While actual class sizes each year depend on a number of factors, we generally aim to offer smaller class sizes than the average school to offer our students an optimal environment for the challenges that learning in line with two curricula entails.
We value the following advantages that come with smaller class sizes:
- Individualised attention and support: Smaller class sizes enable teachers to provide more individualised attention to each student and tailored academic support.
- Enhanced peer relationships: Smaller classes facilitate stronger peer relationships and more cohesive group dynamics, which are critical for students’ social integration and sense of belonging.
- Community Engagement and Parental Involvement: Smaller class sizes offer a great opportunity for families from diverse and international backgrounds to get to know each other and become actively involved in school life.
- Language support: Smaller class sizes provide more opportunities for targeted language support and practice, which is essential for bilingual students to achieve proficiency in both languages.
- Academic rigor: Smaller class sizes support our students in learning according to the Victorian curriculum as well as the German curriculum - which is known for its rigorous academic standards.
- Critical thinking: Smaller class sizes provide our teachers with more opportunities in supporting our students to become critically thinking young people because in this environment teachers can challenge students and students are allowed to challenge teachers.
- German language learning: Our small class sizes provide our students with significantly more time to learn and practice their language skills.
In conclusion, smaller class sizes here at DSM are an ideal environment for us to educate children in a bilingual and bi-curricular learning environment and to make sure they become confident young people who have the knowledge, skills, and motivation to think critically, solve problem and shape the world around us.