Our programs in the Junior School follow the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP). Expertly designed for children aged 3 to 12, the PYP is a curriculum framework, which prepares students for the intellectual and emotional challenges of further education and employment on the global stage. The programme incorporates local and global issues into the curriculum, asking students to look at six related, transdisciplinary themes and to consider the links between them. These units of inquiry foster academic, social and emotional growth, and focus on international-mindedness and the development of strong personal values. Importantly, the PYP values independence, initiative and self-motivation, encouraging every student to take responsibility for their learning. The IB PYP is also taught in our Early Learning Centre and shares many of the fundamental principles of the Reggio approach, facilitating a smooth transition for children into our Junior School.

In a modern learning facility, our Junior School cultivates intelligence, innovation and an international perspective; producing responsible and compassionate leaders who place the welfare of others before their own and who are willing to embrace the challenges of our century as opportunities to make a difference. We believe that every child should be a capable, competent and active participant in his or her own learning journey.

A variety of specialist staff are involved in the Junior School, including dedicated music, art, drama, STEM and physical education teachers, school counsellor, learning enhancement teachers, a specialist language teacher (Chinese), along with experienced storytellers/library technicians who foster and develop a love of reading. Our Professional Learning Programs are informed by the world’s leading educational bodies such as Harvard University and University of London. St Leonard’s College is also the only Australian school invited to engage in the OECD 2030 project – The Future of Education.

Assemblies, playground games, cross-age tutoring and special whole-College activities mean that the children and staff in the Junior School are known to each other and a happy learning environment is created. We foster a strong sense of community and establish supportive parenting partnerships to ensure the optimal development of each child in all aspects of their being.