A visionary foundation
The story of International Grammar School begins with Professor Reg St Leon. A linguist. A visionary. A pioneer. A man with a bold dream to establish the nation’s first bilingual school and the bravery to see it fulfilled.
A school founded on the simple vision of a multilingual curriculum, and the broader aim of uniting a multicultural society, St Leon’s ambition would ultimately revolutionise the way language was taught in this country.
IGS opened its doors on 3 February 1984 in the Stanley Street premises of the Little Sisters of the Poor, Randwick. The School’s modest enrolment of 44 students ranging from Kindergarten to Year 11 grew to 123 students by the end of that first year — and by first term in 1985, enrolments had grown to 231.
Several years later, having lost the lease at Randwick, the School moved to the former Elizabeth Arden cosmetics factory in Riley Street, Surry Hills. The old buildings were converted into a school in the space of just six weeks.
Learning Journeys 1984-2014
View the School's timeline in this special edition book.
Our commemorative book, Learning Journeys – 30 years of International Grammar School 1984-2014, encapsulates the unique history of the School. The award-winning book celebrates the School’s 30th anniversary.
View the School’s 30th Anniversary timeline in this special edition book published in 2014.
Modern Aesthetics
With expanding enrolments and the need for specialised High School teaching facilities, additional space was required. From 1990 to 1994, premises in Balmain were employed as a Senior High School. In 1995, the High School reunited and moved to a temporary site in Mountain Street, Ultimo.
In 1997, IGS moved the whole school to its current premises on the historical site of the Dalgety Wool Store in Kelly Street, Ultimo. The architects’ spectacular and colourful design reflects the School’s inner-city location, incorporating the building’s historic facade with modern aesthetics.
Additional sites have since enabled new learning opportunities. The adjoining Wright Building in Bay Street opened in 2000 with new primary classrooms. In 2005, the School opened the Senior Annexe in a converted warehouse building in Mountain Street.
The Kerrie Murphy Building (KMB) at 1 Macarthur Street, adjacent to the Wright Building, was built through the Building Education Revolution funding and officially opened in 2011. The KMB provides a Primary School Library, offices for languages staff and multi-purpose areas. In 2015, IGS acquired the property of 77-79 Bay Street for a senior art studio and administration and meeting spaces.
An Idyllic Retreat
In 2023 IGS procured The Retreat, an idyllic Kangaroo Valley site just two hours from the School’s Ultimo campus. Sitting on 40 beautiful acres on the traditional lands of the Wodi Wodi people, and just moments from the historic village and the Kangaroo River, The Retreat includes a house, a pavilion of bedrooms and ensuites, a classroom, a yurt, three small dams, paddocks, gardens, native plants and wildlife. The Retreat is evolving to offer IGS students a host of immersive experiences, including language camps, science and sustainability field studies, Shakespeare in the Glade, music camps, writers’ retreats, art en plein air, and leadership programs.
Almost a year after construction commenced, builder Rohrig, together with architects BVN, handed over the completed Renaissance Centre to the School in 2023. The Centre’s versatile facilities include a university-style academic lecture theatre, seminar rooms, break out spaces for collaboration and meeting rooms, as well as back of house facilities.
The Renaissance Centre’s Manuela Bachmann Dance Studio, named in honour of former IGS teacher, dancer and foundational staff member Manuela Bachmann, provides a space that will facilitate the expansion of Dance at IGS and expand our offerings in the Performing Arts.
As part of the IGS Master Plan, the School is currently working with internationally renowned Australian architects BVN to design and develop The Kindergarten Centre. Located in The Wright Building, incorporating Levels 1 and 2 and The Peace Garden, the new Centre will create an enchanting, safe, and nurturing learning environment for our children’s first year of school.
IGS now boasts a student population of 1,300 from Preschool to Year 12.
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Our Indigenous Journey
IGS offers respect and empowerment
Located on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, IGS has a long and proud tradition of educating young Indigenous Australians.
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