Mackay Northern Beaches State High School vs St Brendan's Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 1.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mackay Northern Beaches State High School
Rural View · Government high school · 7-12
1,012 students · ICSEA 950
St Brendan's Catholic Primary School
Mackay · Catholic primary · Prep-6
439 students · ICSEA 1018
| Measure | Mackay Northern Beaches State High School Rural View QLD | St Brendan's Catholic Primary School Mackay QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 27 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #220 of 269 | #325 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #1258 of 1,472 | #2676 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Primary |
| Year range | 7-12 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 1,012 | 439 |
| Girls / boys | 464 / 548 | 225 / 214 |
| Foundation intake | – | 69 |
| Year 7 cohort | 192 | – |
| Year 12 cohort | 137 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +0% | +45% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 950 | 1018 |
| ICSEA percentile | 25th | 55th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 44% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 12.5 | 17.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 80.8 | 25.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 40.8 | 14.0 |
| Language background other than English | 10% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 13% | 8% |
| Suburb | Rural View 4740 | Mackay 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | macknorthbeachesshs.eq.edu.au | www.sbnmrok.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Brendan's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (50.1 vs 27.0).
- •St Brendan's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1018 vs 950), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School has fewer students per teacher (12.5 vs 17.3).
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School is the larger school with 1,012 students compared with 439.
- •St Brendan's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (45% vs 0%).
- •Mackay Northern Beaches State High School is a government school while St Brendan's Catholic Primary 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 Mackay Northern Beaches State High School better than St Brendan's Catholic Primary School?
On the Success Index, St Brendan's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (50.1 vs 27.0 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 Mackay Northern Beaches State High School and St Brendan's Catholic Primary School?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Rural View and Mackay in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mackay Northern Beaches State High School has 12.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Brendan's Catholic Primary School has 17.3.
How do Mackay Northern Beaches State High School and St Brendan's Catholic Primary School rank in QLD?
Mackay Northern Beaches State High School is 220th of 269 and St Brendan's Catholic Primary School is 325th of 804 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.