Sydney Japanese International School
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- Primary School
- Single School Location
- Independent
- Non-denominational
Japanese Division - Year 1 to Year 9
Co-ed
- Culture / Tradition
- Educational Support
- Languages
- Pastoral Care / Guidance
- English as a second language
- Japanese
If you are seeking a distinctive and future-focused primary education, you will find something truly special at Sydney Japanese International School (SJIS). Offering the best of Australia and Japan, SJIS provides a nurturing, intentionally small-school environment where children are known, supported, and encouraged to thrive.
Our International Division follows the NSW Curriculum, thoughtfully enriched with daily Japanese language learning and cultural immersion. From Kindergarten, students develop strong academic foundations alongside genuine global awareness, learning to think flexibly and confidently in an increasingly interconnected world.
Established over 50 years ago for local Australian families, the International Division welcomes students from all backgrounds. No prior Japanese knowledge is required. Children begin learning Japanese in a supportive, age-appropriate way, building confidence, curiosity, and communication skills from day one.
Small class sizes (typically 15–20 students) ensure every child is seen and challenged appropriately. Teachers tailor learning to individual needs, creating an environment where students develop independence, resilience, and a love of learning. Strong academic results reflect this personalised approach, complemented by rich cultural learning that supports both academic and personal growth.
SJIS graduates transition smoothly into a wide range of secondary schools, including selective, independent, and local public high schools. They leave SJIS as kakehashi — bridges between cultures — academically capable, culturally fluent, and well prepared for their next chapter. Many continue Japanese studies through high school and beyond.
Families are warmly invited to connect with our welcoming community through a Private On-Demand Tour, a monthly Online Information Session, our Kindergarten Open Morning in May, or our Sunday Open Day in August. Places are limited and bookings via our website are essential.
Australia’s leading cross-cultural Japanese school
SJIS is truly unique, offering exceptional education in a bicultural learning environment. Our students have the opportunity to learn to read, speak and write Japanese and English and to deepen their understanding of Japanese culture, in Japanese, while living in Australia. It really is the best of both worlds.
Students studying in the International Division can access a world of opportunity to connect with and learn about Japan. Children gain solid Japanese language skills, including reading, speaking and writing, as well as a deeper understanding of Japanese culture.
All of our students are immersed in a culture that nurtures inquisitive minds. As children study language and culture across two countries, they develop empathy, flexibility and become equipped with an international mindset. We are proud to graduate astute analytical and creative thinkers with higher-than-average second language ability.
What we offer:
- Affordable co-ed private schooling in the leafy surrounds of Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
- A small school community where you feel part of a large school family.
- Outstanding teachers who create an inspiring, fun and respectful learning environment.
- Beautifully maintained 14-acre grounds with spacious sporting facilities and buildings.
- Cultural experiences and daily language lessons with native speakers.
- Small class sizes – students can connect across year levels and families can make close connections.
- Nurturing environment – students spend time in their formative years within a caring, small community where experienced teachers nurture their joy of learning through a wide range of experiences.
- Two curriculum streams that come together for mixed learning lessons in visual art, physical education (PE), music and coding.
Australian (NSW) curriculum from Kindergarten to Year 6
Modern administration offices
School hall / gymnasium
Two art rooms
Science lab
Well-equipped music rooms
Food technology room
Llibrary
Fully networked computer lab
Indoor basketball court
All weather, 200m running track for athletics
Two long jump runways and sand pits
Soccer field
Shade covered playgrounds
On-campus bus depot
Off street parking for staff and visitors
Tuck shop
Honesty: Be truthful in all your relations with others.
Responsibility: Assume responsibility for your obligations, your actions and your belongings. Be punctual and wear the school uniform proudly.
Justice: Seek the fairest and most just way for all.
Generosity: Consider others in your daily activities and be generous in your thoughts, deeds and words.
Perseverance: Continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty.
Respect: Be respectful of others, yourself and your environment.
To actively nurture our students to become mindful leaders of the future. We encourage them to be Kakehashi, connecting cultures, communities and countries, as the next generation of global citizens.
Authorised by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and registered as an independent school by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority, SJIS provides a unique education which exceeds the regular Japanese and Australian curriculums.
We develop our students to be ‘Kakehashi’ (bridges), which connect communities and cultures, contributing both locally and to the broader global society by virtue of their exceptional bilingual abilities and cross-cultural understanding. We cultivate this experience at the SJIS campus, in a serene environment surrounded by the natural beauty of Sydney.
SJIS is dedicated to nurturing the individual learning needs of our students. We provide an enriched learning environment that empowers young people to succeed.
One School. Two Curriculums.
International Division: Our experienced teachers offer the New South Wales curriculum from Kindergarten up to Year 6. In this stream, students also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese culture and language with daily Japanese lessons.
Japanese Division: At SJIS, we offer the Japanese curriculum stream for Japanese speakers from Year 1 up to Year 9, complemented by daily English language lessons. The Japanese curriculum is delivered by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) teachers and gives students a wonderful opportunity to access Japanese curriculum experts in Australia.
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The best of both worlds
Both the Japanese and International Divisions come together for a selection of subjects and activities where language is not a barrier, such as music, visual art, and PE. All students have the opportunity to learn to read, speak and write Japanese and English and deepen their understanding of Japanese culture, in Japanese, while living in Australia.
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I am extremely lucky that I attended this school, since I can now speak English and Japanese fluently.
I believe that being bilingual is a great asset for the future, and every student at SJIS has a fantastic opportunity not just to learn a foreign language, but to grow up with two mother tongues.
Again, thank you very much. It has been an excellent seven years at this school.
My experience at the Sydney Japanese School was tremendous. Not only did I learn a second language as a young child (which helped me greatly in the HSC), but I also learned so many cultural & life lessons which you cannot put a value on. Open mindedness, willingness to look for other ways of doing things (not just the dominant way within your own culture), and that friendships surpass race & language barriers. The school’s sports days & other festivals are memories I will keep forever.
Our comprehensive bus service and netwrok serves most of the lower and upper north shore areas, Sydney CBD and northern suburbs. To view our schedule and timetable please refer to the bus information section on our website:
Since 1969, the Sydney Japanese International School has played an important contribution to bilingual education in Australia. Our school is rich in culture and provides a nurturing environment in a leafy bushland setting, surrounded by Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.Â
For more than half-a-century, our vision has been unwavering. We exist to inspire our students to be like Kakehashi; strong bridges connecting communities and cultures, both locally and globally, by virtue of their exceptional bilingual abilities and cross-cultural understanding.
Through immersing themselves in different cultures, as well as in their own, SJIS students have a reputation for their open-mindedness, respect and acceptance for the values of people from disparate backgrounds across the globe.
We are unique, in that although we are one school, we proudly boast two curriculums: The Japanese Division follows the Japanese curriculum set by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. While the International Division follows the curriculum set by the NSW Department of Education.
Through the Japanese Division, lessons are conducted in the native tongue, ensuring our students are equipped with language abilities on-par with those children studying in Japan.
We are also aware that our Japanese Division students need to build stronger English language skills, and so each day they are provided with one period of English language classes. Their skills are further honed through regular collaboration with the International Division and local schools.
The reverse applies to our students studying under the International Division, where lessons are conducted in English, with one period of Japanese language lessons scheduled each day.
At no other school in Australia can children become an international exchange student without leaving their classroom.Â
We look forward to welcoming your child to our unique school.
Mr Shinichiro Sumida
Principal
Sydney Japanese International School
If you would like to join a live online information session via 'Zoom' in the safety and comfort of your home please register your interest here:
Sydney Japanese International School
Terrey Hills,
New South Wales
