German International School Sydney vs International Chinese School

	G German International School Sydney Sydney, Australia	I International Chinese School Sydney, Australia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year A$1,655 - 19,762	Fees / year A$12,132 - 13,820
Age range	Age range 0 - 18 years	Age range 5 - 12 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Australian Curriculum, German Curriculum, IB (DP)	Curriculum Australian Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 430	Pupils 33
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, German	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 1989	Opened 2015
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location 33 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills, NSW 2084, Australia. Terrey Hills is a leafy suburb on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The campus is connected by four GISS-operated private bus routes and by government public buses; booking is via RollCall and real-time tracking is available. The school sits within the Deutsche Auslandsschule network of German Schools Abroad.	Location 211 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065, North Shore, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Stages	Stages Preschool; Primary School; Junior Secondary; Senior School (IBDP).	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.
School type	School type Private day school; co-educational; bilingual in English and German; offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Years 11–12.	School type Bilingual K-6 Anglican Christian primary school.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix 440 students; 38 nationalities; 42 languages; about half from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other countries, and the other half from Australia.	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support GISS has a Learning Diversity Team that supports teachers and students with diverse learning needs; it plans, implements and monitors personalised adjustments and collaborates with parents and external professionals as needed; it aims to build teacher capacity to ensure inclusive learning.	Additional learning support —
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Germany-affiliated; part of the Deutsche Auslandsschule (German Schools Abroad) network sponsored by ZfA.	Country affiliation Australia
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation Anglican (Anglican Christian tradition).
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure —
Bus service details	Bus service details GISS operates four private bus routes across Sydney; bus bookings use RollCall; pricing is zone-based (Zone 1: pre-booked $9.50, casual $13.00; Zone 2: pre-booked $10.50, casual $15.00). For enquiries, bus@giss.nsw.edu.au.	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application and enrolment fees - Application fee (non‑refundable): AUD 250 per application. - Enrolment fee (Kindergarten to IB, non‑refundable): AUD 1,250 per child. - Preschool enrolment fee: AUD 500 per child. - Security deposit (refundable, non‑interest bearing): AUD 1,000 per child. - One‑off capital levy (not applicable to short‑term and overseas students): AUD 1,500 per family. Tuition fees by year group (annual and per term) - Kindergarten: Annual tuition AUD 15,362 — Per term (4 terms per year): AUD 3,840.50. - Years 1–4: Annual tuition AUD 17,221 — Per term: AUD 4,305.25. - Years 5–6: Annual tuition AUD 18,396 — Per term: AUD 4,599.00. - Years 7–8: Annual tuition AUD 18,570 — Per term: AUD 4,642.50. - Years 9–10: Annual tuition AUD 18,746 — Per term: AUD 4,686.50. - International Baccalaureate (IB) Year 11: Annual tuition AUD 32,653 — Per term: AUD 8,163.25. - IB Year 12: Annual tuition AUD 31,569 — Per term: AUD 7,892.25. Preschool daily rates and funding - Preschool daily rates by number of days and age (2026 rates): - 2 days: Age 3–4 years AUD 147 per day; Age 4+ years AUD 142 per day. - 3 days: Age 3–4 years AUD 135 per day; Age 4+ years AUD 130 per day. - 4–5 days: Age 3–4 years AUD 125 per day; Age 4+ years AUD 118 per day. - Start Strong (government) fee relief applies for eligible children; maximum relief levels and eligibility categories apply. Additional levies and common extra costs - Resource Levy (Kindergarten to Year 6): AUD 400 per student per annum. - Resource Levy (Years 7–12): AUD 350 per student per annum. - Book hire fee (Years 5–10): AUD 250 per student per annum; replacement charges apply for books not returned or returned in unsatisfactory condition. - IB‑specific additional fees: Books for the IB cohort are included in tuition; IB Pamoja fees (subject dependent) are invoiced separately (approx. USD 1,655 where applicable); IB exam retake, enquiry and tutor fees may apply and vary. - Class camps (estimated top cost per student): Years 3 & 4 AUD 620; Years 5 & 6 AUD 890; Year 7 AUD 820; Years 8 & 9 AUD 990; Year 10 AUD 800; Year 11 CAS trip AUD 2,200. - Short‑term & overseas students levy (pro‑rata & per student): AUD 5,000 for short‑term (enrolled less than one year) and overseas students on a student visa. - Bus service fees are charged separately under the school's Bus Fees and Transportation Terms & Conditions. Billing schedule and payment terms - School year runs on a four‑term calendar; tuition amounts above are annual and the school issues invoices for the school year. Per‑term payment calculations above assume four terms. - Fees are payable by the due date shown on the invoice. The last day for payment of fees in any term is the first day of that term. Failure to pay may trigger administrative late fees or restrictions on attendance and academic reports. Payment methods, plans and surcharges - Preferred payment method: payment in full by the first day of school via the FACTS portal (online) using the FACTS Payment Plan option ‘PAY IN FULL'. - Instalment options via the FACTS tuition management portal are available: semester, quarterly or monthly plans. Surcharges on the invoiced amount apply by plan: - Pay per semester: additional 2.5% of invoiced amount. - Pay quarterly: additional 3.5% of invoiced amount. - Pay monthly: additional 4.0% of invoiced amount. Monthly plans incur a one‑off annual FACTS fee of AUD 59 and must be set up with direct debit. - Payment methods accepted via the payment plans: direct debit from a bank account, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. A 1.1% transaction fee applies to all credit card transactions. - If the full yearly fees are not received by 1 February 2026 or two weeks after an invoice is issued, the school will automatically place the family on a 4% surcharge unless otherwise requested in writing; unpaid months will be prorated. Discounts, late fees and non‑payment - Sibling discounts on tuition fees only: first sibling receives a 10% discount; each subsequent sibling receives a 20% discount. - Late payment administration fee: AUD 50 per student per calendar month may apply if payment is not received by the due date. The school may restrict class attendance, withhold academic reports, and pursue collection action for debts more than 90 days overdue. Withdrawal, extended leave and refund information - Minimum notice to withdraw a student: one full term's written notice to the Principal. The school is entitled to charge full tuition fees during the notice period. Parents are not entitled to a refund of a term's school fees where a student is withdrawn at any time during that term. - Extended leave of absence (approved by the Principal for at least one term) incurs a holding fee of 15% in lieu of tuition fees; the holding fee is non‑refundable and non‑transferable. Other practical notes on fees - GISS fees and levies typically include one excursion per term, student accident insurance, technology access and copyright fees; consumables and personal stationery (e.g., calculators) and extraordinary project materials may incur additional charges. - Families billed by an employer should use the school's company/third‑party billing procedures. (End of fees overview.)	Fee details 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.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement There is no school uniform requirement. Dress code and Sunsmart guidelines apply, including hats for outdoor wear and safety-related clothing rules.	Uniform requirement Uniform items can be purchased from Cowan and Lewis School Wear.
Food options	Food options After School Care includes afternoon tea. Vacation Care includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.	Food options —
House system	House system The school has a house system with named houses: Grimm House; Elisabeth Selbert House; Paul Klee House; Gutenberg House; Albert Einstein House; Ludwig Leichhardt House; Clara Schumann House; Sophie Scholl House; Pestalozzi House. Marlene Dietrich Hall is a sports facility on campus.	House system The school has a House system. The 2022 Annual Report notes the introduction of the House system, along with a lunchtime band and dance group, and the inaugural ICS chess championship.
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is an Australian public company limited by guarantee, registered as German School Johannes Gutenberg (ACN 003 484 204). The Board of Directors is elected by the members and oversees the school's governance and performance; all board work is voluntary.	Governance and ownership The school is part of Combined Independent Schools (CIS NSW) and operates as an independent school within that network. It is a Christian Anglican school.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details The school provides a complete education in a co-educational and bilingual environment. An intensive language immersion programme leads to bilingual competency in English and German, so students do not need to be familiar with German language beforehand. The curriculum is broad and supports personal development for life after school. In Years 11 and 12 the school offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).	Curriculum details 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.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results November 2025 IB graduates achieved a pass rate of 93.75% and an average score of 31.5 points. They exceeded the global IB average of 29.3 points.	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).
Higher education progression	Higher education progression Graduates continue their academic journeys at universities across Australia and around the world.	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented GISS Learning Diversity Team includes support for gifted and talented 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.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning 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)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	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	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language 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	Mental wellbeing —	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	Safeguarding —	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.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview The Terrey Hills campus spans 16,200 square metres and comprises 10 buildings. Since moving to Terrey Hills in August 2008, the school has expanded with new classrooms in 2018 and 2022 that meet the eco-friendly Passivhaus standard. The campus contains a central lobby, administration offices and a library surrounding learning spaces. Enhanced learning spaces include air-conditioned classrooms and a wireless network, with laptops available for younger students and BYOD from Year 7 onward. Environmentally friendly features include rainwater harvesting, waterless urinals and a 10 kW solar installation powering part of the campus.	Facilities overview The school is located at 211 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065. It is in the heart of the North Shore. The school is adjacent to Gore Hill Oval, which provides an all-weather synthetic grass surface for sporting activities. An external professional sports provider delivers the weekly sports program, and annual sporting activities include swimming and gymnastics.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Key sports facilities include an Indoor Sports Hall, mostly underground, with a stage and capacity for performances and assemblies of up to 400 people. A covered Outdoor Multisports Field was added in 2015. The school also uses the neighbouring Terrey Hills Swim School for parts of its physical education program. Varied outdoor play areas with sun covers support outdoor activities.	Sports facilities Gore Hill Oval adjacent to the school provides an all-weather synthetic grass surface for many sporting activities. An external professional sports provider delivers the school's weekly sports program. Other annual sporting activities include the school's swimming program and gymnastics. There are three sporting Houses at the School, each named after Chinese Christian leaders.
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The campus comprises 10 buildings that accommodate Preschool, Primary, Junior Secondary and Senior School (IBDP). Specialist rooms for science, arts and music, plus an IB Study Centre, are on site and the library is centrally located. In 2018 and 2022 the school extended with new classrooms built to the passive house standard. In October 2017 classrooms were retrofitted with air conditioning, and from Year 7 onwards students bring their own laptops with a wireless network available in every classroom.	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities After School & Vacation Care is provided through Extend, offering after-school care for Kindergarten to Year 6 and Vacation Care with daytime programs and activities such as science, cooking and sport; sessions run after school and during holidays and are located in the Elisabeth Selbert Building next to the library. Extend's ASC hours are Monday to Friday from 3:15 pm to 6:00 pm for Kindergarten to Year 6, with Vacation Care from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. GISS Football Academy offers football training in partnership with Borussia Dortmund (BVB), with weekly sessions and an introductory package available for term participation.	Extra curricular facilities Music education comprises classroom experiences, private individual tuition, and co-curricular programs. Music is integral to the classroom curriculum for every student and from Years 1-6 is taught by a specialist music teacher. Students can undertake private music lessons during the School day, delivered by private tutors who work in partnership with the School. Co-curricular music opportunities are planned to expand from 2023 with choir and instrumental ensembles.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History The school began on February 7, 1989 as the German School Johannes Gutenberg in Prospect and moved to Ryde in January 1992, with Preschool opening in 1993. In 2002 it adopted the trading name German International School Sydney and acquired land in Terrey Hills. Construction in Terrey Hills began in 2006 with funding from Germany (over AUD 13 million) and teaching commenced at the Terrey Hills site in August 2008. In 2010 two new buildings housing a library and additional classrooms were added, and the land area was doubled by purchasing part of a neighbour's land. Four classrooms were added in 2017–2018, and in early 2022 three modular classrooms opened to an eco-friendly passive-house standard.	History Most Reverend Dr Glenn Davies, then Archbishop of the Sydney Diocese, was behind the original vision for establishing the International Chinese School. As Bishop of the North Region (2002–2013), he identified a need to serve Lower North Shore families with an Anglican Chinese bilingual school. Planning began with the support of St Paul's Anglican Church, Chatswood; the first registration was submitted to the NSW Board of Studies in 2011 for a 2012 opening, but site issues delayed the start. Renovation funds from the Anglo Australian Christian and Charitable Fund enabled a hundred-year-old timber hall at the church to become classrooms, and the school opened in January 2015 with a Kindergarten cohort; by 2022 it enrolled from Kindergarten to Year 6. In 2021 the School relocated to 211 Pacific Highway, St Leonards, with continued support from the Anglo Australian Christian and Charitable Trust.
Community	Community The GISS community is multicultural and lively, with over 390 students from 20 countries and more than 50 teachers and 12 administration staff. Approximately 230 GISS families form the active Parent Representative Council (PRC) and the School Board. There is an alumni group for current and former students and teachers.	Community The School uses a bilingual immersion model with English and Mandarin instruction. It is a K-6 Christian school in the Anglican tradition, delivering learning through a Christian worldview. Parents are welcomed and encouraged to be active contributors to their children's schooling; teachers partner with parents in guiding student growth, including activities such as reading groups and excursions. The Vine, the school newsletter, is published and distributed electronically to parents fortnightly during the school term.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The PRC and the School Board are active governance bodies within GISS. GISS families participate in school life through these groups. The school hosts major community events with extensive parent and student volunteering. The Christmas Market is the biggest community event of the year, featuring German food, music, games and activities, supported by Cupra and the Casella Family. Volunteers contribute to cooking and organizing, with heartfelt thanks to all involved.	Parent teacher association The School fosters a vital partnership with parents, welcoming active contributions to children's schooling. Teachers partner with parents to develop confident, enthusiastic and principled leaders of the future through involvement in reading groups, excursions and other aspects of school life. The partnership emphasizes parental involvement as part of the school's educational nurture and ethos, reflecting the school's Christian foundation and value on family engagement.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual Science & Experiments (B1) is offered for Year 1–4; Year 5–6 work on a project for the Science Fair. STE(A)M (B2) provides coding, robotics, 3D design/printing and media exploration. Technology (B3) covers video creation, audio integration, stop-motion, podcasts and augmented reality projects.	Academic & intellectual The School delivers a unique and challenging education with about 50% of the curriculum taught in Mandarin through a CLIL approach. Instruction follows the NSW Key Learning Areas, including English, Mathematics, Science and Technology, History and Geography, Personal Development, Creative Arts and Mandarin. The School is approved by the NSW Education Standards Authority to deliver half the curriculum in Mandarin. Students perform strongly in the NAPLAN tests, with averages in the top band for English and Mathematics.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative Music education at the School comprises classroom experiences, private individual tuition, and co-curricular programs. From Years 1–6, music is taught by a specialist music teacher. Students can undertake private music lessons during the School day. Co-curricular music opportunities are planned to expand from 2023 with choir and instrumental ensembles.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language Exchange Program: Students have the opportunity to participate in a student exchange with Germany, visiting Germany for about three weeks every two years; includes a week staying with a host family and visits to our German partner school. German as an Additional Language (DaF) is taught with CLIL integration and language support; Year 7 entry leads into CLIL subjects such as Art, Music and PE in German, with ongoing language development and the option to participate in a Year 9/10 exchange. The school hosts community language events such as the Christmas Market and excursions to the Goethe Institute.	Cultural & language The School uses a bilingual immersion model with about 50% of the curriculum delivered in English and 50% in Mandarin. A Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach supports this bilingual education. Cultural and language activities include Hello Mandarin speaking competition and New Year celebrations.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies Co-Curricular Activities (AGs) are available for Year 1–6 on Tuesdays; students select one activity per term. GISS Football Academy provides professional football training in partnership with Borussia Dortmund, with holiday camps and programs for boys and girls aged U6–U17.	Social & hobbies Chess is popular and there is a Chess Club that hosts the annual ICS Chess tournament. Students also participate in cultural events such as New Year celebrations. Hello Mandarin speaking competition is another co-curricular cultural activity.
Community & service	Community & service Social Entrepreneurship – AG has run since 2021 for Years 3–7, connecting students to the community and industry. Students develop entrepreneurship skills, design thinking, budgeting and financial literacy. Teams present ideas to leadership, use start-up capital and donate profits to charities, supporting global citizenship.	Community & service Service to Others is a core value; the School aims to develop compassionate young leaders with a heart for serving others both in the school and in the local community. The Mission emphasises equipping students to be agents of transformation in a globalised society. Partnership with Parents is valued to support the educational nurture of children.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The Student Representative Council (SRC) was elected in Term 1, 2024. The SRC informs students about important issues, holds regular meetings with class captains, and organises events and fundraisers to support the charity 'A Girl & Her World.'	Leadership & professional The School partners with parents to develop confident, enthusiastic and principled leaders of the future. This leadership emphasis is reflected in the Vision and Core Values, which include service to others and cultural diversity as foundations for leadership. The Mission states that students are equipped to be agents of transformation in a globalised society. Partnership with Parents supports children's learning and leadership development.
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing GISS Football Academy provides high-level training and holiday camps in partnership with Borussia Dortmund. After School & Vacation Care runs Monday to Friday after school and during holidays, offering activities including science, cooking and sport. Swimming Carnivals and other sports events are part of school life.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The School is located next to Gore Hill Oval, supporting outdoor sporting activities. A weekly sports program is delivered by an external professional provider. Annual sporting activities include swimming and gymnastics. There are three sporting Houses named after Chinese Christian leaders.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision English and German are core languages of instruction. Primary features six English and five German lessons weekly, with Maths and General Studies taught in German. From Year 6, French is available as a foreign language and Spanish from Year 8; German is offered as a foreign language for students not fluent. Religion is taught in German and Ethics in English from Year 1, with CLIL providing language support across Arts, Music and PE.	Language provision Mandarin is taught as part of the school's bilingual program. The school is the first and only NSW school to receive approval from the NSW Education Standards Authority to deliver half the curriculum in Mandarin. Mandarin is delivered within the Languages (Mandarin) Key Learning Area. English is taught as a core subject within the NSW curriculum.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching English and German are the languages of instruction across Preschool to Year 10. Primary uses six English and five German lessons weekly, with Maths and General Studies taught in German. Arts, Music and PE are taught in German with integrated language support (CLIL), and Religion is taught in German or Ethics in English from Year 1. In Junior Secondary, Maths, Biology, Humanities and History can be taken in either English or German.	Bilingual teaching The school uses a bilingual immersion approach, teaching some Key Learning Areas in Mandarin. Students spend approximately 50% of the week in English and 50% in Mandarin. Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is used to deliver these bilingual lessons. This approach integrates Mandarin across the curriculum to prepare students for a 21st‑century world with a closer China–Australia relationship.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs An intensive language immersion programme leads to bilingual competency in English and German. Preschoolers participate in immersion with highly qualified bilingual teachers. The program enables second-language acquisition through authentic experiences in both languages, with pace tailored to each child.	Immersion programs Immersion programs use CLIL to deliver subject content in Mandarin. Students spend about half their week in English and half in Mandarin. Mandarin is delivered in selected Key Learning Areas rather than a single subject. The program is designed to prepare students for life in a global context where the Australia–China relationship plays an increasingly important role.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations The School is the first and only school in NSW to receive approval from the NSW Education Standards Authority to deliver half the curriculum in Mandarin.
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Open Day and tours: Register for Open Day to visit the school and meet staff and students. A principal‑led presentation explains the curriculum and learning methods. If the event day or time is not convenient, group tours or virtual tours are available. Attending Open Day helps families understand the school environment before applying. 2. Online information and enrolment checklist: Access important information about the school online and review the checklist with the required forms to prepare the application. The online resources outline the documents needed and any deadlines. Families can request a meeting with the registrar or school management team to discuss individual circumstances if required. After reviewing, proceed to the online application. 3. Submit online application: Submit the application online. An application fee of $250 is invoiced at the end of the online application. Provide copies of passport(s) and birth certificate where applicable, and the last two school reports; upload documents to the online application. Ensure all required documents are ready before submission. 4. Approval process after submission: Following submission, you will receive an email confirming receipt and updates on the approval process. GISS reviews the application after the documents are received. The outcome will be communicated: a place may be offered, a place may be placed on the waiting list, or the application may be declined. Additional documents may be requested if needed. 5. Interview and admission test: Once all required documents are received, you will be invited to book your child's interview and, if applicable, an admission test. All Kindergarten to Year 12 students must participate in an age-appropriate interview. If the child is overseas at the time, the interview can be conducted online in English or German. A trial day may be scheduled before or after the interview. 6. Enrolment offer, contract and start information: As soon as enrolment is approved, you will receive an offer that includes the enrolment form and notice for the enrolment fee due. After the enrolment form is completed and the enrolment fee is paid, you will receive a copy of the enrolment contract and enrolment is complete. Before school starts, you will receive additional information via email and/or a parent information session to set up your child for a smooth start. The school may provide visa information for overseas students if applicable.	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	Scholarships IB Scholarship offers up to 50% tuition support for the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB Year 11 and 12). It is available to internal and external local Year 10 students with English fluency. Eligibility includes preferably two years at an Australian school, a record of high academic achievement, strong English and Maths, willingness to study in a bilingual/multilingual international environment, personal integrity, and commitment to service learning. German language knowledge is not a prerequisite. How to apply: Year 10 students currently enrolled at GISS email ibscholarship@giss.nsw.edu.au with last four school reports and Year 9 NAPLAN results, a personal statement, and an explanation of why they deserve the scholarship. Year 10 students from another school should start the GISS online application, upload birth certificates, passports, last four reports, and latest NAPLAN results, then email ibscholarship@giss.nsw.edu.au with the personal statement. Applications close on December 3, 2025.	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	Waitlist An assessment is conducted after the application. The school may offer a place, place the applicant on the waiting list, or decline the application.	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.
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