EYP & PYP Programme
Gateway International School (GIS) is an authorized Primary Years Programme (PYP) school since December 2017. Primary Years Programme is a curriculum framework designed for students aged 3 to 12. We believe in the holistic development of children, tapping their potential curiosity and innate talents to bring out well balanced confident individuals, and lifelong independent learners.
In response to the challenges and opportunities found in our rapidly changing world, a future-focused PYP has evolved- The Enhanced PYP. The PYP curriculum framework emphasizes the central principle of agency that is threaded throughout the three pillars of the curriculum: the learner, learning and teaching and the learning community.
At GIS, students are encouraged to take initiatives, express interests, make choices and be aware of their learning goals. They are agents for their own and others’ learning through the concept of learner agency. They are actively engaged, and monitor and adjust their learning as needed. In the learning process, the relationship between a teacher and a student is viewed as a partnership. Our PYP students develop knowledge, conceptual understandings, skills and the attributes of the IB Learner profile to make a difference in their own lives, their communities, and beyond. They demonstrate the agility and imagination to respond to new and unexpected challenges and opportunities and to take actions for a better and more peaceful world.
Learning and teaching is the PYP in action, which is the dynamic interplay between how students learn best, what has been learned, and what the next steps in learning are. We emphasize on collaborative inquiry and integrative language and technology learning which strengthens the curiosity, voice, and contribution of the students.
The PYP learning community brings to life – the learning and teaching practices that support students in pursuit of a significant, relevant, engaging and challenging learning experience. The PYP learning community includes classrooms and schools, extending to the whole IB community, students and their families, school faculty and staff members, and other significant adults in students’ lives and to the world as the broadest context for learning. Thus, educational outcomes are shaped by strong relationships amongst members of the learning community.
Overall, we strive to develop global citizens who respect cultures, who open-mindedly nurture the diversity found around them, and who endeavour to lead by example.
Exhibition
The exhibition is a culminating experience which reflects all the major features of the PYP. In the exhibition, students demonstrate their understanding of an issue or opportunity they have chosen to explore. They undertake their investigation both individually and with their peers, together with the guidance of a mentor. Through the exhibition, students demonstrate their ability to take responsibility for their learning and their capacity to take action—as they are actively engaged in planning, presenting and assessing learning. The exhibition is an authentic process for students to explore, document and share their understanding of an issue or opportunity of personal significance. The exhibition at GIS is students-initiated, students-designed and collaborative in nature.
Special Education Needs (SEN)
Through acknowledging and struggling to meet the diverse needs of the student the SEN teacher provide individualized instruction for those identified with special needs.The special need children are equipped with well designed structured planning by our SEN teacher who instills the practice of experiential learning through various hands on experiments. It focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional and cultural needs in addition to academic development and create a relevant, engaging, challenging and significant education for the children.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
At Gateway International School, we welcome students from around the world. Our students come to us with diverse cultural identities and language profiles. The teachers assist students in integrating into an English-speaking environment so that they feel comfortable at our school. We ensure that ESL students attend most classes where appropriate, art, music, physical education, ICT, personal and social development and scripture classes/value education with their peers. In order to enable students to develop confidence, skills and knowledge,the teacher plan, teach and assess students’ understanding of our curriculum. In addition the teachers instruct students in fundamental English skills in differentiated language lessons.
Additional Languages (AL)(Tamil, Hindi, French and Spanish)
At Gateway International School, we believe that students learn a language, about the language and through the language. Listening, speaking, reading and writing are not separate but inter-related. Our approach to teaching language is holistic. Grammar is taught in context, often related to something the students are writing, and also when speaking, listening and reading. The school has introduced another additional language Spanish for the PYP 4 onwards, added on to Tamil, Hindi and French .The students have a flair for the new language and take interest in acquiring the communication skills in listening,speaking,reading and writing.
Mother Tongue Support
The GIS students benefit academically, socially and emotionally when they are encouraged to develop and maintain proficiency in their mother tongue while they are learning English. We encourage the students to participate in cultural activities,during assemblies and events
