Through a blend of explicit instruction, inquiry and play we aim to nurture well-rounded, independent learners ready for the challenges ahead.
Over the duration of our carefully crafted 7-year IB program, we equip children with the critical thinking, emotional intelligence, social skills, self efficacy and academic rigour needed to survive and thrive in secondary school and throughout their lives.
Our Approach
Learning and teaching consists of explicit, evidence based instruction. Underpinned by the IB inquiry based curriculum framework. We take a student-centred approach that reflects the best of educational research.
What lies ahead
The junior years are pivotal in your child’s educational journey, laying the foundation for the skills—reading, writing, oral communication, numeracy, learning, problem-solving, teamwork, collaboration, and independence—essential for thriving in the middle and senior years. These formative years set the stage for meeting the challenges and expectations ahead in the upper year levels.
PREP IS DESIGNED TO EQUIP YOUR CHLID WITH ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL,
WHILE BUILDING THEIR CONFIDENCE AND COMFORT IN A NEW ENVIRONMENT
LITERACY
A key component of our Prep Program is Read Write Inc. This is a synthetic phonics program that systematically teaches phonological awareness and phonics. Children engage with quality literature throughout the year, using these texts to model and create their own writing while learning basic sounds and words. This approach builds essential literacy skills and fosters a love for reading and writing from an early age.
NUMERACY
Numeracy introduces the recognition of numbers, patterns and shape through engaging and meaningful activities that connect to real-world experiences. These activities are designed to help children see the relevance of maths in everyday life, making learning both practical and enjoyable.
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Children develop social skills such as taking turns and following rules, while also fostering self-confidence and emotional regulation.
PHYSICAL SKILLS
On a daily basis children engage in activities such as using scissors, playing with blocks, and participating in the Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) to help develop the fine and gross motor skills, needed for writing and other tasks.
YEAR 1 THE EXPECTATIONS GROW ALONG WITH THEIR DEVELOPING SKILLS
LITERACY
Literacy instruction builds on the phonics and phonemic awareness skills introduced in Prep, with children tackling more complex sounds using the Read Write Inc program. They continue to expand their vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills, focusing on constructing simple sentences and using basic punctuation. This stage emphasises writing complete sentences and creating coherent texts, helping students express their thoughts clearly.
NUMERACY
Through hands-on activities, children explore number names, quantities, order, shape classification, and practise partitioning and using mathematical symbols. They develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by recognising patterns and understanding relationships. Engaging in low floor-high ceiling tasks fosters a growth mindset.
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We focus on building confidence, adapting to changes, and working cooperatively. Children learn to sustain attention, respect others’ feelings, and resolve conflicts with words. Empathy and self-awareness are also emphasised to help manage emotions and social interactions.
YEAR 2 MARKS A SHIFT TOWARDS MORE STRUCTURED LEARNING,
WITH AN INCREASING EXPECTATION FOR INDEPENDENCE AS THEY HEAD TOWARDS YEAR 3
LITERACY
The Read Write Inc program continues, focusing on fluency, spelling, and advanced phonics. Children become more independent as they develop and improve reading and writing skills, engage with diverse texts, build vocabulary and learn complex literacy concepts like punctuation and story elements.
NUMERACY
Through interactive activities, children explore number, quantities, and ordering, while applying place value to partition and rename 2- and 3-digit numbers. They work with fractions, describe and extend patterns, measure using informal units, and classify shapes and data using various methods. These experiences will build critical thinking, problem- solving skills, and a growth mindset, providing a solid foundation for the years ahead.
SOCIAL & EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Children become more independent learners, adapting to structured schedules and collaborating effectively with peers. They enhance communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, while setting personal goals and building resilience.
