Primary Years Programme
As an IB World School, we are authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP), which is an inquiry-based curriculum framework that encourages international-mindedness, a positive attitude for learning, as well as meaningful, in-depth inquiry to real issues. Our Primary Years Programme (Kindergarten- Grade 5) is an inquiry-based curriculum which provides students with a foundation of essential concepts, knowledge, skills and attitudes.
Within the PYP curriculum, students are provided with a foundation that includes essential concepts, knowledge, skills, and attitudes. In addition to focusing on what students learn, a strong emphasis is placed on how students learn. Students are encouraged to develop:
- Independence
- Responsibility for their own learning
- International-mindedness
- A positive attitude for learning
Within this framework are the Units of Inquiry (UoI) that provide students with structure and direction in their learning. The units are based on the following transdisciplinary themes set by the International Baccalaureate:
- Who we are
- Where we are in place and time
- How we express ourselves
- How the world works
- How we organize ourselves
- Sharing the planet
Teachers continually review and develop the Units of Inquiry (UoI) through ongoing reflection. This continual reflection is an expectation of the students in and around their classrooms and contributes to the dynamic nature of the program. The school also strives to include the culture of its host country within these units. Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies are taught by the homeroom teacher, whilst Music, Swimming, Physical Education, Art and Language B (Grades 1-5) lessons are taught by specialist teachers.
At New School, we aim to create an atmosphere of exploration and discovery throughout the learning environment that extends beyond the classroom walls and involves the wider community supporting connections that are made in the real world. Teachers, students, and parents are encouraged to challenge themselves and their thinking through the framework of the PYP.
