Dutch education abroad

For children growing up abroad, acquiring Dutch language skills is an extra challenge. As parents we do our very best to learn the Dutch language, but there are many English-language influences that make this difficult, such as Childcare, School, playgroups, friends and English-language television. Many children also grow up in a bilingual family in which one of the parents also speaks English. The support of a school where lessons are given in Dutch and various themes are discussed, and playing and learning together with other children helps the child to expand the vocabulary.

NTC-education program
NTC education aims to link up with education in the Netherlands. Following the Dutch curriculum through the NOB learning pathways and using a test system (Cito) provides a good frame of reference for the quality and level of education. For children returning to the Netherlands, this helps with a smooth entry into the school system. We also provide education to students who have no intention of ever returning.

Duyfkenschool teaching philosophy

The Duyfkenschool is a school where active learning, by students and teachers, is of paramount importance. Children learn by doing and that is why we use active teaching methods every afternoon at the Duyfkenschool. In addition, the Duyfkenschool team is also active in acquiring new knowledge and insights by means of training courses and literature research.

Duyfkenschool core values

Passion
Passion for passing on the Dutch language and culture is central to the Duyfkenschool. Not only among teachers, but also among parents.
With enthusiasm, the teachers are developing original, creative and educational lessons for cultural days and also the method lessons are adapted so that they are even better suited to the interests and level of the students.
Parents are committed to being involved in what the children are learning at school, by reading the newsletters and lesson letters, by helping to create lesson letters (from grade 3) and by doing as much as possible be present at cultural (festive) days.
Connecting
The Duyfkenschool is a school for Dutch children in Brisbane and the surrounding area. By means of physical lessons, organizing holidays and online activities, the Duyfkenschool ensures that families come into contact with each other and that the Dutch culture, also here at 18,000 kilometers from the Netherlands, continues to live among the people.
Together with the parents, the Duyfkenschool ensures that the children develop in the Dutch language. This is done at school with language lessons and play activities with peers and at home by maintaining contact with Dutch family members, reading aloud and writing the lesson letters.
Active
The Duyfkenschool is a school where active learning, by students and teachers, is of paramount importance. Children learn by doing and that is why we use active teaching methods every afternoon at the Duyfkenschool. In addition, the Duyfken School team is also active in acquiring new knowledge and insights through training and literature research.
Ambitious
The Duyfken School believes that every child can develop in the Dutch language. We set ambitious but achievable goals for each group and in some cases for individual learners. The Duyfkenschool is a foundation with many ambitions for the future, a school that continues to develop and expand its range.

Duyfkenschool teaching methods

Toddler group and lower school
Kindergarten University
This method consists of digital, thematic kindergarten and toddler projects based on picture books.

Group 3:
Safe Learning to Read
This is a teaching method for preparatory and initial reading instruction. In this method, extensive vocabulary education is offered. The method is used as a guideline and supplemented with other materials.

Group 4 to 8:
STAAL
The Duyfkenschool purchased this modern and popular method new in 2018. It is a method for language, spelling and vocabulary.
Nieuwsbegrip XL.
Nieuwsbegrip XL is a digital method for reading comprehension and is in line with current news in the Netherlands (Jeugdjournaal). The method also pays structural attention to reading and vocabulary strategies.

Organisation

The Duyfken School is an “incorporation” under Queensland law. The school is not-for-profit and is registered as a charity. This means that donations to the school are tax-deductible. The organization of the Duyfken School consists of the board, the school principal, teachers, teaching assistants, and volunteers. The board is responsible for determining, recording and partly implementing policy in the areas of management, finances, educational matters, personnel and accountability. The school leader manages the team of teachers, teaching assistants and volunteers, and is the point of contact for existing and new parents. The school leader is also responsible for developing and monitoring the quality of education. Only the headmaster teachers and teacher assistants are paid. In order to maintain the quality of education and to meet the requirements of the NOB Foundation, the school employs at least one PABO-qualified teacher.

Location, schedule and costs

Group lessons take place every Wednesday afternoon (during school terms) at the location and times listed below:

If you have any questions, please contact us. Our team is ready to answer questions and help you find solutions.