Samaritan College vs Sunrise Christian School Whyalla
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in South Australia, 2.4 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Samaritan College
Whyalla · Catholic combined · R-12
881 students · ICSEA 979
Sunrise Christian School Whyalla
Whyalla Norrie · Independent combined · R-10
257 students · ICSEA 1006
| Measure | Samaritan College Whyalla SA | Sunrise Christian School Whyalla Whyalla Norrie SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 33 Lower 50% | 40 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #113 of 145 | #83 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #999 of 1,259 | #857 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Catholic | Independent |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | R-12 | R-10 |
| Students | 881 | 257 |
| Girls / boys | 466 / 415 | 117 / 140 |
| Foundation intake | 82 | 24 |
| Year 7 cohort | 104 | 37 |
| Year 12 cohort | 67 | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +31% | +24% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 979 | 1006 |
| ICSEA percentile | 37th | 50th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 11% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 37% | 27% |
| Students per teacher | 13.9 | 13.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 63.2 | 19.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 41.4 | 15.3 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 21% |
| Indigenous students | 9% | 5% |
| Suburb | Whyalla 5600 | Whyalla Norrie 5608 |
| Council area | Whyalla | Whyalla |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.samaritan.catholic.edu.au | sunrise.sa.edu.au/whyalla/welcome |
The verdict
- •Sunrise Christian School Whyalla scores higher on the Success Index (40.3 vs 33.3).
- •Sunrise Christian School Whyalla has the higher ICSEA (1006 vs 979), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sunrise Christian School Whyalla has fewer students per teacher (13.1 vs 13.9).
- •Samaritan College is the larger school with 881 students compared with 257.
- •Samaritan College has grown faster over five years (31% vs 24%).
- •Samaritan College is a catholic school while Sunrise Christian School Whyalla 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 Samaritan College better than Sunrise Christian School Whyalla?
On the Success Index, Sunrise Christian School Whyalla ranks higher (40.3 vs 33.3 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 Samaritan College and Sunrise Christian School Whyalla?
About 2.4 km in a straight line, between Whyalla and Whyalla Norrie in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Samaritan College has 13.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Sunrise Christian School Whyalla has 13.1.
How do Samaritan College and Sunrise Christian School Whyalla rank in SA?
Samaritan College is 113th of 145 and Sunrise Christian School Whyalla is 83rd of 145 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.