Lycée Condorcet de Sydney
LCS is an international French school whose mission is to achieve French excellence while remaining integrated in its international community and the local Australian context.
After more than 50 years of successful operation, the Lycée Condorcet Sydney is embarking on a new chapter of its history, growing sustainably in a challenging, fast-paced society experiencing rapid change. Since its modest beginnings in Rose Bay in 1965 with fewer than 50 students, the little French school has flourished. Now, on the brink of its 60th anniversary which we will celebrate in September 2025, our 230 teachers and staff members proudly educate a vibrant community of more than 1200 students in Maroubra.
Our pursuit of French excellence drives us to provide our students with a high quality bilingual education, characterised by opportunity, challenge and fulfilment. The approach bridges equity and disparity by providing access to quality education. Our students are those who will learn today and solve for tomorrow.
After the launch of our new facilities in 2022, a survey was conducted, followed by an 18-month consultation process which included every staff member and all LCS stakeholders, infusing new energy within the school. To initiate the process, we conducted in quantitative surveys and qualitative focus groups with all affected constituencies within LCS. Our Board consistently provided feedback, guidance, and structure throughout each phase of review and reimagining.
Collaborative work is not a passing trend but a foundational principle crucial for fostering innovation and embracing diverse perspectives within the realm of education. It is an imperative approach, particularly in our modern, interconnected world, that we, as a community of parents and education professionals, must advocate for.
The following pages encapsulate over a year's worth of work with the LCS community - reflecting their questions, concerns, dreams and aspirations.
Our history
irth of the French School
September 29, 1965: The school was established at Rose Bay Public School
1970 1988 1989
The School moves to Bondi
August 11, 1970: The school moved to Bondi, with 2 classes for 53 students.
Mr. and Mrs. Macé were the teachers
Embracing Bilingualism: a French & English dual education
In March 1988, the school became bilingual and renovations began for its new location at 88 Cooper Street, Maroubra
Inauguration of the New SchoolLycée Condorcet
The name Condorcet was chosen by the school board to commemorate the bicentennial of the French Revolution and honour the philosopher, educator, and defender of Human Rights, Nicolas de Condorcet
2003 2019 2022
The School relocates to a new address in Maroubra
Lycée Condorcet purchased a public secondary school on two hectares in Maroubra, a suburb of Sydney. The French government contributed generously through the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad)
50th anniversary: « Australian parents are now choosing to send their kids there” – The Daily Telegraph Australie
Lycée Condorcet, the International French School of Sydney, celebrated its 50th year in 2019 and has become so popular that expansion plans are underway
Inauguration of new buildings and a new Logo
Delegates from the AEFE, the Australian Department of Education, the NSW Department of Education and Early Learning, the French Embassy in Australia, the Consulate General of France in Sydney, the Mayor of Randwick, and the school’s French community attended the event, in collaboration with the Gujaga Foundation
About us
Our school offers:
◦ A French education in an Australian context
◦ A high-quality bilingual curriculum
◦ Multiple diploma pathways
◦ An approach to learning characterised by opportunity, challenge and fulfilment
◦ An international community nurturing students who are distinctive in their love of learning
◦ The pursuit of excellence in all aspects of our mission
◦ Global citizenship as a fundamental ethos
◦ Affordability
At LCS we provide a comprehensive education from preschool through to one of three Baccalaureate Diplomas: the French Baccalaureate, the French International Baccalaureate (BFI) and the International Baccalaureate (IB). Students can select from these three diploma pathways in Year 10.
Our students foster connections through global citizenship, plurilingualism and cultural competence.
Our rigorous education cultivates a curious, critical and analytical mindset, enabling innovation and creative problem-solving through courage, altruism and empathy.
We are committed to continually bridging equity gaps and ensuring access to quality education for all.
Our Mission
“French
excellence, An international community, An Australian context” Our Vision
“Learning today, Solving tomorrow”
Our Values
Integrity
Be honest and take responsibility
Commitment
Show up and engage
Graduate Attributes
Lifelong resilient learners - our students are distinc tive in their love of learning, appreciating that learning endures over a lifetime.
Global-minded critical thinkers
inclusive way of thinking driving our students to continuously explore and be curious about the world.
Skilful bilingual communicators
the powerful ability to speak both French and English with native fluency. They also inevitably leave our school with plurilingual skills as part of our curriculum focuses on learning multiple languages over the course of their education.
Creative and courageous problem solvers students harness their diverse experiences,
The 5 foundational PILLARS of the LCS strategy
Enhance our plurilingual curriculum, cultivating academic excellence and cultural fluency
Our school will continue to build upon what defines it, its bilingual curriculum, which we will continue to invest in. We will also improve and enhance our range of offerings to meet the needs of a growing and diverse community while maintaining our high degree of academic rigour.
◦ Continue reviewing our curriculum, mode of instruction, and academic offerings to harness our bilingual advantage.
◦ Leverage information technology to enhance our students learning and experience.
◦ Foster personal growth and exploration through an expanded offer of co-curricular activities.
Nurture the social and emotional well-being of our students, promoting inclusivity
At LCS, we continue to strive to find new ways to balance the emotional, physical and intellectual well-being of students. We intend to examine our current structures and promote practices that allow our students to take full advantage of our unique learning environment.
◦ Implement frameworks to meet students’ social, emotional and academic development.
◦ Introduce programs that facilitate student acceptance, belonging, leadership and voice.
◦ Provide structures, procedures and processes that ensure the safety and well-being of all children.
Empower a collaborative, learning community
Our school is built on a singular pedagogical proposition that requires highly trained staff capable of delivering a truly bilingual education.
To continue to grow, we will maintain our efforts to attract and retain internationally-minded educators dedicated to our mission and explore ways to enhance teacher experiences and promote professional growth.
◦ Attract and retain highly skilled staff.
◦ Continue to develop a collaborative and adaptive learning community.
◦ Develop a staff well-being program and continually improve our working conditions.
Continue investing in our learning environment
LCS completed a major expansion project in 2022 with our new Primary building. As we continue to be in a position of strength with a high number of applicants, we will prepare for the next chapter of our development by expanding our current campus in a way that promotes collaborative ways of learning and supports innovative teaching practices.
◦ Continue to expand our campus and improve our facilities to cater for the growth of our community, and explore alternative locations to meet the growing admissions needs of our community.
◦ Develop our environmentally sustainable practices.
◦ Steward our resources to support a diverse community.
Cultivate school spirit and our visibility on the local and global stage
We believe that with a unique curricular proposition in the Sydney area, LCS stands out with a clear and distinct identity. To enrich the range of opportunities offered to our students and enhance the visibility of our school to accurately represent its standing while continuing to affirm its Franco-Australian identity, we will explore new ways to engage with our community, our city and the world.
◦ Enhance ties with higher educational institutions and promote access to higher education institutions globally.
◦ Foster community engagement and develop an alumni program.
◦ Expand our current events and offer new opportunities for our community to participate in the life of the school.
Thank you
The Lycée Condorcet’s remarkable development over its soon-to-be 60 years of existence has been achieved through the strengths of students, educators and staff members, families and alumni who form our distinctive community.
We want to express our gratitude to the generous assistance given by so many in the community including parents, faculty, staff and students for all the time and thoughtfulness offered in responding to surveys, participating in follow-up discussions, and ultimately shaping this plan. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the staff members who participated and contributed to the Strategic Plan working groups and played a critical part in shaping this vision and plan.
As we commit to achieving these goals and making this vision for our school a reality, we invite every member of the LCS community, past, present and emerging to continue partnering and engaging with us in the service or our mission.
Board of Directors
Rosella Mangion - Chair
Craig De Vries
Matthieu Durin
Kim Anderson
Geraldine Baillet
James Collins II
Frédéric Jeanney
Julie Perrissel
Florence La Carbona
Julien Terrochaire
Executive team
Nicolas L’Hotellier - Principal
Antony Jonkx - Deputy Principal
Préma Desrosiers - Business Director
Patrice Possenti - Head of Primary
Rosa Rusnak - Head of Compliance
Craig Ashe - Head of Human Resources
Elise Lombrage - Head of Marketing
Aurelie Vidor - PA to the Principal