Girrakool School vs Henry Kendall High School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 3.7 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Girrakool School
Kariong · Government special · U
54 students · ICSEA 826
Henry Kendall High School
Gosford · Government high school · 7-12
789 students · ICSEA 1030
| Measure | Girrakool School Kariong NSW | Henry Kendall High School Gosford NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 63 Top 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #178 of 539 |
| National rank (type) | – | #445 of 1,472 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Secondary |
| Year range | U | 7-12 |
| Students | 54 | 789 |
| Girls / boys | 0 / 54 | 403 / 386 |
| Foundation intake | – | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 169 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 104 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +23% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 826 | 1030 |
| ICSEA percentile | 4th | 60th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 19% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 23% |
| Students per teacher | 2.2 | 12.4 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.6 | 63.4 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.3 | 17.7 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 30% |
| Indigenous students | 63% | 7% |
| Suburb | Kariong 2250 | Gosford 2250 |
| Council area | Central Coast (NSW) | Central Coast (NSW) |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | girrakool-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | henrykenda-h.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Henry Kendall High School has the higher ICSEA (1030 vs 826), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Girrakool School has fewer students per teacher (2.2 vs 12.4).
- •Henry Kendall High School is the larger school with 789 students compared with 54.
- •Girrakool School has grown faster over five years (23% vs -3%).
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 Girrakool School better than Henry Kendall High 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 Girrakool School and Henry Kendall High School?
About 3.7 km in a straight line, between Kariong and Gosford in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Girrakool School has 2.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Henry Kendall High School has 12.4.
How do Girrakool School and Henry Kendall High School rank in NSW?
Girrakool School is unranked and Henry Kendall High School is 178th of 539 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.