Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School vs St Francis Xavier School
Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School (Ashmore) and St Francis Xavier School (Runaway Bay) are both catholic schools on the Gold Coast. Both are co-educational. Both teach P-6. Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School has 815 students and St Francis Xavier School has 665 (ACARA 2025). They are about 7.3 km apart in a straight line.
Photos: Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School (school website) · St Francis Xavier School (school website)
See both schools’ full fees, ATAR results and cost to Year 12
Every year level’s fees from each school’s own schedule, the results each school publishes, and the total cost to Year 12, side by side.
Compare these schools in full →A$9.99 a year, cancel anytimeSecure payment by Stripe
Key numbers
Students, ICSEA, students per teacher and girls/boys: ACARA My School 2025 (students per teacher is total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff; it isn’t class size).
Fees and results
Side by side
| Fact | Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School | St Francis Xavier School |
|---|---|---|
| Suburb | Ashmore | Runaway Bay |
| Region | Southport | Gold Coast - North |
| Sector | Catholic | Catholic |
| Students | Co-ed | Co-ed |
| Year levels | P-6 | P-6 |
| Religion | Catholic | Catholic |
| Boarding | No | No |
| Senior years | No senior years (Prep to Year 6) | No senior years (Prep to Year 6) |
| Facilities and sport (school site) | Swimming pool, Indoor sports centre, Theatre / performing arts centre, Early learning centre, Library, Tennis courts, Australian rules football, Soccer, Netball, Cricket, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics, Tennis, Volleyball | Oval, Library, Soccer |
| Distance apart | About 7.3 km in a straight line | |
Facts from ACARA (2025) and each school’s own website.
Which suits whom
- Location: Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School is in Ashmore (Southport); St Francis Xavier School is in Runaway Bay (Gold Coast - North).
- Size: Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School is the larger school, with 150 more students.
- Smaller ratio: St Francis Xavier School has fewer students per teacher (16.5 against 18.0, ACARA 2025).
- Listed by Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School but not St Francis Xavier School: Swimming pool, Indoor sports centre, Theatre / performing arts centre, Early learning centre, Tennis courts, Australian rules football, Netball, Cricket, Basketball, Swimming, Athletics, Tennis and Volleyball.
- Listed by St Francis Xavier School but not Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School: Oval.
History
Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School
The Sisters of Mercy began teaching in Southport in 1898. Guardian Angels’ grew out of their Star of the Sea school and had its own identity by 1958, as the first official Catholic primary school on the Gold Coast.
Source: gaps.qld.edu.au
St Francis Xavier School
St Francis Xavier School opened at Runaway Bay on 28 January 1975 with 69 students, in four classrooms on land bought in the new suburb.
Source: sfx.qld.edu.au
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School and St Francis Xavier School?
Both are co-educational. Both teach P-6. Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School has 815 students and St Francis Xavier School has 665 (ACARA 2025).
Is Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School or St Francis Xavier School co-ed?
Both are co-educational.
Which is bigger, Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School or St Francis Xavier School?
Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School is bigger: 815 students against 665 (ACARA 2025).
How many students per teacher do Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School and St Francis Xavier School have?
Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School has 18.0 students per teacher and St Francis Xavier School has 16.5 (ACARA My School 2025: total enrolments divided by full-time-equivalent teaching staff).
Which is older, Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School or St Francis Xavier School?
Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School is older. Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School was founded in 1958 and St Francis Xavier School in 1975.
Do Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School and St Francis Xavier School take boarders?
Neither takes boarders.
How far apart are Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School and St Francis Xavier School?
About 7.3 km in a straight line: Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School is in Ashmore and St Francis Xavier School is in Runaway Bay.
How do Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School and St Francis Xavier School fees compare?
Each school publishes its own fee schedule. Members see both schedules year by year, the results each school reports and the total cost to Year 12. Always confirm current fees with the school.
Related comparisons
- Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School vs St Kevin's School
- Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School vs St Brigid's Catholic Primary School
- Guardian Angels' Catholic Primary School vs St Vincent's Primary School
- Jubilee Primary School vs St Francis Xavier School
- St Francis Xavier School vs St Kevin's School
- St Brigid's Catholic Primary School vs St Francis Xavier School
School profiles
Get the full picture: fees, ATAR results and cost to Year 12
Every year level’s fees from each school’s own schedule, the results each school publishes, and the total cost to Year 12, side by side.
Compare these schools in full →A$9.99 a year, cancel anytimeSecure payment by Stripe
Source and date
Enrolment, ICSEA, students per teacher and girls/boys: ACARA My School 2025. Other facts: each school’s website, checked 21 October 2026. Distance is a straight line between the schools’ map points, not travel distance. Check details with the schools before deciding. Methodology