St Mary's Catholic Primary School vs Walkervale State School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Bundaberg · Catholic primary · Prep-6
490 students · ICSEA 995
Walkervale State School
Walkervale · Government primary · Prep-6
350 students · ICSEA 900
| Measure | St Mary's Catholic Primary School Bundaberg QLD | Walkervale State School Walkervale QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 41 Lower 50% | 29 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #460 of 804 | #624 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | #3383 of 4,908 | #4247 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 490 | 350 |
| Girls / boys | 246 / 244 | 165 / 185 |
| Foundation intake | 72 | 41 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +38% | -24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 995 | 900 |
| ICSEA percentile | 44th | 11th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 4% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 29% | 63% |
| Students per teacher | 17.1 | 10.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 28.6 | 32.7 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 20.7 | 17.8 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 8% | 30% |
| Suburb | Bundaberg 4670 | Walkervale 4670 |
| Council area | Bundaberg | Bundaberg |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.stmarysbundaberg.qld.edu.au | walkervaless.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (40.6 vs 28.5).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (995 vs 900), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Walkervale State School has fewer students per teacher (10.7 vs 17.1).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 490 students compared with 350.
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (38% vs -24%).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a catholic school while Walkervale State School is a government 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 St Mary's Catholic Primary School better than Walkervale State School?
On the Success Index, St Mary's Catholic Primary School ranks higher (40.6 vs 28.5 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 St Mary's Catholic Primary School and Walkervale State School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Bundaberg and Walkervale in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School has 17.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Walkervale State School has 10.7.
How do St Mary's Catholic Primary School and Walkervale State School rank in QLD?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School is 460th of 804 and Walkervale State School is 624th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.