St Andrews International School, Green Valley PYP Newsletter

PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME (PYP) at St. Andrews International School, Green Valley GV mission statement

‘Developing independent, confident, lifelong learners’

What an amazing start we have had this academic year!

After being away from our community during Online Learning, it was so special to reunite and see our school filled with smiling faces once again!

The first half of Term 1 has provided ample opportunities for inquiry, where our teachers have collaborated to plan engaging learning opportunities to facilitate lifelong learning skills.

Our curious learners have been incredibly busy asking questions, exploring problems and interacting with their environment. There is a real buzz of excitement towards learning; both inside and outside classrooms, both teachers and learners alike! My role as PYP Coordinator is a rewarding one, where I have the privilege to share these learning journeys with them.

With renewed energy from our holidays, I look forward to seeing our learners in action this half term.

Mrs Faye Wood PYP Co-ordinator

IB PYP Learner Profile Attributes

PYP SPOTLIGHT IB Learner Profile Attributes

As an IB school, we aim to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young

people who help to create a better and more peaceful world. We want our children to be active, compassionate and lifelong learners that are prepared for the 21st century.

Our students and teachers use a common language to describe and identify behaviours of successful learners using IB attributes (detailed above).

At Green Valley, we not only develop the academic achievement of our pupils, but their character development, happiness and well-being too.

These are essential for all

learners to flourish and be successful in their futures.

These are just some of our ‘Stars of the Week’ who have demonstrated the IB learner profile attributes this term.

Well done!

Our teachers are no different - we are all life-long learners!

We congratulate and celebrate all of our learning community’s achievements and success in demonstrating the IB learner profile attributes. Well done to our star teachers who were nominated by their classes this term!

PYP UNITS IN ACTION NURSERY

Central idea:

Caring communities help us understand who we are IB learner profiles: Caring

This term, Nursery children have been learning to learn! They are becoming increasingly independent with their separation from their parents, forming good relationships with Ms Retno and their learning community.

The learners are developing their self management skills to follow our daily routines and listen to simple instructions. Developing their social skills, the children have been learning how to play alongside each other and to share toys with their friends. During snack and lunch times, they have been learning about making healthy choices.

PYP UNITS IN ACTION KINDERGARTEN

Central idea:

People learning about themselves helps them to understand and connect with others IB learner profiles: Open-Minded

Kindergarten have been inquiring about themselves, expressing their own likes and interests through a variety of activities and role play opportunities.

The learners have learnt about the diversity of their families, exploring similarities and differences with some children bringing in photos of their family to share with the class. They have deepened their understanding of different families by learning the story ‘Goldilocks and the Three Bears’. The children made connections about the three bears in the story and how each family member had different likes and dislikes. We enjoyed making and eating porridge and acting out the story.

PYP UNITS IN ACTION RECEPTION

Central idea:

Within a community there are different roles and responsibilities IB learner profiles: Principled

Reception children have been learning about different roles and responsibilities and wanted to inquire about different occupations within their community. They had so much fun role-playing different roles such as a policeman, fireman, doctor and dentist.

The children visited Harbor Mall as well as interacting with the role play areas in their classrooms to re-enact what they had learnt.

Making conclusions, the children developed their own community by applying mapping skills so that their community had police stations, hospitals, fire stations and many more!

During this unit we talked about superheroes and how they can help people. We compared this to the heroes in our life like our families, teachers and friends.

PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR ONE

Central idea:

As people grow, they learn about who they are and what they can do IB learner profiles: Open-Minded

Year 1 has been learning about how we grow and change as we get older. As part of our inquiry, we visited the Nursery and Year 5 to compare our appearance and abilities. The children enjoyed thinking about how much they have changed since they were 2 years old. The children learnt about how they use their bodies to sense the world around them, researching some unusual animal senses and designed a fictional creature with a dominant sense.

PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR TWO

Central idea:

Human-made systems are created to meet the needs of a community IB learner profiles: Caring

The Year 2 children have been learning about communities. We researched what a community is and reflected on which communities we belong to. We thought critically about the roles and responsibilities within a community and from this, elected monitors for different areas of our classroom, such as the book corner and snack time area so that our community would run more smoothly.

We went on a field trip to explore a local community called Ban Chak Mak where we saw a school, market, temple, a mechanics and gym. We extended our inquiry outside of the classroom and visited Mini Siam, where we looked at how elements of a community had been made into miniature size to make a model community. Applying what we found, we then designed and made our own model communities.

PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR THREE

Central idea:

Lifestyle choices can affect human health and well-being IB learner profiles: Balanced

We have inquired about the range of ways we keep ourselves healthy and happy, both inside and outside of the classroom. We had a great time at JumpZ, exploring the ways exercise can affect and change our bodies and were visited by a dentist to learn the importance of oral hygiene.

The learners researched the different food groups and explored how adverts can influence the way we think about food. From this, the learners took action to advertise, create and sell their own healthy energy bars to their school community to raise money for charity. They have proven to be budding entrepreneurs!

PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR FOUR

Central idea:

Through exploration, people discover and learn about themselves and the world around them IB learner profiles: Inquirer

In our first unit, Year 4 embarked on a journey of exploration and discovery. We researched modern and historical explorers, finding out why and where they travelled to. The students inquired and developed survival and navigation skills, in order to gain first-hand experience of what it is like to be a true explorer.

All our learning was actioned in a fantastic transdisciplinary assembly, where we read our explorer diaries, questioned a modern day explorer by video conference call and presented our outdoor learning experiences to the school community.

PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR FIVE

Central idea:

Technology changes and challenges the way we express ourselves IB learner profiles: Communicator

The Year 5 children have been busy inquiring into the ways we can all use technology responsibly, in our work and leisure. They have reflected about the balance of their digital health and have made positive changes in their lifestyle to maintain a healthier relationship with technology. Our learners didn't stop there as they were curious to inquire about the digital health of our learning community. The Year 5s took action by creating a survey and delivered a presentation in assembly, using their findings, to advocate the enjoyment of technology when we use it responsibly.

During the unit, the children developed their photography skills by creatively altering the composition of their photos to change mood.

They used ‘Pig Heart Boy’ to inspire their photography, a novel about the controversial effect of technology. The learners also used critical thinking to reflect on whether technology enhances sport or gives athletes an unfair advantage.

PYP UNITS IN ACTION YEAR SIX

Central idea:

People's outward appearance can have an impact on other people’s perceptions, beliefs and values IB learner profiles: Caring

Year 6 have been learning about how people’s perceptions of others can be influenced by their values and beliefs. As part of our inquiry, Ms Retno visited Year 6 to inform us of the religion of Islam. To further the children’s knowledge of Islam, we visited a Mosque in Pattaya. Based around Martin Luther King’s iconic speech, the children wrote and presented an inspirational speech which included themes such as: LGBTQ+ rights, religion and how kindness can improve our lives. It was wonderful to see the development of the children, who became more open-minded and caring throughout the unit.

PYP UNITS IN ACTION SPECIALIST SUBJECTS

PE The year 5 learners have been utilising technology to monitor their physical activity and to evaluate their performance during PE lessons. This transdisciplinary learning has enabled the children to form a deeper understanding about the growth of technology and its impacts on work and leisure.

THAI The Year 3 learners have been learning how to ask for fruit and vegetables in Thai, when thinking about making healthy lifestyle choices at lunchtime. The children took action and put their Thai language skills to the test, by visiting our Head Chef (Khun Penny), to order their healthy and delicious meals!

PYP UNITS IN ACTION SPECIALIST SUBJECTS

MUSIC

During Kindergarten’s unit of inquiry ‘People learning about themselves helps them to understand and connect with others’, they have explored differences among their family members using different pitch. They learnt that their voices were high pitched and discovered that older people tend to have a lower pitch to their voice. They enjoyed the actions too as they role-played the different roles!

OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

#pypbalanced

#pypinquirer

#pyprisktaker

PARENT WORKSHOPS IB v A Levels: Why the IB Diploma is the Best Preparation for University?

14:30pm, Monday 16th November Mr McGee will be holding a Parent Information Meeting about the IB Diploma and why it is better preparation for University then A levels.  What is the IB Diploma? 

How is the IB Diploma different to A levels?



In Thailand, which schools study the IB Diploma and which study A levels?

 

How do IB and A Level grades compare?

Which system do university admissions staff think prepares students better for university?



What do past graduating students say about how well studying the IB prepared them for university?

Primary Maths Parent Workshop 14:00pm, Friday 27th November Following on from last year's workshop on using concrete manipulatives to help with maths, we will now be looking at how maths can be represented pictorially to aid children in solving maths problems. We will also be looking at the importance of times tables in primary school, and how parents can use the data in TT Rockstars to help their children improve their times tables knowledge.

IB attributes 14:00 - 15:00pm, Tuesday 19th January Parents and families are invited to join us in a fun and interactive PYP-focused workshop based upon the IB learning attributes. The aim of the workshop will be to develop parents understanding of the IB attributes, share the language of the PYP and to help parents recognise and support these attributes at home and within our learning community.

UPCOMING UNITS OF INQUIRY Below are the upcoming units of inquiry that our young learners will be learning before and after the Christmas break:

Central idea

IB learner profile

Nursery

Through play we express feelings and ideas.

Communicator Inquirer

Kindergarten

People have a responsibility to care for living things.

Principled Knowledgeable

Reception

Plants sustain life and play a role in our lives.

Balanced Caring

Year 1

Homes have been influenced by a variety of factors over time.

Thinker Knowledgeable

Year 2

Celebrations reflect the significance of cultures and beliefs.

Open-Minded Knowledgeable

Year 3

The Earth’s physical geography has an impact on human settlements.

Inquirer Reflective

Year 4

The way people use and understand electricity has developed in response to the changing Earth.

Thinker Inquirer

Year 5

Humans have a responsibility to ensure equal rights and realities for all.

Caring Open-minded

Year 6

Many elements combine to create a theatrical performance.

Communicator Risk taker

UPCOMING EVENTS NOV 16

IB VS A LEVELS WORKSHOP

NOV 18

LITTLE LUNCHTIME CONCERT

NOV 20

TERM 1 REPORTS SENT HOME

NOV 21

ONE DAY ONE GOAL

NOV 25

PARENT TEACHER MEETING DAY

NOV 27

PRIMARY MATHS WORKSHOP

NOV 27

RICE DRIVE & CRAZY HAIR DAY FOR FATHER RAY ORPHANGE

DEC 1

EARLY YEARS SPORTS DAY

DEC 4

YEARS 1-6 SPORTS DAY

DEC 4

RECEPTION & KINDERGARTEN TRIP TO LITTLE FIELDS FARM

DEC 7

HM RAMA IX BIRTHDAY - PUBLIC HOLIDAY

DEC 8

YEAR 1 TRIP TO THAI THANI

DEC 8 - 11

YEAR 5 RESIDENTIAL TRIP

DEC 11

EARLY YEARS CHRISTMAS CONCERT

DEC 15

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

DEC 18

LAST DAY OF TERM 1

JAN 11

FIRST DAY OF TERM 2

JAN 19

IB ATTRIBUTES WORKSHOP

KEEP IN TOUCH

Seesaw Gives you regular updates and samples of work from the classroom.

Contact your child’s teacher for information on how to link to your child’s account.

Firefly Online Learning Platform This not only provides parents with curriculum and general school information but also has Class Pages with weekly updates and news.

Facebook Follow us /StAndrewsGV

Instagram Follow us st.andrewsgv

LINE Get updates and join the conversation by joining our StAndrewsGV LINE Group

What’s on for Primary Parents A weekly email sent out every Friday by Ms. Michelle. Letting you know what’s going on in Primary for the following week and beyond!