Curriculum Overview

Teaching and Learning at Redeemer is delivered within the framework of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP) and using the content of the Australian Curriculum.

Classroom teachers take responsibility for teaching English, Mathematics, HASS (Humanities & Social Sciences, incorporating History, Geography and Civics & Citizenship), Science and Health.

We are also blessed at Redeemer to have an outstanding group of expert specialist teachers leading the teaching in a number of other learning areas to supplement our general classroom programs. (See the Specialist Teachers section below for full details.)

All of our staff complete globally recognised training to ensure that your child engages in learning experiences that use research-based best-practice strategies to optimise learning.

International Baccalaureate

Redeemer is an accredited International Baccalaureate World School. As a Primary School, this means we teach students within the structure of the Primary Years Program (PYP), a program being used in over 1,400 schools worldwide.

This internationally recognised program combines strategies from current research about how children learn best through inquiry into one whole-school model. (To learn more about Inquiry Learning see below.) PYP schools are also visited every 5 years for evaluation, where their planning, teaching and assessment are audited to ensure they are providing a high quality education within the PYP structure. In addition, the PYP has been the subject of many research studies which have shown that IB students outperform non-IB students in Mathematics, Reading and Writing. Redeemer students are well reputed by local Secondary Schools who recognise the strength of our IB program in producing students equipped to flourish in a secondary setting.

At Redeemer, you can be confident that through an IB education your child will be given the best possible opportunities to learn, grow and prepare for their future in high school and beyond.

Find out more about the IB PYP by visiting www.ibo.org.

Inquiry Learning

Much of the learning that takes place within the PYP at Redeemer is inquiry-based learning.

This approach embraces investigation and encourages children to think for themselves and ask questions to guide their learning. Inquiry-based learning supports children to develop their own knowledge, rather than listen to someone else’s and helps them develop not only subject-specific skills and knowledge, but also an understanding of broader, more complex ideas and concepts.

The IB describes inquiry as:

exploring, wondering and questioning
experimenting and playing with possibilities
making connections between previous learning and current learning
making predictions and acting purposefully to see what happens
collecting data and reporting findings
clarifying existing ideas and reappraising perceptions of events
deepening understanding through the application of a concept
making and testing theories
researching and seeking information
taking and defending a position
and solving problems in a variety of ways

Australian Curriculum

While we teach using the framework of the IB PYP, our students’ learning is aligned with the content of the Australian Curriculum.

We are however very aware of the wide range of knowledge and skills our students already have and we tailor our teaching for individuals to ensure that all students are learning and growing in their knowledge, skills and understanding, even if this is beyond the standards set out in the Australian Curriculum.

If you would like to know more about the Australian Curriculum, please visit www.australiancurriculum.edu.au or contact us and we would be more than happy to discuss it with you further.

Classroom and specialist teachers assess students’ learning regularly and in a variety of ways against the Australian Curriculum Achievement Standards. Assessment may include observation, discussion, testing and reviewing work samples.

Parents are informed of their child’s progress incidentally throughout the year and formally each semester through students’ Learning Portfolios and Reports. Additionally, Parent/Teacher Interviews are held at the end of Term One and upon request at other times.

Specialist Teachers

Redeemer’s specialist programs have been developed to cater for 21st Century learners, equipping them with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

We have specialist teachers in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), Performing Arts (incorporating Dance, Drama and Music), Digital Technology, Japanese and Physical Education (PE).

Our specialist teachers oversee these learning areas and a number of associated co-curricular experiences within and beyond the school.

You can read more about these exciting and challenging programs below.