Holy Family Catholic Primary School vs Southern Cross School of Distance Education
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 2.9 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Skennars Head · Catholic primary · K-6
446 students · ICSEA 1102
Southern Cross School of Distance Education
East Ballina · Government combined · K-12
79 students · ICSEA 896
| Measure | Holy Family Catholic Primary School Skennars Head NSW | Southern Cross School of Distance Education East Ballina NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 69 Top 25% | 31 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | #350 of 1,619 | – |
| National rank (type) | #1138 of 4,908 | – |
| Sector | Catholic | Government |
| Type | Primary | Combined |
| Year range | K-6 | K-12 |
| Students | 446 | 79 |
| Girls / boys | 192 / 254 | 43 / 36 |
| Foundation intake | 86 | – |
| Year 7 cohort | – | 8 |
| Year 12 cohort | – | 22 |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +7% | -85% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 1102 | 896 |
| ICSEA percentile | 85th | 10th |
| Top SEA quarter | 39% | 8% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 4% | 57% |
| Students per teacher | 18.6 | 1.5 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 24.0 | 50.8 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.9 | 11.2 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 13% |
| Indigenous students | 3% | 33% |
| Suburb | Skennars Head 2478 | East Ballina 2478 |
| Council area | Ballina | Ballina |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.skhplism.catholic.edu.au/ | sthcrossc-d.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Holy Family Catholic Primary School scores higher on the Success Index (68.7 vs 31.0).
- •Holy Family Catholic Primary School has the higher ICSEA (1102 vs 896), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Southern Cross School of Distance Education has fewer students per teacher (1.5 vs 18.6).
- •Holy Family Catholic Primary School is the larger school with 446 students compared with 79.
- •Holy Family Catholic Primary School has grown faster over five years (7% vs -85%).
- •Holy Family Catholic Primary School is a catholic 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 Holy Family Catholic Primary School better than Southern Cross School of Distance Education?
On the Success Index, Holy Family Catholic Primary School ranks higher (68.7 vs 31.0 out of 100). The index measures community advantage and momentum from ACARA data, not teaching quality, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Holy Family Catholic Primary School and Southern Cross School of Distance Education?
About 2.9 km in a straight line, between Skennars Head and East Ballina in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Holy Family Catholic Primary School has 18.6 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Southern Cross School of Distance Education has 1.5.
How do Holy Family Catholic Primary School and Southern Cross School of Distance Education rank in NSW?
Holy Family Catholic Primary School is 350th of 1,619 and Southern Cross School of Distance Education is unranked among primary schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.