W.I.S. MISSION STATEMENT AND PHILOSOPHY

PREMISE

Modern society, at its more affluent levels, is becoming increasingly complex in terms of both cultural integration and economic interdependence. This process is aided by rapid advances in communication, computer science and information technology, all of which combine to break down traditional frontiers and lead to a radical and continual transformation of the social fabric.

MISSION STATEMENT

To serve the local community through the provision of an ‘international education’, in keeping with the stated philosophy, which will enable students to gain entry to higher education world-wide, or to transfer to other educational systems around the world, without compromising age-appropriate academic and social skills, and at the appropriate chronological level.

1. ‘The local community’

The community served by WIS consists of:

• families with dual nationality who require aninternational education
• families with Italian nationality who require an international education
• families whose children are internationally mobile because of the parents’ profession or because of previous international experience
• alumni.

2. ‘International education’

The Programme of studies at WIS seeks to reflect the best practices within international education, and is under continual review on the basis of current educational research.

The Primary School is in the initial phase of the implementation of the Primary Years Programme of the International Baccalaureate Organization and this provides the basic curriculum framework for Pre-school to Year 5.

WIS prides itself upon the caring attitude within its community, and this is fostered by the teachers of the school, who view the social and emotional development of the children as an important part of the educational process. The values of the school are clearly articulated and published in this publication. The principles contained therein, and the stated school philosophy, guide the school in all its deliberations and actions.

The teachers of the school are all fully qualified specialists, and are appointed on the basis of

their familiarity with, and experience of, the requirements of the academic programme of the school. There is a deliberate attempt to broaden the nationalities represented on the teaching staff as much as possible without compromising the high standards of the school, to provide the students with a genuine international learning environment.

All children from Years 1 to 5 are expected to study at least one language in addition to English. The host nation language, Italian, is a compulsory component of the Primary Programme.

3. ‘Transfer to other educational systems’

Typically, in an average year, approximately 25% of the students at WIS transfer to other schools around the world. It is our experience that the transition has been successful, in both anglophone and non-anglophone school systems (please note that the school makes every effort to accommodate the language tuition required by some students to enable them to reintegrate into national systems, however the additional tuition costs are the responsibility of the parents).