International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) Update - September 2021
“Education is a social or collective endeavour and a benefit to the community as a whole, as well as to the individuals within it. Everyone in the learning community has agency; they see themselves as contributors to its ongoing strength and success, and take action to bring about change.”
Welcome back to a new school year. It is a very exciting time to be a part of the Landmark family, as we officially launch our candidacy as a PYP (Primary Years´ Programme) school.
Over the summer I had the opportunity to learn more about the programme through engaging with the Leading the Learning Course, and had time to reflect on the underpinning philosophy of the IB (International Baccalaureate), and how well it married to our own unique vision and mission.
There are many important aspects that make up the programme, which incorporates current research to build an understanding of how students learn, and puts them at the centre of the process. Through a series of workshops that will be delivered throughout the year, parents will be introduced to these core elements, in order to build understanding and collaboration across the whole learning community.
So far this year, we have delighted in welcoming parents back into the physical space to share the essential elements of the PYP in our first parent workshop: An Inquiry into the PYP. Coming up in October, we look forward to inviting parents back again, this time to see the children in action sharing their learning with our Primary Celebration of Learning: Book and Classroom Visit (October 21st, 2:30pm – 4:00pm).
As highlighted in the above quote, learning does not happen in isolation, it takes a village to raise a child, as the popular proverb says. During our first meeting, we had the opportunity to harvest the unique skills and knowledge of the parent body in supporting our Programme of Inquiry (long term curriculum plan). Through engaging the ideas and talents across our whole school, and the wider community, we will be able to offer students more varied and authentic learning experiences.
In the few short weeks since we returned, the students in Toucan and Robin class have been busy jumping into their learning. Here are some snapshots of learning from the students:
Above Robin class held a mini assembly inviting children to share a special traditional object with the class. We were so impressed with their knowledge of their special family heritage and traditions, and also with the level of questioning and response the rest of the class have had with their presentations.
Above Toucan class present their lines of inquiry into the history of the United Nations Convention into the Rights of the Child. After developing their own specific lines of inquiry the children researched and presented their findings.
