St Mary's Catholic Primary School vs St Patrick's College
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.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School
Mackay South · Catholic primary · Prep-6
384 students · ICSEA 1050
St Patrick's College
Mackay · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,394 students · ICSEA 1009
| Measure | St Mary's Catholic Primary School Mackay South QLD | St Patrick's College Mackay QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 58 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #246 of 804 | #76 of 269 |
| National rank (type) | #2157 of 4,908 | #560 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | 7-12 |
| Students | 384 | 1,394 |
| Girls / boys | 214 / 170 | 658 / 736 |
| Foundation intake | 51 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 235 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 251 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +2% | +163% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1050 | 1009 |
| ICSEA percentile | 68th | 51th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 14% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 10% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 16.6 | 11.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 23.1 | 123.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.1 | 58.5 |
| Language background other than English | 18% | 9% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 8% |
| Suburb | Mackay South 4740 | Mackay 4740 |
| Council area | Mackay | Mackay |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.smmrok.catholic.edu.au | www.stpats.qld.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Patrick's College scores higher on the Success Index (58.1 vs 57.1).
- •St Mary's Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1050 vs 1009), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Patrick's College has fewer students per teacher (11.3 vs 16.6).
- •St Patrick's College is the larger school with 1,394 students compared with 384.
- •St Patrick's College has grown faster over five years (163% vs 2%).
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 St Patrick's College?
On the Success Index, St Patrick's College ranks higher (58.1 vs 57.1 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 St Patrick's College?
About 1.7 km in a straight line, between Mackay South and Mackay in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School has 16.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Patrick's College has 11.3.
How do St Mary's Catholic Primary School and St Patrick's College rank in QLD?
St Mary's Catholic Primary School is 246th of 804 and St Patrick's College is 76th of 269 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.