The New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT) PYP Schools Network aims to support schools within our state and the Asia-Pacific region in the implementation of the PYP. The Network aims to enhance networking, professional development and guidance to PYP schools in NSW/ACT. We aim to provide this in the context of the IB learner profile, seeking to provide opportunity for international-mindedness, inquiry, collaboration and action.
The Network hosts coordinator meetings every term where the pedagogical leaders of each school explore, discuss and unpack a range of PYP issues, often undertaking practical activities which are able to be applied in each school’s context. A recent example of this was some mapping activities with the new Australian Curriculum and a sample programme of inquiry.
The Network hosts professional development (PD) days once a term. With all Network PD days, coordinators are encouraged to attend with their teachers to in order to facilitate ongoing discussion and development. These days have developed greatly over the last few years. They can take the form of ‘job-alike’ days where teachers are led through professional development in an area closely related to a particular aspect of their job. Some of these job-alike days have focused on mathematics, languages other than English, early years, creative arts, the exceptional child in the inclusive classroom and physical education.
Every year in February, the Network hosts an Induction PD day, where all new teachers to the PYP in the Network participate in a whole day of immersion into the PYP framework. Other PD days have taken a specific PYP focus such as a particular PYP document, philosophy or professional reading.
We are fortunate to have several IB workshop leaders and other experienced adult-education facilitators in our Network who generously facilitate a range of PD experiences.
The Network also hosts School leadership meetings once a year where coordinators and their School’s leadership team attend to participate in professional development particularly aimed at leading a PYP school.
Other professional development has included school visits, attending PYP exhibitions and the establishment of a twitter feed (#pypnswact) and wiki (http://nswactpyp.wikispaces.com/).
There are currently 15 schools in the Network with membership drawn from interested, candidate, and IB World Schools, across a range of sectors – government, independent, and faith-based.
Our newsletter, PYP essentials, produces articles by students and teachers about the development of the PYP in each school. It aims to celebrate the journey of each school as they work with the programme. The latest edition was our first foray into a ‘themed’ edition, with all articles based around the idea of collaboration.
A Network Executive, 2 Co-Chairs, a Network secretary, a PD secretary and a Treasurer, works to coordinate and enrich the vision of the Network. Read more about NSW ACT PYP network executive roles.
For further information, contact Ruth Adams at: ruth.c.adams@gmail.com