Primary eNews – Aug 11th, 2023
Parent Information Session
An Introduction to the PYP
I am excited to invite you to an information session dedicated to introducing parents to the Primary Years Programme (PYP) at Bali Island School. Whether you are new to our school or new to the PYP programme, this session will provide valuable insights into our approach to education and how the PYP philosophy shapes your child’s learning journey.
During the session, you will:
- Gain an understanding of the PYP curriculum framework.
- Learn about the inquiry-based learning approach and how it fosters your child’s curiosity and critical thinking.
- Discover the importance of learner profiles and how they shape your child’s holistic development.
- Understand how you can support your child as a PYP student.
- Have an opportunity to ask questions and engage in discussions with other parents.
We are excited to welcome you to our school community and to provide you with the tools to actively participate in your child’s educational journey. Your presence at this session will help you feel confident and informed as your child embarks on an enriching experience within the PYP programme.
To confirm your attendance or if you have any questions, please fill in this RSVP LINK
Primary Open House
Thank you for coming on the Primary Open House for G2-G5 yesterday, another session for the PS – G1 parents, please jpin us this Tuesday in the MPR.
From the PYP Coordinator
As we embark on a new academic year at Bali Island School, I want to share with you some insights into how our incredible primary teachers are actively working to create a positive and engaging learning environment for your children. At the heart of our approach is the creating of co created Essential Agreements that support us in following the framework of the Primary Years Programme (PYP).
The Primary Years Programme is not only about building knowledge, understanding and skills but also about fostering the dispositions that students need to be engaging and empowered responsible global citizens. To achieve this, our teachers focus on creating a classroom environment that promotes a sense of belonging, inquiry, and collaboration.
1. Building a Positive Learning Environment:
Our teachers are committed to creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive space where every child feels valued and empowered. They achieve this by:
- Classroom Layout: Teachers carefully arrange the physical space to facilitate interaction and engagement among students. Flexible seating arrangements, collaborative workstations, and accessible learning materials are all part of this design.
- Emotional Well-being: Our team prioritize the social and emotional well-being of each child. They establish routines that provide a sense of predictability and comfort, and they encourage open communication to address any concerns or challenges that may arise. I have also been lucky enough to pop in to most classes and deliver my first set of wellbeing lessons focusing on building self awareness.
- Celebrating Diversity: Our school is a tapestry of cultures, and our teachers celebrate this diversity by incorporating a variety of perspectives into the curriculum. This helps students develop a global mindset and appreciate different viewpoints.
2 . Essential Agreements:
Essential Agreements are collaboratively developed norms and expectations that guide behavior and interactions within the classroom. They are created at the beginning of the school year, involving both teachers and students, to ensure a shared sense of responsibility. Essential Agreements help create a positive learning environment by fostering mutual respect, active listening, and responsible citizenship.
Here is an example of how Essential Agreements might be developed:
- Brainstorming: Students and teachers brainstorm behaviors that contribute to a positive learning environment. These could include active listening, using respectful language, and valuing diverse opinions.
- Discussion and Consensus: The class discusses the proposed behaviors and collectively agrees on a set of Essential Agreements. This process promotes ownership and a sense of shared responsibility for upholding these agreements.
- Visual Representation: The Essential Agreements are visually represented in the classroom, serving as a constant reminder of the agreed-upon behaviors. They can be displayed as posters, banners, or interactive displays.
We believe that a positive learning environment and Essential Agreements lay the foundation for successful learning experiences and personal growth for your child. We encourage you to have open conversations with your child about the classroom’s expectations and the importance of respectful and responsible behavior.
-We believe that inquiry happens when we develop the art of questioning in the classroom. It was so inspiring to watch our grade-3/4 learners diving deeper to create wonder questions as part of their personalized inquiry. The wonder questions are the reminders to us to think out-of-the-box and exchange the power of questioning in the learning process.
Who We Are! To connect to each other, we designed creative profiles to share things about ourselves with our G3 classmates. It was fantastic to see all the unique ways we could represent ourselves.
From Grade 5a & 5B
In both the 5A and 5B classrooms, the students engaged in a series of carefully designed activities aimed at fostering a positive learning environment and encouraging the development of important skills such as resilience, perseverance, and a growth mindset. The teachers recognized the importance of instilling these qualities in their students early, knowing that they would serve as invaluable assets throughout their academic journey and beyond.
To achieve this, the classrooms heavily emphasized the concept of embracing failure as a natural part of the learning process. Traditional notions of success and failure were redefined, shifting the focus toward the idea that making mistakes is an essential stepping stone toward growth and improvement. The students were encouraged to view setbacks as valuable learning opportunities, rather than sources of discouragement. Through a variety of games and activities, they were able to experience the transformative power of adopting a growth mindset firsthand.
Grade 5 Team~