Primary (Years 1-6)

Primary

Primary: A Year of Growth, Adventure, and New Beginnings

As the 2025–2026 school year comes to a close, we reflect on a truly memorable year filled with growth, achievement, adventure, and exciting new beginnings. Together, our learners, staff, and families embraced change, celebrated success, and created lasting memories that will remain part of the NIS story for years to come.

A New Chapter for NIS

This year marked a significant milestone in our school’s history as we moved into our beautiful new school building. Learners quickly embraced their new learning spaces, explored the expansive grounds, and eagerly anticipated the completion of the new playground. The move represented not only a new building, but also a new chapter for NIS. For many learners, one of the highlights of the year was making these new spaces their own and creating a sense of belonging within our new school home.

Across Primary, learners continued to demonstrate curiosity, resilience, and a love of learning. From imaginative inquiry projects and creative performances to scientific investigations and collaborative problem-solving, they embraced every opportunity to challenge themselves and grow. Year 1 learners enjoyed welcoming their families into the new building for a special class breakfast, celebrating both their learning and the exciting environment in which they continue to learn and grow.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Our classrooms were filled with exciting experiences throughout the year. Year 1 learners explored innovation and transportation during a visit to Teknisk Museum as part of their From A to B unit and deepened their understanding of the natural world through visits to Øresund Aquarium and Copenhagen Zoo during The Earth: Our Home. They also celebrated Fastelavn alongside Early Years and Ællingen and concluded the year with an outdoor adventure at Gurredam Spejdercenter together with Year 2.

Year 2 learners enjoyed a visit to the aquarium and proudly showcased their learning through their Stories People Tell Exit Point performance.

Year 3 learners experienced the excitement of entering the new school building for the first time, embarked on an unforgettable overnight trip to Helsingør, formed new friendships through sporting events, and were introduced to laptops and Office 365 as part of their learning journey.

Year 4 learners became passionate advocates for environmental conservation through their Vanishing Rainforests unit, raising awareness and supporting efforts to protect forests locally and globally. They explored natural disasters and volcanoes through their Active Planet learning and stepped back in time during their Viking adventures in Roskilde, including paddling traditional boats and experiencing life as Vikings.

Year 5 learners expanded their love of reading through a year-long book club, where they shared books, projects, discussions, and plenty of snacks together. Their visit to the Planetarium brought their Space Scientists unit to life, while their Mystery unit challenged them to become detectives, writers, and critical thinkers as they solved clues and created mysteries of their own.

For our Year 6 learners, their final year in Primary was filled with special memories. Highlights included their Celebration of Learning evening, where they proudly shared their achievements with their families, and their overnight trip to Svendborg, creating lasting memories with classmates as they prepared for the transition to secondary school.

Sport, Teamwork, and Personal Growth

Beyond the classroom, our learners continued to demonstrate outstanding sportsmanship and teamwork through athletics, Sports Day, cross-country events, and a variety of sporting opportunities throughout the year. Their determination, enthusiasm, and support for one another embodied the Personal Learning Goals and values of our school community, reminding us that success is measured not only by achievement, but also by character.

Celebrating Community

Our strong community spirit was evident in every celebration. International Day once again brought our diverse community together through music, dance, food, and culture, with memorable performances from learners and families alike.

The final Julebasar at Cirkelhuset marked the end of an era before our move to the new campus, while a new tradition of singing assemblies with the Danish department strengthened connections across our wider school community. These events, alongside concerts, performances, and celebrations throughout the year, fostered a sense of belonging and created memories that will last a lifetime.

Developing Global Citizens

At NIS, we continue to believe in developing globally minded learners who make a positive difference in the world. Through fundraising projects, environmental initiatives, community engagement, and everyday acts of kindness, our learners demonstrated empathy, responsibility, and a commitment to helping others.

Whether supporting rainforest conservation, participating in community events, or simply helping a classmate, they showed what it means to be caring and active global citizens.

Looking Ahead

To all of our learners, thank you for your energy, enthusiasm, and determination. You have embraced every opportunity this year with courage, curiosity, and kindness.

To our families and staff, thank you for your partnership, support, and dedication throughout a year of significant change and exciting growth.

As we look ahead to the future, we do so with pride in all that we have accomplished together and excitement for the opportunities that lie ahead. The memories made during the 2025–2026 school year will remain an important part of the NIS journey for years to come.

Christmas Bazaar

Year 1-4 are trying new food every day

Year 6 building trip

DISNAC Primary Football

Halloween

International Day celebrations

PROFILE: Growing Through Change – with Shannon Putnam

For Shannon Putnam, change is a natural part of learning and growing.

Originally from New Hampshire in the United States, Shannon has spent much of her career teaching in international schools across the US, Germany and Denmark. Since joining NIS in 2022, she has taught in the Primary grades where she is currently the Year 4 class teacher. This spring she completed a Master’s degree in Learning and Instruction through Northeastern University in Boston.

Finding opportunities in change. This school year has brought many changes, including the move from Cirkelhuset to NGG’s new school building. While the transition required adjustment from both learners and staff, Shannon has been inspired by the way her class embraced new surroundings, routines and experiences.

The school lunch programme became a particularly visible example of growth through change. As learners explored new meals together, many discovered foods they would never have chosen on their own. Watching classmates try something unfamiliar often encouraged others to do the same.

Learning to embrace challenges. Supporting children through change is a central part of Shannon’s teaching philosophy. Through the IPC personal learning goals, learners develop adaptability and resilience – qualities that help them navigate challenges and view change as an opportunity to grow.

Growth Mindset is another important part of classroom life. Learners are encouraged to see mistakes as part of learning and challenges as opportunities for development.

“It’s not ‘I can’t do it,’” Shannon often tells her learners. “It’s ‘I can’t do it… yet.’” For Shannon, that small word captures an important lesson: growth takes time, perseverance and a willingness to keep learning.