Ballina Public School vs Southern Cross School of Distance Education
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 3.0 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Ballina Public School
Ballina · Government primary · K-6
254 students · ICSEA 869
Southern Cross School of Distance Education
East Ballina · Government combined · K-12
79 students · ICSEA 896
| Measure | Ballina Public School Ballina NSW | Southern Cross School of Distance Education East Ballina NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 31 Lower 50% | 31 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #1319 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #4076 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-12 |
| Students | 254 | 79 |
| Girls / boys | 114 / 140 | 43 / 36 |
| Foundation intake | 32 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 8 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 22 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -7% | -85% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 869 | 896 |
| ICSEA percentile | 6th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 62% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 11.3 | 1.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 22.4 | 50.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 6.7 | 11.2 |
| Language background other than English | 17% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 41% | 33% |
| Suburb | Ballina 2478 | East Ballina 2478 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | ballina-p.schools.nsw.gov.au | sthcrossc-d.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Both schools have almost identical Success Index scores (30.5 vs 31.0).
- •Southern Cross School of Distance Education has the higher ICSEA (896 vs 869), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southern Cross School of Distance Education has fewer students per teacher (1.5 vs 11.3).
- •Ballina Public School is the larger school with 254 students compared with 79.
- •Ballina Public School has grown faster over five years (-7% vs -85%).
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 Ballina Public School better than Southern Cross School of Distance Education?
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 Ballina Public School and Southern Cross School of Distance Education?
About 3.0 km in a straight line, between Ballina and East Ballina in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Ballina Public School has 11.3 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Southern Cross School of Distance Education has 1.5.
How do Ballina Public School and Southern Cross School of Distance Education rank in NSW?
Ballina Public School is 1319th of 1,619 and Southern Cross School of Distance Education is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.