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German International School Sydney

Australia, Sydney

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, German
Fees A$1,655 - 19,762
Ages 0 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 430
Type Co-educational
Opened 1989
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Australian Curriculum, German Curriculum, IB (DP)
Taught languages German, French, Spanish
Strengths STEM, Languages, Sport
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Cultural and Language, Social and Hobbies
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

German International School Sydney (GISS) is a private, co‑educational day school in Terrey Hills, Sydney, serving children from Preschool to Year 12 (ages 0–18). It offers three curricula: the Australian Curriculum, the German Curriculum, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Years 11–12. The school is Germany‑affiliated and part of the Deutsche Auslandsschule network. A key feature is its intensive language immersion, enabling bilingual English–German proficiency from the start, with no prior German required. The Terrey Hills campus covers about 16,200 square metres across 10 buildings and has Passivhaus classrooms (2018, 2022). Facilities include specialist science, arts and music spaces, an on‑site IB Study Centre, and a central library, plus air conditioning and BYOD from Year 7. Extracurriculars include Extend after‑school care and a GISS Football Academy with Borussia Dortmund; an Exchange Program with Germany; and German language support with CLIL. The school emphasises development and prepares students for life after school.

33 Myoora Rd, Terrey Hills NSW 2084, Australia

The Essentials

German International School Sydney has 430 pupils, instruction in English, German.

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.

Stages
Preschool; Primary School; Junior Secondary; Senior School (IBDP).

Type
Private day school; co-educational; bilingual in English and German; offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in Years 11–12.

Pupil Nationality Mix
440 students; 38 nationalities; 42 languages; about half from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and other countries, and the other half from Australia.

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.

Country affiliation
Germany-affiliated; part of the Deutsche Auslandsschule (German Schools Abroad) network sponsored by ZfA.

Bus service
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.
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
There is no school uniform requirement. Dress code and Sunsmart guidelines apply, including hats for outdoor wear and safety-related clothing rules.

Food Options
After School Care includes afternoon tea. Vacation Care includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.

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.

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.
Fees

Annual tuition at German International School Sydney ranges from AUD 1,655 to AUD 19,762 for 2026/27.

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.)
Academics

German International School Sydney teaches Australian Curriculum, German Curriculum, IB (DP) for students aged 0 to 18.

Curriculum
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).

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.

Higher Education Progression
Graduates continue their academic journeys at universities across Australia and around the world.

Gifted and Talented
GISS Learning Diversity Team includes support for gifted and talented students.
Parent Experience

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.

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.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
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.
Facilities

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.

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.

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.

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 Activities

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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.
Languages

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.

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.

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.
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.

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.

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.
School Events
The school has not added events
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