Biala Special School vs Ngaruki Gulgul
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 551 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
Ngaruki Gulgul
Kariong · Independent special · 9-12
70 students · ICSEA 899
| Measure | Biala Special School Ballina NSW | Ngaruki Gulgul Kariong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Independent |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | 9-12 |
| Students | 33 | 70 |
| Girls / boys | 11 / 22 | 31 / 39 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 4 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 898 | 899 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 4.9 | 6.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.7 | 9.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.3 | 9.1 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 36% | 39% |
| Suburb | Ballina 2478 | Kariong 2250 |
| Council area | Ballina | Central Coast (NSW) |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Major Cities |
| Website | www.biala.org.au | www.ngc.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Ngaruki Gulgul has the higher ICSEA (899 vs 898), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Biala Special School has fewer students per teacher (4.9 vs 6.8).
- •Ngaruki Gulgul is the larger school with 70 students compared with 33.
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 Ngaruki Gulgul?
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 Ngaruki Gulgul?
About 551 km in a straight line, between Ballina and Kariong 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 Ngaruki Gulgul has 6.8.
How do Biala Special School and Ngaruki Gulgul rank in NSW?
Biala Special School is unranked and Ngaruki Gulgul is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.