Dear WIS Community,
At the heart of our PYP framework lies a powerful element – taking action. The PYP encourages our students to not only learn about the world but to actively engage with it, becoming proactive agents of change and empathy. Taking action on learning is a part of every unit of inquiry in our curriculum. It's about moving beyond theoretical understanding to practical, tangible impact.
In the lead-up to Sustainable Schools Day, our Early Years 3 (EY3) learners embarked on an inquiry journey to explore sustainability within our community. To help them, they used the sustainability tool, which, according to one of our EY3 students’ eloquent explanation ‘is a tool to help us think of something in different ways’.
This tool is part of an approach called ‘systems thinking’, which is something we are aiming to develop at WIS. If we want our learners to make connections and develop a deeper understanding of the world and its intricate connections, these tools help us do that. And you will be surprised how creative and profound the connections are that EY3 learners make!
Another important element of the PYP framework is using our community to learn. The EY3 sustainability exploration involved connecting with community members to gain insights into our collective efforts to promote sustainability. This morning, with justifiable pride, the EY3 class led our school assembly, where they shared a video featuring contributions from our community members showing all the different ways community members are taking action on being sustainable. The assembly was an inspiring showcase of their findings, the knowledge they had gathered from community members, and the actions our school is taking to make a difference.
Our students also extended their learning globally. Last year's EY3 teacher, Elsa Swanepoel, who now works at Nanjing International School in China, reached out to share the remarkable sustainability initiatives her current school is undertaking.
It's inspiring to see how our students' enthusiasm for sustainability is spreading its wings far beyond our own school, fostering connections and a shared commitment to a more sustainable future on a global scale.
I am proud of our students and their teachers for their commitment to sustainability and for instilling in our young learners the skills and mindset needed to make a positive impact on the world! We look forward to continuing this journey of learning, growth, and global engagement, as our students and educators alike demonstrate their dedication to creating a better, more sustainable world.
Please enjoy the video they shared during assembly below:
Warm regards,
Marcelle van Leenen
Primary School Principal
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