Primary Years Programme (PYP)
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A JPC Primary School education is not simply about mastering the curriculum but keeping alive a child’s innate sense of wonder, showing children that learning is an adventure worth pursuing.
The
International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) focusses on the development of the whole child, offering a framework to meet the academic, cultural, physical, social and spiritual development of each person. The inquiry-based approach equips students with a unique global outlook and promotes subject depth and breadth.
The PYP is a structured, purposeful and planned inquiry that actively engages children. Our Primary School focuses on developing students who are motivated by the wonder of learning.
The explicit learning outcomes from the Australian Curriculum are used to drive the planning process. We focus on developing a set of core competencies, which students require in our world of continuous change. These include the ability to think critically, to communicate clearly, to work collaboratively and to solve problems creatively.
Students are an integral part of the learning process and are encouraged to become independent learners. While building these foundational skills, students participate in blocks of learning dedicated explicitly to the teaching of literacy and numeracy.
At JPC, students are encouraged to reflect on their learning as critical thinkers who develop the ability to take action. They become active, caring and thinking participants who show empathy to others. Our goal is for students to remain curious and intrinsically motivated in their pursuit of lifelong learning.
As part of my Year Six Exhibition, I inquired into disposable coffee cups and how they affect the environment. During my research, I discovered that in Australia, 1 billion disposable coffee cups end up in landfill every year, which is approximately 50,000 every half an hour. There are a number of companies manufacturing compostable cups. One company that assisted me with my research is Vegware. Vegware provided me with some samples of their product and I discussed these with Mr Kerley. He shared my enthusiasm and we are working on making our school greener, one coffee cup at a time.
AVA, Year Six
Poverty in our local community was my topic of exploration for the PYP Exhibition. My extensive research led me to the Smith Family, and researching the work this organisation does in this space. I took it upon myself to build a relationship with representatives of the Smith Family and arrange for them to visit JPC to share their knowledge and experience of this issue with my classmates. I interviewed them in front of my classmates, uncovering facts and figures related to poverty but also digging deeper to discover firsthand the varied causes of inequity in our community and the lived experiences of people in these circumstances. I tried to steer the interview to the important question of how we ‘as a College’ may best take action to address this issue. Myself and my peers, learned a great deal about the Smith Family’s programmes, success and ideas for improvement.
TRAVIS, Year Six
Our purpose is To Educate, To Inspire, To Make a Difference.
