Primary Years Programme

At Al Zahra College, we believe that learning is about the development of the whole child. We appreciate that every child learns differently and at their own pace, so we cater to individual learning styles, passions, strengths and learning needs. From Kindergarten to Year 6, our students are engaged in a rich and challenging inquiry learning experience that inspires them to reflect, take risks, explore new concepts and deepen their understanding across all areas of the curriculum.

As an IB World School, AZC is authorised to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, which celebrates student agency, structured inquiry and project-based learning. Our curriculum is organised under the six transdisciplinary themes of global significance developed by the International Baccalaureate.

The flexibility of the IB PYP enables us to seamlessly meet the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) curriculum requirements. Our core focus in the PYP is on literacy and numeracy, and we offer Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), Science and Technology, and Personal Development, Health and Physical Education (PDHPE).

The Primary School also delivers Arabic, Quran and Islamic Studies, which provide a framework for a solid moral code, personal faith and values. The Programme of Inquiry is the driving force for teaching and learning in the Primary School, and reflects our commitment to transdisciplinary learning.

Beyond the classroom

Students in the PYP participate in a wide variety of on-campus and inter-campus programs and competitions to nurture their skills and talents. These include:

• Swim School
• Gymnastics
• Athletics Carnivals
• Premier's Reading Challenge
• Book Character Parade
• Debating Competition
• Arabic Language Competitions
• Harmony Day
• Clubs

A variety of incursions and excursions are also organised throughout the year to consolidate students' learning.

The PYP Exhibition

In Year 6, students participate in the Exhibition, a culmination of their learning in the PYP and a summative assessment of their understanding of the essential elements of the Programme. The Exhibition is a requirement of the IB PYP; its purpose is to assess students' understanding and celebrate their successes as learners.

Working as part of a collaborative group, students conduct an independent investigation into an issue of local and global importance. As a result of this investigation, students take action through raising awareness and other forms of positive action. This process gives students the opportunity to bring together all the subject disciplines and use the transdisciplinary skills they have developed throughout their time at Al Zahra College.