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MacKillop Specialist School vs Tate Street Primary School Geelong

A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 1.1 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.

MeasureMacKillop Specialist School
Whittington VIC
Tate Street Primary School Geelong
Geelong East VIC
Success Index
–
Not rated
59
Top 50%
State rank (type)–#675 of 1,290
National rank (type)–#1996 of 4,908
SectorCatholicGovernment
TypeSpecialPrimary
Year rangePrep-12Prep-6
Students196164
Girls / boys49 / 14774 / 90
Foundation intake216
Year 7 cohort19–
Year 12 cohort13–
VCE median study score
VCAA, latest year
––
VCE study scores 40+––
5-year enrolment growth+56%-14%
ICSEA
Average 1000
9931029
ICSEA percentile44th60th
Top SEA quarter13%21%
Bottom SEA quarter46%31%
Students per teacher3.711.4
Teaching staff (FTE)52.314.4
Non-teaching staff (FTE)59.37.5
Language background other than English1%13%
Indigenous students12%2%
SuburbWhittington 3219Geelong East 3219
Council areaGreater GeelongGreater Geelong
RemotenessMajor CitiesMajor Cities
Websitewww.mackillop.org.au/mackillop-school-geelongwww.tatestps.vic.edu.au

The verdict

  • •Tate Street Primary School Geelong has the higher ICSEA (1029 vs 993), indicating a more advantaged community.
  • •MacKillop Specialist School has fewer students per teacher (3.7 vs 11.4).
  • •MacKillop Specialist School is the larger school with 196 students compared with 164.
  • •MacKillop Specialist School has grown faster over five years (56% vs -14%).
  • •MacKillop Specialist School is a catholic school while Tate Street Primary School Geelong is a government 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 MacKillop Specialist School better than Tate Street Primary School Geelong?

The two schools are very close on the Success Index. Differences in sector, size, year range and distance from home will matter more than the score.

How far apart are MacKillop Specialist School and Tate Street Primary School Geelong?

About 1.1 km in a straight line, between Whittington and Geelong East in Victoria.

Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?

MacKillop Specialist School has 3.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Tate Street Primary School Geelong has 11.4.

How do MacKillop Specialist School and Tate Street Primary School Geelong rank in VIC?

MacKillop Specialist School is unranked and Tate Street Primary School Geelong is 675th of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.