By ANNA USHER

Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College will welcome Year 5 and 6 girls for the first time since 1979, after acquiring a neighbouring Miller Street property in a deal widely reported in excess of $20 million.

In a letter to parents on Wednesday, the 151-year-old North Sydney school confirmed it will reinstate Year 5 and Year 6 from 2028 – bringing primary-aged girls back to the campus for the first time in nearly half a century.

“This is not a departure from who we are, it is a return to an important part of Monte’s history,” Principal Mrs Nicole Christensen told Mosman Collective.

“By welcoming girls in Years 5 and 6, we can build confidence, connection and academic foundations earlier, while giving families the certainty of a positive educational journey through the senior years.”

The expansion was enabled by Monte’s acquisition of an adjacent Miller Street property in January – a purchase previously reported by Mosman Collective and widely understood to be in excess of $20 million.

In Wednesday’s letter, the school named the architect behind the planned building works.

“We are partnering with Hayball Architects to refurbish this building to make it a state-of-the-art learning space for our youngest students,” the letter said.

Year 5 and 6 students will undertake the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), delivered in line with the NSW curriculum, creating a direct pathway into Monte’s Middle Years and senior programmes.

“Monte offers the world-renowned International Baccalaureate program to our students in Years 7 to 12,” Mrs Christensen said. “Our move to reinstate Years 5 and 6 into the College gives girls in primary school the opportunity to take part in the IB Primary Years Program, which provides a strong foundation that encourages curiosity, confidence and independent learning.”

Mrs Christensen said the move responds to how north shore families now approach school selection.

“Families are making education decisions earlier than ever, and we are seeing growing demand for students to have a seamless transition from primary into secondary school,” she said. “Reintroducing Years 5 and 6 allows Monte to meet that need and is deeply aligned with our longstanding commitment to girls’ education.”

Back to Monte’s roots

Monte operated a junior school until the early 1970s before concentrating its efforts on secondary education, with its final junior school cohort departing in 1979.

The reinstatement from 2028 will bring primary school girls back to Miller Street for the first time in 49 years.

The school, which charges annual fees of $33,780, is the oldest independent girls’ school on Sydney’s north shore. Founded by Mother Mary Ignatius McQuoin and the Sisters of Mercy in 1875, it celebrated its sesquicentenary last year.

Adding the IB PYP completes a full IB continuum from Year 5 through to Year 12 at Monte. The college was already the first Catholic girls’ school in NSW to offer both the IB Middle Years Programme and the IB Diploma Programme.

Information evening: 10 June

An information evening for families considering 2028 enrolments will be held on Wednesday, 10 June from 6pm to 7:30pm at 128 Miller Street, North Sydney.

Principal Mrs Christensen and key staff will discuss academic pathways, student wellbeing, co-curricular opportunities and the Year 5 to Year 12 experience within one Mercy community.

Light refreshments will be served. Bookings are available via the Monte enrolments website.