Dear WIS Community,
*I am sharing with you a reflection on the semester in the Primary School, which appears in the PYP Newsletter, linked here.
As I am writing this, I am just returning from the Grade 3 assembly, where students wore the 6 De Bono Thinking hats to share their learning about natural disasters. Watching them move between factual knowledge, emotional responses, and critical analysis reminded me of what deep learning truly looks like. Deep learning isn't just about acquiring information – it's about connecting emotionally with the subject matter, seeing its relevance to our lives, and being able to examine it from multiple perspectives. It's what happens when students don't just know about a topic, but feel its importance and can articulate its impact on their world.
This kind of deep learning doesn't happen by accident. It requires a carefully crafted environment where students feel safe to take risks, where their curiosity is nurtured, and where they have opportunities to apply their understanding in meaningful ways. As I reflect on this semester, I see countless examples of how our community has worked together to create these conditions for deep learning across all areas of school life.
Student Agency in Action
Our Grade 5 students have exemplified what student leadership truly means in the PYP context. Through their peer-teaching initiative, these young leaders have taken ownership of their learning while making a significant impact on our school community. Their leadership extends beyond the classroom, whether they're supporting younger students during sports days or teaching essential life skills about kindness, resilience, and friendship. The pride they take in wearing their leadership hats on the playground represents a commitment to service and positive action that resonates throughout our school.
Innovation in Teaching and Learning
This semester has seen significant strides in our approach to teaching and learning. Our implementation of the text type pedagogy in literacy instruction, guided by expert Stephen Graham, has continued to show remarkable results. This structured approach has particularly benefited our diverse, multilingual community, enabling students to develop a sophisticated understanding of how texts work in all their languages. The success is evident not just in our MAP Growth scores, but in the way our students confidently discuss their learning using precise metalanguage.
Strengthening Our Learning Community
Our commitment to holistic education has taken shape through several key initiatives:
The launch of our comprehensive Social and Emotional Learning programme, aligned with the CASEL Framework and adapted to our unique context
The implementation of Mastery Assessment, ensuring every student has the opportunity to achieve deep understanding
The introduction of Daily Review methods, particularly in Mathematics, demonstrating our commitment to evidence-based practices that complement our inquiry approach
As always, our sports days were a particular highlight this semester contributing to students’ holistic development. These events showcased physical skills and embodied true community spirit. Our Grade 5 leaders took active roles, carrying banners, documenting memories, and ensuring their younger peers stayed hydrated and energized. These experiences provided authentic opportunities for leadership while fostering a sense of belonging and collective achievement.
Parent Partnership
The exceptional turnout at our PYP Parent Workshops this semester demonstrated our community's strong commitment to understanding and supporting their children's educational journey. Through hands-on activities and interactive sessions, parents gained valuable insights into how concept-based inquiry drives learning and how the Learner Profile attributes are developed. Our monthly Coffee Mornings have become valuable spaces for dialogue and understanding, strengthening the crucial bridge between home and school.
Looking Forward
As we witness our students asking thoughtful questions, sharing different perspectives with respect and curiosity, and making connections between their lives and global issues, we see the PYP philosophy coming to life. In every classroom, our learners are developing the critical thinking skills they'll need for tomorrow while deepening their understanding of both their heritage and others' stories.
Behind each project, performance, and discovery stands a team of dedicated teachers who thoughtfully plan meaningful experiences for our students. Their commitment to excellence, combined with our students' enthusiasm for learning and our parents' engaged support, creates an educational environment where authentic inquiry thrives.
I invite our community to continue engaging with us in this exciting educational journey. Your partnership and support make our vibrant learning community possible.
Warm regards,
Marcelle van Leenen | Primary School Principal
Read more here: PYP Newsletter
Comments