New K–12 school to serve Sydney’s growing Assyrian community
A new K–12 Assyrian school will soon open to serve the growing community in western Sydney, becoming the third Assyrian-operated school in Australia.
The Assyrian community in Sydney is set to expand its educational infrastructure with the establishment of St Yosip Secondary School, a new K–12 school in Leppington, a suburb located 52 kilometres south-west of central Sydney. St Yosip will be the third Assyrian school in Sydney, joining St Hurmizd Primary School (K–6) and St Narsai Assyrian Christian College (7–12).
The announcements for the new primary school were made in 2018. That same year, land was purchased in Leppington for the construction of the Mar Yosip Khnanisho Church, which is now under construction to serve the growing local community, paving the way for the new secondary school. Mar Yosip Secondary School will provide a complete K–12 pathway and will be built on the same site as the new church, creating a central hub for education, faith, and community activities in western Sydney. It is not yet clear when the new school is expected to be built.
From kindergartens to high schools
St Hurmizd Primary School which was officially opened in 2002 with only 80 students, now accommodates over 700 children from kindergarten to year 6. In 2006, St Narsai Assyrian Christian College was established to continue the education of year 6 students from St Hurmizd into high school. Its campus in Horsley Park, a suburb about 20 kilometers south of Leppington, now has a capacity of 1,200 students.
Early learning has also been a focus for the growing community. In 2011, Grace Child Care and Early Learning Centre opened, followed by St Hurmizd Early Learning Centre in 2012 due to high demand. These two kindergartens provide quality early childhood education aligned with Assyrian cultural values.
Inspired by the success of the Assyrian schools in Sydney, the Assyrian community in Melbourne also announced plans in 2018 for the first-ever K–12 co-educational school in Melbourne, the St Ephraim College. The project has faced delays due to government approval issues in the city’s northern suburbs, but the vision for expanded K–12 education for Assyrians across Australia remains strong.
