Head-to-head · 2026
Holy Spirit College vs St Mary Star of the Sea College
Side-by-side 2026 comparison: fees, ICSEA, sector, gender, programs and boarding. Both in Wollongong. Sourced from each school's published schedule and ACARA MySchool. Verified 6 June 2026.
Looking for just one school's fees and full profile?
At a glance
The headline differences
- Sector: Holy Spirit College is Catholic systemic; St Mary Star of the Sea College is Catholic.
- Gender: Holy Spirit College is co-ed; St Mary Star of the Sea College is girls.
- Year 12 fees differ by $7,918: Holy Spirit College is more affordable.
- ICSEA gap of 24: St Mary Star of the Sea College draws from a more advantaged community.
- St Mary Star of the Sea College is the older school (est. 1873 vs 1983).
- Both schools are in Wollongong, so catchment + commute considerations are similar.
Comparison
Side-by-side
| Metric | Holy Spirit College | St Mary Star of the Sea College |
|---|---|---|
| City / suburb | Bellambi, Wollongong | Wollongong, Wollongong |
| Sector | Catholic systemic | Catholic |
| Gender | co-ed | girls |
| Year levels | 7-12 | Year 7 to Year 12 |
| ICSEA | 1069 | 1093 |
| Year 12 fee | $2,885 | $10,803 |
| Year 7 fee | $2,150 | $8,532 |
| Boarding | Day school | Day school |
| Founded | 1983 | 1873 |
| Religion | Catholic | Roman Catholic (Sisters of the Good Samaritan tradition) |
All fees verified 6 June 2026 against each school's published schedule. Excludes uniforms, technology, camps, capital + boarding (unless shown).
Holy Spirit College
Standout strengths
- ›International Baccalaureate (IB)
- ›CareerTools careers program
- ›Formed from the 1983 amalgamation of St Paul's College and Holy Cross College
Holy Spirit College is a Catholic systemic co-educational secondary school (Years 7-12) in Bellambi, in the Diocese of Wollongong. Formed in 1983 from the amalgamation of St Paul's College and Holy Cross College, it is a large school of roughly 1,250 students with an above-average ICSEA of 1069. Low-fee Catholic tuition with an International Baccalaureate offering.
See full profile →St Mary Star of the Sea College
Standout strengths
- ›150+ year heritage; founded 1873 by Sisters of the Good Samaritan
- ›Largest Catholic girls' college in the Illawarra
- ›Strong VET, music and creative arts program
Catholic girls school in Wollongong, Wollongong. 150+ year heritage; founded 1873 by Sisters of the Good Samaritan
See full profile →Common questions
FAQs
Which is better, Holy Spirit College or St Mary Star of the Sea College?
"Better" depends on family priorities. By ICSEA, St Mary Star of the Sea College. By 2026 Year 12 fee, Holy Spirit College is more affordable. Both are in Wollongong. The most meaningful comparison is on culture, programs, transport and entry pathway for your specific child – visit open days and talk to current parents.
What are the 2026 fees for Holy Spirit College and St Mary Star of the Sea College?
Holy Spirit College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $2,885 (Year 7: $2,150). St Mary Star of the Sea College's 2026 Year 12 tuition is $10,803 (Year 7: $8,532). Both schools also charge additional levies (technology, camps, capital, uniform) typically adding 8-15% to headline tuition.
What are the ICSEA scores for Holy Spirit College vs St Mary Star of the Sea College?
Holy Spirit College has an ICSEA score of 1069; St Mary Star of the Sea College has 1093. The Australian median is 1000. ICSEA measures the socio-educational advantage of the school community – it correlates with academic outcomes but does NOT measure teaching quality or value-add. ICSEA is published by ACARA on MySchool.
Which school is older, Holy Spirit College or St Mary Star of the Sea College?
St Mary Star of the Sea College is the older school (founded 1873 vs 1983 for Holy Spirit College).
Do Holy Spirit College or St Mary Star of the Sea College offer boarding?
Holy Spirit College: Day school only. St Mary Star of the Sea College: Day school only.
Next step
Model the 6-year cost for either school
Project Year 7-12 tuition with 4.5% annual indexation. Add boarding, levies and sibling discounts. Compare side-by-side.
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