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Northside Montessori School

Australia, Sydney

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees A$15,986 - 24,950
Ages 1 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 144
Type Co-educational
Opened 1978
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Australian Curriculum, IB (DP)
Taught languages Japanese, French, Mandarin
Strengths STEM, Performing Arts, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Preschool, Primary School, Secondary School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Northside Montessori School is a co-educational independent school in Pymble, NSW, offering authentic Montessori education from Early Learning through Primary and Secondary, alongside the Australian Curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in the senior years. The High School opened in 2022 with Year 7 and will progressively extend to Year 12 by 2027, with Years 7–10 preparing students for NSW RoSA and NSW Education Standards Authority requirements, and Years 11–12 delivering the IB Diploma Programme. Teachers are accredited by NESA and hold Montessori qualifications; senior high school teachers are IB trained. The campus at 42 Bobbin Head Road houses Toddler Community, Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary programs, plus a car park and bus bay; a Multi-Purpose Hall was completed in 2021 for assemblies, performances and activities. Extra-curriculars include Lego Robotics, MMUN, choir, orchestra, dance, Japanese, and on-site music tuition. On-site care and a Careers-related Programme are also offered through the IB framework accordingly.

42 Bobbin Head Road, Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia

The Essentials

Northside Montessori School has 144 pupils, instruction in English.

Location
42 Bobbin Head Road, Pymble, NSW 2073, Australia. The school is in Pymble, a suburb on Sydney's Upper North Shore.

Stages
Toddler to Year 12 (Early Learning to Secondary).

Type
Co-educational; IB World School offering the Diploma Programme (DP) and is a Diploma Programme Candidate School.

Country affiliation
Australia
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The Northside Montessori Society is a non-profit company, limited by guarantee. It is governed by a Board of non-paid directors who are accountable to the members and to all stakeholders. Their actions are governed by the Society's Constitution and the Corporations Act.
Fees

Annual tuition at Northside Montessori School ranges from AUD 15,986 to AUD 24,950 for 2026/27.

Application & Placement Fees
- Application Fee: AUD 165 (non-refundable).
- Placement Fee: AUD 1,600, payable on acceptance of an offer of placement (non-refundable and non-transferrable).

Tuition fees by year group (annual and per-term amounts)
- Preschool (3–4 year olds, Monday–Friday 8:30am–11:45am): Annual tuition AUD 15,986; per term (annual ÷ 4) AUD 3,996.50. Annual levy AUD 1,458; per term AUD 364.50. Montessori Home Environment (11:45am–2:45pm) is charged at AUD 28 per day (charged separately).

- Kindergarten: Annual tuition AUD 15,986; per term AUD 3,996.50. Annual levy AUD 1,831; per term AUD 457.75.

- Years 1–6 (Primary): Annual tuition AUD 15,986; per term AUD 3,996.50. Annual levy AUD 2,035; per term AUD 508.75.

- Years 7–10 (High School): Annual tuition AUD 18,427; per term AUD 4,606.75. Annual levy AUD 3,165; per term AUD 791.25.

- Year 11 (International Baccalaureate): Annual tuition AUD 24,950; per term AUD 6,237.50. (No separate annual levy amount is listed for Year 11 in the published fee schedule.)

- Year 12: No specific annual tuition or levy is listed for Year 12 in the 2026 fee schedule.

Notes on what school fees and levies cover: School fees and levies include text resources, sporting activities (including swimming lessons), excursions and incursions, camps and overseas trips, a school-provided laptop and classroom desktops, student insurance and general classroom resources and equipment.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fees are billed in November for the following calendar/school year (billed annually). Payment is by ten (10) monthly direct debit instalments (February to November), processed from a nominated bank account on the 5th of each month. Fees unpaid by the due date attract an administration charge of AUD 25 per week overdue. Fees and levies are payable for the whole year of enrolment; no deduction is made for non-attendance. Credits for completed School Support Hours are recognised at the end of each term and applied to the next monthly direct debit instalment. OOSH and Montessori Home Environment (MHE) are billed at the end of each term and added to the next monthly instalment; Vacation Care fees are payable when the booking is made.

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not listed as a provision; no boarding fees are published in the school's fee schedule. The school operates day programs and offers Out of School Hours Care (OOSH), Vacation Care and Montessori Home Environment.

Other costs and recurring charges
- Northside Montessori Society Membership Fee: AUD 65 per family.
- Fundraising raffle: AUD 300 (recoverable if raffle tickets are on-sold).
- School Support Hours Program: AUD 800 (recoverable on completing the program; credits applied as described above).
- Building Fund donations (voluntary, tax-deductible in Australia for donations of AUD 2 or more): suggested amount of AUD 100 per monthly instalment. Annual receipts issued in July.
- Out of School Hours and related daily/session charges (additional to tuition):
- Before School Care (BSC): AUD 12 per day.
- After School Care (ASC): AUD 32 per day. Late pick-up fee: AUD 10 per each 5 minutes or part thereof after 6:00pm.
- Vacation Care: AUD 75 per day; Vacation Care with incursion AUD 95 per day.
- Montessori Home Environment (MHE) for 3–4 year olds: AUD 28 per day (11:45am–2:45pm).
- Toddler Program (walking to 36 months) and Toddler & Transition Program fees (term-based) are published for infant programs (examples from the infant program listing: AUD 360 per 10-week term; AUD 380 per 10-week term for certain sessions). These additional program charges are billed separately as described above.
- Co-curricular activities (music, sport, languages, robotics, etc.) are charged in addition and are paid directly to the activity provider.

Sibling discounts
- Sibling discounts apply to school tuition fees only and are allocated to the oldest child in the family (not available for siblings enrolled in the Infant Community Program). The published discounts are: 2nd child 25% of school fees; 3rd child 50% of school fees; 4th child 75% of school fees; 5th and subsequent child 100% of school fees.

Refunds, cancellation and withdrawal terms
- Application Fee: non-refundable. Placement Fee: non-refundable and non-transferrable.
- Withdrawal notice: withdrawal of a student requires at least one (1) full term's written notice to the Principal to expire at the end of a term. If the required notice is not given, one (1) school full term's fee is payable in lieu of the required notice. For a student leaving at the end of Year 6, an extended notice period of at least three (3) full terms' notice is required (to be given by the end of Term 1); failure to provide the required notice will similarly attract one term's fee in lieu. Credits for completed School Support Hours are applied to the next instalment as described above.

Fee payment methods and processing
- Regular tuition and levies are collected by ten (10) monthly direct debit instalments from a nominated bank account (processed on the 5th of each month, February–November). OOSH and MHE are billed at the end of each term and added to the next monthly direct debit instalment; Vacation Care fees are payable at the time of booking. No other specific payment methods (credit card, BPAY, bank transfer) are listed in the published fee schedule.
Academics

Northside Montessori School teaches Australian Curriculum, IB (DP) for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum
Authentic Montessori education across Early Learning, Primary and Secondary. The High School commenced in 2022 with Year 7 and will continue to add years up to Year 12 by 2027. Years 7–10 work toward the NSW RoSA, with all coursework meeting NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requirements. For Years 11–12, the school is NESA registered and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. Our teachers are accredited with NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) and have Montessori qualifications, and our senior high school teachers are IB trained.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The Montessori classroom is a non-competitive environment where students strive to reach their personal best and help peers to do the same. The approach places the student at the centre of learning, with lessons conducted one-on-one or in small groups. Work follows the individual, nurturing their interests and designing tasks to meet each student's needs. Concepts are introduced through concrete materials and hands-on exploration, building practical skills and confidence. Multi-age classrooms allow younger students to learn from older peers, who model positive behaviour and collaboration, supporting social development. The program fosters mental and emotional growth as well as independence and a love of learning.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported as part of the school community, including events such as RU OK? Day (observed on September 10, 2026) to promote student and community wellbeing.

Safeguarding
The school has a Child Protection policy, and publishes Anti-Bullying, Complaints and Grievances, Discipline, Whistleblower and Privacy policies to safeguard students.
Parent Experience

History
Northside Montessori School began in 1978 when the founding parents, unable to find a local Montessori school for their own children, were encouraged to start their own. With the formation of the Northside Montessori Society, premises were purchased at 196 Bobbin Head Road and two Pre-Primary classes commenced at Stepping Stones. The first Primary classes began in 1980, with the full Primary program offered in 1985. Sound financial management and strong community support enabled capital expansion, including relocating the Primary program to 42-44 Bobbin Head Road in 1987 and expanding the Pre-Primary to 198 Bobbin Head Road in 1988. The campus grew further with new buildings, a car park, a bus bay, and, in 2021, a Multi-Purpose Hall, and the Secondary Program commenced in 2022.

Community
Northside Montessori School views education as a partnership with families; the parent community is vibrant and active. Parents engage formally and informally and connect through social events organized by the school, the Parent and Community Committee (P&C), and individual parents. Key annual highlights include the Welcome Event, Movie Night, a Halloween camping trip to Umina, and quarterly Music Soirées. The community also participates in partnerships and alumni engagement.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The school has a Parent and Community Committee (P&C) that partners with families to engage in school life. The P&C coordinates parent involvement through a range of activities and events each year. There are numerous opportunities for parent and caregiver engagement, including formal and informal participation. Annual events organized with P&C involvement include the Welcome Event, Movie Night, Halloween camping trip to Umina, and quarterly Music Soirées. The school maintains a Giving Program to support key areas and development projects. An Alumni Network is available for former students and families to stay connected.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus is located at 42 Bobbin Head Road, Pymble, NSW 2073 and houses the Toddler Community, Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary programs. Additional campus buildings have been added over time and there is a car park with a bus bay to support transport. A Multi-Purpose Hall space was completed in 2021 to provide a shared indoor space for assemblies, performances and activities. Out of School Hours and Vacation Care operate on site for Pre-Primary and Primary students. The school is an IB World School offering the Diploma Program and a Careers-related Program and classrooms are furnished with Montessori materials to support self directed learning.

Academic Facilities
Classrooms are rich in learning opportunities for self discovery with specially designed Montessori materials. Our teachers are accredited with NSW Education Standards Authority and have Montessori qualifications. Senior high school teachers are IB trained. The school delivers authentic Montessori education across Early Learning, Primary and Secondary. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is offered in the senior years.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Extra-curricular activities include Origami, Tae-kwon-do, Lego Robotics, Choir, Orchestra, Band, Soccer, Chess and Dance, and languages such as Japanese. Music tutors on site provide tuition in guitar, brass (trumpet, euphonium & trombone), flute, clarinet and piano before, after school or during the day. The Montessori Model United Nations program engages upper primary and secondary students, with trips to New York or Italy for MMUN events. MMUN activities foster research, formal writing and public speaking and negotiation skills in an international setting.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) is offered for Upper Primary and Secondary students to develop research, formal writing, public speaking and negotiation skills in an international context, and Lego Robotics is available as an extra-curricular activity.

Arts & Creative
Choir, Orchestra, Band and Dance are offered, and Origami is provided as a craft activity.

Cultural & Language
Languages such as Japanese are offered as part of the extra-curricular program.

Social & Hobbies
Soccer, Chess and Tae-kwon-do are offered as after-school activities.

Leadership & Professional
MMUN provides opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, research, public speaking and negotiation skills through international conferences.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
On-site music tutors provide tuition in guitar, brass, flute, clarinet and piano, with sessions available before or after school or during the day.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Enquire: Prospective families use the enquiry form to request further information about enrolling with Northside Montessori School and to speak with the Enrolments Registrar (EI). This step initiates the enrolment process and helps families understand how their child can flourish within the Montessori program. The Registrar provides information to guide the next steps. The enquiry does not commit the family to enrolment.

2. Book a Tour: Northside Montessori School invites families to visit so they can see the campus in action and learn about the Montessori approach. It is an opportunity to explore the school, meet students and staff, and ask questions about how the program supports a love of learning. The visit helps families decide if the school is the right fit.

3. Apply: Applications for entry are made online and are a pre-requisite for enrolment but do not guarantee a place. A non-refundable Application Fee per child is payable at the time of application, and payments are made via the secure system. The school gives preference to siblings of current students, children transferring from other Montessori schools, and to children currently enrolled in the Montessori Toddler program; application date and balance of ages and genders in multi-age classes are considered.

4. Interview with the Principal: If suitable, the school contacts families to arrange an interview with the Principal. The interview provides an opportunity to discuss expected Montessori outcomes and the family's understanding of the Montessori approach. All enrolments are subject to the outcome of the enrolment interview.

5. Acceptance and Attend Orientation Day: Following a successful interview, an enrolment offer is made and a non-refundable Placement Fee is payable upon acceptance. Before starting, families receive an invitation to attend an orientation in the classroom and meet the teacher. Parents must keep their address and contact details current; if the school cannot contact them and there is no response, the enrolment may be cancelled.

Scholarships
Bursaries and financial support: Northside Montessori School provides bursaries to families in necessitous circumstances. This assistance applies to tuition fees only; levies and other charges must be paid in full. Bursary decisions are made by the Bursary Committee, and the Principal may grant a fee discount or waiver up to half a year's full tuition for one student; greater relief requires Board approval. All bursary applications are confidential and awarded based on means testing and commitment to Montessori education, with annual review. Further details can be found in the Bursary Policy.

Waitlist
Waitlist: If you wish to defer the entry date to a date later than the initial accepted date, the School will advise whether it is able to agree to this. If the School is unable to agree, the student's date of application will be amended to the date the deferment was requested. The student will then be placed on a waiting list for the new requested date; however, enrolment cannot be guaranteed.
School Events
The school has not added events
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