Children in our Primary school continue with a Reggio-Inspired approach to learning and teaching that advocates for the rights of the child and puts the child at the centre of their learning. One of the practices within this approach is being fully inclusive which recognises the diversity of children. Individual differences are valued and embraced and practices increase the participation and progress of students who learn differently, not only in the classroom but in other learning experiences, such as non-academic and enrichment classes.
The day-to-day programme and environment at Aurora are organised in such a way that children can initiate purposeful, problem-solving activities and devise and solve problems to their own satisfaction using a variety of materials and equipment. Children are encouraged to use trial and error to find solutions to problems and to use their previous experiences as a basis for trying out alternative strategies. They are encouraged to give reasons for their choices and to argue logically.
Our curriculum content in the Primary school is taught through investigative research, following the Common Ground Collaborative standards and inquiry-based approach. The 3 C’s are how we define learning. The learning process is a continuous spiral as children progress through deeper levels of constructing conceptual understanding, building competencies and developing character.
Children develop conceptual understanding when they are able to:
- Identify issues
- Gather and analyse information
- Make connections across curriculum areas
- Form and test hypotheses
Children develop higher levels of competency when they are able to:
- Communicate their thoughts clearly and make themselves understood
- Collaborate effectively with teachers and children from diverse backgrounds
- Take ownership and responsibility for their own learning
Children exhibit positive learning dispositions when developing character by becoming:
Each module fits within a framework designed around 6 human commonalities:
Purpose & Balance
Individuals & Groups
Sustainability & Systems
Patterns & Principles
Stories & Signals
Imagination & Creativity