Learning Together: Curriculum Evenings at LCIS
With the start of a new school year comes a renewed sense of excitement across the LCIS community, as students return to the classroom ready to learn, connect and embrace new opportunities.
As part of the start-of-year activities, parents were invited to attend Curriculum Evenings, a three-day series designed to give families first-hand insight into what their children are learning and how that learning is delivered.
Each evening focused on a different division of the school. The first evening welcomed parents of students in the Early Learning Centre (ELC), followed by the Primary Years Programme (PYP) on the second evening, and the Upper School on the final day.
During each session, teachers outlined the curriculum, classroom expectations and the strategies they use to support students throughout the learning process. Parents were given an opportunity to better understand not only what their children are learning, but also how teachers identify and respond to individual learning needs.
Julie Ly, IB PYP Coordinator, said Curriculum Evening is an opportunity for families to understand not only what their children are learning, but also how we approach learning through the PYP and why those approaches matter.
“For parents, it creates a clearer picture of classroom learning, expectations, and how they can support their child at home. For students, the biggest benefit is having the important adults in their lives working together and sharing a common understanding of their learning,” she said.
A key focus was the importance of keeping parents informed about their child’s progress across different subject areas. Teachers explained how assessment information helps them determine when additional support may be needed, as well as how learning can be extended for students who are ready for greater challenges.
One of the notable aspects of LCIS is its emphasis on differentiated instruction. Students in the same classroom may be working at different levels or progressing at different rates, and teachers are trained to recognise these differences and adapt their approach accordingly. This allows students to receive support that is appropriate to their individual stage of learning while continuing to develop at their own pace.
Curriculum Evenings also provided parents with a closer look at the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework that guides learning at LCIS. Understanding this approach gives families greater context for the teaching methods they see in the classroom and the skills students are developing beyond individual subjects.
At LCIS, the learning approach is:
Differentiated – recognising and responding to individual student needs.
Inquiry-Based – encouraging students to ask questions, explore ideas and develop understanding through investigation.
Informed by Assessment – using assessment to understand progress and guide instruction.
Linked to the IB Learner Profile – developing students as knowledgeable, curious, reflective and engaged learners.
Conceptual – helping students understand broader ideas and connections rather than simply memorising information.
Contextual – connecting learning to meaningful real-world situations and experiences.
Collaborative – encouraging students to learn with and from one another.
Curriculum Evenings are more than an introduction to the year’s academic programme. They provide parents with an opportunity to see the thinking behind the classroom experience and to better understand how teachers work to meet students where they are while helping them move forward.
For Grade 1 parent Mrs Nateisha Bain, Curriculum Evening offered a valuable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of her daughter’s transition into “Big School” and the learning journey ahead.
“Curriculum Evening gave me a much better understanding of what the year will look like for my daughter as she transitions from ELC into Grade 1. I also really liked the balance between academics and helping them develop confidence, curiosity and strong relationships with their classmates and teachers. It was reassuring to see that while the expectations are increasing, there is still so much emphasis on making learning enjoyable, supporting each child as an individual and meeting each child at their level while encouraging them to far exceed their expectations.” she said.
For families, having this insight can strengthen the connection between home and school. It also reinforces the importance of collaboration between parents and teachers as they work together to support each child’s learning journey.
