Mackay Isaac Whitsunday fastest growing schools revealed for 2023

Data has revealed every Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region school’s student enrolment trajectory over the past five years – exposing where student numbers have risen and declined the most.

The fastest growing schools across the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region – and the ones going backward – have been revealed.

An analysis of federal government data has revealed every Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region school’s student enrolment trajectory over the past five years – exposing where student numbers have risen and declined the most.

St Mary’s Catholic School in Bowen is the Greater Whitsundays’ fastest growing school, with enrolments increasing by 104 per cent in the five years from 2018 to 2022.

The second fastest growing school was Collinsville State School in Collinsville with a 76 per cent change while Farleigh State School in Farleigh recorded the third biggest change with a 70 per cent increase.

There has been a 50 per cent drop in student numbers at Coppabella State School. Pictured are preppies Avah Blanch and Noah Smallwood. Picture: Contributed

Meanwhile, the analysis also highlighted the schools in decline across the Mackay Isaac Whitsunday region with Mistake Creek State School in Clermont recording a 65 per cent drop over five years.

Gargett State School in Gargett was the second school going backwards for enrolment with a 56 per cent drop and Coppabella State School in Coppabella was the third with a 50 per cent decline.

Gargett State School Prep Lochlan Walker. Picture: Tony Martin

The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority figures are the most up to date enrolment numbers that include all state and private schools nationally.

Schools with fastest growth between 2018 and 2022:

St Mary’s Catholic School: 104 per cent

Collinsville State School: 76 per cent

Farleigh State School: 70 per cent

Carmila State School: 56 per cent

Nebo State School: 38 per cent

Carlisle Adventist College: 37 per cent

Holy Spirit College: 36 per cent

Beaconsfield State School: 35 per cent

Dundula State School: 34 per cent

Kilcummin State School: 33 per cent

Schools in decline 2018-2022:

Mistake Creek State School: 65 per cent

Gargett State School: 56 per cent

Coppabella State School: 50 per cent

Hamilton Island State School: 48 per cent

Gumlu State School: 42 per cent

Homebush State School: 35 per cent

Valkyrie State School: 32 per cent

Eton State School: 30 per cent

Mackay North State School: 25 per cent

Seaforth State School: 22 per cent