catholic high school · 7
127 students · ICSEA 990
| Measure | Burdekin Catholic High School Ayr QLD | Mary Help of Christians Catholic College Shaw QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #113 of 269 | #110 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #747 of 1,472 | #739 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7 |
| Students | 293 | 127 |
| Girls / boys | 151 / 142 | 58 / 69 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 50 | 127 |
| Year 12 cohort | 41 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -26% | – |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 989 | 990 |
| ICSEA percentile | 42th | 42th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 33% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 8.4 | 9.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 34.7 | 14.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.9 | 9.3 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 17% |
| Suburb | Ayr 4807 | Shaw 4818 |
| Council area | Burdekin | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.bchs.catholic.edu.au | www.mhoc.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (49.7 vs 50.3).
- •Mary Help of Christians Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (990 vs 989), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Burdekin Catholic High School has fewer students per teacher (8.4 vs 9.1).
- •Burdekin Catholic High School is the larger school with 293 students compared with 127.
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 Burdekin Catholic High School better than Mary Help of Christians Catholic College?
The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.
How far apart are Burdekin Catholic High School and Mary Help of Christians Catholic College?
About 81 km in a straight line, between Ayr and Shaw in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Burdekin Catholic High School has 8.4 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mary Help of Christians Catholic College has 9.1.
How do Burdekin Catholic High School and Mary Help of Christians Catholic College rank in QLD?
Burdekin Catholic High School is 113th of 269 and Mary Help of Christians Catholic College is 110th of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.