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Charles Weston School Coombs

Australia, Canberra

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees A$4,200 - 16,200
Ages Not listed
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum
Taught languages Japanese
Strengths STEM, Languages, Performing Arts
Clubs Leadership and Professional, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School
Introduction

Charles Weston School, Coombs, ACT, is an IB World School delivering the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students from Preschool to Year 6. English is the language of instruction, with Japanese offered as an additional language, reflecting a diverse, multilingual community. The PYP supports inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning through six units each year that connect subjects around global themes and develop curious, reflective thinkers. The school emphasises reading and multilingualism in its library, which is staffed full-time and serves all ages, with weekly visits and quiet study spaces during breaks. Specialist subjects include Performing Arts and Music, Health and Physical Education, and Japanese, led by named teachers. Facilities include dedicated STEM spaces to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities. Extras include on-site OSHC with a focus on sport, music, cooking, and wellbeing, plus Student Parliament and MindUp for leadership and wellbeing. The school champions perspectives and community involvement every day.

80 Woodberry Avenue, Coombs ACT 2611

The Essentials

Charles Weston School Coombs has instruction in English.

Location
80 Woodberry Avenue, Coombs ACT 2611, Molonglo Valley, ACT

Stages
Preschool to Year 6

Type
IB World School

Additional learning support
Inclusion is central. The school uses Universal Design for Learning to ensure accessible, engaging, and challenging learning for every student; support for students with disability is provided.

Country affiliation
Australia
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
Uniforms are required. Uniforms are purchased from the retail company L W Reid. Uniforms can be ordered online through the Made for School store.

Food Options
The school canteen is operated by Woden Community Service under the Social Enterprise program; it provides nutritious food for students and supports employment for vulnerable people. Ordering is via the Flexischools app.

Governance and Ownership
Governance is via the Charles Weston School Board, which includes the Principal, a P&C Representative, a Teacher Representative, the Board Chair, a Parent Member, a Community Representative, and the Business Manager/Board Secretary. Annual School Board Reports are published.
Fees

Annual tuition at Charles Weston School Coombs ranges from AUD 4,200 to AUD 16,200 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- For ACT-resident (domestic) students there is no application fee or tuition charge to enrol in an ACT government school (Preschool–Year 6).

- For fee‑paying international students and dependants of temporary visa holders there is an initial, non‑refundable application fee of AUD 265 payable with the application.

Tuition fees (by year group — annual and per term)

- Domestic (ACT resident) students: AUD 0 per year (no tuition charge). Term charge: AUD 0 per term.

- International / fee‑paying students (annual fees in Australian dollars):
- Preschool: AUD 4,200 per year — per term AUD 1,050.
- Primary (Kindergarten–Year 6): AUD 11,100 per year — per term AUD 2,775.
- Secondary (Years 7–10): AUD 14,500 per year — per term AUD 3,625.
- College / Senior Secondary (Years 11–12): AUD 16,200 per year — per term AUD 4,050.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Application fee: payable at time of application and is non‑refundable for international fee‑paying applicants. Tuition: for international fee‑paying students, tuition is payable on acceptance of the school offer; continuing international students are invoiced in Term 4 for the following year. All tuition for international students is payable in advance for the full academic year in Australian dollars.

- Voluntary contributions and optional charges for local families: school boards may invite voluntary financial contributions; the timing and method of collection of voluntary contributions is determined locally (schools commonly request contributions at the start of the year or by term/semester as determined by the school board).

Boarding / homestay

- Charles Weston School is a day primary school (Preschool to Year 6); the school does not provide boarding.

- For international students who require accommodation, homestay arrangements are used: homestay matching or program fees apply (example items: Homestay Matching Fee AUD 340; Airport pick‑up AUD 160; typical homestay payment examples shown are AUD 400 per week with associated administration/matching charges). These homestay charges are separate to school tuition.

Other costs and optional charges

- Uniforms: school uniforms are purchased through the school's approved supplier (Made for School / L W Reid). Uniform costs are additional to any tuition or contribution charges and are charged by the uniform supplier.

- Before and after school care (outside school hours care / OSHC): OSHC is provided by an external provider and carries separate daily fees (example published OSHC rates for the provider operating at Charles Weston: Before School Care — AUD 29.90 per day (permanent); After School Care — AUD 41.70 per day (permanent)). OSHC fees are subject to change and may be reduced by the Child Care Subsidy where eligible.

- Canteen, excursions, book packs, take‑home materials, some excursions and non‑curriculum activities are charged separately and are not included in international tuition figures; these optional items are billed as incurred or by separate invoices.

- Voluntary contributions requested by the school board are additional to free core tuition and to any OSHC, uniform, canteen or excursion costs.

Refund information

- International students: refunds of tuition fees are available under specified circumstances (for example, unsuccessful visa application, provider default, or other cases consistent with ESOS/National Code requirements). The initial application fee (AUD 265) is non‑refundable. Refunds to international students are reimbursed in Australian dollars by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Suspension or cancellation of enrolment may occur where tuition is unpaid by the invoice due date.

- School office refunds (general school charges or voluntary payments): refunds are processed by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) only; bank account details must be provided on the school's refund request form.

Fee payment options

- For international tuition payments: acceptable payment methods include credit card (MasterCard or Visa), bank draft / bank cheque payable in Australian dollars, telegraphic transfer (from overseas), or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payments made in Australia. Payers are responsible for any bank transaction fees and foreign exchange differences. A Confirmation of Enrolment is not issued until all applicable fees are paid in full.

- For other items (uniforms, OSHC, canteen, excursions) payment arrangements depend on the third‑party supplier or the school's local billing arrangements (these items are charged separately to tuition). Refunds from the school are made by EFT.

Summary for parents

- ACT‑resident children attend without tuition charges; schools may request voluntary contributions and there are separate costs for uniforms, OSHC, canteen and optional excursions.

- Families enrolling as fee‑paying international students should budget for the application fee (AUD 265), the annual tuition shown above (Preschool AUD 4,200; Primary AUD 11,100; Years 7–10 AUD 14,500; Years 11–12 AUD 16,200) with per‑term instalments equivalent to one quarter of the annual fee where applicable, plus homestay and other living costs where required. Payment must be made in Australian dollars using the accepted payment methods and international tuition is invoiced and collected on the schedule described above.
Academics

Charles Weston School Coombs teaches IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum.

Curriculum
The school is an IB World School and implements the Primary Years Programme (PYP). The PYP is inquiry-based and transdisciplinary, and develops curious, critical, and reflective thinkers. Students engage in six inquiry units throughout the year, exploring transdisciplinary themes that connect learning across subjects. English is the language of instruction and Japanese is an additional language. The library and specialist programs promote reading, mother tongue languages, and international-mindedness within the PYP community.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school uses a whole-school approach to social-emotional learning. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) provides a framework to support the wellbeing of every student and to establish positive social expectations within the school community. PBL is team-driven and uses a problem-solving approach with data, systems, and practices to meet the diverse academic and social needs of students. It enables a continuum of supports that can be intensified to meet individual needs. The GROW values guide behaviour and learning, with Growth Mindset, Respect, Organisation and Wellbeing explicitly taught to support social-emotional development. In addition, the MindUp program is used to promote mindfulness, self-regulation, and an understanding of how the brain works, helping students manage emotions, focus learning, and develop empathy and optimism.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school supports students with disability and is committed to removing barriers so all students can access learning. Adjustments may include providing extra visual cues and information, breaking down tasks, providing more practice, checking for understanding, changing the environment, or offering other ways for a student to communicate. Some adjustments may be made in smaller group learning settings, and teachers may be assisted by another educator to deliver supports. The ACT Education Directorate provides the Students with Disability – Meeting their Educational Needs policy, which informs school practice. The school uses quality teaching practices to help all students participate in learning.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school has an English as an Additional Language or Dialect Learner Policy. The policy supports students to maintain their home languages while developing Standard Australian English. The preschool philosophy notes opportunities to communicate in home language and to develop English skills, reinforcing multilingualism in the school community. The school values multilingualism and maintains a diverse language community, with many languages spoken by students. The English language support is designed to help students participate fully in learning and school life.

Mental Wellbeing
Wellbeing is a central focus of the school's culture and practice. Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) provides a framework to support the wellbeing of every student and to establish positive social expectations. The GROW values guide behaviour and wellbeing, with Wellbeing as a core component of the program. The MindUp program fosters mindful awareness, self-regulation, and an understanding of how the brain works to support learning, emotional regulation, and empathy. The school combines the IB World School approach with explicit literacy and numeracy instruction, prioritising social-emotional development alongside academics.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding follows the ACT Education Directorate Safe and Supportive Schools policy to inform school practice. The school maintains a Child Protection and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Policy to guide staff and families, outlining reporting obligations and procedures for safeguarding concerns. Policies are accessible under the School Policies page. The safeguarding approach emphasizes a safe learning environment through clear policies and procedures.
Parent Experience

Community
Charles Weston School Coombs is an IB World School with a culturally diverse community. With over 54 languages spoken by our students, we value multilingualism and the perspectives families bring. Families play a crucial role in education, and strong connections between home and school are embedded in school life. The facilities support community engagement, including a community room, a large hall, an outdoor amphitheatre, and a community oval; tours are regularly offered to meet families and students.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a Parents & Citizens Association (P&C). The President is Michelle Van Lier; the Secretary is Megan Nicholls; the Treasurer is Melanie O'Brien; and the Public Officer is Jasmine Moore. The P&C runs a second-hand school uniform store. Email for the P&C is charleswestonparents@gmail.com, and there is a Facebook presence under CWSC Parents.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The library is the heart of the school, serving Preschool through Year 6, and is run by a full-time teacher librarian. Classes visit the library weekly, and the space is open at break times as a quiet area separate from the playground. The school offers specialist subjects including Performing Arts (taught by Jan Lloyd) and Music (taught by Susan Curbishley), Health and Physical Education (taught by Matt O'Dwyer), and Japanese (taught by Trixia Mariano). The school is an IB World School delivering the Primary Years Programme, with specialist teachers enriching student learning. The language policy supports English as the language of instruction and Japanese as an additional language, with more than 60 languages spoken in the community, and the library supports mother tongue resources.

Academic Facilities
The library supports learning for all students from Preschool to Year 6 and is led by a full-time teacher librarian, with weekly library visits and breaks open as a quiet study space. Specialist subjects include Performing Arts, Music, Health and Physical Education, and Japanese, with dedicated teachers (Jan Lloyd, Music; Susan Curbishley, Music; Matt O'Dwyer, PE; Trixia Mariano, Japanese). The school delivers the IB Primary Years Programme, enabling inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning within an international curriculum. The library also promotes mother tongue languages and multilingualism as part of the curriculum, guided by the language policy that emphasises English as the language of instruction and Japanese as an additional language.

Extra Curricular Facilities
On-site Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) is provided by Communities at Work on the school grounds from 7:30am to 6:00pm on weekdays, with a school holiday program. OSHC offers a variety of programmed daily experiences, including sports-oriented activities, music, cooking, gardening, and arts, and is designed to foster friendship and social learning. The OSHC program is approved for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and operates during term time and school holidays; enrollment details are available through the OSHC provider.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school implements the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), developing curious, critical, and reflective thinkers. Students engage in six inquiry units each year that connect learning across subjects. The school provides purpose-built STEM spaces to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities. The IB-driven approach emphasizes inquiry-based learning and global perspectives.

Arts & Creative
Performing Arts fosters creativity, confidence, and self-expression through music, drama, and movement, with a focus on communication, teamwork, and self-belief. The K-6 Music Program follows the ACARA Version 9 curriculum, exploring beat, rhythm, melody, harmony, and dynamics in an inclusive setting that promotes creative thinking, communication, and collaboration. Specialist Classes broaden student learning through expert instruction in Performing Arts, Music, Library, Health and Physical Education, and Japanese, nurturing curiosity and confidence.

Cultural & Language
Charles Weston School is culturally diverse, with families from around the world contributing a rich variety of languages and perspectives. The library supports mother tongue languages and promotes diverse perspectives as part of a reading culture and inquiry. The Japanese language program provides an engaging introduction to language and culture through speaking, listening, reading, and writing activities, fostering multilingualism and global awareness. The school environment celebrates multilingualism and cultural diversity in daily life.

Leadership & Professional
Student Parliament provides students with real opportunities to contribute to decision-making processes and leadership. This builds civic responsibility, collaboration, and advocacy skills. Student voice is a core feature of the school's approach to learning.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
MindUp is a whole-school social-emotional learning program that teaches mindfulness strategies, self-regulation, and an understanding of how the brain works to support learning and wellbeing. The GROW values shape Positive Behaviours for Learning, emphasizing Growth Mindset, Respect, Organisation, and Wellbeing, which support resilience and emotional intelligence. The approach prioritizes wellbeing alongside academic learning.
Languages

Language Provision
The school teaches English as the language of instruction and Japanese as an additional language. The language policy frames these languages within the Primary Years Program framework. The school provides an inclusive environment that respects students' home languages and supports English literacy through a universally designed literacy program. The school promotes international mindedness by respecting linguistic diversity and encouraging communication across cultures.

Bilingual Teaching
The school teaches English as the language of instruction and Japanese as an additional language within the Primary Years Program framework.
Reputation

Accreditations
IB World School — The school is authorized by the International Baccalaureate to deliver the Primary Years Programme (PYP).
School Events
The school has not added events
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