Cook School vs Halinda School
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 39 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Cook School
Loftus · Government special · U
66 students · ICSEA 956
Halinda School
Whalan · Government special · U
114 students · ICSEA 955
| Measure | Cook School Loftus NSW | Halinda School Whalan NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | U |
| Students | 66 | 114 |
| Girls / boys | 20 / 46 | 26 / 88 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +69% | +1% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 956 | 955 |
| ICSEA percentile | 27th | 27th |
| Top SEA quarter | 8% | 9% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 47% | 45% |
| Students per teacher | 4.1 | 5.0 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 16.1 | 23.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 15.8 | 22.0 |
| Language background other than English | 31% | 51% |
| Indigenous students | 14% | 17% |
| Suburb | Loftus 2232 | Whalan 2770 |
| Council area | Sutherland | Blacktown |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | cook-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | halinda-s.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Cook School has the higher ICSEA (956 vs 955), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Cook School has fewer students per teacher (4.1 vs 5.0).
- •Halinda School is the larger school with 114 students compared with 66.
- •Cook School has grown faster over five years (69% vs 1%).
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 Cook School better than Halinda 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 Cook School and Halinda School?
About 39 km in a straight line, between Loftus and Whalan in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Cook School has 4.1 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Halinda School has 5.0.
How do Cook School and Halinda School rank in NSW?
Cook School is unranked and Halinda School is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.