Cairns State Special School vs St Gerard Majella Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 663 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cairns State Special School
Woree · Government special · Prep-12
130 students · ICSEA 913
St Gerard Majella Primary School
Woree · Catholic primary · Prep-6
399 students · ICSEA 1035
| Measure | Cairns State Special School Woree QLD | St Gerard Majella Primary School Woree QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #328 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | – | #2686 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 130 | 399 |
| Girls / boys | 38 / 92 | 203 / 196 |
| Foundation intake | 9 | 51 |
| Year 7 cohort | 10 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 15 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +67% | -1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 913 | 1035 |
| ICSEA percentile | 14th | 62th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 43% | 14% |
| Students per teacher | 4.0 | 16.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 32.8 | 23.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 42.5 | 15.4 |
| Language background other than English | 24% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 42% | 4% |
| Suburb | Woree 4868 | Woree 4868 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | cairnsstatespecs.eq.edu.au | www.sgmcairns.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Gerard Majella Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1035 vs 913), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cairns State Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.0 vs 16.8).
- •St Gerard Majella Primary School is the larger school with 399 students compared with 130.
- •Cairns State Special School has grown faster over five years (67% vs -1%).
- •Cairns State Special School is a government school while St Gerard Majella 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.
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 North Lakes
Frequently asked questions
Is Cairns State Special School better than St Gerard Majella Primary School?
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 Cairns State Special School and St Gerard Majella Primary School?
About 663 m in a straight line, between Woree and Woree in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cairns State Special School has 4.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Gerard Majella Primary School has 16.8.
How do Cairns State Special School and St Gerard Majella Primary School rank in QLD?
Cairns State Special School is unranked and St Gerard Majella Primary School is 328th of 804 among special schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.