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The Overseas Family School Elementary is an exciting and unique place.
We offer the finest of international curriculums, which is the International
Baccalaureate Organisation Primary Years Programme. Our international
group of students is from 65 countries, and we have a highly qualified
and dedicated staff from 18 different countries. At present we have around
1220 students in grades 1 - 5 and have a faculty of 100.
Areas of Study within the Elementary School
Language Arts
This encompasses the writing process within various text types (narrative, persuasive, procedural, etc), handwriting, spelling
and grammar. We believe this is best taught in context, and in an integrated
manner, rather than as isolated units of study. Writing across all curriculum
areas is a major focus in our school.
Programme of Inquiry (POI)
This includes Science, Social Studies and Fine Arts units taught through
global concepts. These units are investigated through guided inquiry and
develop questioning skills and higher level thinking skills. Students
are involved in hands-on activities and projects with a heavy emphasis
on research and communication skills.
Mathematics
All students have 5 periods of Math per week. Grades 2-5 are assessed
within the first few weeks of school as to their math understanding and
experience and are then assigned a math teacher and class (set). Meeting
students at their level of understanding, tailoring a program for them,
and helping them reach their greatest capability within the grade level
benchmarks is our goal. Grade one students have math with their home base
teacher.
Reading
A diversity of national systems, cultures and language levels means that
we have students at many different levels of reading. To best meet the needs
of our students, Grade 1-5 students are assessed early in the year in reading
comprehension and oral skills. Reading classes are planned at least 3 periods a week and use a
combination of reading schemes, novel studies, and world class literature.
Specials
All students have one session of art, music and library per week.
Each class is taught by a fully trained specialist teacher. Students have 2 sessions of PE per week and grades 1 and 2 have 1 session of IT per week. Grades 3-5 have integrated IT lessons in their homebase classes. Students who enjoy these areas may join optional lunchtime activities
in library, organized sport, art, music and IT.
Additional Languages
We at the Overseas Family School are proud of our international language
program. Students proficient in English will choose to learn a new language,
choosing from French, German, Japanese, Mandarin and Spanish. These classes
are given four times a week for approximately 60 minutes
per lesson.
Being an international school means that we have many diverse nationalities
and cultures in our student population. Even though most of our students
are already bi- or trilingual, we believe that continuing to learn languages
enhances communication as well as cultural understanding. Our classes
are taught by highly qualified staff members who make language learning
fun and engaging. The beginners’ levels focus mostly on oral skills,
with a more balanced emphasis on reading, writing, listening and speaking
at the language continuation levels. Students are encouraged to choose
a language and to stay with it for the entire school year for optimum
benefit.
SPP (Study Preparation Program)
Those students for whom English is not their first language can receive
instruction from specialist teachers trained to teach elementary classroom
as well as SPP (English). Students receive all classes of English, Language
Arts, Programme of Inquiry and Reading in the SPP classroom. Students also receive SPP support in their Math set classes. Once students exit SPP classes they
join either the language program, or the International English class if
more time is needed to solidify writing and reading skills.
Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs)
Extra Curricular Activities (ECAs) are offered in the Elementary School
after school a week for approximately 10 weeks each semester. All ECAs will be of high quality. Students will make a
commitment to such activities as Science Club, Art and Music, Dance, Drama
or PE (sports).
At the start of first semester a notice will be sent home listing the
ECAs available. Students are asked to make three choices in order of preference.
Each child will be allowed one ECA. The lists are drawn up on a first-come-basis.
As some ECAs receive an overwhelming responses it should be understood
that first choice cannot always be guaranteed.
* Elementary School choir, orchestra, drama and Junior School
Council will be held at lunchtimes or after school.
At the Overseas Family School the school day is from 9.00am to 3.25pm.
Students are marked late if they arrive after 9:15 am.
There will be a one hour break for lunch from 11.20am to 12.20pm and
a fifteen minute afternoon break from 2.20pm to 2.35pm.
The end of the school day is at 3.25 pm. Children going home by bus are
escorted to the auditorium. Those children going home by private transport
are escorted to the pick up are in front of the school.
| After
School Sports Programme |
The After School Sports Programme operates twice a week from 3.30-4.30
pm. The programme is open to grade four and five children on Mondays and
grade two and three children on Wednesdays. There are two sessions per
year and for each session several sports are offered. The programme aims
not only to teach the skills of each sports, but also to give children
involved experience in ‘friendly competition’. Matches are
organised on our school campus and where possible, matches with teams
from other schools are arranged.
Examples of sports offered are; basketball, soccer, touch rugby, volleyball,
swimming, badminton, hockey, etc.
* Private transportation must be organised for those children
participating in the After School Sports Programme. We ask that all children
be picked up at 4:30 pm from the auditorium entrance area. |
