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.

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 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.

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.

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:

https://www.sjis.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/school-bus/

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. 

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. 

We look forward to welcoming your child to our unique school.

Mr Shinichiro Sumida
Principal
Sydney Japanese International School