LSLOWER SCHOOL

To inspire excellence, cultivate character, and empower engagement locally and globally.

LSLOWER SCHOOL

Head of School’s Message

The Lower School at Canadian International School of Hong Kong is a dynamic, energetic place for 3 to 11 year olds to learn and grow. Our teachers and staff are passionate about what they teach and do so in a warm, nurturing environment where all Pre Reception to Grade 6 students are encouraged to express themselves as they learn, grow, collaborate and create. Our Lower School follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme which is an inquiry-based curriculum. Through the PYP, we endeavour to provide opportunities for our students to develop an understanding of essential concepts, skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to be lifelong learners – a term our staff use regularly – in our ever-changing world.

CDNIS has been known as one of the most innovative schools in Asia since its foundation in 1991. We were one of the first Apple Distinguished Schools in Asia

and one of the first schools in Hong Kong to roll out a laptop programme. For over 27 years, the school has been committed to ensuring it would offer a future-ready education for all students from pre-school to Grade 12 and today continues to develop programmes and partnerships with innovative institutions, companies and organisations around the world.

We also encourage our students to develop confidence in their own abilities, think for themselves, question what is presented to them, express their opinions and respect the opinions of others.At CDNIS, the development of the whole child is essential, as students are supported and nurtured in their social and emotional development. Our Lower School classrooms are located primarily in the Lower School tower, but all students have access to facilities across our expansive campus and are encouraged to participate in a plethora of activities outside the confines of the traditional classroom. Our Lower School students all enjoy dedicated specialist teachers for Chinese, music and PE, while students in Grade 3 and above participate in specialised art lessons. CDNIS is a school united by the joy of learning, excellence in achievement, and development of character. Students in our Lower School are happy, open-minded, caring and engaged learners. They are all eager to come to school and are encouraged to be active, passionate lifelong learners. David BairdHead of School

Lower School Principal’s Message

Thank you for your interest in the Lower School of the Canadian International School of Hong Kong. We offer a unique learning experience for students, blending the highest quality English language education, underpinned by the global perspective of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, and Canadian values, in the rich cultural context of Hong Kong. We offer state-of-the-art facilities and resources in the inspirational setting of Aberdeen harbour and exceptional teaching and support staff, qualified and trained to the highest levels. This enables us to provide an exceptional education both inside and outside of the classroom, including an impressive programme of after-school activities. Through our pastoral and academic programmes, students are both challenged and supported to realise their maximum potential in an environment that ignites motivation, stimulates creativity, and fosters an excitement about learning.

Our Lower School students are provided with all of the tools they need to move on successfully to the Upper School and then on to the best universities aroundthe world. We provide the academic and personal growth which allows them to embrace the outside world through personal success and meaningful participation and service. Helen KellyLower School Principal

Mission Statement

CDNIS is a school united by the joy of learning, excellence in achievement and development of character. We will inspire academic and personal growth in our students by encouraging inquiry, stimulating creativity and innovation, embracing cross-cultural and global perspectives, and fostering meaningful participation and service.

Vision and Mission

Vision Statement

To inspire excellence, cultivate character, and empower engagement locally and globally.

To guide our work in achieving our Vision and Mission,CDNIS values:

OPEN-MINDEDNESS RESPONSIBILITY

INTEGRITY

RESPECTCRITICAL THINKING

LEADERSHIP

International Baccalaureate Learner Profile

The IB Learner Profile is the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st century. The attributes of the profile express the values inherent in the IB continuum of international education: these are values that infuse all elements of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) and therefore, the culture and ethos of all IB World Schools. The learner profile provides a long-term vision of education. It is a set of ideals that can inspire, motivate and focus the world of school and teachers, uniting them in a common purpose.

IB learners strive to be:

BalancedOpen-mindedRisk-takersPrincipledReflectiveThinkersInquirersKnowledgeableCommunicatorsCaring

IB Primary Years Programme

All students in our Lower School follow the IB PYP. This inquiry-based programme focuses on developing the whole child and encourages students to own their learning. Teachers and students are guided by six transdisciplinary themes:

• Who we are• Where we are in place and time • How we express ourselves• How the world works• How we organize ourselves• Sharing the planet

Through this process, students develop an understanding of important concepts, acquire skills and knowledge, develop particular attitudes and learn to take responsible action. In practice it

means students do it, make it and experience it. They ask questions and learn how to find answers to those questions. Additionally, students apply the knowledge they have gained to the world around them. An essential component of the PYP curriculum and the learning process is assessment. The IB advocates that assessment be authentic, essential, rich, engaging and feasible, and that students are involved in the process of evaluating their learning. Each Unit of Inquiry, which lasts for a few weeks, allows students to demonstrate how learning is taking place. This is not necessarily done in a traditional sense. Instead of writing an exam, students may put together a final project, performance, group presentation or an alternative way to demonstrate what they have learned. Through assessment they reveal what they understand and how they apply that understanding to the world around them.

Communications We encourage parents to be connected as much as possible to their child’s experience in school. Teachers post information that outline the areas of focus for learning and give parents a window into their child’s learning. Our Parent Portal provides access to reports and a parent directory, which can be used to help facilitate communication with other parents. Above all, we encourage face-to-face communication. Parents are welcome to meet with the class teacher at any time to discuss their child’s progress.

Chinese Studies

Our Chinese Studies Department stands as one of the finest among the English language schools in Hong Kong. The programme aims to provide an education in both oral and written Chinese (Mandarin) and is promoted as an additional language for all students. With a large teaching staff, we are able to offer support across all levels from near-native to beginners, recognizing the diverse linguistic backgrounds and experiences of all students at CDNIS. Our Chinese teachers work with Pre Reception and Reception students for 30-minute lessons, four times a week. The Early Years programme provides introductory exposure to Mandarin through songs, games and activities. Students in Preparatory to Grade 6 are streamed into differentiated classes and enjoy 280 minutes of Mandarin instruction each week. An appreciation of Chinese culture is also instilled in students through an abundance of activities offered through the After School Chinese Culture Academy, various cultural exchange opportunities and our annual Chinese New Year festivities. There are also a number of optional language exchanges to various locations in China that students can participate in during school vacations.

Literacy

Mathematics

Science

ICT

Humanities

Creativity

Collaboration

Critical Thinking

Communication

Resilience

Empathy

Initiative

Leadership

Adaptability

Curiosity

Social and Cultural Awareness

Foundational Skills

21st Century Competencies

Character Qualities

Canadian International School of Hong Kong has been pushing the boundaries of innovation since it was established in 1991. It became the first Apple Distinguished School in Hong Kong 12 years ago, when it also introduced the first local one-to-one student laptop programme. Since then an exceptional culture of innovative practice has flourished at the school, across all areas of learning. Project Innovate, a focus upon future-ready learning at CDNIS, is therefore the natural next step,building upon the school’s expertise and practice.

Future-ready education, a term created by the World Economic Forum, describes the skills, competencies and attributes today’s students need

Project Innovate - Future-Ready Learningto prepare them for the fast changing world. In addition to core skills, the 21st century skills of collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking will take on increased relevance, as will character qualities such as resilience, leadership, and adaptability.

Project Innovate provides future-ready learning through strengthening foundational skills, while increasing opportunities for hands-on learning, creativity, innovation and problem solving. In addition, an emphasis upon cultivating character, central to the school’s vision and mission, ensures students have the dispositions and mindsets they need to be successful.

As part of our commitment to infuse technologyto enhance teaching and facilitate learning, allLower School students have regular access toiPads and MacBooks, with students in Grades 1 through 3 managing their own iPad, and in Grades 4 and above, managing their own laptop as a personal digital learning device. Students from Pre Reception to Grade 6 use educational technologies to effectively and purposefully create, communicate, collaborate and engage in critical and reflective thinking. Students are supported in the responsible use of technology through our

Technology

digital literacy and digital citizenship programmes. Our aim is to provide students with skills and knowledge to become responsible, independent digital citizens. All teachers use digital resources to engage students in authentic and relevant learning experiences. This and the use of digitalmedia have a strong curriculum emphasis. A comprehensive teacher professional development programme and hands-on support for students and teachers strengthens teaching and learning.

All students can use the school’s Virtual Reality.

Lower School performance of Seussical.

An active and extensive after-school activities (ASA) programme is offered to meet the various needs and interests of our Lower School students. This dynamic programme includes a wide-ranging sports schedule, a rich array of performing arts opportunities and a full complement of academic resources. Our ASA programme is structured so students can develop their strengths, and also presents them with the opportunity to discover new interests. It runs across two terms. There are also opportunities for our students to participate in a number of clubs, performance activities and the Timberwolves sports programme. Some of these activities include the Junior Choir, Lower School Musical ensemble and Chinese Dance Team. Clubs include the environmental club SEED, Gardening Club and Lower School Student Council. For our older Lower School students, opportunities to join our Timberwolves sports teams begin once students enter Grade 4. Activities currently include teams in swimming, football, basketball, cross-country and netball.

Activities

Outdoor EducationEvery year, students in Grades 3 to 6 participate in various camping trips away. Every student is expected to participate, as the opportunities for personal and social development are impossible to replicate in the classroom. Grade 3 Three-day camping trip to Tai Po Country Park

Grade 4 Three-day camping trip to Sai Kung

Grade 5 Three-day camping trip to Ma On Shan

Grade 6Three-day camping trip to Cheung Chau

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