IMG 2782copy

News

Stories, learning and life across our school community

Discover what is happening across Optimist International Academy. From classroom inquiry and student projects to community events, school developments and moments worth celebrating, our news gives families and visitors a closer look at life across OIA Primary and Secondary.

Filter the messages by category

Filter the messages by category
General

Celebrating recognition for the Language Friendly School programme

Published: 5 October 2026
The Rutu Foundation has won the UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize 2026 for its Language Friendly School programme. As a member of the network, Optimist...
Primary school

Together, we shine brighter!

Published: 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...
Primary school

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

Published: 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...
Secondary school

Humans of OIA: One Community, Many Stories

Published: 5 October 2026
Prisha and Satvik with their Humans of OIA poster they created
Secondary school

Our New Head of School Secondary: Jon Symmons

Published: 15 June 2026
At Optimist International Academy, we believe that learning begins with curiosity and flourishes in a supportive community. As we continue to build our international learning...
Primary school

From Curiosity to Understanding

Published: 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...
Primary school

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

Published: 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....
General

What OIA Will Look Like Next Year 

Published: 23 June 2026
As we approach the end of another school year, we find ourselves looking ahead to one of the most significant moments in the history of...