International Baccalaureate

Burwood Heights Primary School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School that has been authorised to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP).

IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to improve the teaching and learning of a diverse and inclusive community of students by delivering challenging, high quality programmes of international education that share a powerful vision.

IB Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAMME [PYP]

The PYP is an education program for students that promotes learning between and beyond different subjects through inquiry and student-focused activities. It helps students explore important ideas in a way that is meaningful and challenging.

The PYP features a flexible curriculum framework that places student agency at the heart of its three pillars: the learner, learning and teaching and the learning community. It encourages students to think critically, ask meaningful questions and reflect thoughtfully on their learning journey. Through this approach, students develop knowledge, skills and the attributes described in the Learner Profile.

THE LEARNER

Student agency: Student agency in the PYP refers to students having voice, choice and ownership over their learning. Student agency is a key element in making learning meaningful and empowering students to become active participants in their own education.

In the PYP, student agency is expressed when learners:

Have voice: Students are encouraged to express their ideas, opinions and interests.
Make choices: Students have opportunities to make decisions about how they learn, what they learn and how they show their understanding.
Take ownership: Students understand their learning goals, monitor their progress and take responsibility for their growth.

The Learner Profile: The Learner Profile is a set of attributes that the PYP aims to develop in students to shape them into thoughtful and responsible individuals, who are prepared to learn throughout their lives and contribute positively to their communities and the world. These attributes are:

Inquirers: Students are curious and enjoy learning. They develop skills to ask questions, explore and conduct research independently.

Knowledgeable: Students explore relevant concepts, ideas and issues across a range of subjects to develop a deep understanding of the world.

Thinkers: Students use critical and creative thinking to solve problems and make responsible decisions.

Communicators: Students express their ideas clearly and confidently, listen to others with understanding and work individually and in groups using different communication methods and languages.

Principled: Students act with honesty, fairness and respect, taking responsibility for their actions and learning.

Open-minded: Students appreciate their own culture and are willing to consider other perspectives and ideas with respect.

Caring: Students show empathy, compassion and respect towards others and take action to help make a positive difference.

Risk-takers: Student approach new challenges with courage and creativity, embracing uncertainty and learning from mistakes.

Balanced: Students understand the importance of balancing different aspects of their lives, including their intellectual physical and emotional well-being, to stay healthy and fulfilled.

Reflective: Students thoughtfully consider their own learning and experiences to understand their strengths and areas for growth.

Action: Student action in the PYP encourages students to apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways to make a positive difference to their own lives, their communities and the world around them. Student action is promoted by:

fostering a culture of inquiry and reflection
providing opportunities for voice, choice and ownership
integrating action into the curriculum
supporting different forms of action
encouraging responsible citizenship
celebrating and reflecting on action

Exhibition: The Exhibition is an important milestone that occurs in the final years of the PYP. It is a student-led inquiry project that enables students to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes that they have developed throughout their PYP journey. Working individually and in groups, students explore a real-world issue or topic they are passionate about, conduct in-depth research and take meaningful action. The experience concludes with a presentation, where students share their findings, learning process and actions with the school community.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

Transdisciplinary learning: In the PYP, transdisciplinary learning goes beyond individual subjects to allow students to explore significant ideas and real-world issues that connect across disciplines. Instead of learning subjects in isolation, students investigate concepts and questions through integrated units that combine knowledge and skills from areas such as Science, Art, Technologies, Health, Mathematics and Languages.

This approach encourages students to make meaningful connections between what they learn in school and the world around them. It supports deeper understanding, critical thinking and the ability to apply learning in different contexts. Transdisciplinary learning reflects the PYP’s commitment to developing learners who are curious, engaged and capable of taking action in an interconnected world.

Learning in the PYP happens through the following six transdisciplinary themes that connect subjects and relate to real-life:

Who we are: An inquiry into identity as individuals and as part of a collective through physical, emotional and spiritual health and well-being; relationships and belonging; learning and growing.
Where we are in place and time: An inquiry into histories and orientation in place, space, and time through periods, events and artifacts; communities, heritage, culture and environment; natural and human drivers of movement, adaptation and transformation.
How we express ourselves: An inquiry into the diversity of voice, perspectives, and expression through inspiration, imagination and creativity; personal, social and cultural notes and practices of communication; intentions, perceptions, interpretations and responses.
How the world works: An inquiry into the understandings of the world and phenomena through patterns, cycles and systems; diverse practices, methods and tools; discovery, design, innovation, possibilities and impacts.
How we organise ourselves: An inquiry into systems, structures and networks through interactions with and between social and ecological systems; approaches to livelihoods and trade practices with intended and unintended consequences; representation, collaboration and decision-making.
Sharing the planet: An inquiry into the interdependence of human and natural worlds through rights, responsibilities and dignity of all; pathways to just, peaceful and reimagined futures; nature, complexity, coexistence and wisdom.

Approaches to Learning:

The Approaches to Learning are a set of skills including thinking, research, communication, social and self-management skills. They help students learn how to learn effectively by becoming confident, motivated and independent learners, who are ready to succeed now and into the future.

Approaches to Teaching:

Approaches to Teaching in the PYP are the key strategies educators use to create meaningful, engaging and inclusive learning experiences. These approaches are grounded in inquiry-based learning and ensure that teaching is student-centred, responsive and designed to help develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes students need to thrive.

Teaching in the PYP is:

Inquiry-based: Encourages students to ask questions and explore topics deeply.
Concept-driven: Focuses on big ideas that connect learning across subjects.
Contextual: Uses real-life situations to make learning relevant and meaningful.
Collaborative: Promotes teamwork between students and between students and teachers.
Differentiated: Adapts teaching to meet the diverse needs, interests and abilities of students.
Informed by assessment: Uses assessment to support learning and provide feedback for growth.

THE LEARNING COMMUNITY

Collaboration: The learning community in the PYP includes everyone involved in a student’s education —students, school staff, parents/guardians and other community members. It is built on strong relationships, collaboration and shared responsibility for learning. Everyone works together to create a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where students feel valued and empowered. The community encourages open communication, mutual respect and active participation. By working in partnership, the learning community helps students develop academically, socially and emotionally, and supports them in becoming caring and responsible global citizens.

International mindedness: The PYP promotes international mindedness, which involves understanding, respecting and appreciating different cultures, perspectives and values. It encourages students to see themselves as part of a global community and to take responsibility for making the world a better, more peaceful place. Students with international mindedness are curious about the world, aware of their role in it and take action to make positive contributions, both locally and globally.

In the PYP, international mindedness is fostered by: