Learning at St Columba's

In my 20 years of experience working in International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) schools, I have had the privilege of witnessing just how deeply transformative an IB education can be. There is something incredibly powerful about seeing young learners grow, not just academically, but also socially, emotionally and spiritually, in an environment that honours who they are and who they are becoming.

At St Columba’s, this commitment to nurturing the whole child is at the centre of everything we do. Grounded in our Catholic values and a shared commitment to excellence, inclusion and global responsibility, our community places a strong emphasis on developing students who are not only capable but also compassionate and globally minded.

What continues to impress me about the PYP is how intentionally it fosters authentic student engagement. When students are curious, connected and joyful in their learning, they begin to think more deeply, retain knowledge more effectively and apply what they have learned in meaningful ways. Learning and teaching become real; they become lived experiences.

One of the cornerstones of the programme is the IB Learner Profile. I have seen firsthand how this shapes students into principled, open-minded and reflective individuals. These attributes are not just taught; they are embedded into the culture of the classroom. Whether it’s showing courage in a group presentation, demonstrating care during a playground disagreement, or reflecting thoughtfully on their actions, students are consistently given the opportunity to grow into the kinds of people our world needs. This aligns seamlessly with our mission at St Columba’s, where we aim to guide students to be responsible citizens who contribute positively to their communities.

Another strength of the PYP is its commitment to high-quality, evidence-based teaching practices. Our planning is informed by current research, including the science of reading, which supports structured, explicit teaching in key areas such as phonics, comprehension and vocabulary. What the PYP allows us to do is to embed these essential skills within a broader, inquiry-based framework, so foundational learning doesn’t feel isolated, but instead connects to the bigger questions and real-world contexts that students care about.

There is also incredible strength in the consistency the programme provides. From Prep through to Year 6, we use a shared language of learning, with common strategies and frameworks that support students as they grow. The PYP’s Approaches to Learning, thinking, social, communication, research and self-management skills are explicitly taught and woven into every unit. Students not only learn what to know, but also how to learn, and that is a gift that stays with them long after they leave our school.

I have seen the culmination of all of this in our Year 6 students as they undertake their PYP Exhibition. This final project is more than a showcase of knowledge; it is a celebration of their learning journey, their voice and their capacity to take action. I have watched students stand up and speak with confidence, passion and depth on issues that matter to them. And when they complete their time at St Columba’s, they do so not just with academic skills, but with the mindset, values and readiness to thrive, wherever life may take them.  

At St Columba’s, we are proud of all that we do and confident that our approach to learning and teaching nurtures and supports every student.