Our Learning

Curriculum

IB Candidate School

St Mark's Church School is an Anglican, independent, co-educational school and an International Baccalaureate (IB) Candidate School. We cater for students from Pre-school to Year 8.

The integration of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) with the New Zealand Curriculum provides the foundation for learning which makes schooling at St Mark's quite distinctive and unique. The programme focuses on the total growth of the developing child, addressing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic welfare. The PYP combines the best research and practice from a range of national systems with a wealth of experience from international schools to create a relevant and engaging educational programme. The PYP also offers a comprehensive, inquiry-based approach to teaching and learning. It incorporates guidelines on student learning styles, teaching methodologies and assessment strategies.

Our curriculum is unusually broad. All children study the traditional academic subjects; however, we also place strong emphasis on the creative arts, sport and physical education. This balanced curriculum allows children to pursue their interests and develop strengths and enthusiasms at a relatively young age.

All children have the opportunity to perform in our curriculum drama, dance and music productions and they all study Spanish. We also offer Japanese and French from Year 5.

Children travel outside the school on a variety of field trips each year, experiencing a hands-on and stimulating approach to learning.

Our classes are small with an average class size of 20 - 22, enabling teachers to give children individual attention.

We aim to maximise every child's potential and strive to help children develop good study habits and a real love of learning.

The International Baccalaureate Organisation

The IBO was established in 1968 in Geneva, Switzerland, by an international association of educators who sought to create a comprehensive curriculum with consistent assessment standards adaptable to any country. Its goal was to develop truly global citizens capable of succeeding in university programmes around the world. The number of IB World Schools has grown to some 1,800 institutions in 122 countries.

The IB learner profile provides a set of attributes that all IB schools strive to develop in all community members. The learner profile is “a set of ideals that can inspire, motivate and focus the work of schools and teachers, uniting them in a common purpose”. All IB learners strive to be –

Inquirers	Principled	Balanced	Knowledgeable	Open-minded
Reflective	Thinkers	Caring	Communicators	Risk-takers

We seek to provide our students with international understanding and with opportunities to practice responsible world citizenship. Our students are encouraged to become critical thinkers, goal setters, and enthusiastic life-long learners through the provision of a stimulating and enriched curriculum that is strong in core academic areas and enriched through cultural, physical and artistic pursuits.

Key features of IB

International Perspective
In order to make the most of the diversity of background and experience of our students, the PYP synthesises the best from educational systems around the world. Emphasis is placed on the ideals of international understanding and responsible citizenship.

Inquiry-based
Inquiry approaches to teaching and learning are incorporated. Our teaching methods will build on students' individual knowledge and interests, and emphasise learning how to learn and how to find out, using both traditional and contemporary media.

Integrated
The subject areas of Mathematics, English, Science, Social Studies, Technology and Health are taught through interdisciplinary themes in order to help the students make connections between the subjects, thereby facilitating more effective learning. Click here to visit the International Baccalaureate website for more information

Learning Support
Our teachers are always happy to see children out of class time to tackle difficulties and offer support but, in order for us to meet the needs of each child, we offer Learning Support classes for anyone in need of extra help.

IB Primary Years programme further information booklet