Girrakool School vs Ngaruki Gulgul
A head-to-head comparison of two special schools in New South Wales, 421 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Girrakool School
Kariong · Government special · U
54 students · ICSEA 826
Ngaruki Gulgul
Kariong · Independent special · 9-12
70 students · ICSEA 899
| Measure | Girrakool School Kariong NSW | Ngaruki Gulgul Kariong NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | – Not rated |
| State rank (type) | – | – |
| National rank (type) | – | – |
| Sector | Government | Independent |
| Type | Special | Special |
| Year range | U | 9-12 |
| Students | 54 | 70 |
| Girls / boys | 0 / 54 | 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 | +23% | +17% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 826 | 899 |
| ICSEA percentile | 4th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 5% | 6% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 69% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 2.2 | 6.8 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.6 | 9.6 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 19.3 | 9.1 |
| Language background other than English | 14% | 2% |
| Indigenous students | 63% | 39% |
| Suburb | Kariong 2250 | Kariong 2250 |
| Council area | Central Coast (NSW) | Central Coast (NSW) |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | girrakool-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | www.ngc.nsw.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Ngaruki Gulgul has the higher ICSEA (899 vs 826), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Girrakool School has fewer students per teacher (2.2 vs 6.8).
- •Ngaruki Gulgul is the larger school with 70 students compared with 54.
- •Girrakool School has grown faster over five years (23% vs 17%).
- •Girrakool School is a government school while Ngaruki Gulgul is an independent 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 Girrakool 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 Girrakool School and Ngaruki Gulgul?
About 421 m in a straight line, between Kariong and Kariong in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Girrakool School has 2.2 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Ngaruki Gulgul has 6.8.
How do Girrakool School and Ngaruki Gulgul rank in NSW?
Girrakool School is unranked and Ngaruki Gulgul is unranked among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.