The International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) develops the whole child as an inquirer, in the classroom and beyond. It enables students to explore their world through a series of guided inquiries that enrich the curriculum, providng them with increasing responsibility for their learning.

The PYP offers a high quality education that encourages international mindedness and a positive attitude to learning.

Educational experiences are planned with consideration of the needs, abilities and backgrounds of all students, and our learning environments, both inside and out, are designed to stimulate and promote a love of learning, wellbeing, friendship, and community.

The Early Learner 

The PYP acknowledges the unique needs of early learners, aged 3 to 6 years. It is a distinguishing feature of the programme, which recognises that learners in this age range require approaches to learning and to teaching that honour their developmental stage, and the importance of play as the vehicle for inquiry. Since experiences during the early years lay the foundation for all future learning, the PYP framework enables teachers to make choices for the best learning outcomes.

Early learning in the PYP is a holistic experience that integrates socio-emotional, physical and cognitive development. In the PYP classroom, learning takes place in dynamic environments that promote play, discovery, and exploration.

Learning Areas

The PYP framework incorporates a balance between five essential elements:

1. Knowledge
2. Concepts
3. Skills
4. Attitudes
5. Action.

Subjects within this transdisciplinary programme of inquiry are identified in terms of six themes following the IB Learner Profile: 

1. Who we are.
2. Where we are in place and time.
3. How we express ourselves.
4. How the world works.
5. How we organise ourselves.
6. Sharing the planet.

Transdisciplinary learning in the PYP conveys learning that has relevance between, across and beyond subjects and transcends borders connecting to what is real in the world.

The six subject areas identified within the PYP are:

1. Language
2. Social studies
3. Mathematics
4. Arts
5. Science
6. Personal, Social and Physical Education

PYP Exhibition 

Year 5 students, at the end of their PYP learning journey, participate in an exhibition that demonstrates their search for a solution to a problem of global significance.

Students work in small groups with a dedicated Teacher Mentor to establish what global concern they want to approach, and then diligently research potential solutions that the community can take to allieviate or solve that concern. The result of this work is then presented in a multi-media display, incorporating imagery, text, 3D modelling, digital technologies, interactive experiences, and more.

The Exhibition presentation is then student-led, with our Year 5 teams talking about their findings with families, Teachers, and peers in a demonstration of their knowledge and leadership skills.

Teaching and Learning

Learning from Reception follows the Australian National Curriculum using the IB PYP framework. This transdisciplinary approach develops the whole child.

Informed by research about how children learn, how educators teach, and the principles and practice of effective assessment, the programme has a powerful emphasis on inquiry-based learning.

Investigation Time | Reception

Each morning as part of their inquiry learning, Reception students participate in Investigation Time.

Through purposeful learning that supports curriculum connections, students practice their social skills like taking turns, negotiating, and teamwork in groups. This helps our youngest students to smoothly and successfully transition from home to school.

Play is important to healthy brain development. Play during Investigation Time enables children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. It is through play that children engage, experience hands-on learning and interact in the world around them. As children play, they develop new competencies, which increase their confidence and resilience to face future challenges.