St Martins Lutheran College vs Tenison Woods College
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in South Australia, 3.8 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
St Martins Lutheran College
Mount Gambier · Independent combined · R-12
810 students · ICSEA 1028
Tenison Woods College
Mount Gambier · Catholic combined · R-12
1,552 students · ICSEA 1031
| Measure | St Martins Lutheran College Mount Gambier SA | Tenison Woods College Mount Gambier SA |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 50 Top 50% | 51 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | #54 of 145 | #50 of 145 |
| National rank (type) | #667 of 1,259 | #636 of 1,259 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | R-12 | R-12 |
| Students | 810 | 1,552 |
| Girls / boys | 412 / 398 | 741 / 811 |
| Foundation intake | 39 | 95 |
| Year 7 cohort | 103 | 167 |
| Year 12 cohort | 58 | 107 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +9% | +27% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1028 | 1031 |
| ICSEA percentile | 59th | 60th |
| Top SEA quarter | 18% | 20% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 24% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 12.1 | 12.3 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 67.1 | 126.2 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 43.9 | 72.7 |
| Language background other than English | 15% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 3% |
| Suburb | Mount Gambier 5290 | Mount Gambier 5290 |
| Council area | Mount Gambier | Mount Gambier |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | www.stmartins.sa.edu.au/ | www.tenison.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Tenison Woods College scores higher on the Success Index (50.9 vs 49.7).
- •Tenison Woods College has the higher ICSEA (1031 vs 1028), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Tenison Woods College is the larger school with 1,552 students compared with 810.
- •Tenison Woods College has grown faster over five years (27% vs 9%).
- •St Martins Lutheran College is a independent school while Tenison Woods College is a catholic 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 Martins Lutheran College better than Tenison Woods College?
On the Success Index, Tenison Woods College ranks higher (50.9 vs 49.7 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 Martins Lutheran College and Tenison Woods College?
About 3.8 km in a straight line, between Mount Gambier and Mount Gambier in South Australia.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
St Martins Lutheran College has 12.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Tenison Woods College has 12.3.
How do St Martins Lutheran College and Tenison Woods College rank in SA?
St Martins Lutheran College is 54th of 145 and Tenison Woods College is 50th of 145 among combined schools in South Australia on the 2025 Success Index.