Red Hill Primary School vs Telopea Park School - Lycee Franco-Australien de Canberra

	R Red Hill Primary School Canberra, Australia	T Telopea Park School - Lycee Franco-Australien de Canberra Canberra, Australia
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year A$4,200 - 11,100	Fees / year A$265 - 16,200
Age range	Age range 3 - 12 years	Age range 5 - 16 years
Type	Type Co-educational	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum IB (PYP), Australian Curriculum	Curriculum Australian Curriculum, IB (MYP), French Curriculum
Pupils	Pupils 750	Pupils 1,601
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English	Instruction language English, French
Opened	Opened 1960	Opened 1923
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Astrolabe Street, Red Hill ACT 2603, Australia. The school is located in the inner south of Canberra. Walking or riding to school is the preferred travel option. Transport Canberra provides a connected network of bus and light rail services for travel to and from schools.	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	Stages Preschool to Year 6. The preschool operates two units on the school campus: Red Hill Preschool Unit on the Red Hill School Campus and Griffith Preschool Unit in Bannister Gardens, Griffith. Primary runs from Kindergarten to Year 6 and the school offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.	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.
School type	School type Co-educational primary school.	School type Public binational school (France–Australia)
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support Adjustments for students with disability include providing extra visual cues and information, breaking down tasks, additional practice, changes to the environment, and access to quiet spaces to support regulation.	Additional learning support Student Welfare and Student Support are provided.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Australia	Country affiliation France and Australia (binational)
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation —	Religious affiliation —
School day structure	School day structure —	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 details	Bus service details —	Bus service details Bus service is operated by the Parents and Citizens Association (P&C).
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - For families who are Australian citizens or permanent residents there is no application or tuition charge to enrol a child at this ACT public primary school. - For temporary-visa holders or full-fee international students an application charge and an international tuition charge apply under the ACT international/temporary-resident arrangements; an application fee is commonly charged as part of the international enrolment process. Typical ACT international-program figures reported for the 2026 school year include an application charge and annual tuition levels for preschool and primary; these international tuition fees are billed on a term-by-term basis as part of the international enrolment process. Tuition and contribution fees by year group (per year and per term) - Domestic students (Australian citizens and permanent residents): No tuition fee. Families may be invited to pay voluntary contributions to support school resources and programs; these contributions are voluntary and do not affect a child's access to education or school services. - Preschool (Red Hill Preschool): A parental voluntary contribution is in place and is currently set at AUD 150 per year. Payment and discount options are offered for this contribution. Excursions, specialist programs and class photos may incur additional optional charges. (Preschool sessions are part of the Red Hill preschool program and operate under the ACT preschool arrangements.) - Kindergarten to Year 6 (Primary): No compulsory tuition for domestic students; the school requests voluntary financial contributions for P–6 but does not publish a single standard fee figure for all primary year groups on the published contribution page. Incursions, excursions, camps (where offered for older primary year levels), instrument lessons, specialist programs and other optional activities are charged separately when they occur. Parents are billed for such optional activities on a case-by-case basis. - International / temporary-visa students (fee-paying): Reported ACT international tuition benchmarks for the 2026 year (when children are enrolled as fee-paying international students or when temporary-resident rules require tuition) are in the following ranges per child per year; these international tuition figures are typically invoiced per term (the annual fee divided across the school terms): - Preschool: AUD 4,200 per year (reported benchmark). - Primary (K–6): AUD 11,100 per year (approx. AUD 2,775 per term if divided evenly across four terms). - Junior secondary and senior secondary have higher published benchmarks for the international program; primary and preschool benchmarks are shown here for context. These international tuition rates are subject to the Education Directorate's international-student schedules, and the international enrolment process includes an application charge. Families on some visa subclasses may apply for waivers or exemptions under ACT rules. Billing schedule and payment terms - Voluntary contributions for preschool may be paid in full or by instalments; the preschool material notes that discount and payment options are available and that voluntary contributions are confidential. Similar voluntary-contribution billing for primary (K–6) is managed by the school and school board; contributions are normally invoiced as an annual request and may be accepted in instalments where offered. - Optional program charges (excursions, camps, specialist programs, instrument lessons, photos) are billed separately as required and must be paid according to the payment terms on each activity notice. Excursion/incursion permission notes normally accompany any request for payment. - International / temporary-visa tuition is normally invoiced on a per-term basis (the annual tuition split across terms) and must be paid according to the Education Directorate's international-student enrolment and billing procedures; application fees for international enrolment are generally payable at the time of application or acceptance. Boarding fees - Not applicable. Red Hill is a day primary school (preschool to Year 6); there are no boarding facilities or boarding fees. Other costs and routine charges - Uniform: School uniform items are sold through the school P&C-operated uniform shop and are available to order online through the Flexischools platform. Second‑hand uniforms are sold periodically; a small supply of second‑hand items is held for families in financial difficulty. Parents should allow a budget for required uniform items (prices vary by item and purchase method). - Book packs / stationery: Year-level book pack and stationery lists are published for each year (Preschool through Year 6). These book-pack lists set out the required stationery items and any pre-packed pack options; costs for book packs depend on the supplier and pack option chosen. Parents normally purchase required items or order the school's recommended pack. - Canteen and event payments: The school uses an online payments and ordering platform (Flexischools) for canteen and uniform shop orders; canteen purchases and event tickets are paid through that platform where offered. Additional fundraising, P&C activities and voluntary donations to P&C fundraising are separate to school contribution charges. - Optional activities: Specialist music programs, instrument hire/lessons, camps (for older primary year levels where applicable), excursions and class photos are additional and charged separately; these appear as individual notices and invoices when scheduled. Refund information - No dedicated refund schedule for voluntary contributions or routine school levies is published on the school's contribution pages or in the preschool handbook. Refunds for optional activities (for example, an excursion that is cancelled or a paid activity not taken) are handled according to the terms of the specific activity and the Education Directorate's international-student rules where international tuition or program charges are involved. International-student enrolments and fee refunds are also subject to the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) framework and the provider's international-program refund procedures. Fee payment options (accepted methods) - Online school ordering/payment platform: Flexischools is used for uniform and canteen payments and for many event payments; Flexischools accepts card payments (Visa/Mastercard) through its platform. - International payments: Where families pay international tuition from overseas, payments are accepted in Australian dollars by electronic funds transfer/telegraphic transfer and other bank payment methods as required by the Education Directorate's international-student procedures. Credit‑card payments and bank cheques/bank drafts are commonly used for international and interstate payments in the ACT international enrolment system. - Local payment handling for voluntary contributions and activity charges is managed by the school and P&C (payment methods offered can include online card payments via Flexischools or school-managed EFT/bank transfer and instalment arrangements where available); preschool materials specifically note discount and payment options. Exact accepted payment channels for any particular charge will be listed on the school invoice or event notice. Summary of items not published as fixed figures on the school's materials - The school publishes book-pack lists, uniform ordering arrangements and a preschool voluntary contribution amount (AUD 150 per year). The school's primary (K–6) voluntary contribution page does not publish a single fixed dollar figure for the family contribution request; newsletters and notices reference the contribution code but do not publish the K–6 contribution amount. Information on international/temporary‑resident tuition levels is set by the ACT Education Directorate; reported 2026 benchmark international tuition figures (for fee‑paying students or temporary‑resident tuition cases) are available through the Directorate's international‑student channels and compiled reference pages, and those international tuition amounts are billed per term. Parents requiring exact, current dollar figures for K–6 voluntary contribution requests or for international tuition and application fees should obtain the school or Directorate statement of fees for the specific enrolment category.	Fee details 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.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement Uniforms are strongly encouraged. The colours are green and gold. The Uniform Shop is operated by the P&C Association with online ordering via Flexischools; uniform orders placed by 3:40pm on Wednesdays are delivered to the classroom by Friday.	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options Canteen operates as a Fresh Tastes school with Healthy Kids Association; it runs Tuesday to Friday for lunch orders and counter sales, with orders placed online via Flexischools; the canteen is operated by Woden Community Services under the Social Enterprise Program.	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership The school is part of the ACT public education system and is governed by a School Board.	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Red Hill Primary School offers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) from preschool to year 6, delivered through a transdisciplinary Programme of Inquiry. English is taught within the PYP framework, aligning Australian Curriculum requirements and focusing on Language, Literature, and Literacy. The school uses Reader's and Writer's Workshop and Daily 5 routines to support reading and writing, with six reading areas: oral language, phonological awareness, letter-sound knowledge, vocabulary, fluency and comprehension. Arts, including dance, drama, music and visual art, are integral to the IB PYP and are taught through units of inquiry. The curriculum is inquiry-based and designed to connect learning across subjects while aligning with the Australian Curriculum where relevant.	Curriculum details 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	Student teacher ratio —	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	Exam results —	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.
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented Gifted and Talented Program: Red Hill School recognises the unique educational needs of gifted and talented students and has developed a policy detailing nomination, identification and support processes for these students.	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.
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning Positive Education at Red Hill Primary School links academic learning with wellbeing and resilience. The school uses Restorative and Relational Practices to create a safe and supportive learning environment, supported by a Relational Policy and Procedures. Mindfulness is practised daily as part of wellbeing routines.	Social & emotional learning 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)	Special educational needs (SEN) Students with disability are supported with adjustments to access learning. Adjustments include providing extra visual cues and information, breaking down tasks, providing more practice, checking for understanding, changes to the environment, alternative ways to communicate, addressing sensory needs, and access to quiet spaces to assist with regulation. These adjustments may be made in smaller groups and may involve additional educators.	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	English as an additional language English is the language of instruction and is taught through a balanced approach that covers the Australian Curriculum English standards. Specialist teachers deliver French and Mandarin, with younger students studying French and older students studying Mandarin. The school provides opportunities to learn two UN official languages, with continuing French classes, a lunchtime French club, and after‑school French and Mandarin classes offered by the ACT Community Language Schools Association. The school also supports English as an Additional Language/Dialect (EAL/D) learners with targeted instruction in vocabulary, grammar and spelling, and EAL/D progress is formally moderated twice a year to determine funding needs.	English as an additional language 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	Mental wellbeing Mindfulness and wellbeing practices are integrated into the daily routine as part of the school's wellbeing framework. Positive Education also emphasizes four domains—Relationships, Health, Purpose, and Strengths—to support students' social and emotional development and resilience. The school uses restorative and relational practices to foster wellbeing and supportive peer relationships.	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 The school is committed to keeping children safe and has adopted the 10 ACT Child Safe Standards to strengthen safeguarding practices. Keeping students safe online is addressed through ACT Education Directorate webinars and online safety resources. Personal electronic device, photo and video restrictions on preschool grounds are in place to protect student privacy and safety.	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.
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview Red Hill Primary School features a library hall that doubles as a sports centre and is equipped with ICT facilities. Additional refurbishments introduced new classrooms and specialist teaching areas and upgraded playgrounds. Specialist French, physical education, arts and library programs are taught. The school has sick bay facilities. The school offers before- and after-school care, a holiday program and an after-school activities private tutor program.	Facilities overview The Front Office is near the NSW Crescent entrance, and a Kindergarten Gate provides access to the Kindergarten area. A meeting area for Years 1–6 is in the Primary Quad, and a Year 7 meeting area is in the Secondary Quad near double doors. The Primary Library supports student learning. The canteen is run by the Parents' Association. Since 2018, Chromebooks are provided to Years 7–11 for use in class and at home, with new Year 7–10 students receiving Chromebooks at the start of Term 1 after signed permission forms.
Sports facilities	Sports facilities Library hall/sports centre provides indoor space for physical activities and events. Outdoor spaces include upgraded playground areas for active play.	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities The school has a library hall, ICT facilities, new classrooms and specialist teaching areas; specialist French, physical education, arts and library programs are taught.	Academic facilities The school has a bilingual education program. In Kindergarten to Year 2, French is taught for four days per week and English for one day (80:20). From Year 3 to Year 6, instruction is 50:50 English/French. The bilingual program includes up to three hours per week of bilingual periods where French and Australian teachers work with each class to operate in both languages; Kindergarten and Year 1 have three hours and Years 2 to 4 have one hour per week. By Year 6, students are bilingual at an age-appropriate level.
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities Before- and after-school care, a holiday program and an after-school activities private tutor program.	Extra curricular facilities After School Care is available and is run by the Parents' Association. The site also features extracurricular activities organized through the school community, with information linked to the Parents' Association site for details.
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History Opened in 1923, Telopea Park School is Canberra's oldest school still in operation. The school has more than 1,550 students, with around 600 in primary and over 950 in secondary. Since 1983, it has operated as a bi-national bilingual school under a bi-national agreement and is a member of the AEFE network. The secondary program is an IB Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) school since 2006, with the French Brevet in Year 9 and the French Baccalauréat in Year 12 through its relationship with Narrabundah College.
Community	Community The school creates partnerships with parents and the community that assist students to be active, compassionate lifelong learners who are internationally minded global citizens. The IB mission focuses on developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better world through intercultural understanding and respect. The school teaches the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) from preschool to year 6. The school is located in the inner south of Canberra.	Community Alumni are part of the school's community. The School Board oversees governance. The school publishes the Telopea Topics E-Newsletter. A Senior Campus expansion project is underway.
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association The school has a Parents and Citizens Association. The PCA provides opportunities for parent involvement in the life of the school. The school has a School Board. The PCA and School Board are part of the school's governance structures. The PCA supports ways for parents to engage with staff and students. The school encourages ongoing involvement of parents through the PCA.	Parent teacher association The Parents & Citizens Association exists; all parents and carers are members.
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual The school delivers the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) for children aged 3–12. The PYP is an inquiry‑based, transdisciplinary framework that builds conceptual understanding through six units of inquiry each year: Sharing the planet; Who we are; Where we are in place and time; How we organize ourselves; How the world works; How we express ourselves. The program emphasizes student agency and the development of an IB Learner Profile. The curriculum integrates language, mathematics, science, social studies, technology, the arts, and personal, social and physical education.	Academic & intellectual IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) is offered in the secondary years. Gifted & Talented Education K-10 provides differentiated tasks and a Gifted Individualised Learning Plan (GILP) for students with exceptional abilities. The school operates a bilingual program that supports bilingual learning within the curriculum, with four days of French and one day of English for Kindergarten to Year 2 (80:20), moving to 50:50 English/French from Year 3 to Year 6, and up to three hours of bilingual periods per week.
Arts & creative	Arts & creative Arts are integral to the IB Primary Years Programme. Students experience a broad range of visual arts and performances, including architecture, ceramics, painting, photography, and more. West African percussion and dance programs (West African Percussion, Wassa Wassa, West African Dance) are offered, with high engagement in performances; The IMPACT Instrumental Music Program provides year 5 and year 6 bands with regular rehearsals and opportunities to perform at school assemblies and community events, including Bandstrav.	Arts & creative The school hosts music-related events such as the Primary Disco and the Fête de la Musique. The Telopea Park School choir has performed the Francophonie anthem. There are after-school music opportunities through ACTAM.
Cultural & language	Cultural & language French and Mandarin are offered as the Language Other Than English (LOTE). The language program emphasizes intercultural understanding and global citizenship, with face‑to‑face authentic learning experiences connected to PYP units. The communicative approach covers language achievement standards, and EAL/D families are valued and supported to maintain languages, with Harmony Day used to share stories and cultures.	Cultural & language The school runs a bilingual English–French program integrated into the curriculum. In Kindergarten to Year 2, four days are taught in French and one day in English (80:20). From Year 3 to Year 6, instruction is 50:50 English/French, with up to three hours per week of bilingual periods.
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies The school offers extensive extracurricular arts activities, including West African percussion and dance ensembles. The Wassa Wassa ensemble is audition‑based for year 5 and involves a two‑year commitment, performing traditional rhythms with singing and dancing. IMPACT Band Program runs year 5 and year 6 bands with regular rehearsals; bands perform at school assemblies, music evenings, and events such as Bandstrav at Llewelyn Hall, providing many performance opportunities for students.	Social & hobbies After-school arrangements include After School Care, arranged by parents, and students may travel home by bus, on foot, or by bicycle. Primary students are expected to be collected by 3:30pm.
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service The school has a P&C (Parents and Citizens) association, an Alumni network, and a School Board. The Telopea Topics E-Newsletter is circulated for the community.
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional The principal, PYP Coordinator and staff undertake IB workshops and a range of professional development as part of IB accreditation requirements, reflecting a commitment to ongoing leadership and professional growth.	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing Physical Education is taught weekly by a specialist PE teacher, with lessons designed to improve fundamental motor skills and promote a long‑term healthy lifestyle. The program includes movement learning across contexts and offers sporting clinics, a learn‑to‑swim program, cross country and athletics carnivals, and inter‑school competitions. Our Community section provides Before and After School Care and a School Holiday Program via Woden Community Service, with additional after‑school activities offered by external providers.	Lifestyle & wellbeing The school uses Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL) to support student welfare and foster a positive school environment.
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision French and Mandarin are studied as additional languages. The language programme uses a communicative approach to meet the French language achievement standards and includes cultural understandings. EAL/D learners are valued and supported, with active involvement of families in language learning. The school promotes multilingual education to foster fluency in mother tongues and English and intercultural understanding.	Language provision Languages taught are English and French. The bilingual program develops French language skills within an English-speaking community, with a heavy emphasis on French in the early years and a balanced English–French curriculum from Year 3 to Year 6.
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching The school offers a bilingual program in English and French. In Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2, four days are taught in French and one day in English (80:20). From Year 3 to Year 6, instruction is 50:50 English and French. By Year 6, students are bilingual at an age-appropriate level.
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs Bilingual periods involve French and Australian teachers working together with each class, and students are expected to operate in both languages. Kindergarten and Year 1 have three hours per week of bilingual periods, while Years 2 to 4 have one hour per week.
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) accreditation; first government IB World School in the ACT and NSW implementing the Primary Years Programme; accepted 20 October 2006.	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions The school has enrolments from students living in its Priority Enrolment Area and enrolment is processed through the Education Directorate's online enrolment application.	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. []
Scholarships	Scholarships —	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist —	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. []
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