Junior School
Junior School
Building strong foundations
In the Junior School, we aim to make learning engaging in every way by tapping into children’s natural curiosity and eagerness to learn. Our students are encouraged to work hard and achieve their personal best, whether it is in the classroom, on the sports field, or through the myriad of other opportunities they have for their personal development and all round growth. Our goal is to nurture curiosity, creativity and critical thinking to prepare them for the next stages of learning.
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We aim to make learning engaging in every way by tapping into children’s natural curiosity and eagerness to learn.
EYFS — Nursery and Reception
YEAR GROUP(S)
Nursery & Reception
AGE OF CHILD
3+ – 4+
EYFS — Nursery and Reception
Our Nursery and Reception children will be following the Early Years and Foundation Stage Curriculum.
This covers seven areas of learning that understand the key points of early years development and allow teachers to focus on each child’s individual needs. Children will primarily learn through a play based approach, where the environment is regularly adapted to challenge them and the teachers act as facilitators in learning through their interactions with the children.
Some systematic teaching of English and Mathematics will take place in Reception to give the children the key skills they need to learn from the world around them. Primarily, our goal is to develop the children’s characteristics of effective learning so that they are curious, attentive, creative and critical thinkers, ready for their next stage of learning.
Areas of learning for EYFS
- Communication and Language (CL)
- Physical Development (PD)
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
- Literacy (L)
- Mathematics (M)
- Understanding the World (UW)
- Expressive Arts and Design (EAD)
YEARS 1 & 2
Key Stage 1
Key Stage 1 provides a bridge between our Early Years and Key Stage 2 departments. Educational research clearly illustrates that children at this age still rely heavily on real experiences to cement their learning.
Therefore, much of the work they do involves practical activities. However, the teachers in Years 1 and 2 will begin to develop more of an understanding of how they are learning through these activities. This will be achieved through a mixture of their IPC learning process of Research, Record and Reflect, as well as through an understanding of our Jesuit Pupil Profile learning virtues: Curious and Active, Intentional and Prophetic, Attentive and Discerning, Learned and Wise.
YEARS 3 – 6
Key Stage 2
Throughout Key Stage 2, students begin to establish their independence and sense of responsibility in preparation for the transition to Senior School.
By Year 3, students enter a mentoring and coaching programme in which they are assigned a dedicated coach for the remainder of Junior School.
During this four-year period, students delve deeper into the core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science, as well as the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). Our outstanding teachers focus on involving the students as active participants in their learning through discussion, planning, action and reflection.
At this stage, students discover their passions, strengths and how to succeed in areas they may find more challenging. They begin to live the learning virtues of the Jesuit Pupil Profile: Loving and Compassionate, Hopeful and Faithfilled, Eloquent and Truthful, Generous and Grateful. This is accomplished through a pastoral framework, woven throughout the academic curriculum, in particular through our bespoke Sympatheia programme.
Assessments are carried out informally and regularly through feedback from teachers and peer editing, as well as formally through integrated progress checks and examinations at the end of each academic year.
Areas of Learning for Key Stage 1 & 2
- English
- Maths
- International Primary Curriculum
- Science
- ICT
- Creative Arts
- PE and Swimming
- Languages
- Wellbeing
Building Strong
Foundations
1
2
Teaching
Prep Programme in Year 6
‘Prep’ is short for preparatory; the literal meaning of this is to prepare for a task. We recognise that to make the most out of their time in the Senior School, our Year 6 students need this opportunity to prepare for this next phase in their academic journey.
Singapore Maths
This learning is recorded by students through their Maths Journals, where the focus is on how they have approached a problem rather than just the answer.
Sympatheia
The Stonyhurst Sympatheia programme is a method of teaching and learning in which we meaningfully identify, develop and apply academic and social-emotional knowledge, skills and understanding to address a ‘real world’ community issue.
A Typical Day at Junior School
The school day begins at 08:00 with our daily Welcome and Registration. We will welcome students onto site from 7:50 when the gate is opened. During the drop-off window, children may enjoy socialisation with their friends and prepare for the start of the day. Lessons begin at 08:20 and the formal teaching day ends at 15:15 in the Junior School, following which students are warmly encouraged to stay for a Co-Curricular Activity (CCA).
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Time
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Nursery
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Reception – Year 6
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|---|---|---|
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08:00 – 08:20
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Welcome and Registration
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Welcome and Registration
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08:20 – 09:10
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Period 1
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Period 1
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09:10 – 09:50
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Period 2
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Period 2
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09:50 – 10:10
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Junior School Break
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Junior School Break
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10:10 – 11:10
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Period 3
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Period 3
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11:10 – 12:00
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Period 4
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Period 4
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12:00 – 12:50
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Junior School Lunch and Play
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Junior School Lunch and Play
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12:50 – 13:40
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End of Nursery day 1pm (Optional stay and play)
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Period 5
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13:40 – 14:30
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End of Nursery day 1pm (Optional stay and play)
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Period 6
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14:30 – 15:15
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Junior School Rise and Shine Period
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Junior School Rise and Shine Period
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15:20 – 16:20
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No CCAs
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CCAs Year 1 – Year 6
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Key Staff Members
Mr Jeremy Fitzpatrick
Mr Jeremy Fitzpatrick
Year 6
Contact Email
jeremy.fitzpatrick@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mr Jeremy Fitzpatrick joins Stonyhurst International School, Penang with 13 years experience in education, four of which have been in administration.
Graduating from double Bachelor programmes at La Trobe and and Deakin Universities in his home of Melbourne, Australia, Jeremy has taught all age ranges in junior school. He has spent six years in South East Asia schools, both in Vietnam and Indonesia. Jeremy is excited to take the role of Community Service (Sympatheia) Coordinator and Year 5 teacher as it speaks to his passion for Service-Learning.
Along with Service-Learning, Jeremy is also passionate about the environment, the philosophy of Stoicism, martial arts and has recently discovered freediving, He loves his role as a father to his two young sons who will also be attending Stonyhurst. Jeremy is an avid explorer and is looking forward to appreciating all the experiences that Penang has to offer.
Ms Nicola Ward
Ms Nicola Ward
Year 5
Contact Email
nicola.ward@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Nicola Ward is joining Stonyhurst from British International School Cairo. However, she has previously spent 4 years teaching KS1 children in a British International School in Malaysia. So she is extremely excited to return with her family and her (now 7-year-old) son, Ethan who remembers very little of his first home!
Nicola, who grew up in a small and quiet village in the North West of England, always remained close to her childhood teachers. It was their passion and enthusiasm during her own education that first sparked her desire to teach.
Following a BA in Education Studies at Liverpool John Moores University, Nicola completed her PGCE at The University of Bolton UK; where she began to tutor Childcare and Education in a Sixth Form College.
Passionate about lifelong learning, Nicola is eager to bring her enthusiasm and experience across KS1 and KS2 into her new teaching position at Stonyhurst. She strongly believes that inspirational teachers motive inspirational students “active and engaging learning encourages pupils to share ideas, work collaboratively and respect one another” Enabling pupils to reflect on and learn through their experiences with an open mind.
Nicola is an avid runner and has completed a number of memorable runs through Cairo, including the ‘Pyramids-Race Through History.’ She loves being outdoors with her family and is very much looking forward to exploring the Island of Penang. Ethan is hoping to see lots of wonderful wildlife (especially the monkeys!)
Ms Alice Horne
Ms Alice Horne
Year 4
Contact Email
alice.horne@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Alice Horne is joining us from her native Scotland where she has spent a year completing her Language and Linguistics Master’s Degree at the University of Glasgow. She has been specialising in Multilingualism and English language acquisition in order to better support a culturally diverse classroom.
Miss Horne has always had a passion for travel, prior to her teaching qualification she spent time in Australia, South America and Indonesia teaching English within a range of community projects. She graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a first class Honours in Primary Education, and spent her first years as a teacher in the North of Scotland.
Miss Horne was instrumental in developing the ECO “green flag” status of her school, leading the gardening and ECO clubs as well as organising community coastal projects.
Miss Horne’s first international placement was in Bergamo, Italy where she was the Grade 3 teacher. It was here she developed a love for STEAM education, helping the school with their PYP coding development. Miss Horne is an avid hiker and is looking forward to challenging herself with some new jungle terrains in Penang.
Mr Tom Johnson
Mr Tom Johnson
Year 4
Contact Email
tom.johnson@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mr Tom Johnson graduated from Exeter University with a BA(Ed) Honours degree. He has taught in two Preparatory Schools in The UK and has International teaching experience in both Ecuador and more recently in The Netherlands.
Tom is really looking forward to being part of the founding team at Stonyhurst Penang. He was particularly impressed with the strong community based ethos at the heart of the school. He will be working as a class teacher and will be keen to contribute to the sport and PE activities on offer too.
Tom is moving to Penang with his wife Nicki, who is the Year 2 class teacher. They have two daughters Tamia and Meeli, who will also be joining the school.
Ms Carolyn Thompson
Ms Carolyn Thompson
Year 3
Contact Email
carolyn.thompson@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
After graduating with a BA (Hons) degree, Ms Carolyn Thompson had a career in environmental education before entering teaching. She then gained a PGCE from the University of Gloucestershire in the UK and qualified as a primary school teacher in 2007.
She began her teaching career in a large junior school, teaching in Years 4 and 5 and completing a Master’s degree. She subsequently taught in two other UK primary schools teaching Year 2 then Year 3. During this time, she also held the positions of Comenius Project leader (working in partnership with schools in other European countries), Year Leader and KS1 County Moderator for Gloucestershire.
In 2017, she made the exciting move to Malaysia to teach in an international school, where she has worked since then as a Year 2 teacher, Year 3 teacher and Head of Year. Carolyn also has a background in musical theatre and has enjoyed being involved in concerts and productions in all her schools!
She believes in enabling every child to achieve, while promoting curiosity and a love of learning, in a happy, nurturing environment. She places high importance on encouraging children to become thoughtful, tolerant and well-rounded individuals by modelling and teaching values such as kindness, empathy, and respect.
Outside teaching, she is a keen singer-songwriter and musician and plays guitar regularly. Yoga and reading are pursuits she enjoys at home, and in the holidays, she likes to travel and explore new places.
Mrs Nicola Johnson
Mrs Nicola Johnson
Year 2
Contact Email
nicola.johnson@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Mrs Nicola (Nicki) Johnson is joining Stonyhurst from The British School in the The Netherlands where she has worked for the last 6 years as a Primary Class Teacher and the Environmental Lead.
Nicki completed her Undergraduate Studies in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Bath and then went on to do her PGCE at Exeter University. Prior to moving to The Netherlands, she taught in two different Preparatory Schools in the UK and in Ecuador, at the British School in Quito. Nicki is particularly passionate about the environment and enjoys teaching the children in her care the importance of looking after the world around them.
Nicki really enjoys helping others less fortunate than herself, so the strong community values, including ‘Men and Women for others,’ encouraging pupils to develop empathy for others was something that really attracted her to Stonyhurst.
Nicki enjoys spending time with her family and friends, experiencing new cultures, playing sports and reading a good book. She is really looking forward to moving to Penang in August with her husband, Tom, and their two daughters who will also be starting at Stonyhurst in September.
Mrs Colette Armstrong
Mrs Colette Armstrong
Year 1
Contact Email
Mrs Colette Armstrong is an enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate Early Years teacher, her last position was the Head of Year 1 in the British Section of Taipei European School, where she has been for the past 6 years. Prior to her arrival in Taiwan, she had spent 10 years teaching and leading Reception and Year 1 in the UK. She will be joining the Early Years team at Stonyhurst as a Year 1 teacher.
Having grown up in central England, UK, Colette moved north to attend the University of York, where she completed her degree in Educational Studies. After a year of traveling, she went to Warwick University to embark on her Early Years PGCE. In addition to her teaching role, over the years, Colette has continued to strengthen her personal academic prowess and is currently studying a Master’s course in Special and Inclusive Education, through Nottingham University.
Outside of the classroom, Colette is a keen sportsperson who has enjoyed playing Netball to a high standard and is adept in most racquet sports. Her love of sport has expanded into personal fitness and she continues to enjoy weightlifting, running, cycling and swimming. She also loves reading a good book, whilst sipping a coffee and indulging in sweet treats!
Another one of Colette’s greatest pleasures is traveling, being able to explore the wonders of our beautiful planet! Along with her husband, Ian, they have spent numerous holidays in the far-flung reaches of the globe experiencing many adventures and discovering a vast range of cultures, wildlife, and of course a plethora of culinary delights. She is very grateful for these life experiences, it has helped shape her love of nature, exploration, and this inspires her to greater heights.
It is an incredibly exciting opportunity for Colette to be joining the team in Penang. She is looking forward to embarking on a new chapter in her life. With her experience, enthusiasm and sense of curiosity she simply cannot wait to create a happy, active and inclusive environment for the students at Stonyhurst School.
Ms Soné du Plessis
Ms Soné du Plessis
Reception
Contact Email
sone.duplessis@stonyhurstpenang.edu.my
Ms Soné du Plessis graduated with a B. Ed Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Africa. She is a very passionate Early Years Educator who began her teaching career in Pretoria, South Africa where she taught PreK-KG2.
In 2008, Soné moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and worked at Al Ittihad Private School and Emirates International School where she taught across KG1 – grade 1. In 2015 she started working at Swiss International Scientific school in Dubai as a KG1 classroom teacher before she was appointed KG1 Grade Coordinator and thereafter promoted in 2017 to Deputy Head of Early Years. She is passionate about student wellbeing and is currently responsible for safeguarding, pastoral care and Teaching and Learning in the Early Years.
Soné is looking forward to joining the Stonyhurst community and to meet the students and parents and to collaborate and build long lasting relationships. She feels very privileged to be part of such a diverse and international community.
In her spare time Sone enjoys travelling, discovering new countries and cultures. She also enjoys reading, Yoga, spending time on the beach, shopping and is excited to experience everything that Penang has to offer.
Ms Amareena Jayabalam
Ms Amareena Jayabalam
Nursery
Contact Email
Ms Amareena Jayabalam started her education career as a Nursery teacher at REAL Kids, Penang. She spent few years teaching pre-schoolers here after she graduated with Diploma in Mass Communication.
During her tenure here she attended many courses to upgrade her skills, she has a qualified certificate in teaching Jolly Phonics. After a while, Amareena ventured into a more challenging career path, she moved on to teach Cambridge English to primary and secondary school children. She is a graduate from Wawasan Open University Penang with a Bachelor’s Degree in English Studies majoring in TESL. Moreover, she has vast experience managing children from different age groups. After few years, she fully ventured into the Early Childhood Education field, she started off as a Nursery teacher at E-Bridge International Preschool.
As years passed, she moved from a Nursery teacher to Kindergarten teacher. She has always stood out at E-Bridge for having creative projects and lesson plans in her classroom. Beginning of this year, Amareena has been promoted to a Curriculum Coordinator at E-Bridge, subsequently becoming the Group Curriculum Coordinator for three centers (Bayan Baru, Georgetown and Batu Kawan). She helped and train teachers to garner experience in the Inquiry Based Approach. She help to check lesson plans, share ideas, classroom set ups, provocations and many other curriculum matters. She has completed her Kursus Asas Permata course which is a compulsory certificate for Nursery teachers by the JKM (Jabatan Kebajikan Malaysia).
