The Junior School at St Andrews provides a strong, vibrant and engaging platform for young children to begin their formal learning years, and aims to promote the key characteristics that the College seeks to develop in preparing young people for taking appropriate action - today and tomorrow. The Junior School covers the Prep – Year 6 range of primary schooling, and there are three classes per year level, all implementing the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Program (PYP).

Prep is the introductory year to formal schooling, where each child is nurtured and encouraged to learn while growing in confidence, responsibility and independence. Children are integrated into the wider life of the College through Chapel, Assembly, special performances, sports days and general interaction in the playground. All of the key learning areas that form the basis for the curriculum as students advance through the various year levels are introduced at Prep, including the specialist subjects of Music, Japanese and Physical Education. Along with a focus on social and emotional development, there is a strong emphasis on each child developing academic excellence, commensurate with his/her ability, and the basic skills of literacy and numeracy form a fundamental part of the academic program.

Personal excellence is encouraged across all year levels, with recognition and support provided for each child, through special programs aimed at both enriching and extending each child’s potential. In addition to the class teachers and support Aides located throughout the Junior School, there are a number of specialist teachers, who provide learning opportunities in Music, Personal Social and Physical Education (PSPE), and Japanese, along with Learning Enrichment teachers who assist in formulating and implementing a differentiated curriculum that supports each child’s unique learning needs.

Leadership opportunities highlight the time that a student spends in their final year in the Junior School, and Year 6 students are able to nominate for participation in a wide range of portfolios, aimed at supporting staff and students. The Student Council also provides leadership and input opportunities for students from Years 3 to 6, and meets regularly to promote community building and opportunities for excellence.

Parent helpers (classrooms, camps, excursions, and in a variety of other regular voluntary activities) support the learning and well-being of our students. Research demonstrates clearly the benefits to student learning of parents and teachers working in close harmony and co-operation, and open communication is vital to this process. Regular opportunities for interaction, including special events, three-way conferences, student-led conferences and interviews provide the basis for the establishment of a firm partnership between home and school.

Young children require a wide scope of opportunities to develop and extend their natural skills and talents as they progress through school. The Junior School provides a wide range of additional activities, in areas such as Choirs, Musical ensembles, Extension Science, Chess, Japanese and Art Clubs, to enrich the learning that takes place in each classroom. 

Junior school Parents Handbook 2023