Mary MacKillop Memorial School vs Our Lady of the Visitation School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in South Australia, 355 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Mary MacKillop Memorial School
Penola · Catholic primary · R-6
57 students · ICSEA 1029
Our Lady of the Visitation School
Taperoo · Catholic primary · R-6
320 students · ICSEA 1026
| Measure | Mary MacKillop Memorial School Penola SA | Our Lady of the Visitation School Taperoo SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 57 Top 50% | 65 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #94 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1456 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | R-6 | R-6 |
| Students | 57 | 320 |
| Girls / boys | 26 / 31 | 138 / 182 |
| Foundation intake | 2 | 52 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -34% | +81% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1029 | 1026 |
| ICSEA percentile | 60th | 58th |
| Top SEA quarter | 19% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 26% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 9.5 | 12.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.0 | 26.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.0 | 15.6 |
| Language background other than English | 0% | 7% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 7% |
| Suburb | Penola 5277 | Taperoo 5017 |
| Council area | Wattle Range | Port Adelaide Enfield |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | www.mmms.catholic.edu.au | www.olv.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Our Lady of the Visitation School scores higher on the Success Index (65.0 vs 56.5).
- •Mary MacKillop Memorial School has the higher ICSEA (1029 vs 1026), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Mary MacKillop Memorial School has fewer students per teacher (9.5 vs 12.0).
- •Our Lady of the Visitation School is the larger school with 320 students compared with 57.
- •Our Lady of the Visitation School has grown faster over five years (81% vs -34%).
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 MacKillop Memorial School better than Our Lady of the Visitation School?
On the Success Index, Our Lady of the Visitation School ranks higher (65.0 vs 56.5 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 Mary MacKillop Memorial School and Our Lady of the Visitation School?
About 355 km in a straight line, between Penola and Taperoo in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Mary MacKillop Memorial School has 9.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Our Lady of the Visitation School has 12.0.
How do Mary MacKillop Memorial School and Our Lady of the Visitation School rank in SA?
Mary MacKillop Memorial School is unranked and Our Lady of the Visitation School is 94th of 348 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.