Gunalda State School vs The Willows State School
A head-to-head comparison of two primary schools in Queensland, 955 km apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Gunalda State School
Gunalda · Government primary · Prep-6
41 students · ICSEA 956
The Willows State School
Kirwan · Government primary · Prep-6
876 students · ICSEA 956
| Measure | Gunalda State School Gunalda QLD | The Willows State School Kirwan QLD |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | 34 Lower 50% | 32 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #575 of 804 |
| National rank (type) | – | #3989 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Primary | Primary |
| Year range | Prep-6 | Prep-6 |
| Students | 41 | 876 |
| Girls / boys | 26 / 15 | 437 / 439 |
| Foundation intake | 6 | 121 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | +58% | -3% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 956 | 956 |
| ICSEA percentile | 27th | 27th |
| Top SEA quarter | 2% | 5% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 46% | 38% |
| Students per teacher | 13.7 | 14.1 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 3.0 | 62.0 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 3.6 | 27.3 |
| Language background other than English | 3% | 10% |
| Indigenous students | 7% | 19% |
| Suburb | Gunalda 4570 | Kirwan 4817 |
| Council area | Gympie | Townsville |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Outer Regional |
| Website | gunaldass.eq.edu.au | thewillowsss.eq.edu.au |
The verdict
- •Gunalda State School scores higher on the Success Index (33.5 vs 31.9).
- •The Willows State School is the larger school with 876 students compared with 41.
- •Gunalda State School has grown faster over five years (58% 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 Gunalda State School better than The Willows State School?
On the Success Index, Gunalda State School ranks higher (33.5 vs 31.9 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 Gunalda State School and The Willows State School?
About 955 km in a straight line, between Gunalda and Kirwan in Queensland.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Gunalda State School has 13.7 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and The Willows State School has 14.1.
How do Gunalda State School and The Willows State School rank in QLD?
Gunalda State School is unranked and The Willows State School is 575th of 804 among primary schools in Queensland on the 2025 Success Index.