Machans Beach State School vs Newman Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 6.8 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
Newman Catholic College
Smithfield · Catholic high school · 7-10
625 students · ICSEA 1046
| Measure | Machans Beach State School Machans Beach QLD | Newman Catholic College Smithfield QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 30 Lower 50% | 71 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #602 of 804 | #24 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #4098 of 4,908 | #275 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-10 |
| Students | 135 | 625 |
| Girls / boys | 75 / 60 | 299 / 326 |
| Foundation intake | 15 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 166 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | – |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 944 | 1046 |
| ICSEA percentile | 22th | 67th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 36% | 11% |
| Students per teacher | 15.3 | 10.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 8.8 | 57.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 5.4 | 27.9 |
| Language background other than English | 34% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 23% | 5% |
| Suburb | Machans Beach 4878 | Smithfield 4878 |
| Council area | Cairns | Cairns |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | machansbeachss.eq.edu.au | www.newman.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Newman Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (70.6 vs 30.3).
- •Newman Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1046 vs 944), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Newman Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (10.9 vs 15.3).
- •Newman Catholic College is the larger school with 625 students compared with 135.
- •Machans Beach State School is a government school while Newman 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 Machans Beach State School better than Newman Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Newman Catholic College ranks higher (70.6 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 Newman Catholic College?
About 6.8 km in a straight line, between Machans Beach and Smithfield in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Machans Beach State School has 15.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Newman Catholic College has 10.9.
How do Machans Beach State School and Newman Catholic College rank in QLD?
Machans Beach State School is 602nd of 804 and Newman Catholic College is 24th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.