Biala Special School vs Holy Family Catholic Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 5.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Biala Special School
Ballina · Independent special · U
33 students · ICSEA 898
Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Skennars Head · Catholic primary · K-6
446 students · ICSEA 1102
| Measure | Biala Special School Ballina NSW | Holy Family Catholic Primary School Skennars Head NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 69 Top 25% |
| State rank (type) | – | #350 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #1138 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Independent | Catholic |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | K-6 |
| Students | 33 | 446 |
| Girls / boys | 11 / 22 | 192 / 254 |
| Foundation intake | – | 86 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | +7% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 898 | 1102 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 85th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 39% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 4% |
| Students per teacher | 4.9 | 18.6 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.7 | 24.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.3 | 11.9 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 3% |
| Indigenous students | 36% | 3% |
| Suburb | Ballina 2478 | Skennars Head 2478 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.biala.org.au | www.skhplism.catholic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Holy Family Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1102 vs 898), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Biala Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 18.6).
- •Holy Family Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 446 students compared with 33.
- •Biala Special School has grown faster over five years (14% vs 7%).
- •Biala Special School is a independent school while Holy Family Catholic Primary School is a catholic school, so fees and enrolment rules differ.
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 Biala Special School better than Holy Family Catholic Primary School?
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 Biala Special School and Holy Family Catholic Primary School?
About 5.2 km in a straight line, between Ballina and Skennars Head in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Biala Special School has 4.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Holy Family Catholic Primary School has 18.6.
How do Biala Special School and Holy Family Catholic Primary School rank in NSW?
Biala Special School is unranked and Holy Family Catholic Primary School is 350th of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.