Sacred Heart College vs St Columba's College
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in Victoria, 67 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Sacred Heart College
Newtown · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,450 students · ICSEA 1105
St Columba's College
Essendon · Catholic high school · 7-12
1,047 students · ICSEA 1107
| Measure | Sacred Heart College Newtown VIC | St Columba's College Essendon VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 74 Top 25% | 74 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | #79 of 348 | #77 of 348 |
| National rank (type) | #188 of 1,472 | #183 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | 7-12 | 7-12 |
| Students | 1,450 | 1,047 |
| Girls / boys | 1,450 / 0 | 1,047 / 0 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 257 | 172 |
| Year 12 cohort | 241 | 172 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | 31 | 32 |
| VCE study scores 40+ | 6.3% | 8.4% |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -3% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1105 | 1107 |
| ICSEA percentile | 86th | 86th |
| Top SEA quarter | 40% | 41% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 8% | 6% |
| Students per teacher | 13.3 | 13.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 109.2 | 78.3 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 72.5 | 47.6 |
| Language background other than English | 6% | 21% |
| Indigenous students | 1% | 0% |
| Suburb | Newtown 3220 | Essendon 3040 |
| Council area | Greater Geelong | Moonee Valley |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.shcgeelong.catholic.edu.au | www.columba.vic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (73.9 vs 74.2).
- •St Columba's College has the higher ICSEA (1107 vs 1105), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Sacred Heart College is the larger school with 1,450 students compared with 1,047.
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 Sacred Heart College better than St Columba's College?
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 Sacred Heart College and St Columba's College?
About 67 km in a straight line, between Newtown and Essendon in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sacred Heart College has 13.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Columba's College has 13.4.
How do Sacred Heart College and St Columba's College rank in VIC?
Sacred Heart College is 79th of 348 and St Columba's College is 77th of 348 among secondary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.