ACADEMICS

Introduction

Dear Parent,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Kings and Queens International School. The Primary School is made up of Pre-school to Grade 3 students (ages 3-8) with two classes per grade.

K&Q 's core philosophy is that our students, and their learning, are at the heart of each and every conversation, action and decision. Schools are for children... it just happens that adults work in them.

The Primary School follows a student-centered, inquiry-based programme that encourages our students to take a central role in their own learning. For those students not proficient in English, the Primary School is supported by a full-time English as an Additional Language (EAL) teacher.

Fundamental to K&Q's teaching and learning is the involvement of the parent in the education process. The relationship between student, parent and teacher is critical in serving the learning needs of our students. Schools are no longer islands where classroom doors are closed and parents are not welcome. At K&Q, we value and cherish parental involvement in all stages of the learning process.

Please remember to:

• Maintain regular contact with the school
• Share a love of literature and reading with your child
• Support your child's mother tongue
• Assist your child with their learning at home
• Come into school on a regular basis
• Participate in learning activities offered within the class

Communication is vital at all levels in order for us to make this the best possible learning environment for your children. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you want to clarify or discuss the Program in any way.

We look forward to a successful school year; working with you and your children.

Kind Regards,

Rajan George (Director Administration)

Curriculum

Our curriculum is designed to provide an all round, holistic education with equal importance to academic, arts, sports, cultural, technological, intellectual and social activities. The school is justly proud of its excellent facilities, offering its students the very best in modern equipment and technology.

Language

At K&Q we recognize that language acquisition is a developmental process. As such, the three strands of listening/speaking, viewing/presenting, and reading/writing are expressed in terms of phases that a student will progress through.

As a student develops in all areas of language they exhibit more and more elements of each phase. However, given that no one student is the same, the pattern of acquisition will be different for all.

Oral language—listening and speaking

Listening and speaking are natural, developmental processes that infants and young children are immersed in from their earliest experiences. Almost all children arrive at school with an impressive command of their mother-tongue language. However, the expectations and approach to language development in school is often very different from the successful learning environment the child has previously experienced. In the transition from home to school, or from one school to another, it is important to acknowledge the language profile of the individual and build on previous learning in ways that are positive and productive.

Visual and performing arts

Our Visual Arts program incorporates key elements from art, craft, sculpture and design. Wherever possible, students are given the opportunity to experience visual arts beyond their own initial involvement, be it through a trip to a gallery, a visit from a guest artist or other out-of-the-classroom experiences.

Our Performing Arts program is a combination of dance, drama and music. Aspects of the curriculum are linked into the local context and national experiences are highlighted. Students are encouraged to showcase their skills at every opportunity – within their class, Grade level, or in assemblies or public performances.

Physical education

Part of our holistic mission involves Physical Education (PE) and the empowering of our students to make responsible decisions about lifestyle and physical activity. Our PE program has a combination of the following:

• Individual pursuits - Development of basic motor skills and the body's capacity for movement.
• Movement composition - Involving the linking of movements aesthetically.
• Games - Development of skills and strategies.
• Adventure challenges - Tasks that require physical and critical-thinking skills by individuals and groups.
• Health-related fitness - Recognizing and appreciating the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Library skills

The Primary Learning Resource Centre (PLRC) aims to foster independent learning as well as a love of reading. The PLRC program teaches students from Pre-School to Grade 3 about the search and selection process, enabling them to develop as sensitive, efficient and discriminating readers, listeners and viewers. Under this PLRC we have library in all classes to enhance the reading skills of students.

The students learn to locate the different sections of the PLRC and to understand the system of organization of the materials within each section. They also learn to locate materials within these sections, so that they can use the PLRC's resources to the maximum.