Bendigo Senior Secondary College vs Catherine McAuley College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Victoria, 584 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Bendigo Senior Secondary College
Bendigo · Government high school · 10-12
1,918 students · ICSEA 1003
Catherine McAuley College
Bendigo · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,567 students · ICSEA 1055
| Measure | Bendigo Senior Secondary College Bendigo VIC | Catherine McAuley College Bendigo VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 49 Lower 50% | 69 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #223 of 348 | #109 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #765 of 1,472 | #310 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 10-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,918 | 1,567 |
| Girls / boys | 950 / 968 | 758 / 809 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 337 |
| Year 12 cohort | 837 | 176 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 26 | 29 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 2.7% | 5% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +11% | +11% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1003 | 1055 |
| ICSEA percentile | 48th | 70th |
| Top SEA quarter | 15% | 23% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 35% | 16% |
| Students per teacher | 13.5 | 12.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 130.2 | 126.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 66.7 | 64.6 |
| Language background other than English | 12% | 8% |
| Indigenous students | 4% | 3% |
| Suburb | Bendigo 3552 | Bendigo 3550 |
| Council area | Greater Bendigo | Greater Bendigo |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.bssc.edu.au/ | www.cmc.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Catherine McAuley College scores higher on the Success Index (68.8 vs 48.6).
- •Catherine McAuley College has the higher ICSEA (1055 vs 1003), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Catherine McAuley College has fewer students per teacher (12.4 vs 13.5).
- •Bendigo Senior Secondary College is the larger school with 1,918 students compared with 1,567.
- •Bendigo Senior Secondary College is a government school while Catherine McAuley 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 Bendigo Senior Secondary College better than Catherine McAuley College?
On the Success Index, Catherine McAuley College ranks higher (68.8 vs 48.6 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 Bendigo Senior Secondary College and Catherine McAuley College?
About 584 m in a straight line, between Bendigo and Bendigo in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Bendigo Senior Secondary College has 13.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Catherine McAuley College has 12.4.
How do Bendigo Senior Secondary College and Catherine McAuley College rank in VIC?
Bendigo Senior Secondary College is 223rd of 348 and Catherine McAuley College is 109th of 348 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.