Welcome from the Head of Primary
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Myanmar International School Yangon’s Primary School. The Primary School starts with our Nursery class running through to our Year 6 students (ages 3-11). Instruction is in English and taught by internationally trained teachers who are supported by experienced Myanmar teaching assistants. We follow the English National Curriculum which promotes the essential skills for 21st century learning. Students in the primary school study the core subjects, maths, English, humanities and science as well as having specialist classes in music, art, PE, ICT, Mandarin and Myanmar.
As an inclusive school we ensure every student matters and all learning needs are supported. At MISY the development of the whole child is at the heart of how we learn. Learning in the Primary school is designed around developing the MISY values as well as personal, emotional and social skills. Together, we learn about who we are and who we want to be by exploring our passions, our unique creativities and our own ambitions. Learning is designed to nurture the curiosities, interests and capabilities that each child brings to our community. We build on the strengths of each student to empower them to be compassionate, responsible and innovative world citizens who can make a positive difference in the world. Fundamental to our teaching and learning is the involvement of the parents and guardians in the education process. The relationship between student, parent and teacher is critical in serving the learning needs of our students. We value and cherish parental involvement in all stages of the learning process.
Communication is vital at all levels in order for us to make this the best possible learning environment for your children. We invite you to connect with us and tour our campus to observe our vibrant, happy and safe learning community.
Kate Joicey
Head of Primary
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) (Nursery and Reception)
Our Early Years Department at MISY consists of one Nursery class for students aged 3-4 and two Reception classes for students aged 4-5. Classes are facilitated by experienced Early Years practitioners who are supported by well-qualified teaching assistants. The department is overseen by a Head of Early Years.
Nursery classes start at 8:15 am and finish at 11:45 am.
Reception classes start at 8:15 am and finish at 1:30 pm.
Our Aims
Nursery and Reception at MISY follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum from England. Teachers and specialists work closely together to provide a rich and stimulating environment that meets the needs of each individual child. We aim to provide a smooth transition into school so that children can confidently begin their learning journey. We do this by:
- Providing a caring, happy and secure learning environment;
- Promoting positive relationships amongst all stakeholders;
- Developing positive parent partnerships through regular communication and enhancing links between home and school;
- Facilitating meaningful learning experiences which build firm foundations for learning.
English National Curriculum
The English Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) defines seven areas of learning and development. These 7 areas include:
- Communication and language
- Physical development
- Personal, social and emotional development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
How Children Learn
Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, being creative, making independent choices and thinking critically. This is facilitated through indoor and outdoor provision and activities are differentiated to account for each child’s developmental stage. Our curriculum is designed to be flexible so that we can follow children’s unique needs and interests. At the same time, we ensure that all curriculum areas are covered extensively so that children develop at expected rates.
Our Early Years ethos is play-based and we provide a wide range of activities, in a learning centre style, for children to choose from. The use of resources is carefully planned for all abilities of learners to be able to access.
Learning centres (or stations) in the classroom are dynamic and change to accommodate changing needs. Continuous provision ensures that there are standard ‘tools’ available throughout the year to develop children’s abilities, whilst enhanced provision extends children’s learning.
Centres may include:
- ‘Funky Fingers:’ Sand, water, dough, messy play;
- Investigation (Early Science concepts);
- Construction (Early Maths and Motor Development);
- Maths (Early Maths concepts such as space, shape and numbers);
- Imaginative/Role Play (including puppets)
- Mark-making (Emergent writing)
- Art
- Phonics games (to support the Jolly Phonics program which starts in children’s Reception year).
Specialist Teachers, Educational Trips, Celebrations
Nursery and Reception children attend specialist classes including Music, ICT (Information and Communication Technology), Physical Education (PE) and Art and Design classes. All are taught by well-qualified specialist teachers.
Reception children begin their ‘reading’ journey with short, in-class phonics sessions, four times a week utilising the Jolly Phonics program. In the second part of Term 1, the children begin ‘guided reading’ sessions using the Oxford Reading Tree reading scheme.
Educational trips, linked to the curriculum, are planned once a year. Children also join in with school-wide celebrations such as International Day, Sports Days and End of Term performances.
Communication with Parents
We understand that it is vital for parents to be involved in their child’s learning. Regular communication is essential.
Meet the Teachers’ Event
At the beginning of each year, we invite parents to a ‘Meet the Teachers’ event where individual class teachers explain the routines and expectations of their class. This is also a chance for parents to ask questions about the school day.
Reports and Conferences
In order for you to get information about your child’s progress, we report to parents four times a year. This includes two student-teacher-parent conferences and two written reports.
Newsletters
MISY teachers use Class Dojo. This is a safe electronic method of communication between teachers and parents and is used to send regular messages and photos, which update you on what is happening in class. We send a newsletter to parents via Class Dojo at the beginning of each unit to keep you abreast of the learning that takes place. We also hold regular coffee mornings to update you on new initiatives..
Campus Facilities
Nursery students have their own classroom with specially designed bathrooms attached. We have developed a small Early Years playground with various outdoor provision activities including: large chalk-boards, water stations, a sand pit and role play houses. This playground is a dedicated space and used only by the younger students. Early years students also have access to computer labs, art and music rooms as well as sporting facilities.
Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2)
Key Stage 1 at MISY consists of two year groups:
Year 1 students are 5 years old at the beginning of the school year. Year 2 students are 6 years old at the beginning of the school year.
Each class is taught by an experienced teacher supported by a well qualified assistant teacher.
Our Objectives
- To provide a secure and happy learning environment
- To promote positive relationships.
- To establish a love for learning that will go with them throughout school
- To help students develop good learning habits
- To help students regognise their own strengths
- To help children to develop an awareness and appreciation of the world around them
- To promote positive parent partnerships through good communication and joint learning opportunities
English National Curriculum
Students in Year 1 and 2 acquire knowledge and skills in line with the English National Curriculum adjusted to an international setting. We provide a varied, balanced and rich programme which fosters a love for learning that we hope your child will carry with them throughout their lives. We know that KS1 is a crucial stage in a child’s school life.
The curriculum consists of the core subjects of:
- English and Mathematics which are taught every day
- Science, Geography and History, teach a broader understanding of the world
- Personal, Social and Health Education lessons (PSHE) teach students how to look after themselves in a rapidly changing society, on the web, physically, emotionally
- Computing, Music, Art, Mandarin, PE and Myanmar classes are all taught by specialist teachers
- Mandarin classes start in Year 2
- Weekly library lessons encourage students to choose and take library books home and share them with their family.
After School Activities, Sports Coaching, Educational Trips and Celebrations
We run a programme of exciting after school activities and sports coaching which students are encouraged to sign up for each term.
All classes go on an educational visit which is linked to the curriculum, and join in school-wide celebrations such as International day, book week, Myanmar cultural days, Chinese New Year, sports days, expressive arts week and end-of-term performances.
Communication with Parents
We understand that it is vital for parents to be involved in their child’s learning and regular communication is essential. We have the following systems to keep you updated.
Meet the Teachers' Event
At the beginning of the year, individual class teachers explain the routines and expectations of their class. This is also a chance for parents to ask questions about the school day.
Reports and Conferences
Each year there are two student-teacher-parent conferences, and two written reports to keep you updated about your child’s progress.
Electronic Communication
We use Class Dojo which is a safe electronic method of communication between teacher and parent to send regular messages and photos to update you about what is happening in class. We send a newsletter to parents via Class Dojo at the beginning of each unit to keep you abreast of our learning. Formal communication from the school is through Engage.
Coffee Mornings
We hold regular coffee mornings for parents to update on new initiatives.
Assessment
Formal in-class standardised assessments of students take place throughout the year. Students are assessed in English (reading comprehension and writing) and Maths (arithmetic and reasoning) and Phonics. Student data is analysed and reviewed to ensure a tailored learning programme is developed to support each student.
Technology
The use of technology and digital literacy is an important component of how students access knowledge at MISY. Computing lessons take place each week and there are major initiatives throughout the year that promote the use of technology.
Key Stage 2 (Year 3 to Year 6)
Key Stage 2 starts in Year 3 and goes up to Year 6. Year 3 – students are 7 years old at the beginning of the academic year. Year 4 – students are 8 years old at the beginning of the academic year. Year 5 – students are 9 years old at the beginning of the academic year. Year 6 – students are 10 years old at the beginning of the academic year.
Each class is taught by an experienced teacher supported by a well-qualified assistant teacher
Excellent Teaching
MISY international teachers and assistant teachers are well-qualified professionals and receive regular in-house training and professional development. Our teachers are enthusiastic, they love what they do, which means our students love to learn.
Our Objectives
- To acquire critical thinking skills
- To learn self-management
- To know how to communicate and develop social skills
- To provide a secure and happy learning environment
- To promote positive relationships
- To establish a love for learning that will go with them throughout school
- To help students develop good learning habits
- To help students regognise their own strengths
- To help students develop an awareness and appreciation of the world around them
- To promote positive parent partnerships through good communication and joint learning opportunities
English National Curriculum
Students in KS2 acquire knowledge and skills in line with the National Curriculum of England. We provide a varied, balanced and rich programme which fosters a love for learning that we hope your child will carry with them throughout their lives. Through the acquisition of deeper knowledge and understanding, we also support the development of skills which transcend subject boundaries and are crucial not only for learning but for life.
The curriculum consists of the core subjects of English and Maths which are taught every day. Students gain a broader understanding of the world through subjects like Science, Geography and History. Students learn how to look after themselves in a rapidly changing society, not only on the web but also physically and emotionally through Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).
Computer, Music, Art, Physical Education (PE), Mandarin and Myanmar classes are taught by specialist teachers for all year groups. Students have a library lesson and are encouraged to choose library books and take them home each week.
Assessment
Formal in-class standardised assessments of students take place throughout the year. Students are assessed in English (reading comprehension and writing) and Maths (arithmetic and reasoning). Student data is analysed and reviewed to ensure a tailored learning programme is developed to support each student.
Students in KS2 sit external standardised assessments so that a comparison with other British schools can be undertaken. This provides assurances that our students are making expected academic progress inline with British schools.
English as an Additional Language
The process of acquiring English is supported by the English as an Additional Language (EAL) department. If students arrive at MISY with limited English, they are required to take additional English classes as part of their school day. As their level of English improves, these students are taken off the EAL programme. Some students may still need support in specific areas of English such as reading or writing and we provide additional focused literacy support. English Levels are assessed using WIDA Tests. EAL and the literacy support programme incur a fee.
After-School Activities, Sports, Educational Trips and Celebrations
We run a programme of exciting after-school activities and sports coaching which students are encouraged to sign up for each term.
All classes go on an educational visit which is linked to the curriculum, and join in school-wide celebrations such as International day, book week, Myanmar cultural days, Chinese New Year, sports days, expressive arts week and end-of-term performances.
Communication with Parents
We understand that it is vital for parents to be involved in their child’s learning, for which regular communication is essential. We have the following system to keep you updated.
Meet the Teachers' Event
At the beginning of the year, where individual class teachers explain the routines and expectations of their classes. This is also a chance for parents to ask questions about the school day.
Reports four times a year
Two student-teacher-parent conferences and two written reports in order for parents to get information about your child’s progress.
Electronic communication
We use Class Dojo which is a safe electronic method of communication between teacher and parent to send regular messages and photos to update you about what is happening in class. We send a newsletter to parents via Class Dojo at the beginning of each unit to keep you abreast of our learning. Formal communication from the school is through Engage.
Coffee Mornings
We hold parent coffee mornings to keep updated on our latest initiatives.
MISY Primary Curriculum Overview
Reception Curriculum Overview
DownloadNursery Curriculum Overview
DownloadYear-1 Curriculum Overview
DownloadYear-2 Curriculum Overview
DownloadYear-3 Curriculum Overview
DownloadYear-4 Curriculum Overview
DownloadYear-5 Curriculum Overview
DownloadYear-6 Curriculum Overview
Download