Academic Life Curriculum The Preparatory School seeks to educate the whole boy and bring him to his fullest potential – academically, physically, socially, creatively and spiritually. To this end, we provide a broad, balanced, contemporary curriculum and, therefore, deliver an enriching school experience that is significant, challenging, engaging and relevant to the needs of each boy. The Prep School is an IB World School, authorised to offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students aged 3 years to 12 years. The PYP focuses on the development of the whole boy as an inquirer, both in the classroom and in the world outside. A balance is sought between the acquisition of essential knowledge and skills, development of conceptual understanding, demonstration of positive attitudes and taking responsible action. Each year, students in Years 1–6 learn through six Units of Inquiry, while PreKindergarten and Kindergarten students learn through four Units of Inquiry. Each unit is based around six transdisciplinary themes of global significance that transcend the confines of the traditional subject areas. Where authentically relevant, a range of disciplines, including Science, History, Geography, Personal Development & Creative Arts are integrated into the Units of Inquiry. This approach is balanced by providing explicit and differentiated learning experiences in the areas of Mathematics and Language. Students also attend Music, Visual Arts, Woodwork, Physical Education, Biblical Studies, and Mandarin classes, which are taught by our specialist teaching team. Integration across these disciplines is also planned to achieve deep, transdisciplinary understandings. Information and Digital Literacy (Technology) is considered a tool to enhance learning and is fully integrated into the students’ learning experiences.
Sharing the planet How we organise ourselves. Inquiry-based learning is the leading pedagogy of the PYP, although a variety of other teaching methodologies are also utilised. Teachers and students at King’s develop and use key questions that are concept-based to structure learning. Studentinitiated inquiry is planned for and fostered, and this approach nurtures independence and results in enduring understandings. The IB Learner Profile describes a list of attributes that promote academic rigour and the establishing of a personal value system leading to international-mindedness. We seek to develop students who are principled, caring, open-minded, balanced, reflective, inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risktakers and knowledgeable.
Science and Technology Working Scientifically Design and Production Living World Material World Physical World Earth and Space Digital Technologies
Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Health, Wellbeing and Relationships Movement Skill and Performance Healthy, Safe and Active Lifestyles
Human Society and Its Environment
At a discipline level, our curriculum contains the following elements:
Personal and Family Histories
English
Australian History
Reading and Viewing Writing and Representing Grammar, Punctuation and Vocabulary Spelling Handwriting and Using Digital Technology S peaking and Listening (Communication) Thinking Imaginatively and Creatively Expressing Themselves Reflecting on Learning
Mathematics Working Mathematically Number and Algebra Measurement and Geometry Statistics and Probability
The transdisciplinary themes are: Who we are Where we are in place and time How the world works How we express ourselves 12
The Past and the Present Places People and Places The Earth’s Environment People of the World
Creative and Practical Arts Music Visual Arts Dance Drama Woodwork In all P-6 classes our learning programs are differentiated in order to meet the varying needs of our students.
