Learning is a journey—one filled with inquiry, reflection, and growth. And just as with any meaningful journey, marking key transitions is essential. In the IB continuum at NIS, the move from the Primary Years Program (PYP) to the Middle Years Program (MYP), and from the MYP to either the Diploma Program (DP) or NIS High School Diploma track, are more than just a transitions to new grade levels—they are rites of passages.
Learning is a journey—one filled with inquiry, reflection, and growth. And just as with any meaningful journey, marking key transitions is essential. In the IB continuum at NIS, the move from the Primary Years Program (PYP) to the Middle Years Program (MYP), and from the MYP to either the Diploma Program (DP) or NIS High School Diploma track, are more than just a transitions to new grade levels—they are rites of passages.
Earlier in June, our Gr. 5 students shared the results of their PYP Exhibition, marking the end of their primary years with presentations that showcased their passions, curiosity, and budding independence as learners (and also got to experience a ‘Day in the Life’ of a Middle School student in preparation for August!).
Middle School Students Showcase their MYP Personal Projects
And just this past week, the Gr. 10 students put their MYP Personal Projects on display for the entire school community. These exhibitions included not only the outcomes of months of work—from research presentations to visual and performance art—but also deep reflections on their learning goals, challenges, and the strategies they used to reach them. And perhaps even a glimpse into the future…will they become writers, coaches, athletes, architects…or as yet unknown and undiscovered careers? Only the future knows, but having the chance to deeply dive into their passions has the potential to frame what they pursue as they continue their learning journey - the most striking thing, when talking with the MYP students, was the clarity with which they discussed their goals and their challenges, and how each learning journey started by trying to learn about something, and by the end, how they were learning about someone; themselves!
The MYP Personal Project serves as powerful acknowledgments of the growth students have undergone—not only academically, but in the stages of learning: planning, applying skills and reflection, as well as key Approaches to Learning (ATLs) such as time and self management, critical and creative thinking, and communication - the key transferable skills needed for a healthy and successful life, and one full of ability to learn.
Each student who completed their MYP Project had an opportunity to showcase their learning at the exhibition and was awarded a certificate in the evening celebration with parents and friends. Again this year, the students were joined by Shunichiro Kamiya, who had worked with them the week before when they travelled to Osaka for their Extended Learning Trip, learning more about art forms in Japan. This is the second year Kamiya and his partners from Matoi no Kai Taiko group, based in Aichi, have worked with our students, and we are grateful for this fantastic collaboration. The piece performed this year was written by Kamiya, and the students learned the piece over two days while in Osaka. The nervous smiles at the beginning soon gave way to wide, confident grins by the end, when they received huge cheers for their performance and for being risk-takers.
All staff who spoke at the event commented on the cohort's positivity and the pride they had in seeing the growth in the students. Students were encouraged to find their own version and definition of “perfection”, and, through understanding that this can never be the same for any two people, work hard to realize their dreams and ambitions.
By pausing to celebrate these moments together as a community, we reinforce the value of the lifelong learning journey and the development of agency and voice. These are more than just projects—they’re milestones that connect students to who they are becoming.
