Illawarra Christian School

What Illawarra Christian School does

Illawarra Christian School (ICS) is a private, independent Christian school operating from a single campus at 4 Tyalla Place, Cordeaux Heights, New South Wales, approximately six kilometres from central Wollongong. Founded in 1982 and operated by the non-profit Illawarra Christian Education association, the school delivers a Prep–Year 12 program to more than 650 students with approximately 90 staff. Its product is a unified K–12 Christian educational program anchored by a biblical worldview, comprising core academic curriculum and specialist programs in Music, Languages (Japanese and French), The Arts, Sport, Digital Technology, Careers, and Wellbeing/Student Leadership. Differentiated learning is delivered through an Enrichment and Learning Support program (including the LogICS strand) for both high-achieving and additional-needs students.

The school runs on an integrated technology stack rather than proprietary platforms: SEQTA functions as the learning management system, Google Apps for Education, Office 365, and Adobe Creative Cloud Master Suite are licensed school-wide, Jacaranda Online provides digital textbooks, OWNA handles Prep portfolios, and Edstart facilitates tuition payment plans. Device deployment is structured — 2:1 iPad ratio in infants and primary, 1:1 personal devices for Years 7–12 — with specialist media production facilities reserved for multimedia and design subjects. The school intersperses emerging tools such as drones and 3D printers into its technology offering.

The revenue model is tuition-led and recurring: all-inclusive annual fees invoiced in January cover textbooks, technology access, excursions, sport, and compulsory camps. Supplementary streams include a $50 non-refundable application fee, a $500 enrolment acceptance fee (credited against the first-year account), Prep fees eligible for the NSW Government Start Strong subsidy, uniform sales through Alinta Apparel, and canteen transactions through the Flexischools-powered ICS Food Truck. Pricing levers include sibling discounts (excluding Prep), a 5% early-payment discount for full-year prepayment by 1 December, clergy discounts, and Edstart payment plans. Enrolment prioritisation favours Association members, church-affiliated Christians, existing family enrolments, and alumni, and the funnel runs through online enquiry, self-directed tours, and Principal-led interviews.

Name

Illawarra Christian School

Legal name

Illawarra Christian Education

Website

https://ics.nsw.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Illawarra Christian School is a private, non-profit K-12 Christian school in Cordeaux Heights, NSW, serving 650+ Prep-to-Year 12 students with an all-inclusive annual tuition model, integrated SEQTA-based digital learning, and consistently top-three Illawarra HSC results.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent K-12 Christian Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based (Religious) K–12 Schools (EDAJABAC)

Keywords

• Christian K-12 education
• Independent school education
• Preparatory to year 12 schooling
• Pastoral care programs
• School tuition services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cordeaux Heights

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Annual Tuition Fees: Annual tuition fees invoiced in January covering all standard school activities including textbooks, technology access, excursions, sport activities, and compulsory camps
2. Application Fee: Non-refundable $50 application fee per new enrolment application
3. Enrolment Acceptance Fee: $500 per student acceptance fee credited to family account in first year of enrolment
4. Prep Fees: Annual Prep fees with NSW Government Start Strong Fee Relief subsidy available for eligible 3-5 year olds
5. Uniform Sales: Uniforms sold through Alinta Apparel, separate from tuition fees
6. Canteen/Food Services: Food truck operating Monday to Friday, orders through Flexischools app

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Illawarra Christian School is a Prep–Year 12 independent Christian school delivering biblically-integrated education across all curriculum areas, including core academics, specialist programs (Music, Languages, Digital Technology, The Arts, Sport), pastoral care and wellbeing, student leadership, careers counselling, and enrichment and learning support. The school sells annual tuition enrolment to families, charged as an all-inclusive subscription covering textbooks, technology, excursions, sport, and compulsory camps, with operations from a single Cordeaux Heights campus near Wollongong, NSW.

Product overview

Illawarra Christian School is a Prep–Year 12 Christian independent school operated by Illawarra Christian Education. Its product portfolio is a unified K–12 educational program anchored by a Christian worldview, comprising core academic curriculum, specialist subject programs (Music, Languages, The Arts, Sport, Digital Technology), and pastoral care and wellbeing support. The school also offers an Enrichment and Learning Support program for differentiated learning, a Student Leadership Program, a Careers Program for Years 9–12, and an on-site Food Truck (Canteen) service. Technology integration is managed through SEQTA (LMS) and Jacaranda Online (digital textbooks), with Edstart for fee payments and Flexischools for canteen ordering. The school serves over 600 students from its Cordeaux Heights campus near Wollongong, NSW.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Prep Program (School Readiness, Ages 3-5) Early childhood education program for children aged 3-5 using a play-based learning approach adhering to the Australian Early Years Learning Framework; supports school readiness and smooth transition to Kindergarten, with NSW Government Start Strong Fee Relief subsidy available.
• Primary School Program (Kindergarten to Year 6) Primary education for Kindergarten to Year 6 with focus on literacy, numeracy, STEM, differentiated curriculum, specialist programs, and leadership opportunities; provides individual attention and transition support to secondary school.
• Secondary School Program (Years 7-12) Secondary education for Years 7-12 including HSC preparation, subject electives, leadership development, mentor program, and career support; first Year 12 students graduated in 1992.
• Wellbeing Program Whole-school wellbeing and pastoral care program delivered by a multi-disciplinary team including allied health support, pastoral care structures, and a Year 12 mentor program.
• Student Leadership Program Structured leadership program for Secondary and Primary students including the Secondary Leadership Team, House Captains, Year 11 Student Leaders, and Primary Student Leaders, developing servant-hearted leaders through assemblies, fundraising, school tours, and peer support.
• Digital Technology Program Technology integrated across all subject areas, with iPads on a 2:1 ratio for infants and primary students, personal laptops for Years 7-12, access to specialist media production computers, Google Apps for Education, Office 365, Adobe CC Master suite, and emerging technologies such as drones and 3D printers.
• Music Program Specialist music education from Prep to Year 12 covering classroom music, the Hear it, Speak it, Read it! stringed instrument literacy program for Year 3, co-curricular choirs and bands, and peripatetic instrumental tutoring.
• Languages Program Japanese and French language instruction from K-6 (Japanese) through to Stage 6, including global connections with Japanese schools and cultural exchange experiences.
• The Arts Program Creative arts covering Drama (Years 7-12), Visual Arts across K-12 including elective studies in drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, CGI and design, and whole-school musical productions.
• Sport Program Weekly sport for all year levels with inter-school competitions, gala days, swimming and athletics carnivals, a Learn to Swim program for K-2, and optional after-school training across tennis, aerobics, cricket, surfing, futsal, basketball, netball, touch football, volleyball, dragon boat racing, hockey, biathlon, triathlon, and soccer.
• Careers Program Career planning and counselling program for Years 9-12 including personality testing, work experience, subject selection advice, careers fairs, university and TAFE open days, in-house careers days, and assistance with applications for university, apprenticeships, and cadetships.
• ICS Food Truck (Canteen) On-site food service operating Monday to Friday via the ICS Food Truck, with ordering through the Flexischools platform and delivery to classrooms for K-6 and self-collection for Years 7-12.
• Enrichment and Learning Support Differentiated curriculum and targeted support for both high-achieving and students with additional learning needs, including STEM, enrichment groups, learning support teams, and the LogICS (Learning Opportunities for Growth at ICS) program.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rated exceeding the National Quality Standard for Prep program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alinta ApparelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniform shop operator providing new and second-hand uniforms to school community. Operates storefront at 29-35 Princes Highway, Unanderra with click and collect and home delivery options.
• Elevate EducationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAustralia's largest study skills provider delivering seminars and workshops to students from Years 7-12 covering study techniques, time management, memory skills, and exam preparation.
• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationGoogle Apps for Education providing student online collaboration tools and cloud-based productivity services for all students.
• MicrosoftcoreTechnology or IntegrationFull access to Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud Master Suite for all students, supporting digital learning and creative projects.
• Premier IllawarraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBus service provider operating school bus services to transport students to and from school within the Illawarra region.
• Dion's Bus ServiceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorthern Illawarra bus service provider operating school bus routes, servicing students from the northern suburbs of the Illawarra.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Wagga Wagga Christian College: Regional NSW Christian independent K-12 school with comparable faith-based curriculum, parent partnership model, and multi-campus ambitions. ICS's Director of Wellbeing was previously Head of Middle School here, indicating comparable operating practices.
• Inaburra School: Independent Christian K-12 school in southern Sydney offering biblical worldview curriculum and a similar co-curricular program. Comparable size, faith-based mission, and tuition model make it a direct functional peer for ICS.
• Pacific Hills Christian School: Multi-campus Christian independent K-12 school in Dural/Hornsby, NSW, with faith-based curriculum, comparable tuition positioning, and a similar mix of academic and pastoral programs. Useful comparable for ICS's multi-campus growth trajectory.
• Shire Christian School: Independent Christian K-12 school in Sutherland Shire, NSW, with a similar faith-based curriculum, parent-controlled governance model, and academic positioning. The school previously employed ICS's current Director of 7-12, evidencing close labor market overlap.
• Penrith Christian School: Independent Christian K-12 school in western Sydney with a biblical foundation, similar all-inclusive fee structure, and comparable academic positioning. Useful benchmark for parent-controlled governance models in NSW.
• William Carey Christian School: Independent Christian K-12 school in western Sydney sharing biblical worldview curriculum, parent-controlled governance, and a similar co-curricular footprint. Comparable on scale, faith-based positioning, and operational model.
• Cedars Christian College: Independent Christian K-12 school on the NSW Central Coast with a comparable faith-based educational framework, similar fee structure, and similar co-curricular breadth including sport, music, and languages.
• Calderwood Christian School: Operated under the same parent body, Illawarra Christian Education, serving as ICS's sister campus. It is the most directly comparable peer, sharing governance, faith-based framework, and operating model in the same Illawarra region.

Regional players

• Holy Spirit College: Catholic secondary college in Bellambi within the Illawarra region, competing with ICS for Years 7-12 families prioritizing faith-based education. Closest regional competitor on geography and faith-based positioning.
• St Mary Star of the Sea College: Catholic systemic secondary school located in Wollongong's CBD, competing directly with ICS for Illawarra families seeking faith-based secondary education. Provides a benchmark for ICS's HSC performance and student recruitment within the immediate Wollongong catchmeChure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/illawarracs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/illawarra-christian-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/illawarrachristianschool

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Illawarra Christian School