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Sydney Japanese International School

Australia, Sydney

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English, Japanese
Fees A$15,500 - 16,300
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 216
Type Co-educational
Opened 1969
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Australian Curriculum, Japanese Curriculum
Taught languages Japanese, English
Strengths Languages, Visual and Creative Arts, Sport
Clubs Cultural and Language, Arts and Creative, Social and Hobbies
Stages Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Secondary School
Introduction

Sydney Japanese International School operates on a single Terrey Hills campus with two divisions. The International Division follows the New South Wales curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 6 and provides daily Japanese language lessons, while the Japanese Division follows the Japanese curriculum for Years 1 to 9 with daily English lessons. The two divisions share facilities and collaborate on visual arts, physical education, music and ICT to support bilingual learning. Language programs include five 45‑minute classes per week taught by native speakers, fostering proficiency in both Japanese and English. The school emphasizes immersion and cross‑cultural language development across both divisions. Facilities include large air‑conditioned classrooms with interactive whiteboards, science laboratories, a dedicated computer room, two art rooms, a music room and a food technology room, plus a library with over 20,000 Japanese and English titles and field facilities for sport. After‑school activities cover Karate, Sado, Gakken, Cheerleading, Multi‑Sports, Guitar, SoroTouch, Soccer, Badminton and Otanoshimi. Established in 1969, the school celebrated 50 years in 2019.

The Essentials

Sydney Japanese International School has 216 pupils, instruction in English, Japanese.

Location

112 Booralie Road, Terrey Hills, NSW 2084, Australia. Terrey Hills is on Sydney's Northern Beaches. The campus sits on beautifully maintained 5.7-hectare grounds and offers comprehensive bus services.

Stages

Kindergarten to Year 6 (NSW curriculum) and Year 1 to Year 9 (Japanese curriculum).

Type

The school is non-denominational independent co-educational private school.

Additional learning support

Learning Support.

Country affiliation

Australia and Japan.

Religious affiliation

Non-denominational.

Bus service

Comprehensive bus services.

Fees

Annual tuition at Sydney Japanese International School ranges from AUD 15,500 to AUD 16,300 for 2026/27.

Application & enrolment fees

- Application fee (non‑refundable): USD 220.
- Enrolment fee (non‑refundable): USD 1,500.
- Bond (refunded when the child departs the school): USD 1,500.

Tuition fees — annual and per term (by year group)

- Kindergarten: Annual tuition USD 14,480. Per term USD 3,620 (annual ÷ 4 terms; SJIS operates a four‑term school year).
- Years 1–9: Annual tuition USD 15,280. Per term USD 3,820 (annual ÷ 4 terms; SJIS operates a four‑term school year).
- Students not eligible for recurrent government funding (e.g., certain visa categories): Annual full tuition USD 28,000. Per term USD 7,000 (annual ÷ 4 terms).

Sibling discount

- A 10% discount on tuition fees is applied from the second child for families with two or more children enrolled.

Voluntary contributions and levies

- Voluntary building fund contribution (tax‑deductible if paid): USD 500 per year; this may be paid quarterly with tuition.
- Voluntary library fund contribution (tax‑deductible if paid): USD 200 per year; this may be paid quarterly with tuition.
- Technology levy: USD 280 per annum, charged as USD 70 per term to cover school technology (Chromebook/iPad use).

Other regular fees and typical additional costs

- PTA membership fee: USD 40 per family per year.
- Educational expenses such as textbooks, test fees, excursion/activity fees and some bus fees may be charged in addition to tuition; amounts vary and may be collected with tuition invoices.
- School bus service and some co‑curricular activities may carry extra charges billed separately.

Uniform costs (typical item prices)

- Uniform items (except shoes and socks) are sold at the school uniform shop. Representative prices (primary & high school examples):
- Short sleeve shirt: USD 28.00.
- Long sleeve shirt: USD 30–32.
- Long pants: USD 38–44.
- PE polo shirt: USD 38–40.
- School bag: USD 84.00.
- Grey blazer (high school): approximately USD 215–222.
- Summer dress / tunic (primary/girls): USD 70–72.
- Uniform shop business hours: weekdays 8:30 am–4:00 pm; socks/shoes may be purchased elsewhere.

Boarding fees

- Boarding fees: Not applicable. Sydney Japanese International School is a day school; there is no boarding provision.

Refund information

- Application fee: non‑refundable.
- Enrolment fee: non‑refundable.
- Bond: refunded when the child departs the school.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Voluntary contributions may be paid quarterly alongside tuition. The technology levy is stated as USD 70 per term. Per‑term tuition figures above are presented by dividing the published annual tuition by four because SJIS operates a four‑term school year.

Accepted payment methods and payment details

- Accepted payment methods: bank transfer or credit card (Visa and Mastercard). A small handling fee applies to credit card payments.

Summary of key numeric fees (quick reference)

- Application fee: USD 220.
- Enrolment fee: USD 1,500. Bond: USD 1,500 (refundable on departure).
- Kindergarten tuition: USD 14,480 per year (USD 3,620 per term).
- Years 1–9 tuition: USD 15,280 per year (USD 3,820 per term).
- Overseas/full‑fee students: USD 28,000 per year (USD 7,000 per term).
- Technology levy: USD 280 per year (USD 70 per term). Voluntary building fund: USD 500 p.a.; library fund: USD 200 p.a.; PTA fee: USD 40 p.a.
Academics

Sydney Japanese International School teaches Australian Curriculum, Japanese Curriculum.

Curriculum

Two divisions share a single campus. The International Division offers the New South Wales curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 6, with daily Japanese language lessons. The Japanese Division offers the Japanese curriculum from Year 1 to Year 9, complemented by daily English language lessons. The NSW and Japanese divisions collaborate on lessons in visual arts, physical education, music and ICT to support bilingual learning. Language programs include five 45-minute language classes per week taught by native speakers, focusing on both Japanese and English. The school emphasizes immersion and cross-cultural language development across both divisions.

Student Teacher Ratio

There were 222 students across both divisions and 21 teachers (excluding the Japanese Division). This yields an approximate student-to-teacher ratio of 10.6:1.

Exam Results

NAPLAN results for Years 3 and 5 in 2023 show strong performance across domains: Reading Exceeding 15.5%, Strong 69%, Developing 15.5%, and no students requiring additional support; Numeracy Exceeding 45%, Strong 41%, Developing 14%, no students requiring additional support; Writing Exceeding 13%, Strong 82%, Developing 5%, no students requiring additional support; Conventions of Language Exceeding 24%, Strong 69%, Developing 7%, no students requiring additional support; Spelling Exceeding 22%, Strong 73%, Developing 5%, no students requiring additional support. Japanese Division join the International Division cohort to complete NAPLAN. The report notes zero students require additional support.

Higher Education Progression

High school destinations include NBSC Manly Campus, Killara High School, Chatswood High School, Riverside Girls' High School, Barrenjoey High School, Ku-ringai High School, All Saints Grammar School, Davidson High School and Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School.

Gifted and Talented

The Strategic Plan 2023–2027 includes staff training in gifted education (Mini COGE) and enrichment lessons for the International Division.

Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Wellbeing programs place student welfare at the forefront, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment that enhances achievement, happiness, and belonging. Mindfulness and resilience are prioritised, and school values such as Respect, Courtesy and Honesty are embedded across wellbeing initiatives. The Resilience Project teaches gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness to build students' mental and emotional resilience.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

The school has a comprehensive Learning Support program with targeted, personalised support delivered by a qualified specialist to help all students reach their full potential. A fully qualified learning support teacher uses evidence‑based programs such as MultiLit, with teacher aides assisting in the classroom.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)

A dedicated EAL/D program supports students arriving from non‑English‑speaking backgrounds, delivered by a specialist. Students undergo initial assessment and participate in small‑group lessons in an EAL/D classroom with a bilingual support assistant, with additional English language learning integrated as needed.

Mental Wellbeing

Wellbeing includes The Resilience Project (embedded in the International Division curriculum), focusing on gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness to develop mental and emotional resilience. A school counsellor provides emotional support, available in English and Japanese.

Safeguarding

SJIS has a Student Welfare and Child Protection policy setting out staff duties for the care and protection of children, including mandatory reporting of concerns to the Principal or Head of Division. The policy references three NSW child protection Acts and requires Working With Children Checks (WWCC) and staff training; procedures cover on‑ and off‑site activities and reporting pathways.

Admissions

Admissions

1. Book a tour or information session to learn about SJIS. Tours and information sessions are available to prospective families. A member of the admissions team can assist with questions during the visit. The visit provides insight into SJIS's programs, campus life and the enrolment process.
2. SJIS welcomes students of any language background and does not require prior English or Japanese proficiency for admission. Language foundations are taught from Kindergarten, and there is dedicated EAL/D support for students who need English development. English and Japanese language classes are set up in a three-tiered structure, streamed by language ability.
3. SJIS is co-educational, non-denominational, and multicultural; it welcomes all nationalities and religions. The school serves local families as well as from various backgrounds and aims to support students from diverse communities.
4. Experience Days allow families to experience a day at SJIS before enrolling, priced at $150 per day. This provides a firsthand look at daily school life and routines.
5. SJIS does not accept enrolments from international students on student visas. Parents must have Australian citizenship or permanent residency, or hold an Australian business, researcher or student visa. Tourist visas are not eligible.
6. Private tours are available if Open Days or online information sessions are not possible; interested families should contact the school.
7. For Kindergarten, apply online before June in the year prior to entry; enrolments are accepted throughout the year, subject to availability.
8. Submitting the application and paying the application fee does not guarantee placement. Applicants must undergo an assessment or interview with the Head for International Division and with the Deputy Principal/School Principal for entry into the Japanese Division, and a parent/guardian must accompany the child during the assessment.
9. SJIS offers a 10% reduction when two or more children from the same family enrol at SJIS. (See Fees for details.)
10. Contact: Email [email protected], Tel +61 2 9450 1833; Address 112 Booralie Road, Terrey Hills, NSW 2084, Australia.

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