At Craighouse School we prepare our pupils for the challenges of the 21st Century from the moment they enter the school.

The International Baccalaureate (IB), with its Primary Years Programme (PYP), is our platform for organising learning from Play Group to Year 4.

The national academic curriculum requirements are complemented with the international requirements of the PYP. This allows us to prepare interdisciplinary pupils.

The fundamental objective of the IB programmes is to educate people who are internationally minded and who, aware of the condition that unites them as human beings and of their shared responsibility in taking care of the planet, contribute to the creation of a better and more peaceful world.

This stage sets the bases of a pupil who will follow the International Baccalaureate with all its programmes.
 

In this specific programme, work is organised around the following questions:

• Who we are?
• Where are we in place and time?
• How do we express ourselves?
• How does the world work?
• How do we organise ourselves?
• How do we share the planet?

Children acquire basic skills and knowledge by being at the centre of an inquiry- and experience- based approach. They ask questions and become increasingly aware of different answers and perspectives of the world around them. We encourage pupils to follow their intuition and take risks with the questions they ask and, when possible, to look for solutions and actions to make our school and our world a better place.

Through the PYP, pupils develop thinking, inquiry, self-management and communication skills.

During the years in which this programme takes place, teachers help pupils decide on the topic they want to research and present for the Final Exhibition.

This is when the community can witness the significant progress made by our pupils, with their innate curiosity and hard work.

We will have people who are:
** Inquirers: By developing their natural curiosity and acquiring the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research, and by showing their independence in learning. They actively enjoy learning, and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

** Knowledgeable: By exploring concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

** Thinkers: By exercising initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognise and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions, including those concerning social, scientific and technological issues.

** Communicators: By understanding and expressing ideas and information confidently and creatively in English and Spanish and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others, demonstrating leadership abilities.

** Principled: By acting with integrity and honesty, a strong sense of fairness and a clear sense of justice. They champion human rights and equality amongst all people, based upon a strong social awareness. They are responsible for their own actions and the consequences that may ensue.

** Open-minded: By by understanding and appreciating their own cultures and personal histories, and being open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

** Caring: By showing empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

** Risk-takers: By approaching unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and having the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

** Balanced: By understanding the importance of an intellectual, physical and emotional equilibrium to achieve personal wellbeing for themselves and others. They have a well-balanced self-image and are aware of their own personal traits, capabilities and limitations.

** Reflective: By giving thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

Considering how developed technology is today, Craighouse School has decided to make available to families informative Learning Resources, the purpose of which is to provide tools and technological resources that reinforce the knowledge, skills and habits acquired in class.

Playgroup

Prekinder

Kinder

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4