Bavarian International School - City Campus

BIS has a holistic pastoral care program that supports students' academic, social, and emotional wellbeing. The pastoral care team works with educators across the school to provide vital support and to foster stable, strong relationships. Pastoral Leaders and mentors support students through a structured network from teachers to pastoral leaders to ensure care. The IB Approaches to Learning identify affective skills such as mindfulness, perseverance, emotional management, self-motivation and resilience as part of student development. The PSHE program covers topics including sexual education, body image, digital safety, equity, and bullying to help students stay healthy, safe and prepared for life and work.

BIS Learning Support provides services for students with mild learning differences to support their access to the curriculum. Learning Support teachers work with classroom teachers, families and external professionals to create an inclusive learning environment. Services include monitoring, in-class support, and individual or small-group instruction, with modifications documented in students' Individualised Education Plans. BIS offers the Infinity Programme for asynchronous learners, currently for Grades 6-8, giving high-achieving students opportunities to deepen topics and receive targeted teacher professional development on social and emotional needs of high-achieving students. The program aims to minimize obstacles to learning and accommodate diverse needs through a variety of delivery models.

The EAL programme equips each student with social and academic language skills to access BIS's learning environment. Every EAL student may continue learning their native language through the Home Language Programme. A home language survey and English language skills assessment determine placement along the language acquisition continuum. In secondary school, newcomers join the Newcomer Centre for Grades 6-8; Grades 6-10 join MYP English Language Acquisition; Grade 11 students study English B in the IB Diploma or High School Diploma. The Home Language literacy level is a key predictor of English language acquisition and academic success; maintaining Home Language affords academic, professional and cultural opportunities.

BIS supports mental wellbeing through a dedicated counselling and pastoral care framework for students, parents, and staff. The Counselling Department operates in a supportive, confidential, solution-focused manner and uses best practices from international models in school counselling and the American School Counselling Association. Counselling services address transitions, academic support, stress management, friendship/relationship issues, group programs, crisis counselling, and wellbeing lessons tailored to grade level needs. The pastoral care program aligns with IB Approaches to Learning affective skills, PSHE components, and a broader aim to develop social and emotional skills and resilience. BIS emphasizes healthy lifestyle and emotional and social development through professional staff and ongoing wellbeing initiatives.

The Health team provides child protection services across campuses as part of daily care. The Counselling Department safeguards the human rights of all members of the BIS community, and supports a safe learning environment. BIS collaborates with local health and school authorities to ensure safety, health, and wellbeing. The BIS site links to a Whistleblower Protection policy to safeguard staff and students; such policies exist as part of their safeguarding framework. BIS is committed to safeguarding children and young people as part of its pastoral and wellbeing framework.