Melaleuca Park Primary School vs St Martins Lutheran College
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South Australia, 2.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Melaleuca Park Primary School
Mount Gambier · Government primary · U, R-6
107 students · ICSEA 882
St Martins Lutheran College
Mount Gambier · Independent combined · R-12
810 students · ICSEA 1028
| Measure | Melaleuca Park Primary School Mount Gambier SA | St Martins Lutheran College Mount Gambier SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 29 Lower 50% | 50 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #303 of 348 | #54 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #4246 of 4,908 | #667 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | U, R-6 | R-12 |
| Students | 107 | 810 |
| Girls / boys | 53 / 54 | 412 / 398 |
| Foundation intake | 13 | 39 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 103 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 58 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -20% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 882 | 1028 |
| ICSEA percentile | 8th | 59th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 18% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 63% | 24% |
| Students per teacher | 8.6 | 12.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 12.5 | 67.1 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.8 | 43.9 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 15% |
| Indigenous students | 29% | 3% |
| Suburb | Mount Gambier 5290 | Mount Gambier 5290 |
| Council area | Mount Gambier | Mount Gambier |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.melparkps.sa.edu.au | www.stmartins.sa.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •St Martins Lutheran College scores higher on the Success Index (49.7 vs 28.5).
- •St Martins Lutheran College has the higher ICSEA (1028 vs 882), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Melaleuca Park Primary School has fewer students per teacher (8.6 vs 12.1).
- •St Martins Lutheran College is the larger school with 810 students compared with 107.
- •St Martins Lutheran College has grown faster over five years (9% vs -20%).
- •Melaleuca Park Primary School is a government school while St Martins Lutheran College is an independent 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 Melaleuca Park Primary School better than St Martins Lutheran College?
On the Success Index, St Martins Lutheran College ranks higher (49.7 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 Melaleuca Park Primary School and St Martins Lutheran College?
About 2.3 km in a straight line, between Mount Gambier and Mount Gambier in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Melaleuca Park Primary School has 8.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Martins Lutheran College has 12.1.
How do Melaleuca Park Primary School and St Martins Lutheran College rank in SA?
Melaleuca Park Primary School is 303rd of 348 and St Martins Lutheran College is 54th of 145 among primary schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.