Machans Beach State School vs Mother of Good Counsel School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 5.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Machans Beach State School
Machans Beach · Government primary · Prep-6
135 students · ICSEA 944
Mother of Good Counsel School
Cairns North · Catholic primary · Prep-6
354 students · ICSEA 1091
| Measure | Machans Beach State School Machans Beach QLD | Mother of Good Counsel School Cairns North QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 30 Lower 50% | 70 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #602 of 804 | #97 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #4098 of 4,908 | #998 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 135 | 354 |
| Girls / boys | 75 / 60 | 209 / 145 |
| Foundation intake | 15 | 51 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | -2% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 944 | 1091 |
| ICSEA percentile | 22th | 82th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 37% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 36% | 3% |
| Students per teacher | 15.3 | 16.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.8 | 22.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.4 | 10.9 |
| Language background other than English | 34% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 23% | 3% |
| Suburb | Machans Beach 4878 | Cairns North 4870 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | machansbeachss.eq.edu.au | www.mogc.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mother of Good Counsel School scores higher on the Success Index (70.2 vs 30.3).
- •Mother of Good Counsel School has the higher ICSEA (1091 vs 944), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Machans Beach State School has fewer students per teacher (15.3 vs 16.1).
- •Mother of Good Counsel School is the larger school with 354 students compared with 135.
- •Machans Beach State School is a government school while Mother of Good Counsel 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.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Machans Beach State School better than Mother of Good Counsel School?
On the Success Index, Mother of Good Counsel School ranks higher (70.2 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 Machans Beach State School and Mother of Good Counsel School?
About 5.4 km in a straight line, between Machans Beach and Cairns North in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Machans Beach State School has 15.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Mother of Good Counsel School has 16.1.
How do Machans Beach State School and Mother of Good Counsel School rank in QLD?
Machans Beach State School is 602nd of 804 and Mother of Good Counsel School is 97th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.