Geham State School vs Mary MacKillop Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 7.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Geham State School
Geham · Government primary · Prep-6
163 students · ICSEA 1012
Mary MacKillop Catholic College
Highfields · Catholic combined · Prep-12
1,047 students · ICSEA 1046
| Measure | Geham State School Geham QLD | Mary MacKillop Catholic College Highfields QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #324 of 804 | #131 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #2664 of 4,908 | #652 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 163 | 1,047 |
| Girls / boys | 82 / 81 | 525 / 522 |
| Foundation intake | 22 | 63 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 142 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 63 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | +45% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1012 | 1046 |
| ICSEA percentile | 53th | 67th |
| Top SEA quarter | 12% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 16.1 | 14.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 10.1 | 71.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.0 | 38.2 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 6% | 5% |
| Suburb | Geham 4352 | Highfields 4352 |
| Council area | Toowoomba | Toowoomba |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | gehamss.eq.edu.au | www.mmcc.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (50.3 vs 50.2).
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1046 vs 1012), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (14.6 vs 16.1).
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic College is the larger school with 1,047 students compared with 163.
- •Mary MacKillop Catholic College has grown faster over five years (45% vs 14%).
- •Geham State School is a government school while Mary MacKillop Catholic College 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 Chermside
Frequently asked questions
Is Geham State School better than Mary MacKillop 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 Geham State School and Mary MacKillop Catholic College?
About 7.2 km in a straight line, between Geham and Highfields in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Geham State School has 16.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mary MacKillop Catholic College has 14.6.
How do Geham State School and Mary MacKillop Catholic College rank in QLD?
Geham State School is 324th of 804 and Mary MacKillop Catholic College is 131st of 275 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.