Kirwan State High School vs Mary Help of Christians Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Queensland, 4.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Kirwan State High School
Kirwan · Government high school · 7-12
1,922 students · ICSEA 919
Mary Help of Christians Catholic College
Shaw · Catholic high school · 7
127 students · ICSEA 990
| Measure | Kirwan State High School Kirwan QLD | Mary Help of Christians Catholic College Shaw QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 19 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #255 of 269 | #110 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #1424 of 1,472 | #739 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7 |
| Students | 1,922 | 127 |
| Girls / boys | 901 / 1,021 | 58 / 69 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 325 | 127 |
| Year 12 cohort | 275 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +1% | – |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 919 | 990 |
| ICSEA percentile | 15th | 42th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 14.0 | 9.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 136.6 | 14.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 65.0 | 9.3 |
| Language background other than English | 18% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 31% | 17% |
| Suburb | Kirwan 4817 | Shaw 4818 |
| Council area | Townsville | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | kirwanshs.eq.edu.au | www.mhoc.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Mary Help of Christians Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (50.3 vs 18.5).
- •Mary Help of Christians Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (990 vs 919), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mary Help of Christians Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (9.1 vs 14.0).
- •Kirwan State High School is the larger school with 1,922 students compared with 127.
- •Kirwan State High School is a government school while Mary Help of Christians 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Kirwan State High School better than Mary Help of Christians Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Mary Help of Christians Catholic College ranks higher (50.3 vs 18.5 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 Kirwan State High School and Mary Help of Christians Catholic College?
About 4.1 km in a straight line, between Kirwan and Shaw in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Kirwan State High School has 14.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mary Help of Christians Catholic College has 9.1.
How do Kirwan State High School and Mary Help of Christians Catholic College rank in QLD?
Kirwan State High School is 255th of 269 and Mary Help of Christians Catholic College is 110th of 269 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.