Comparing 3 schools side by side in USD.
Location: Barton, ACT 2600, Australia. Address: New South Wales Crescent, Barton. The ACT Government's Transport Canberra network provides bus and light rail options for travel to and from the school. Walking or cycling is encouraged for safety and to promote activity.
Kindergarten to Year 6 (Primary) and Year 7 to Year 10 (Secondary). The Primary curriculum is harmonised (Harmonised K-6) and combines French and Australian curricula. All Secondary students study the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) with two streams: English/French Stream and English Stream.
Public binational school (France–Australia)
Student Welfare and Student Support are provided.
France and Australia (binational)
Primary day: 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.; Secondary day: 8:50 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Supervision starts 30 minutes before school (8:30 a.m. for primary and 8:20 a.m. for secondary). After school care and transport options available.
Bus service is operated by the Parents and Citizens Association (P&C).
The school provides a bilingual program in English and French. Kindergarten to Year 2 has four days of French instruction and one day of English (80:20 split). From Year 3 to Year 6, English and French instruction is balanced 50:50. The French secondary program runs for Years 7–10. The English Stream studies the Australian Curriculum through an International Baccalaureate framework and is an authorised IB Middle Years Programme school since 2006. The school implements a bilingual program across all years to support multilingual learning.
There were 1,597 students enrolled and 95.77 full-time equivalent teaching staff (60.91 permanent, 34.86 temporary), giving a student–teacher ratio of about 16.7:1.
NAPLAN results are reported for Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. Mean scores show Year 3 Reading 436 (School) vs ACT 415; Numeracy 429 vs 414. Year 5 Reading 527 (School) vs 509; Numeracy 524 vs 495. Year 7 Reading 571 (School) vs 548; Numeracy 567 vs 543. Year 9 Reading 604 (School) vs 576; Numeracy 600 vs 573.
Gifted & Talented Education operates under the ACT Education Directorate's policy and guidelines. K–6 classes are mixed-ability with targeted extension; highly able students are grouped with like minds to facilitate effective collaboration. Students identified as gifted or talented have a Gifted Individualised Learning Plan (GILP) created after a year of case management, in collaboration with staff and parents.
The school develops the Personal & Social Program led by the Student Engagement Executive Teacher, who also oversees the Student Representative Council and its activities. All students have a right to feel safe and happy at school, and a range of support services are available through Student Services. The Student Welfare Executive Teacher, the Student Engagement Executive Teacher, the Student Support Officer, and the School Psychologist provide direct support, and the Year Coordinators monitor the academic, social and emotional development of their year groups. Every student belongs to a Contact Group, and the Contact Group teacher meets with the student daily to offer guidance. The ACT Education Central Telehealth Service provides short-term telehealth support run by school psychologists and can be accessed via an online booking form or by phone during term time.
Support for students with additional needs is provided through the school's Student Welfare and Student Support structures. A School Psychologist and Year Coordinators monitor academic, social and emotional development and advise on appropriate supports. Referrals and access to support are coordinated through Student Services, with ongoing in-school assistance as needed.
The school operates a bilingual program in English and French. In Kindergarten to Year 2, students have four days of French instruction and one day of English (80:20 split). By Year 3, students develop basic French literacy and transition to 50:50 English/French instruction through Year 6. There are up to three bilingual hours per week where French and Australian teachers work together with each class to promote bilingualism and switching between languages, with students expected to operate in both languages; by Year 6 students are working bilingually at an age-appropriate level.
All students have a right to feel safe and happy at school. The school provides mental wellbeing support through a School Psychologist and a dedicated welfare team, including the Student Welfare Executive Teacher and the Student Support Officer. A Year Coordinator monitors the emotional and social development of students within their year group, and the daily Contact Group structure provides consistent support for students.
Safeguarding is integrated into daily school life through the safeguarding-focused roles in Student Services. All students have the right to feel safe at school, and the Student Welfare Executive Teacher, the Student Support Officer, the School Psychologist, Year Coordinators, and Contact Group teachers are available to support students seeking help or reporting concerns.
1. Parents/carers may apply to enrol their child at an ACT public school at any time during the school year using an online enrolment form. The online enrolment form starts the enrolment process.
2. Enrolling in kindergarten to year 6: the bilingual program is open to ACT residents. Enrol using the Online Enrolment Form. Applications to the junior school will be assessed and scored against the enrolment criteria.
3. Years 1 to 6 criteria for studying in French: applicants seeking to study in French at TPS in years 1 to 6 require a sufficient level of French to access the curriculum. Applications will be assessed against one of the following criteria according to the applicant's French language background: (1) previous schooling in French; (2) previous schooling in another school with evidence of subjects taught in French; (3) no previous schooling with evidence of subjects taught in French. For internal assessment purposes applicants are scored out of 80 and will be advised in their outcome letter of the criterion and score.
4. Enrolment outcomes and prioritisation: primary school applicants who meet the criteria will be enrolled up to the limit of places available. If demand exceeds capacity, priority is given by: (1) assessment score against the criteria; (2) proximity to the school. Applicants will be advised in their outcome letter of the criterion under which their application was assessed and their score.
5. Other enrolment considerations: deferrals are not permitted while away from the ACT. The school no longer maintains a waitlist; the existing waitlist for the 2025 school year will operate until 28 July 2025, when it will be deleted; no new applications will be added after 29 April 2025. Eligible applicants unable to be enrolled will receive an offer from their Priority Enrolment Area (PEA) school and may seek review or appeal; applicants may re-apply to TPS or any other ACT public school at any time. Families living overseas or interstate must be living in the ACT or region to be enrolled in an ACT public school; applications from families planning to move to the ACT but living overseas will be cancelled and asked to re-apply when living in the ACT. Children of diplomats transferring from overseas to work at the French or Canadian Embassies are guaranteed a kindergarten to year 12 place at their PEA school; TPS cannot hold places in the French Stream for late arrivals after the annual enrolment bulk round in early June. Applicants with disability may receive reasonable adjustments to facilitate access to the enrolment process, with consultation between the school and the applicant/parent. The ACT Education Directorate supports families and their children from non-English-speaking backgrounds to settle into their local ACT public school. If you missed the 2026 Kindergarten Information Session, a PowerPoint presentation is available. []
Waitlists: The school no longer maintains a waitlist of eligible applicants unable to enrol for capacity reasons. The existing waitlist for the 2025 school year will operate until 28 July 2025, when it will be deleted. No new applications will be added to the waitlist after 29 April 2025. Eligible applicants unable to be enrolled will receive an offer from their Priority Enrolment Area (PEA) school and may seek review or appeal; applicants may re-apply to Telopea Park School or any other ACT public school at any time. Families living overseas or interstate must be living in the ACT or region to be enrolled in an ACT public school; applications from families planning to move to the ACT but still overseas will be cancelled and asked to re-apply when living in the ACT. Children of diplomats transferring from overseas to work at the French or Canadian Embassies are guaranteed a kindergarten to year 12 place at their PEA school. TPS cannot hold late-year places in the French Stream after the bulk enrolment round. Applicants with disability may receive reasonable adjustments to facilitate access to the enrolment process. []
Located on Jerrabomberra Avenue in Narrabundah, Canberra, ACT 2604. The ACT Government's integrated public transport network provides bus and light rail options to access the campus. Walking or cycling to school is encouraged to reduce traffic and improve safety.
Senior secondary college for Years 11 and 12
Senior secondary college; offers ACT Senior Secondary Certificate, International Baccalaureate, and French Baccalaureate
Over 60 countries represented; international atmosphere
Targeted and strong student support over the two-year college program
CLOTHING must be inoffensive and appropriate for a school setting.
The college has a canteen on site. The canteen operates between 9:00am and 2:00pm and supplies a large variety of hot and cold foods, drinks and vegetarian meals. A lunch ordering service is available each morning; profits from canteen sales go to the college and help buy equipment you use.
Governance is via the Narrabundah College Board and the Narrabundah College Parents and Citizens Association; the P&C Constitution provides for community members to be elected to the College Board and to provide for a canteen.
Curriculum Handbook 2026 provides the current course and subject offerings. Narrabundah offers the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate with ATAR, the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme for Years 11–12, and a French Baccalauréat pathway through a French-language stream. The IB Diploma is a two-year program for students aged 16–18, with six subjects (three Higher Level and three Standard Level) plus core components including Extended Essay, CAS and Theory of Knowledge, designed to prepare students for university study. Classes in Year 12 combine ATAR and IB assessment tasks. The French Baccalaureat is taught in French as part of a French-stream pathway.
IB Diploma uses a 45-point scale; a minimum of 24 points is required to be awarded the Diploma; the IB Diploma score is converted to an equivalent ATAR for entry to ACT/NSW/VIC universities and is recognised by Australian universities.
Universities recognise the IB Diploma for entry; the Diploma score can be converted to an ATAR for ACT/NSW/VIC universities; the IB Diploma provides direct and recognised entry to tertiary education both in Australia and worldwide.
Targeted and strong student support is provided over two years. The School Psychologist is available to assist students or their parents with issues that may affect learning, including health problems, family or relationship conflicts and motivational difficulties. The Transition and Careers Officer supports students with transitions from high school, career planning, work experience and post‑college options. N Groups meet weekly to develop study skills, time management and self-care and to help students access available resources. There is an Indigenous Contact Officer available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. International Private Students are supported by the Languages Centre Coordinators who assist with enrolment, course choices and other issues relating to Narrabundah College. If you are worried about academic performance, attendance or other problems, you can speak with a Student Adviser or the Psychologist.
Special education needs are overseen by the Special Needs Committee. The School Psychologist provides support to students and parents for issues that may affect learning, including health problems, family or relationship conflicts and motivational difficulties. The Transition and Careers Officer and Student Advisers offer academic and personal support as part of the college's SEN framework. N Groups meet weekly to build study skills and self-care. Indigenous Contact Officer provides support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. International Private Students' coordinators in the Languages Centre assist with enrolment and course choices.
ESL – English as an Additional Language units are offered within English and Literature, including ESL (AC) 1.0 unit from English/Literature. ESL is integrated into English/Literature courses, with ESL/English combinations forming integrated courses. The college offers seven languages and encourages language study. International Private Students are supported by Languages Centre coordinators who assist with enrolment and course choices.
The School Psychologist is available to assist students or their parents with issues that may impact learning. If you are worried about academic performance, attendance or other problems, you can speak with a Student Adviser or the Psychologist. N Groups meet weekly to support study skills, time management and self-care. Mental health crisis resources are listed, including Headspace, Lifeline and other services for crisis support (phone numbers and online options are provided).
Your Welfare indicates that if you are worried about academic performance, attendance or other problems you should see a Student Adviser or the Psychologist. The School Psychologist and Student Advisers are available to support safeguarding needs. N Groups provide ongoing self-care and access to resources. There is an Indigenous Contact Officer available to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. International Private Students are supported by Languages Centre coordinators with enrolment and course choices. The college also uses a mediation pathway for resolving student concerns, including Student Mediation and meetings with Parents/Carers to address issues.
The school enrolls students living in its Priority Enrolment Area. The ACT Education Directorate provides online enrolment and key dates for applicants. For the IB Diploma Programme, enrolment must be lodged with the ACT Education Directorate (enrolling in an ACT School) and the IB Application Form must be completed and returned by the Directorate's due dates.
Music Scholarship through auditions in March each year.
3-5 Wollongong Road, Arncliffe, NSW 2205, in southern Sydney.
Early Learning Centre (ages 3-5), Primary (K-6 PYP), Middle (7-10 MYP), Senior (11-12 DP).
Independent IB World School within an Islamic educational framework.
The school has an inclusive environment. Students with mild learning support needs may receive support from the class teacher and learning support teachers. Al Zahra College has some contact with specialists to refer for one-on-one support outside of school.
Australia
Islamic. The school operates within an Islamic educational framework supporting spiritual wellbeing.
Midford School Uniforms are used. Girls wear blouses with cardigan and blazer and hijab (Kindy–Year 12, hijab styling varies by year); boys wear shirts, jumper and blazer with trousers. Years 7–12 add extendable-waist trousers and a belt. Accessories include scarves, backpacks, hats and sports caps.
AZC is an independent school governed by its own AZC College Board.
Full IB continuum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) for Kindergarten to Grade 6, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for Grades 7-10, and Diploma Programme (DP) for Grades 11-12.
Focus on holistic development supporting intellectual growth, spiritual wellbeing, emotional resilience and physical health within the IB learner profile.
1. 2. Arrange a visit to the campus. 3. Complete the enrolment process for the relevant year group and IB programme.
Al Zahra College invites applications for scholarships for entry in Years 5–11. The College offers full and partial scholarships for tuition fees (other fees apply). Five types of scholarships are available: Academic; Sporting; Indigenous; Quranic; and Orphans. Academic scholarships are awarded for academic merit and are based on outstanding achievement in state and/or national testing programs, academic excellence from previous years based on school reports, and evidence of involvement in the wider life of the college. Quranic scholarships are awarded to students with outstanding memorisation and recitation ability of one section (volume). An AZC Scholarship Application Form is downloadable.
Al Zahra College reserves the right to postpone admission if a class is full; the applicant is placed on a waiting list. Qualified applicants are then accepted in order of date of application, subject to the stated priorities (children of governing body, children of staff, siblings, then all other applicants). Entry to other year levels depends on vacancies, and early entry onto the waiting list is advised.
