Together, we shine brighter!

5 October 2026

By Ian Thomas, Group 7 Teacher at OIA Primary It has certainly not been a quiet start to the year in Group 7! From the hum of the 3D printer to pencils scratching, books opening, ideas bouncing around the room and the occasional kitten exploding! Our year began with our class motto: “Together, we shine brighter!” Rather than simply putting those words on the wall, we have been exploring what they actually mean. Through our Who We Are unit of inquiry, we have moved from ME → YOU → WE, thinking about identity, perspective, belonging, rights, responsibilities, and the choices we make as members of a community. We started with Mondrian Me, using colour, symbols, poetry, and art to tell the story of who we are. From there, we explored how our identities and experiences give us different perspectives—and why being different does not stop us from belonging together. In fact, those differences can make the whole picture much more interesting. We even learned that the calming corner in our room is essential for everyone and that we can contribute to making it a great place to calm our amygdalas. Meanwhile, our journey through The Odyssey has taken us considerably farther from Hoofddorp. We have...

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Can You Feel the Beat? Music from Early Years to Group 4

5 October 2026

By Zelia Van Der Walt, Music Teacher at OIA Primary & Secondary Clapping, moving, singing and keeping the beat! Our young musicians from Early Years to Group 4 have been discovering some of the building blocks of music through active and playful lessons. One of our main focuses has been exploring steady beat and rhythm. Students across Early Years to Group 4 have been practicing how to feel and keep a steady beat through clapping, movement, singing and musical games. They have also been discovering that a steady beat is the regular pulse that keeps going throughout music, while rhythm follows the pattern of the words and sounds we hear. One student explained it beautifully: “The beat is steady and the rhythm is changing with long and short sounds.” You may even hear some new musical language at home! If your child starts saying “ta”, “titi” or “ta-aa”, they are practicing rhythm patterns. These rhythm syllables help students understand and feel different note lengths in a playful and accessible way. So, if you hear your child chanting rhythms at home, they may well be practicing their musical skills! Of course, the best way to understand music is to experience it! Through clapping, movement, singing and...

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From Curiosity to Understanding

23 June 2026

Inquiry-Based Learning at OIA Primary For many families, inquiry-based learning is a term they may have heard before, but what does it actually look like in practice? According to Colleen Cropp, PYP Learning Leader at OIA Primary, inquiry is much more than simply allowing children to ask questions. “Inquiry-based learning is when students are encouraged to ask questions, reflect and evaluate what they are learning, and make connections across subject areas,” she explains. “Teachers guide learning, provide opportunities to ignite curiosity, deepen understanding, and support and encourage questioning.” This philosophy aligns closely with the mission and values that have long shaped learning at OIS. Our mission speaks of creating a positive, meaningful and challenging learning environment where imagination, creativity and exploration are encouraged. One of our core values is having an inquisitive mind: developing learners who question, investigate and actively engage with the world around them. As OIA Primary becomes an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) school, that spirit of inquiry will become even more deeply embedded throughout the curriculum. What inquiry looks like in the classroom For parents visiting an inquiry-based classroom for the first time, the learning environment can sometimes look very different from what they experienced at school themselves. “It will be a busy place,” says Colleen. “Children may be working in...

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OIA Overnight End of Year Camp 2026 – Camp Believe it!

23 June 2026

By Ian Thomas, Teacher 7UP What an incredible few days we had at our OIA Overnight End of Year Camp with classes 7INT, 7UP and 8DEP. Over three days, we laughed, learned, challenged ourselves, got soaked, got muddy, got tired, and most importantly, created memories that will stay with us long after primary school is over. From the moment we arrived, camp quickly became more than just an excursion. It became a community. Children set up their rooms, explored the giant field, bounced endlessly on the bouncy cushion, played together, and showed us what can happen when different classes come together with kindness and enthusiasm. Our adventures began on the water as we kayaked down the river. Some groups focused on reaching the bridge while others discovered that getting stuck was sometimes just as much fun. A few students even conducted some unexpected investigations into gravity by ending up in the water. Thankfully, no insects were harmed when paddles were occasionally repurposed as defensive tools against tiny flying visitors. We also tested our aim during archery and discovered that Juf Elise may secretly be Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. Throughout camp, students took part in creative Taskmaster challenges led by Juf Sabrina, including...

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