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Dr Scott Smith (site lists Dr Scott Smith as Principal; 2024 Annual Report lists Alastair Walker)
School Principal
Academic offering
Curriculum Australian Curriculum
Taught languages Mandarin
Strengths Sport, Languages, Performing Arts
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School
Introduction
International Chinese School is a bilingual K–6 Anglican primary in New South Wales, delivering half the NSW curriculum in Mandarin through CLIL. The school teaches in English and Mandarin, with Years 1–6 instructed by a specialist music teacher and access to private lessons and growing co‑curricular programs. It follows the Australian Curriculum within the NSW Key Learning Areas, from Early Stage 1 to Stage 3, with Mandarin as a core Languages strand. The school opened in 2015 with a Kindergarten cohort and expanded to Year 6 by 2022; it relocated in 2021 to 211 Pacific Highway, St Leonards. Adjacent to Gore Hill Oval, it offers an all‑weather synthetic grass surface and an external provider for weekly sport, plus swimming and gymnastics. Three sporting Houses, chess, and Hello Mandarin activities, together with cultural and language events, support a vibrant community focused on service, partnership with parents, and leadership development and values globally.
International Chinese School has 33 pupils, instruction in English, Mandarin.
Location
211 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065, North Shore, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Stages
Kindergarten to Year 6 (K-6). Early Stage 1 – Kindergarten; Stage 1 – Year 1–2; Stage 2 – Year 3–4; Stage 3 – Year 5–6.
Type
Bilingual K-6 Anglican Christian primary school.
Country affiliation
Australia
Religious affiliation
Anglican (Anglican Christian tradition).
Fees
Annual tuition at International Chinese School ranges from AUD 12,132 to AUD 13,820 for 2026/27.
Enrolment / Application fees - Application Fee: AUD 200 (non-refundable). Overseas applications incur an additional AUD 200. - Acceptance (Enrolment) Fee: AUD 1,000 (non-refundable) payable within 14 days of an offered place. Overseas applicants must also pay the first term's fees in advance to secure the offer (first term's fees for overseas applicants are non-refundable).
Tuition fees and Service Charges (per year group) - Years K–2: - Annual tuition: AUD 10,460. - Tuition per term: AUD 2,615. - Annual service charge: AUD 1,672. - Service charge per term: AUD 418. - Years 3–4: - Annual tuition: AUD 10,460. - Tuition per term: AUD 2,615. - Annual service charge: AUD 2,360. - Service charge per term: AUD 590. - Years 5–6: - Annual tuition: AUD 10,460. - Tuition per term: AUD 2,615. - Annual service charge: AUD 3,360. - Service charge per term: AUD 840.
Sibling and other fee concessions - Sibling discounts applied to tuition only (not to Service Charges): 2nd child 10%; 3rd child 12.5%; subsequent children 15%. - Christian Ministry Workers Discount: 40% off tuition for children of Christian ministry workers; part-time ministry workers receive a pro-rata discount. Documentation of employment as a Christian Ministry Worker must be supplied at enrolment. - Bursaries: not offered at point of enrolment; may be offered occasionally to current families meeting temporary financial hardship criteria.
Billing schedule and payment terms - All Fees and Charges are to be paid in advance, at the end of the first week of each term. Fees on amended accounts and mid-term enrolment invoices are payable within seven days of the invoice date. - The School will debit the nominated account as completed on the Direct Debit Request form (Direct Debit is the stated payment mechanism for regular fee collection). - Overdue and non-payment terms: - Accounts unpaid 21 days after the due date incur an overdue charge to cover administrative and collection costs. - Accounts not paid in full within 60 days of the due date may lead to suspension of the student's enrolment and the Principal may refuse entry and/or terminate enrolment.
Withdrawal and refund information - Parents must give at least one full term's notice in writing to the Principal before terminating enrolment. - If insufficient notice is given, the parent is required to pay one term's school fees (this amount is treated as a genuine pre-estimate of loss). - Application Fee and Acceptance Fee are non-refundable. Overseas applicants' advance first-term fee is non-refundable when used to secure an offered place.
Other costs and charges - Service Charges cover classroom consumables, textbooks, photocopying, excursions and sports (including transport) and are charged annually and per term as noted above. - Voluntary contributions: Building Fund and Library Fund donations (tax-deductible for donations of AUD 2 or more). These are voluntary and separate from Fees and Charges. - Uniforms: uniform items are supplied through the school's official uniform shop (Cowan & Lewis School Wear). Orders can be made online and collected from the school; specific uniform item prices are set by the supplier. - Before/After School Care: before and after school care is available during term time (before school from 7:00am; after school until 6:00pm). Permanent bookings require an application process (applications for permanent care are made in Term 4 of the preceding year). Specific session fees or casual rates are managed separately and are not published in the fee schedule.
Fee payment options - The School's stated regular fee collection method is by debiting the nominated account via a Direct Debit Request form. Parents should complete the Direct Debit Request to nominate the account to be debited. For other payment methods or one-off payments, contact the Registrar for accepted options and instructions.
Notes on enforcement and adjustments - The School Board sets the Schedule of Fees and Charges annually and reserves the right to vary fees by written notice. - No remission of fees is made for student absence due to illness, leave, suspension, or expulsion unless otherwise determined by the School in exceptional circumstances.
Academics
International Chinese School teaches Australian Curriculum for students aged 5 to 12.
Curriculum
The International Chinese School is a bilingual K-6 Christian school in the Anglican tradition, with learning delivered through English and Mandarin. The school is the first and only NSW school approved by the NSW Education Standards Authority to deliver half the curriculum in Mandarin. Primary learning follows the NSW Education Standards Authority's Key Learning Areas, structured as Early Stage 1 (Kindergarten); Stage 1 (Year 1–2); Stage 2 (Year 3–4); and Stage 3 (Year 5–6). The Key Learning Areas are English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Human Society and Its Environment (History and Geography), Personal Development, Health and Physical Education, Creative Arts, and Languages (Mandarin). Music education is delivered across Years 1–6 by a specialist music teacher, with private lessons and co-curricular programs; co-curricular music opportunities are planned to expand to choir and instrumental ensembles. The teaching approach includes Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), with learning in Mandarin for Key Learning Areas while English continues to be used, supporting a bilingual immersion model.
Exam Results
2024 NAPLAN results show Year 3 cohort as part of ICS's seventh participation in NAPLAN; ICS was among the top-performing schools on the Lower North Shore in average performance across tested areas; 42% of ICS students come from a language background other than English. Year 3 results: Reading 458, Writing 473, Spelling 490, Grammar 454, Numeracy 495. Year 5 results are not available due to the small cohort (fewer than 11 students).
Gifted and Talented
Selective High School preparation sessions are offered to prepare students for selective high schools. These targeted sessions were introduced in 2024 to support this pathway.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school is a K-6 Christian school in the Anglican tradition with learning delivered through a Christian worldview. A bilingual immersion model operates with students taught in English and Mandarin. Teachers partner with parents to develop confident, enthusiastic and principled leaders of the future.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Neurodiverse learners are catered for. The school employed a staff member with knowledge of neurodiverse learning to support teaching. The school began implementing suggested strategies for neurodiverse learners.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school teaches in English and Mandarin. Approximately 50% of the teaching week is delivered in Mandarin and 50% in English. The school uses a Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach to bilingual education.
Mental Wellbeing
The Welfare Policy governs student welfare and discipline. The Welfare Policy is read within the National Safe Schools Framework and reinforces the school's core values to provide a safe and supportive learning environment. The school does not permit corporal punishment of students.
Safeguarding
The school has a Welfare Policy (incorporating behaviour management and discipline), a Child Protection Policy, a Dealing with Bullying Policy, and a Grievance Policy. The Welfare Policy is addressed within the National Safe Schools Framework to ensure safety and wellbeing. The Child Protection Policy addresses obligations under child protection legislation. The Dealing with Bullying Policy outlines bullying response, and the Grievance Policy provides a process for addressing grievances. The school does not permit corporal punishment of students.
Admissions
Admissions
1. Expression of Interest: Fill out the Expression of Interest Form. The Registrar will invite families to join a school tour. If the child is on a visa, indicate the visa subclass in the form's 'Any further comments' field. This step initiates the enrolment process.
2. Enrolment Application Form: Complete the Enrolment Application Form. A non-refundable $200 application fee is required to process the application. Once received, the application will be reviewed and placed on a waitlist. A confirmation email is sent on receipt.
3. Family Enrolment Interview: As there are more applicants than positions, not all applicants proceed to an enrolment interview. The School will contact you if a position becomes available for an interview. The interview is an opportunity for the Principal to get to know the family and ensure that values and expectations align. Enrolment positions are offered at the sole discretion of the Principal.
4. Letter of Offer: Successful applicants are issued a Letter of Offer. To accept the offer, the Letter of Acceptance and ICS Conditions of Enrolment must be signed and returned, along with payment of the $1000 Enrolment Fee. The offer lapses if it is not accepted within the timeframe indicated on the Letter of Offer.
5. Confirmation of Enrolment: You will receive an email from the Registrar to confirm the enrolment of your child.
Scholarships
The School does not offer scholarships at point of enrolment. Bursaries may be offered from time to time to families that already have children enrolled in the School and who meet temporary financial hardship. Examples of such hardship include death of a spouse or unforeseen loss of employment.
Waitlist
After submitting the Enrolment Application Form, a non-refundable $200 application fee per applicant is required to process the application. Once received, the application will be reviewed and placed on a waitlist.
FAQs
What year levels does the International Chinese School cover?
ICS is a K-6 primary school covering Kindergarten to Year 6. It operates from a single campus at 211 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, on Sydney's North Shore.
What makes this school unique?
ICS is the first and only NSW school approved to deliver half the curriculum in Mandarin. About 50% of the teaching week is in Mandarin and 50% in English using the CLIL approach.
Do children need to speak Mandarin before enrolling?
No, children do not need prior Mandarin knowledge. The bilingual immersion model is designed to develop Mandarin proficiency alongside English from the start of schooling.
What curriculum does the school follow?
ICS follows the NSW Education Standards Authority curriculum across all Key Learning Areas. English and Mathematics are taught in English, while other subjects are delivered in Mandarin through CLIL.
What are the tuition fees?
Annual tuition is AUD 10,460 for Years K-2 and AUD 11,360 for Years 3-6. There is a AUD 200 application fee and a AUD 1,000 acceptance fee. Overseas students pay higher fees.
What are the school's academic results?
ICS was among the top-performing schools on Sydney's Lower North Shore in NAPLAN testing. Year 3 and Year 5 results are consistently above average, with 42% of students from non-English backgrounds.
What is the school's religious affiliation?
ICS is a Christian school in the Anglican tradition. Learning is delivered through a Christian worldview, and the school was established with the vision of the Anglican Sydney Diocese.
What music programme is offered?
From Years 1-6, music is taught by a specialist teacher. Students can undertake private music lessons during the school day, and co-curricular music opportunities are expanding.
How do I apply?
Begin with an Expression of Interest form, then attend a school tour. Submit the Enrolment Application with the AUD 200 fee. Applications are reviewed and may be placed on a waitlist.
What sport facilities are available?
Gore Hill Oval adjacent to the school provides an all-weather synthetic grass surface. A professional sports provider delivers weekly sports, plus annual swimming and gymnastics programmes.
How small is the school?
ICS currently has around 33 students, creating a very intimate learning environment. Small class sizes allow for personalised attention and close teacher-student relationships.
Does the school support neurodiverse learners?
Yes, the school has employed staff with knowledge of neurodiverse learning and has begun implementing strategies to support these students in the bilingual environment.
