Mary Help of Christians Catholic College vs Ryan Catholic College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Queensland, 3.5 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mary Help of Christians Catholic College
Shaw · Catholic high school · 7
127 students · ICSEA 990
Ryan Catholic College
Kirwan · Catholic combined · Prep-12
2,019 students · ICSEA 1020
| Measure | Mary Help of Christians Catholic College Shaw QLD | Ryan Catholic College Kirwan QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | 41 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #110 of 269 | #177 of 275 |
| National rank (type) | #739 of 1,472 | #848 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Combined |
| Year range | 7 | Prep-12 |
| Students | 127 | 2,019 |
| Girls / boys | 58 / 69 | 1,040 / 979 |
| Foundation intake | – | 104 |
| Year 7 cohort | 127 | 220 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 180 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | – | +3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 990 | 1020 |
| ICSEA percentile | 42th | 56th |
| Top SEA quarter | 11% | 16% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 19% |
| Students per teacher | 9.1 | 13.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 14.0 | 155.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 9.3 | 87.3 |
| Language background other than English | 7% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 17% | 10% |
| Suburb | Shaw 4818 | Kirwan 4817 |
| Council area | Townsville | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.mhoc.catholic.edu.au/ | www.ryan.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Mary Help of Christians Catholic College scores higher on the Success Index (50.3 vs 40.6).
- •Ryan Catholic College has the higher ICSEA (1020 vs 990), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mary Help of Christians Catholic College has fewer students per teacher (9.1 vs 13.0).
- •Ryan Catholic College is the larger school with 2,019 students compared with 127.
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 Mary Help of Christians Catholic College better than Ryan Catholic College?
On the Success Index, Mary Help of Christians Catholic College ranks higher (50.3 vs 40.6 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 Mary Help of Christians Catholic College and Ryan Catholic College?
About 3.5 km in a straight line, between Shaw and Kirwan in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mary Help of Christians Catholic College has 9.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Ryan Catholic College has 13.0.
How do Mary Help of Christians Catholic College and Ryan Catholic College rank in QLD?
Mary Help of Christians Catholic College is 110th of 269 and Ryan Catholic College is 177th of 275 among secondary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.