Discovery Begins Here
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Discovery Begins Here Grow. Discover. Dream. International Mindedness Statement Our Vision Intercultural understanding – recognising and GROW. Be passionate reflecting on one’s own perspectives, as well as the about being the best perspectives of others we can be. Global engagement – developing global and local DISCOVER. Find wonder awareness, perspectives and action, to empower in the world around us. learners committed to service in the community DREAM. Dare to make Multilingualism – the ability to communicate in a a difference for yourself, variety of ways in more than one language humanity and our planet. 1 Grow. Discover. Dream. Our Powerful Learning Statement At Discovery College we believe that powerful learning and teaching occurs under a shared spirit of respect, which dignifies and prizes our diversity of experiences and perspectives, reaches into our traditions as well as into the future, excites a passion for ongoing inquiry and strives to help all learners reach for enduring excellence. Our students are enthusiastic and excited about learning, and it is a pleasure to be with them every day on their learning journeys. – Kim Ward, Teacher/Team Leader 2 Our Community We are dedicated Students to transforming the Discovery College’s diverse student body includes lives of students and students from more than 45 nationalities including a staff alike through a number of local Chinese students. For our students, we focus on wellbeing aim to develop leaders through activities such as Student and leadership Council, student committees, House Captains, sporting development. Every teams, music and performing arts groups. Students are member of our able to demonstrate their leadership skills and share their community plays a voice through a range of school networks. role in this. 5 Grow. Discover. Dream. Staff students. Our House system is led by We have staff from more than 20 staff who focus on building College countries working in our College, and culture and spirit. our teachers are recruited from among the best in the world. Teachers assume Parents leadership positions in a variety of Parents at DC play an important role ways. First and foremost is through in our school community. We have an their role as a classroom teacher and active Parent Teacher Association and member of a team of teachers. Team School Council. Representatives from leaders, heads of department, deans these groups are also invited to take and faculty have further responsibilities leadership roles on the ESF Committee across year levels with regards to of Parents and ESF Committee of School curriculum and pastoral support of Council Chairs. 6 Our Curriculum International Baccalaureate learn to be discerning decision makers, Discovery College offers the curriculum inquiring into ideas of global significance through the PYP (Primary Years through which they develop a love of Programme), MYP (Middle Years learning. (www.ibo.org) Programme), DP (Diploma Programme) and CP (Career-related Programme). Primary Years Programme (PYP) Student centred and inquiry based, the The PYP, for students aged 4 to 12, International Baccalaureate encourages focuses on the development of the students to become internationally whole child as an inquirer, both in the minded, life-long learners. Students classroom and in the world outside. 9 Grow. Discover. Dream. Career-related Programme (CP) Middle Years Programme (MYP) The CP is aimed at students entering the The MYP is geared to develop creative last two years of secondary school who problem solvers who are also caring have a particular career path in mind. and responsible individuals, able to The CP allows students to specialise respond critically and resourcefully and dedicate themselves to an area of to the demands of an increasingly learning that they know they want to technological society and to appreciate pursue. the importance of technology for life, society and the environment. Diploma Programme (DP) The DP is designed as an academically challenging and balanced programme of education with final examinations that prepares students, normally aged 16 to 19, for success at university and life beyond. The programme is normally taught over two years and has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities. 10 Specialist subjects taught across opportunities to utilise art as a tool for the school include: communication and personal expression. Students explore the elements of art using Chinese a variety of media and techniques to Chinese (Putonghua) is taught at all year gain a wide range of technical skills. The levels at Discovery College, catering to programme integrates works of artists from different levels of proficiency from native various cultures and times in history, and speaker to novice. As a school offering encourages students to respond critically to IB teaching programmes, the study of a variety of works in the arts, helping them Chinese represents the opportunity to to connect their individual work to the build each student’s sense of intercultural works of others and to various aspects of understanding, as well acquiring a human endeavour and thought. valuable practical skill. Through the study of topics such as food, travel, family life, Design the world of work and shopping, as well Students develop in the subject of Design as through classical and contemporary through tasks that require them to Chinese literature, students will develop investigate, plan, create and evaluate in a their skills in reading, writing, listening range of different contexts. Tasks may focus and speaking in Chinese. on the application of these skills through an emphasis on information, materials or Visual Arts systems. During the course students move The Visual Arts programme at Discovery from short constrained projects in which College focuses on fostering students’ they design for themselves, to longer open creativity, critical thinking and artistic skills, ended tasks where they are required to with the goal of providing students with design for others. 11 Grow. Discover. Dream. 12 Physical Education Through Drama, students develop the Physical Education at Discovery College imaginative, creative, cognitive and social involves learning in, through and about skills essential to make sense of the world movement. Students participate in a by understanding themselves and the range of physical activities to interact richness of other nationalities and cultures; with others and learn together. The thinking and solving problems, both strands in the PYP include health-related individually and as a group; developing activities, body control and spatial oral skills and language development; awareness, athletic activities, games, communicating through the use of movement to music and adventure space, movement and words; gaining challenge. The MYP encompasses artistic awareness, self-confidence and a as objectives, the use of knowledge, willingness to take risks; demonstrating movement composition, performance, sensitivity towards other people; and social skills and personal engagement. reflecting on and evaluating their work and the work of others. Performing Arts - Drama Our students learn a wide range of subjects and skills, which allows them to be well-rounded individuals possessing a lovely balance of creativity, discipline, and empathy. They are wonderful to work with. – Virginia Player, Teacher 13 Grow. Discover. Dream. 14 Performing Arts - Music The Discovery College Music programme is specifically tailored for the international students we teach. Music from cultures all over the world is used to explore students’ own musical interests and talents. We aim to uncover and nurture the joy of music in all of our students, no matter which style of music they are interested in or where they come from. Various choirs and music ensembles are available to interested students. A peripatetic music programme is also offered to students who wish to study an instrument with a private tutor during school hours. Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) Learning experiences in the outdoors complement and enrich students’ overall education. All students are expected to participate fully in the EOTC programme offered at their year level. There are many benefits of outdoor experiences that are transferable to the students’ daily lives. Examples of these outcomes are confidence, problem-solving, intrinsic motivation, self-esteem, independence and effective communication skills. The EOTC programme ranges from excursions and field trips to camps and overseas trips. 15 Grow. Discover. Dream. 16 Discovery College provides a learning environment where students can develop their skills and understanding. In this school, friends and teachers are very open-minded and supportive, which helps create a happy and positive community for us all. – Gigi Ho, Class of 2018 17 Grow. Discover. Dream. 18 House Discovery College has five Houses, each made up of vertical groupings of staff and students across all year levels. The Houses are based on the five Chinese elements: The purpose of the House system is to: • provide an opportunity for students • create a sense of identity and belonging from ALL levels of the school to • promote participation and competition interact • provide opportunities for student • build new friendships leadership and student voice • encourage older students to mentor • provide a grouping through which and care for younger students we can deliver aspects of our pastoral • build school spirit programme 19 Grow. Discover.