What Learning Looks Like at Aitken: Inside Our Primary Years Programme 

Written by Ms Felicity Donohue (Deputy Head of Primary PYP)

19 February 2026

 

At last week’s Parent Information Evenings, we shared what learning really looks like at Aitken College and what it means to be an authorised International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) school. 

At Aitken, learning in Fairview and Cumberland is student centred, academically rigorous, and grounded in best practice. Your child is at the heart of everything we do. Students are encouraged to have voice, choice, and ownership in their learning, while being guided by structured, research informed teaching. 

The PYP does not provide a pre written curriculum. Each school designs its own Programme of Inquiry based on its students, context, and curriculum requirements. At Aitken, every year level engages in six transdisciplinary units of inquiry, carefully aligned with the Victorian Curriculum. Our Programme of Inquiry, displayed in the Cumberland building, reflects deliberate curriculum design and continues to evolve as our students grow.  

These units sit within six transdisciplinary themes that focus on significant real world issues. Students explore ideas such as identity, innovation, conflict, governments, rights and responsibilities, and the natural world. They revisit these themes each year, building deeper understanding and more sophisticated thinking over time.

We also explained what “transdisciplinary” means in practice. Rather than teaching subjects in isolation, we connect them. Mathematics, language, science, the arts, and humanities become tools for solving complex problems. Students learn knowledge and skills in context, strengthening their ability to make connections and apply their understanding beyond the classroom. 

A question many families ask is whether this approach is as rigorous as a traditional model. The answer is yes. Aitken College teaches the same Victorian Curriculum standards and benchmarks as other schools. The difference is how learning is organised. Skills and content are taught for transfer and deep understanding, not short term memorisation. Our approach is deliberate, structured, and academically strong. 

We also shared the IB mission, which focuses on developing inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people. This comes to life through the ten Learner Profile attributes. These attributes, which we often describe to students as strengths or “super powers,” explicitly develop qualities such as being principled, reflective, open minded, and balanced. Over time, students grow into internationally minded young people who understand that different perspectives can coexist. 

Strong learning is supported by strong wellbeing. Our School Wide Positive Behaviour Support Framework ensures that students feel safe, respected, and known. Positive relationships underpin academic growth, and a sense of belonging is essential for success. 

Finally, we spoke about partnership. Families play an important role in the PYP journey. Knowing your child’s central idea, using Learner Profile language at home, talking about classroom concepts, and encouraging action in the local community all strengthen learning. 

Becoming an authorised PYP school is an important milestone for Aitken College. It reflects rigorous curriculum design, professional expertise, and a clear vision for the future. Most importantly, it reflects our commitment to providing an education that is thoughtful, challenging, and built to prepare students for a complex and changing world. 

At Aitken College, we strive to develop young people who live our values in mind and spirit, acting with integrity, compassion, and purpose in all they do. 

A more detailed summary of the PYP Programme can be accessed here.