Primary School (JG1-G8)
Primary School Curriculum
A Thoughtful Approach to Learning
The primary curriculum is vibrant and exciting, with experiential learning interwoven with more traditional educational methodologies to create opportunities for students to appreciate and unlock their best selves.
In addition to the skills of reading, writing and mathematics, students today need a strong grounding in essential abilities such as presentation, innovation, problem-solving and collaboration. They also need a firm grounding in today’s tools, including technology and design.
Lower Primary (JG1 - G2)
The primary curriculum is vibrant and exciting, with experiential learning interwoven with more traditional educational methodologies to create opportunities for students to appreciate and unlock their best selves.
In addition to the skills of reading, writing and mathematics, students today need a strong grounding in essential abilities such as presentation, innovation, problem-solving and collaboration. They also need a firm grounding in today’s tools, including technology and design.
Upper Primary (G3 - G8)
As our Primary School includes JG1 - Grade 8, the identifier "Middle School" is used somewhat generally to state that students in Grades 7 - 8 have slight adjustments in their teaching team, schedule and program.
In these grades, there is a greater emphasis on written and critical analysis, and the Decisions, Decisions program includes elective courses in Science and Social Studies, enabling the students to exercise a greater degree of choice and independence over their program as is appropriate for their age and development.
Curricular Emphasis on History/Social Studies and Science
Although we do not know what today’s students will need to know in 20 years, we do know that just memorizing facts is probably not their best way forward – computers can already be counted on to provide facts at our fingertips.
But they need to know how to interpret and contextualize those facts, and to do that they need to know their place in time and space. That’s History and Social Studies.
And they need to know how to ask a question, answer a question, and present their data. That’s Science.
In Lower and Upper Primary, students complete 3 units of History/Social Studies and 3 units of Science each year, earning a patch for each unit completed. Some of these patches are displayed below.
Getting Hands-On
Experiential learning means getting hands-on and into the thick of things. This ethos is reflected in our approach to learning and in our unique learning spaces, The Foundry and The Marine Science Center. The Foundry is a purpose-built makerspace with both traditional workshop elements and modern features such as 3D printers. The Marine Science Center enables students to see marine ecosystems up close and is also an active research facility where students can learn more about the scientific process.
Getting Out In Nature
We believe that the best way to learn about the natural world is not sitting in a classroom. We take our students out on The Black Dolphin, a 50-foot wooden ketch to explore Hong Kong and its outlying islands. In addition to learning about nature students develop a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork as they complete group projects and explore the world around them.
SISP
The Social Impact and Sustainability Program (SISP) is THS’ framework to build social responsibility and sustainability into the fabric of our program. By incorporating the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum, and encouraging students, parents and staff to engage with these goals through planned and tailored initiatives for each grade from Primary to High School.
Field Trips, Camps and Excursions
At THS, we love learning beyond the walls and borders of our school campuses and we know how important it is for students to broaden their horizons and experiences. Field trips, camps and excursions are all cherished highlights of the experience of learning at THS.
Exploring the Arts
The Grove has several learning centers focussed on the arts. At the Art Studio, students have a wonderful environment in which to paint, sculpt, shape, craft, or otherwise make art, which can then be proudly displayed in the school. The Digital Arts Center is used to teach digital and media literacy, ensuring that our Arts program keeps up with the changing times. Here students encounter new avenues for creativity, with lessons on everything from coding to videography. The theatrical and performative arts aren’t forgotten either, as the campus houses The Black Box Theater, a flexible 2200 sq. ft. performance space. Here students learn drama, rhetoric, dance, music, and more.
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