Kalianna School vs Lightning Reef Primary School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in Victoria, 886 m apart, using official ACARA 2025 data. Best value in each row is highlighted.
Kalianna School
Bendigo · Government special · U
221 students · ICSEA 895
Lightning Reef Primary School
Bendigo · Government primary · Prep-6
165 students · ICSEA 858
| Measure | Kalianna School Bendigo VIC | Lightning Reef Primary School Bendigo VIC |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index | – Not rated | 26 Lower 50% |
| State rank (type) | – | #1266 of 1,290 |
| National rank (type) | – | #4440 of 4,908 |
| Sector | Government | Government |
| Type | Special | Primary |
| Year range | U | Prep-6 |
| Students | 221 | 165 |
| Girls / boys | 88 / 133 | 74 / 91 |
| Foundation intake | – | 22 |
| Year 7 cohort | – | – |
| Year 12 cohort | – | – |
| VCE median study score VCAA, latest year | – | – |
| VCE study scores 40+ | – | – |
| 5-year enrolment growth | -7% | -8% |
| ICSEA Average 1000 | 895 | 858 |
| ICSEA percentile | 10th | 5th |
| Top SEA quarter | 3% | 1% |
| Bottom SEA quarter | 72% | 79% |
| Students per teacher | 5.9 | 8.9 |
| Teaching staff (FTE) | 36.9 | 18.5 |
| Non-teaching staff (FTE) | 41.7 | 9.4 |
| Language background other than English | 5% | 43% |
| Indigenous students | 17% | 12% |
| Suburb | Bendigo 3550 | Bendigo 3550 |
| Council area | Greater Bendigo | Greater Bendigo |
| Remoteness | Inner Regional | Inner Regional |
| Website | www.kalianna.vic.edu.au | www.lightningreefps.vic.edu.au/ |
The verdict
- •Kalianna School has the higher ICSEA (895 vs 858), indicating a more advantaged community.
- •Kalianna School has fewer students per teacher (5.9 vs 8.9).
- •Kalianna School is the larger school with 221 students compared with 165.
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 Kalianna School better than Lightning Reef Primary 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 Kalianna School and Lightning Reef Primary School?
About 886 m in a straight line, between Bendigo and Bendigo in Victoria.
Which has the better student-to-teacher ratio?
Kalianna School has 5.9 students per full-time-equivalent teacher and Lightning Reef Primary School has 8.9.
How do Kalianna School and Lightning Reef Primary School rank in VIC?
Kalianna School is unranked and Lightning Reef Primary School is 1266th of 1,290 among special schools in Victoria on the 2025 Success Index.