From Learners to Leaders: Agency at Work

One of the most important aspects of being an IB learner is recognizing that learning is not something that happens to us, but something we actively engage in and take ownership of. At the heart of the PYP is student agency — the belief that even our youngest learners have the capacity to make choices, act with purpose, and take responsibility for their learning and their community.

This week our PYP students demonstrated agency in a powerful way by hosting their own assembly to launch our Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Rather than adults delivering the message, it was our learners who introduced the initiative, explained its purpose, and invited their peers to take part in creating a safer, kinder school. By doing so, they not only took leadership in shaping our school culture, but also modeled the confidence, care, and collaboration we hope to see in all learners.

The Olweus program is a whole-school commitment. It is not only about lessons or policies, but about how we interact with one another every day. For our students, this means standing up for themselves and others, building empathy, and practicing respect. For us as adults, it means living out the IB Learner Profile attributes — showing integrity, being open-minded, caring, and reflective — so that our students see those values in action. When we model what it means to be principled, balanced, and caring, we teach more than words ever could.

Jenna Brown | Primary Principal