Dear Parents,
Good morning!
I hope this email finds you well!
Yesterday and today all of our staff in the primary division have been participating in professional development provided by the IB that is called: Action, Agency and Engagement. Today I would like to take the time to highlight these two very important elements of the IB curriculum – AGENCY and ACTION. Below you will find the PYP documents for both agency and action, so you may gain a deeper understanding of their importance to student learning, growth and development.
To summarize, agency is when students are empowered to have voice, choice and ownership in their learning and school life. It is essential that teachers and staff respect the opinions and voices of students and to place value on their contributions to the classroom and school community. Agency often will lead to action, which is an authentic and meaningful process through which students seek to resolve issues or improve some aspect of their lives or the lives of others. It is a key part of our students’ journeys to becoming internationally-minded global citizens.
At XLIS, both our primary and secondary divisions have a Student Council, where our students’ agency is put into action. In our primary division, the P4 to P6 classes had students write a speech to describe why they would like to be a part of the Student Council. They all highlighted their own qualities that would suit them for a role such as a Student Council class representative and ways they believe they can help to make the school better.
Here are some of the reasons they listed:
We are proud that we have at least 12 students who make up this year’s XLIS Primary Student Council, representing each class from P4 to P6. They will listen to the ideas of their peers, think of ways to make the school a fun and inclusive place to learn and make friends, and seek ways to help in the community. They will meet for one hour together every Wednesday, discuss a variety of ideas, bring up issues they would like to address, and build leadership skills. The students create their own meeting agenda, with Ms. Julia, Ms. Milena and Mr. Richie present as facilitators.
The first initiative for this school year is World Kindness Day which we will celebrate tomorrow!
All students and teachers are encouraged to wear pink to school and to think of ways that we can be caring and spread kindness throughout the school community. You can help at home by having conversations with your child about what being caring looks like. What are actions we can all take to be kind to those around us each day?
I’d love to hear about ways your family practices kindness. You may reply to this email to let me know how things are going or to ask me any questions.
You may also add my WeChat if you prefer.
Have a wonderful day!
Marly Song
Primary Principal
Email: marly.song@xalis.com
WeChat: principal_marly
