Well, we are off and running! I love this time of year where the boys and teachers are excited about the year ahead and are learning more about one another each day. New units have started, fresh ideas surfacing and everyone is motivated to have a wonderful goal-orientated 2013. This busy and exciting time of the year means the beginning of new Units of Inquiry in all year levels. The boys will be ‘tuning in’ to their Central Idea through a variety of exciting ventures, including incursions, excursions, provocations, exciting learning opportunities and guest speakers. Teachers will be immersing the boys in their Units of Inquiry and engaging the boys in activities which will lead to a deeper understanding of the unit being studied.

Throughout the Units of Inquiry the boys could be exploring, wondering, experimenting, testing theories, collecting data, reporting findings and solving problems. This means that the boys will be actively involved in their learning. Inquiry-based learning, an approach to teaching and learning embraced by numerous articles on boys’ education will be at the forefront of what teachers are promoting in their classrooms.

Throughout all facets of school life the boys will also engage in activities involving the Learner Profile attributes: Inquirers; Knowledgeable; Thinkers; Communicators; Principled; Open-minded; Caring; Risk-takers; Balanced and Reflective. The boys will be constantly involved in reflections around these attributes and how they are applied in various settings of the school day.

Parents are encouraged to become aware of the Units of Inquiry with which the boys are engaged, and to discuss and question the boys about their understanding of these Units and the concepts driving them. Through these discussions parents can assist students to make connections between their school community and the wider world of which we are a part. Building from a local to a global perspective is at the forefront of the International Baccalaureate philosophy and is well embraced by all teachers at our school.

Throughout the year, we will be delving further into what it means to be a PYP school and how you can be a part of this wonderful learning community we are building here at Newington College Lindfield.

Joel Weekes & Ashley Barg
Teaching and Learning Team Leaders