Lakeside School vs Wiripaang Public School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in New South Wales, 1.2 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Lakeside School
Gateshead · Government special · U
58 students · ICSEA 910
Wiripaang Public School
Gateshead · Government primary · K-6
182 students · ICSEA 853
| Measure | Lakeside School Gateshead NSW | Wiripaang Public School Gateshead NSW |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 24 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #1502 of 1,619 |
| National rank (type) | – | #4566 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | K-6 |
| Students | 58 | 182 |
| Girls / boys | 16 / 42 | 79 / 103 |
| Foundation intake | – | 27 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +26% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 910 | 853 |
| ICSEA percentile | 13th | 5th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 55% | 72% |
| Students per teacher | 5.0 | 10.7 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 11.6 | 17.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 11.6 | 7.1 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 12% |
| Indigenous students | 22% | 37% |
| Suburb | Gateshead 2290 | Gateshead 2290 |
| Council area | Lake Macquarie | Lake Macquarie |
| Remoteness | Major Cities | Major Cities |
| Website | lakeside-s.schools.nsw.gov.au | wiripaang-p.schools.nsw.gov.au |
The verdict
- •Lakeside School has the higher ICSEA (910 vs 853), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Lakeside School has fewer students per teacher (5.0 vs 10.7).
- •Wiripaang Public School is the larger school with 182 students compared with 58.
- •Lakeside School has grown faster over five years (26% vs -8%).
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 Lakeside School better than Wiripaang Public 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 Lakeside School and Wiripaang Public School?
About 1.2 km in a straight line, between Gateshead and Gateshead in New South Wales.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Lakeside School has 5.0 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Wiripaang Public School has 10.7.
How do Lakeside School and Wiripaang Public School rank in NSW?
Lakeside School is unranked and Wiripaang Public School is 1502nd of 1,619 among special schools in New South Wales on the 2025 Success Index.