Barellan Central School vs Southern Cross School of Distance Education
A head-to-head comparison of two combined schools in New South Wales, 898 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Barellan Central School
Barellan · Government combined · K-12
54 students · ICSEA 894
Southern Cross School of Distance Education
East Ballina · Government combined · K-12
79 students · ICSEA 896
| Measure | Barellan Central School Barellan NSW | Southern Cross School of Distance Education East Ballina NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 26 Lower 50% | 31 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Combined | Combined |
| Year range | K-12 | K-12 |
| Students | 54 | 79 |
| Girls / boys | 22 / 32 | 43 / 36 |
| Foundation intake | 4 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | 5 | 8 |
| Year 12 cohort | 1 | 22 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -41% | -85% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 894 | 896 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 0% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 59% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 4.5 | 1.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 11.9 | 50.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 4.5 | 11.2 |
| Language background other than English | 4% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 30% | 33% |
| Suburb | Barellan 2665 | East Ballina 2478 |
| Council area | Narrandera | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Outer Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | barellan-c.schools.nsw.gov.au | sthcrossc-d.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Southern Cross School of Distance Education scores higher on the Success Index (31.0 vs 26.4).
- •Southern Cross School of Distance Education has the higher ICSEA (896 vs 894), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southern Cross School of Distance Education has fewer students per teacher (1.5 vs 4.5).
- •Southern Cross School of Distance Education is the larger school with 79 students compared with 54.
- •Barellan Central School has grown faster over five years (-41% 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 Barellan Central School better than Southern Cross School of Distance Education?
On the Success Index, Southern Cross School of Distance Education ranks higher (31.0 vs 26.4 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 Barellan Central School and Southern Cross School of Distance Education?
About 898 km in a straight line, between Barellan and East Ballina in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Barellan Central School has 4.5 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Southern Cross School of Distance Education has 1.5.
How do Barellan Central School and Southern Cross School of Distance Education rank in NSW?
Barellan Central School is unranked and Southern Cross School of Distance Education is unranked among combined schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.