Newport Gardens Primary School vs St Margaret Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 2.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Newport Gardens Primary School
Newport · Government primary · Prep-6
516 students · ICSEA 1106
St Margaret Mary's School
Spotswood · Catholic primary · Prep-6
159 students · ICSEA 1122
| Measure | Newport Gardens Primary School Newport VIC | St Margaret Mary's School Spotswood VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 73 Top 25% | 83 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #339 of 1,290 | #51 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #784 of 4,908 | #80 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 516 | 159 |
| Girls / boys | 258 / 258 | 81 / 78 |
| Foundation intake | 70 | 23 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -11% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1106 | 1122 |
| ICSEA percentile | 86th | 90th |
| Top SEA quarter | 44% | 49% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 9% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 15.2 | 8.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 33.9 | 17.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 8.5 | 4.2 |
| Language background other than English | 23% | 27% |
| Indigenous students | 2% | 0% |
| Suburb | Newport 3015 | Spotswood 3015 |
| Council area | Hobsons Bay | Hobsons Bay |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.newportgardensps.vic.edu.au | www.smmspotswood.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Margaret Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (83.1 vs 72.6).
- •St Margaret Mary's School has the higher ICSEA (1122 vs 1106), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Margaret Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (8.8 vs 15.2).
- •Newport Gardens Primary School is the larger school with 516 students compared with 159.
- •St Margaret Mary's School has grown faster over five years (9% vs -11%).
- •Newport Gardens Primary School is a government school while St Margaret Mary's School 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 Newport Gardens Primary School better than St Margaret Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Margaret Mary's School ranks higher (83.1 vs 72.6 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 Newport Gardens Primary School and St Margaret Mary's School?
About 2.0 km in a straight line, between Newport and Spotswood in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Newport Gardens Primary School has 15.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Margaret Mary's School has 8.8.
How do Newport Gardens Primary School and St Margaret Mary's School rank in VIC?
Newport Gardens Primary School is 339th of 1,290 and St Margaret Mary's School is 51st of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.