Holy Cross School vs Machans Beach State School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 7.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Holy Cross School
Trinity Park · Catholic primary · Prep-6
572 students · ICSEA 1058
Machans Beach State School
Machans Beach · Government primary · Prep-6
135 students · ICSEA 944
| Measure | Holy Cross School Trinity Park QLD | Machans Beach State School Machans Beach QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 62 Top 50% | 30 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #177 of 804 | #602 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1707 of 4,908 | #4098 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 572 | 135 |
| Girls / boys | 275 / 297 | 75 / 60 |
| Foundation intake | 81 | 15 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +6% | +2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1058 | 944 |
| ICSEA percentile | 71th | 22th |
| Top SEA quarter | 24% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 9% | 36% |
| Students per teacher | 16.2 | 15.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 35.4 | 8.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 31.8 | 5.4 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 34% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 23% |
| Suburb | Trinity Park 4879 | Machans Beach 4878 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.holycross.qld.edu.au | machansbeachss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Holy Cross School scores higher on the Success Index (62.3 vs 30.3).
- •Holy Cross School has the higher ICSEA (1058 vs 944), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Machans Beach State School has fewer students per teacher (15.3 vs 16.2).
- •Holy Cross School is the larger school with 572 students compared with 135.
- •Holy Cross School is a catholic school while Machans Beach State School is a government 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 Holy Cross School better than Machans Beach State School?
On the Success Index, Holy Cross School ranks higher (62.3 vs 30.3 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 Holy Cross School and Machans Beach State School?
About 7.1 km in a straight line, between Trinity Park and Machans Beach in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Holy Cross School has 16.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Machans Beach State School has 15.3.
How do Holy Cross School and Machans Beach State School rank in QLD?
Holy Cross School is 177th of 804 and Machans Beach State School is 602nd of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.