Primary School
St. Thomas’s International School has five primary school grade levels from our 6 year olds in Grade 1 to our 10-11 year olds in Grade 5. Each grade level has a mother tongue English speaking homeroom teacher who facilitates six units of inquiry, English, mathematics, science and social studies within a disciplinary and transdisciplinary programme. The students also have classes for Italian, music, visual art, drama and physical education that are facilitated by specialist teachers. In addition, we facilitate some ‘Italian mathematics’ classes, which bolster our mathematics programme and help support those students who, in the future, will need the specific vocabulary, systems and algorithmic strategies used in the Italian public schools.
Inquiry driven
Learning at St. Thomas’s is a balance between inquiry and explicit instruction. Inquiry skills are developed and nurtured through teacher directed inquiry, guided inquiry and more open inquiry so as to gradually develop a students ability and opportunity to exercise their agency over their learning journey. Subject disciplines are developed both separately and as part of an transdisciplinary approach to learning where disciplinary knowledge, understanding and skills can be applied to multiple contexts.
Skills focused
A strong focus is placed on the development of skills in five areas: Research skills, thinking skills, communication skills, social skills and self-management skills. These skills form the foundations of life-long learning.
Conceptually framed
Conceptually driven units of inquiry are framed using macro concepts such as form, function, causation, connection, change, perspective and responsibility. Reflection is also a constant aspect of daily thinking and learning.
Transdisciplinary
The specialist class teachers connect their subject with the units of inquiry in each grade where a connection is relevant and meaningful. This transdisciplinary approach helps deepen and broaden the inquiries and enables students to see how the world around them is connected.
Parent involvement
The parent community is strongly encouraged to participate in the learning journeys of the students. Parents are invited to present and collaborate with students on projects.
