Sacred Heart School vs St Margaret Mary's School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Victoria, 1.3 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Sacred Heart School
Newport · Catholic primary · Prep-6
297 students · ICSEA 1126
St Margaret Mary's School
Spotswood · Catholic primary · Prep-6
159 students · ICSEA 1122
| Measure | Sacred Heart School Newport VIC | St Margaret Mary's School Spotswood VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 80 Top 5% | 83 Top 5% |
| State rank (type) | #107 of 1,290 | #51 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | #189 of 4,908 | #80 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 297 | 159 |
| Girls / boys | 151 / 146 | 81 / 78 |
| Foundation intake | 50 | 23 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -8% | +9% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1126 | 1122 |
| ICSEA percentile | 91th | 90th |
| Top SEA quarter | 49% | 49% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 6% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 13.0 | 8.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 22.8 | 17.9 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.0 | 4.2 |
| Language background other than English | 25% | 27% |
| Indigenous students | 0% | 0% |
| Suburb | Newport 3015 | Spotswood 3015 |
| Council area | Hobsons Bay | Hobsons Bay |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | www.shnewport.catholic.edu.au | www.smmspotswood.catholic.edu.au |
The verdict
- •St Margaret Mary's School scores higher on the Success Index (83.1 vs 80.0).
- •Sacred Heart School has the higher ICSEA (1126 vs 1122), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •St Margaret Mary's School has fewer students per teacher (8.8 vs 13.0).
- •Sacred Heart School is the larger school with 297 students compared with 159.
- •St Margaret Mary's School has grown faster over five years (9% vs -8%).
The Success Index summarises community advantage, resourcing and momentum from ACARA data. It does not measure teaching quality, results or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Your nearest centre: Success Tutoring Altona
Frequently asked questions
Is Sacred Heart School better than St Margaret Mary's School?
On the Success Index, St Margaret Mary's School ranks higher (83.1 vs 80.0 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 Sacred Heart School and St Margaret Mary's School?
About 1.3 km in a straight line, between Newport and Spotswood in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Sacred Heart School has 13.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and St Margaret Mary's School has 8.8.
How do Sacred Heart School and St Margaret Mary's School rank in VIC?
Sacred Heart School is 107th of 1,290 and St Margaret Mary's School is 51st of 1,290 among primary schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.