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Curriculum Australian Curriculum, IB (MYP), French Curriculum
Taught languages French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish
Strengths Languages, Academic Enrichment, Performing Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School
Introduction
Telopea Park School, Lycée Franco-Australien de Canberra, is a binational school for ages 5 to 16 offering a bilingual English–French program with Australian Curriculum, IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the French Curriculum. Opened in 1923, it is Canberra's oldest operating school and a member of the AEFE network under a bi-national agreement. In Kindergarten to Year 2 the program runs 80:20 French to English (four days French, one English), shifting to 50:50 from Year 3. Secondary students follow IB MYP; Brevet is taken in Year 9 and Baccalauréat in Year 12 through Narrabundah College link. The school provides Chromebooks for Years 7–11 and hosts a Gifted & Talented program (GILP). Extras include music activities with a choir and events such as the Primary Disco and Fête de la Musique. The Parents' Association, School Board and Alumni network support community life; Positive Behaviours for Learning supports wellbeing across year groups.
Telopea Park School - Lycee Franco-Australien de Canberra has 1,601 pupils, instruction in English, French.
Location
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.
Stages
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.
Type
Public binational school (France–Australia)
Additional learning support
Student Welfare and Student Support are provided.
Country affiliation
France and Australia (binational)
School day structure
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
Bus service is operated by the Parents and Citizens Association (P&C).
Fees
Annual tuition at Telopea Park School - Lycee Franco-Australien de Canberra ranges from AUD 265 to AUD 16,200 for 2026/27.
Application fees - A non-refundable application fee of AUD 265 is payable for international fee‑paying students on submission of the application.
Tuition fees (international fee‑paying students) — annual and per‑term - Primary (Kindergarten to Year 6): AUD 11,100 per year. Per term (calculated as annual fee ÷ 4 terms): AUD 2,775 per term. - Secondary (Years 7 to 10): AUD 14,500 per year. Per term (annual ÷ 4): AUD 3,625 per term. - College (Years 11 to 12): AUD 16,200 per year. Per term (annual ÷ 4): AUD 4,050 per term. - These international tuition amounts cover school tuition and curriculum‑related charges but do not include uniforms, book packs, materials students take home, or non‑curriculum excursion costs.
Billing schedule and payment terms - All international tuition fees are required to be paid in advance for the full academic year unless an alternative arrangement is specified on the invoice. Continuing students receive an invoice for the following year in Term 4. Applicants must return the Acceptance of Offer and pay tuition by the published due date for the chosen term; failure to comply may affect commencement. Term dates and acceptance/payment due dates are published annually.
Boarding / Homestay (where applicable for international students) - The school does not operate an on‑site boarding facility. Homestay accommodation options are arranged through the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) or by family nomination. Typical AHN charges include a homestay matching fee of AUD 340 and a homestay placement cost of AUD 400 per week; a family‑nominated homestay program fee and a lower weekly charge for family‑nominated accommodation may apply. Airport pick‑up (optional) is charged (example: AUD 160). These homestay charges are payable to the homestay provider, not as part of the school tuition.
Other costs and routine charges - Uniforms: New uniform items are paid by families through the retailer used by the school; a school second‑hand uniform shop operates with low‑cost items (examples: many second‑hand items priced from AUD 5 each). Families may be asked to supply specific items outlined by year level. - School levies and activity charges: Charges for elective subjects, music tuition, camps, excursions, instrument hire, and activity levies apply in addition to tuition. Examples from published school materials include band levies (approx. AUD 60–120 per year depending on instrument use), camp charges that vary by activity (examples cited ~AUD 150–335 for specific band camps), private music lessons invoiced by semester (approx. AUD 45–50 per lesson), and locker hire (example: AUD 20 or AUD 40 depending on option). These amounts vary by year level, instrument use and program participation. - Personal items and consumables: Book packs, stationery, technology requirements, some subject consumables and non‑curriculum excursions are charged separately. The international tuition fee specifically excludes uniforms, book packs, and non‑curriculum excursion expenses.
Refund information (international fee‑paying students) - The ACT Education Directorate provides refunds in specified circumstances. If written advice of withdrawal is received before 9:00am on the first day of the academic semester and before 5:00pm on Friday of Week 4 of that semester, 50% of the unused portion of paid tuition fees will be refunded. If written advice is received after 5:00pm on Friday of Week 4, no refund of tuition fees is payable. Tuition fees are non‑refundable where enrolment is cancelled due to visa breaches or failure to meet welfare or enrolment terms. If the provider defaults, a full refund or placement in an alternative course is provided and finalised within statutory timeframes. Refunds are reimbursed in Australian dollars, normally by Electronic Funds Transfer.
Fee payment options and methods - Payments are accepted in Australian dollars by credit card (Visa or MasterCard), bank draft/bank cheque payable to the ACT Education Directorate, telegraphic transfer (from overseas) and electronic funds transfer (where available). School payment systems also support online payment facilities (the school uses a Westpac Quickweb payment option for payments to the school finance office). Bank transfer details and invoice references are provided on the application materials and on school invoices. Payers are responsible for any bank transaction fees.
Domestic students and voluntary contributions - Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents do not pay tuition to attend ACT Government schools. Schools may request voluntary parental contributions and charge for consumables, elective subject levies, excursions and optional services; these contributions are voluntary and separate from the international tuition schedule. The school maintains a confidential equity fund to assist families experiencing financial hardship.
Notes: - All amounts are shown in Australian dollars (AUD). Calculated per‑term figures above are the result of dividing the published annual international tuition by four terms; published annual tuition figures are those applied to international fee‑paying students.
Academics
Telopea Park School - Lycee Franco-Australien de Canberra teaches Australian Curriculum, IB (MYP), French Curriculum for students aged 5 to 16.
Curriculum
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.
Student Teacher Ratio
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.
Exam Results
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 and Talented
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.
Wellbeing
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
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.
Special Educational Needs (SEN)
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.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
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.
Mental Wellbeing
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
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.
Admissions
Admissions
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. []
Waitlist
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. []
FAQs
What age range does Telopea Park School serve?
Telopea Park serves students aged 5 to 16, covering Kindergarten to Year 10. It is a public binational school in Barton, Canberra, and the city's oldest operating school.
How does the bilingual programme work?
K-Year 2 runs 80% French and 20% English. From Year 3, instruction shifts to 50:50 English and French. By Year 6, students are bilingual at an age-appropriate level.
What curriculum does the school follow?
Primary follows a harmonised French-Australian curriculum. Secondary offers the Australian Curriculum through the IB Middle Years Programme (authorised since 2006) alongside the French secondary programme.
What are the NAPLAN results?
NAPLAN mean scores exceed ACT averages across all year levels tested: Year 3 Reading 436 vs 415, Year 5 Numeracy 524 vs 495, Year 9 Reading 604 vs 576.
What are the fees?
International students pay AUD 265 application, with tuition from AUD 11,100 for primary to AUD 16,200 for college level. Domestic ACT students attend fee-free as a public school.
Is this school part of the AEFE network?
Yes, since 1983 Telopea Park has operated as a binational school under a France-Australia agreement and is a member of the AEFE network of French schools abroad.
What wellbeing support is provided?
A School Psychologist, Student Welfare Executive Teacher, Student Support Officer, and Year Coordinators provide wellbeing support. Positive Behaviours for Learning underpins the school approach.
What gifted education is offered?
K-10 Gifted and Talented Education follows ACT guidelines with mixed-ability classes, targeted extension, and Gifted Individualised Learning Plans for identified students.
How do I apply?
ACT residents apply through the ACT Education Directorate's online enrolment. The bilingual programme for K-6 is open to ACT residents. Priority Enrolment Areas apply.
What is the school's history?
Opened in 1923, Telopea Park is Canberra's oldest operating school. The bilingual programme with France began in 1983 under a binational agreement.
Does my child need to speak French?
No prior French is required for Kindergarten entry. The immersive 80:20 French-English model develops French proficiency rapidly from the first year of schooling.
