Biala Special School vs Southern Cross School of Distance Education
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.6 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
Southern Cross School of Distance Education
East Ballina · Government combined · K-12
79 students · ICSEA 896
| Measure | Biala Special School Ballina NSW | Southern Cross School of Distance Education East Ballina NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 31 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Independent | Government |
| Type | Special | Combined |
| Year range | U | K-12 |
| Students | 33 | 79 |
| Girls / boys | 11 / 22 | 43 / 36 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 8 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 22 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +14% | -85% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 898 | 896 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 10% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 54% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 4.9 | 1.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 6.7 | 50.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 10.3 | 11.2 |
| Language background other than English | 9% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 36% | 33% |
| Suburb | Ballina 2478 | East Ballina 2478 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.biala.org.au | sthcrossc-d.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Biala Special School has the higher ICSEA (898 vs 896), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southern Cross School of Distance Education has fewer students per teacher (1.5 vs 4.9).
- •Southern Cross School of Distance Education is the larger school with 79 students compared with 33.
- •Biala Special School has grown faster over five years (14% vs -85%).
- •Biala Special School is a independent school while Southern Cross School of Distance Education is a government 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 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 Biala Special School and Southern Cross School of Distance Education?
About 2.6 km in a straight line, between Ballina and East Ballina 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 Southern Cross School of Distance Education has 1.5.
How do Biala Special School and Southern Cross School of Distance Education rank in NSW?
Biala Special School is unranked and Southern Cross School of Distance Education is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.