International Chinese School vs Sydney Montessori School

	I International Chinese School Sydney, Australia	S Sydney Montessori School Sydney, Australia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year A$12,132 - 13,820	Fees / year A$540 - 27,248
Age range	Age range 5 - 12 years	Age range 0 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum Australian Curriculum	Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, Australian Curriculum, IB (DP), IBCP (International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme)
Pupils	Pupils 33	Pupils —
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English
Opened	Opened 2015	Opened —
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location 211 Pacific Highway, St Leonards NSW 2065, North Shore, Sydney, NSW, Australia	Location 99-107 Manchester Road, Gymea NSW 2227, Australia
Stages	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.	Stages K-12 with Pre-School, Long Day Care and Play Group
School type	School type Bilingual K-6 Anglican Christian primary school.	School type Co-educational, non-denominational day school
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support —	Additional learning support Inclusive Education Policy is in place to support students with learning needs
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Australia	Country affiliation Australia
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation Anglican (Anglican Christian tradition).	Religious affiliation Non-denominational
School day structure	School day structure —	School day structure Preschool day runs 8:45 am to 3:00 pm
Bus service details	Bus service details —	Bus service details —
Fees	Fees
Fee details	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.	Fee details Application & Enrolment Fees - Application Fee: USD 350 per child, non-refundable. - Enrolment Fee (payable on acceptance): USD 1,550 for the first child. Sibling enrolment fee reductions apply: second child USD 1,000; third child USD 750; fourth and subsequent children USD 500. There is no enrolment fee for Long Day Care (only the application fee and per-day Long Day Care fees apply). Tuition fees (per term and annual equivalents where applicable) - Preschool & Primary (Stages 1–3): Tuition USD 3,696 per term. Annual equivalent (4 terms): USD 14,784. Sibling tuition reductions per term: second child minus USD 420; third child minus USD 850; fourth and subsequent children minus USD 1,270 (annual equivalents: minus USD 1,680; USD 3,400; USD 5,080 respectively). Tuition is due by the first day of each term. - High School (Stages 4 & 5): Tuition USD 4,692 per term. Annual equivalent (4 terms): USD 18,768. A temporary concession for incomplete building works is reflected as a discount of USD 1,000 per annum (equivalent to USD 250 per term) where applicable. Overseas students are billed according to stage plus an additional fee of USD 8,480 (subject to visa class). - First Steps Montessori (0–3 years) per term: first child USD 255; second child USD 200; Parent & Baby (under 6 months) USD 135. No enrolment or application fee applies to First Steps Montessori. - Long Day Montessori Education (per day): Tara Room (15 months–3 years) USD 150 per day; Akasha Room (3–6 years) USD 140 per day. Long Day Care fees are billed fortnightly; short-term leave must be paid in full. Early-bird discounts do not apply to Long Day Care. Billing schedule & payment terms - Tuition fees are due by the beginning of each term (payable by the first day of term). An early-bird discount (USD 120) is available where term fees are paid four weeks prior to the fee due date. Long Day Care is billed fortnightly. Mid-term commencements are pro‑rated for tuition; students starting mid-week in Long Day Care are invoiced for the entire week. Other charges and routine additional costs - Camps: additional charge (amount to be advised). - Building Fund Donation: voluntary, tax-deductible USD 150. - Card transaction surcharge: 1% applies to all MasterCard, Visa and EPOS payments. - Long Day Care late‑pick‑up fees: USD 18.00 for the first 10 minutes (or part thereof) and USD 1.50 per minute after 6:10 pm. - Additional incidental charges (for example specific excursions, subject fees or materials) may be billed separately (camp charges are an example). Refunds, cancellations and notice periods - Application Fee: non-refundable. Enrolment Fee: non-refundable. - Withdrawal notice: For Primary and High School, one full term's written notice to the Principal and Enrolments is required; in lieu of notice one full term's tuition fees will be charged. For Long Day Care, four weeks' notice is required. Mid-term commencements are pro‑rated; however short‑term absence/leave from Long Day Care must be paid. An enrolment will end for Child Care Subsidy purposes if a child does not attend a session of care for 14 continuous weeks. Boarding - Boarding is not offered; the school operates day and Long Day Care programs only. Fee payment options - Bank transfer (bank details provided for electronic transfer): BSB and account number are supplied for use with family name as description. Card payments (MasterCard and Visa) are accepted with a 1% card transaction surcharge. Fees may also be invoiced and scheduled per the billing statements issued (Long Day Care billed fortnightly; school tuition billed per term).
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniform items can be purchased from Cowan and Lewis School Wear.	Uniform requirement Sydney Montessori School does not require uniforms. Clothing should be worn in a manner appropriate for a school environment and items must be clearly labelled with the child's name. A dress code policy is available on the school website; all students must wear enclosed footwear.
Food options	Food options —	Food options Most children bring packed lunches. Some classes share a special lunch during the term. Lollies, chocolate, sugary snacks or fizzy drinks are discouraged. If a child arrives at school without sufficient lunch, the school provides available food and the costs may be forwarded to the parents. Please see the Food and Nutrition Policy on the school website.
House system	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.	House system —
Governance and ownership	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.	Governance and ownership Sydney Montessori School is governed by Sydney Montessori School Ltd (SMS Ltd), registered with ASIC, which is responsible for the school's administration. Staff and parents automatically become eligible to join SMS Ltd; membership carries no financial or legal obligations beyond payment of fees and levies. The School Board is elected at each year's Annual General Meeting and oversees governance and policy; the Board appoints a Chairperson and Treasurer, and the Principal is a standing member of the Board. Minutes are recorded by the Board Secretary, and all SMS Ltd members have voting rights.
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	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.	Curriculum details Preschool (Stage 1, ages 3–6) follows a Montessori program in a prepared environment. It provides a rigorous, academic curriculum across English, Mathematics, Practical Life, Science, Gardening, Art, Physical Education, Geography, Culture and Music, with Stage 1 access to a full Kindergarten program meeting the outcomes of the NSW syllabus (NESA). Children attend a regular school day from 8:45 am to 3:00 pm. Primary (ages 6–12) uses Montessori methods with concrete materials initially, moving toward abstraction, and the learning aligns with NSW Board of Studies, Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) syllabuses and the NSW NESA syllabuses. High School (Years 7–12) offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) and is a fully authorised IB DP school; the school is pursuing authorisation for the Career-related Programme (CP).
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	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).	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression The Diploma Programme is internationally recognised for its academic rigour and its focus on critical thinking, global awareness and intellectual curiosity, preparing SMS students for higher education.
Gifted and talented	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.	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
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.	Social & emotional learning Montessori education supports social and emotional development. It develops independence, responsibility, concentration, respect, patience and a love of learning. The prepared environment is described as a 'Living Room' where psychosocial, physical and academic development are integrated. A three-year age grouping promotes social development, with older children teaching and younger children learning through observation and cooperation. Mixed-age classrooms encourage peer learning, collaboration and opportunities to practice empathy and self-regulation. Parents and educators collaborate to guide each child's social and emotional growth.
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.	Special educational needs (SEN) The school supports students with additional needs through an inclusive enrollment approach. For children requiring support related to disability, health, mental health or other areas, SMS gathers information about the student's disability and need for adjustments before enrolment. The school requests reports such as psychologists, speech pathologists and occupational therapists to inform planning. These documents help plan appropriate adjustments to support learning within the Montessori environment. The school aims to include students with diverse needs by coordinating tailored supports and accommodations as part of the enrolment process.
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.	English as an additional language —
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.	Mental wellbeing The school prioritises holistic development, including social, emotional and physical growth. The 2025 Annual Report states SMS focuses on the development of the whole child—intellectually, socially, emotionally and physically—within a prepared environment that encourages independence, curiosity and self-directed learning. The Preschool program provides guidance in social, emotional and co-curricular areas. The Montessori environment supports mental wellbeing by promoting independence, self-esteem, discipline and resilience through cooperative, mixed-age learning. The school emphasizes a safe, caring community where children form meaningful relationships and learn through hands-on activities.
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 The school has a Child Protection Policy and Procedure. The school also has a Grievance Policy and Procedure to address concerns. The Policies page lists SMS Child Protection Policy and Procedure and SMS Grievance Policy and Procedure. The Parent Handbook includes guidance on school procedures and grievance handling. The school expects all members to feel safe and to report concerns, with processes described in the policies.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	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.	Facilities overview The Montessori classroom is a prepared environment designed to meet the child's developmental needs. It groups children by ages 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12, with older children guiding younger ones. The materials are hands-on, self-correcting and arranged to invite exploration and independent work, introduced by the Directress in a logical sequence. The environment balances freedom with order and harmony, fostering cheerful order, calm, and purposeful work as a microcosm of society. The prepared environment provides materials and activities suited to the child's intellectual, emotional, physical and social needs at each stage of development.
Sports facilities	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.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities The Montessori classroom provides materials and activities designed to meet the child's intellectual, emotional, physical and social needs at each developmental stage. The Directress introduces these materials in a logical sequence and supports learning as children work independently or in small groups. Materials are multi-sensory, self-correcting and suitable for tasks ranging from simple to complex. The environment is physically and psychologically designed to encourage independent, hands-on learning within a calm, orderly setting.
Extra curricular facilities	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.	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	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.	History SMS is a co-educational, non-denominational school for children aged 0–16. Formerly known as the Sutherland Shire Montessori School. It offers a Pre-School, Long Day Care and Play Group, with Montessori learning across early childhood and primary, and transitions to the International Baccalaureate Diploma in high school. It is registered and accredited by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and meets its syllabuses. Teachers are degree-qualified with Montessori and IB training.
Community	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.	Community The school fosters grace, courtesy and mutual respect, building a strong community where families feel they belong. Parents are warmly encouraged to contribute to the school through various activities. An active Parents & Friends association coordinates social activities across all stages to engage families and support the school. The school values partnerships with families and the wider community.
Parent teacher association	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.	Parent teacher association SMS has a Parents & Friends (P&F) association. Its vision is to foster a generous and welcoming community that participates in inspired, sustainable activities. Its mission is to provide a base that supports and strengthens the school community through a variety of social activities across all stages. P&F coordinates a range of activities to encourage family involvement and engagement with school life. A P&F Manual outlines the governance and guidelines for P&F activities. P&F supports the SMS community through fundraising and events.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	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.	Academic & intellectual The school provides a rigorous academic curriculum as part of the Montessori program. Curriculum areas include English, Mathematics, Practical Life, Science, Gardening, Art, Physical Education, Geography, Culture and Music. These co-curricular areas support independent learning and holistic development. [nsw.edu.au/preschool]
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.	Arts & creative Arts and Music are included in the co-curricular program. Art and Music are taught alongside other subjects to foster creative expression. The Montessori environment emphasizes hands-on, experiential learning in artistic activities. [nsw.edu.au/preschool]
Cultural & language	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.	Cultural & language Geography and Culture are part of the co-curricular areas. Students explore geography and culture through hands-on activities. Montessori methods support cultural awareness and global understanding. [nsw.edu.au/preschool]
Social & hobbies	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.	Social & hobbies Social development is a key focus of the co-curricular program. Children work with peers and engage in group activities to build communication and social skills. These experiences emphasize collaboration, cooperation and respectful interaction. [nsw.edu.au/preschool]
Community & service	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.	Community & service Families are integral to the SMS community, and parent involvement is encouraged. The Parents and Friends association organizes social events and contributes to the SMS community. Parent information evenings and community activities are offered throughout the year. [nsw.edu.au/preschool, sms.nsw.edu.au/pandf, 2019 SMS Parent Handbook]
Leadership & professional	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.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	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.	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical Education is included in the co-curricular areas. Gardening is included as part of the curriculum, offering outdoor activity. Music and Art support creative expression and well-being. Students learn through hands-on activities that promote independence and self-directed learning. [nsw.edu.au/preschool]
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	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.	Language provision English is the language of instruction at Sydney Montessori School. Second language learning is offered from Years 7–10 and is included in Years 11–12 programmes. Current Year 9–10 students have had one year of French and will also study one year of Spanish; Year 11–12 language is proposed to be Spanish, with online language study available through Pamoja (including French, Mandarin and Spanish). The school supports non-English speakers with enrichment program IEPs and TESOL support and maintains a commitment to mother tongue maintenance and multilingualism.
Bilingual teaching	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.	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	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.	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
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.	Accreditations Registered and accredited by BOSTES (NSW Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards). Registered and accredited by NESA (NSW Education Standards Authority) and meets the NSW syllabuses.
Admissions	Admissions
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.	Admissions 1. Entry points for education. SMS has multiple entry points for families to begin their children's education: Montessori First Steps Playgroup (0-3 years), Long Day Montessori (15 months–3 years, 3-6 years), or Stage 1 (3–4 years Preschool and 5 years Kindergarten), Stage 2 and Stage 3 (Primary Years 1–6). The school is a co-educational, non-denominational K-12 school, with a Pre-School, Long Day Care and Play Group, and students may transition to the International Baccalaureate Diploma in High School. 2. Enrolment application and processing. All applications are processed in order of receipt of Enrolment Application form and payment of the Application Fee. Priority is given to families who already have siblings enrolled and do not have outstanding fees; priority is also given to families committed to a Montessori education and to those who have engaged with Playgroup or Long Day Care. 3. Documentation for additional needs. For children with Additional Needs requiring support, SMS gathers information about a student's disability and need for adjustments before an enrolment is confirmed, to enable appropriate planning. Helpful documents may include current school reports, psychologist reports, speech-pathology reports, occupational therapy reports, medical specialist reports, and vision/hearing reports. 4. Outcome and waitlist. If an enrolment is not accepted, SMS does not discuss the reasons. A formal offer of placement is made and should be accepted in writing within two weeks; if the offer is not accepted, the child's name may be returned to the Waitlist. 5. Acceptance conditions and orientation. On acceptance, parents agree to abide by the School's policies and ethos, and the Enrolment Fee for Stage 1–3 must be paid at the time of Acceptance. Where possible, an Orientation Visit for Stage 1 is arranged with the class teacher to familiarise the family with the classroom environment and discuss the child's health and background. 6. Enrollment administration and non-discrimination. The School maintains a School Register and does not discriminate in enrolment policies or procedures on the basis of gender, race, religion or disability.
Scholarships	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.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	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.	Waitlist Waitlist: An enrolment Waitlist is used; if an offer of placement is not accepted, the child's name may be returned to the Waitlist.
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