Overview
At NIST, we believe that education is more than just an academic programme. While academics are fundamental to the learning experience, we also recognise the importance of wellbeing, activities, service learning and expeditions. These five elements come together to provide a breadth of opportunities for personal, social and cognitive development, helping students to find their interests and reach their full potential.
We understand what students gain by playing on a sports team, working with a service group, engaging in a school expedition, participating in a drama production, or looking after their physical and emotional health. These experiences make a lasting and positive impact on the growth of a child.
This is why the NIST Learning Programme has been carefully curated to provide a range of experiences that all work together to deliver a holistic education, every day, from Early Years through to graduation.
Through the experiences that underpin the elements of our Learning Programme, students develop the skills and dispositions they will need to be successful at NIST and beyond. As a committed IB World School, the NIST Attributes are informed by and align with the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning.
NIST Attributes
Our learners strive to be global citizens who flourish and make a positive impact in the world
As a committed IB World School, the NIST Attributes are informed by and align with the IB Learner Profile and Approaches to Learning.
Learning Principles
High-Quality Learning
At NIST, we inspire growth, empower excellence and enrich lives by providing high-quality learning across our programme. We do this by intentionally setting optimal conditions for learning in the development of global citizens who flourish and make a positive impact in the world. We are guided by research-based principles that foster motivation and deep learning for life. The Learning Principles are interrelated and do not appear in a specific order nor do they exist in isolation.
NIST Definition of Learning
Learning is a process that results in a change in behaviours, skills and knowledge as understanding deepens.
Learning Principles
Learning is enhanced when the conditions provide:
- A safe, secure and supported learning environment that fosters wellbeing.
- Social interaction that enables active exchange and response.
- Opportunities to construct new knowledge that is built on prior knowledge and experience.
- Active participation in the learning process that empowers agency through intentional choice and voice.
- The appropriate level of challenge that recognizes individual differences.
- Time for deliberate practice just beyond the comfort zone.
- Accurate feedback that is timely, goal-oriented, and actionable with opportunities to try again.
- Opportunities to reflect, analyse, monitor and make adjustments to learning.
- A context that is relevant, purposeful, and engages the learner with opportunities to make connections that can transfer.