In this week's episode, we had the pleasure of hosting two Grade 5 students Aria and Leon, alongside Niall Watt, the driving force behind the Olympic Dream Series (ODS) and the ISAC Sports program in WAB's Elementary School (ES). Together, they discussed the joys and challenges of participating in the Olympic Dream Series, reflecting on its impact and sharing valuable advice.

During the episode, Niall provided a background and overview of the Olympic Dream Series, emphasizing the remarkable participation rate of over 90% among WAB ES students. He also highlighted how ODS offers young athletes a gradual introduction to competition, starting as early as Grade 2 and progressively intensifying until Grade 5. As the journey unfolds, students are presented with a diverse array of engaging sports activities, allowing them to explore and develop their skills.

As an ODS participant for two years, Grade 5 student Aria expressed her joy in forging lasting friendships with fellow athletes while giving her all in various sports. Echoing similar sentiments, Leon, also a grade five student, emphasized the significance of friendship, recounting the fulfillment he derived from celebrating victories with his friends and finding comfort in their support during moments of defeat. Reflecting on his personal growth through ODS, Leon said, “It has impacted my social skills. And in a way that I don't think any other program that I've been to has done."

Thank you again to our Grade 5 students for sharing their experiences and to Niall for his dedication to the ODS. Find out more about this unique program by tuning in to this episode. 

In this week's episode, we had the pleasure of hosting Middle School science teachers, Marisabel Soliman and Thomas Howard, who were joined by two students, Anna and Jona. They engaged in a discussion about their recent learning experiences and the integration of students and teachers in mixed-age group science classes this school year.

Thomas provided an overview of Unit 1, which comprised six distinct lessons forming the foundation of the learning process. Marisabel highlighted the abundance of hands-on experiences offered to students, allowing them to truly engage with the subject matter. "They had the opportunity to get their hands dirty," she added. 

The two teachers also shed light on the teaching model employed in mixed-age group classes, which aims to provide students with greater flexibility and motivation in their learning journey. “It's not a traditional model of teaching where” and “It's a very active zone”, said Marisabel. Instead of only lecture-based, students are spread out in the learning areas with more learning options, “we're moving”, added her.

Anna, a Grade 7 student, emphasized how her motivation to learn increased when she had the chance to attend classes with Grade 8 students, while also forming new friendships. “We got to focus, we got to get this done. So, then we're on the same page as them, ” said her.  

In the mixed-age group class, Grade 8 student Jona had the opportunity to assist a student from a lower grade level, an experience that left him feeling fulfilled and more confident in his learning. Meanwhile, he also emphasized how the two grade levels can facilitate each other’s learning, “Some topics we know better because we had that last year a bit. But some topics we weren't so familiar with because we didn't do that in depth. But the seventh graders did.  So they can teach us.”

If you want to find out more about how Middle School students are adapting to the mixed-age group class at WAB, be sure to listen to this episode.  

In this week's episode, we had the pleasure of hosting a group of students who shared their competition experiences with us. Joining us were Middle School students Ava, Harry, Jeff, and Jonathan, along with High School students Isabela and Masaaki. They have discussed various competitive activities, including math, writing, and coding, offering valuable insights into their preparation strategies, lessons learned, and advice for peers seeking to enhance their participation in these events.

Jeff, an eighth-grade student, highlighted the support he received from his teachers at WAB, which inspired him to participate in a prestigious writing competition in the UK. Grade 7 student Ava, who recently returned from Yale after participating in the World Scholars' Cup, shared her experience of conquering the challenges of individual research and task breakdown as effective problem-solving techniques.

High School student Masaaki recounted his experience in a group maths competition known as ARML, where he discovered the benefits of collaborative problem-solving. He encouraged students to step out of their comfort zone and explore competitions beyond their familiar subjects. Masaaki found participating in a coding competition for the first time both challenging and enriching.

When discussing preparation for different contests, Grade 9 student Jonathan, and Grade 11 student Isabel both emphasized the importance of understanding the unique formats and requirements of each competition. Isabel added that some contests test existing knowledge, presenting a multitude of questions to be completed within a limited timeframe, while others provide more time for problem-solving and knowledge development.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Middle and High School students for their insightful and engaging discussion. For more inspiring learning stories at WAB, don't miss out on this episode. 

In this week's episode, WAB's Director of Innovation in Learning and Teaching, Stephen Taylor, has taken over as host and engaged in a conversation with two special guests from the recent accreditation visit: Darlene Fisher, an International Accreditation Leader for NEASC, and Angela Meikle, Head of International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools. Together, they explore the development of the Collaborative Learning Protocol and its role in maintaining a strong focus on learning within schools.  

Darlene explains that the creation of the CLP by both NEASC and IB is aimed at establishing a unified process for schools, eliminating the need for multiple reports for different organizations. By aligning efforts for reevaluation and reaccreditation, NEASC and IB sought to streamline the accreditation process. The CLP also served as a tool to facilitate deep conversations within schools about learning, its quality, and methods for improvement and transformation. 

Angela adds that the CLP was designed during a transitional period when the IB introduced new foundational program standards and practices in 2020, with schools adapting to the new evaluation model in 2021. The CLP was developed to effectively direct schools' attention towards learning, providing clarity during this transition phase. 

Stephen sheds light on WAB's decision to embrace this process, driven by the philosophical alignment between the IB and NEASC, as well as their shared commitment to future directions. "We don't want to be a school that just sits back and keeps on doing things the way we always do them, but to always keep growing. And this evolution of authorization and accreditation pathways is something that does force that growth mindset," said Stephen.  

If you're interested in discovering how WAB collaborates with world-leading accreditation groups to enhance our learning and innovation, tune in to this episode for more insights. 

In this week's episode of the WAB Podcast, Grade 12 student Mia takes over as the host, diving into the impactful experiences of students participating in WABX, WAB’s co-curricular athletics and activities program. Joining her are three fellow Grade 12 students, Alice, Annabel, and Oscar, who talk about what they are involved in, how it has impacted them, and the skills they have developed. 

WABX offers an extensive range of 300 to 400 different activities for students to choose from, providing a diverse array of options. Additionally, students at WAB actively participate in the Asia Pacific Activities Conference (APAC) events. This conference involves 12 schools from the Asia-Pacific region, hosting friendly competitions and engaging activities for international school students.

During the podcast, Oscar emphasizes the valuable friendships he formed throughout his WABX journey. Alice discusses how her involvement in the choir enhanced her time management skills. Annabel shares her insights on mentoring younger students and taking leadership roles. The group also reflects on the challenges posed during COVID and provides insights on balancing academic commitments with co-curricular activities.

For a deeper understanding of these personal stories and experiences, tune in to our latest episode of the WAB Podcast. Discover how WABX has shaped the lives of our students and provided them with invaluable skills and learning opportunities. 

In this week's episode of the WAB Podcast, we are joined by Angelia Crouch, WAB's Global Citizenship Coordinator, who explains what Creativity, Action, and Service (CAS) is and how WAB students fulfill their CAS goals. We also hear from Grade 11 students, Jeremy, Lily, and Lucienne, who share their club activities and the valuable learning they've gained from participating. 

During our conversation, Angelia breaks down the elements of CAS: creativity, action, and service, emphasizing the significance of the service component at WAB, in which "students connect with community partners, develop projects, engage in SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and global issues." 

Lily takes us through her experience participating in the Model Climate Change Conference of Parties (MCCCOP) this year. She conducted research, represented Australia, the assigned country for her and her partner during the conference, and won the Most Sustainable Project prize.  

Jeremy, from the Profarmer club, highlights the communication and organization skills he has developed as a co-leader. He emphasizes the importance of effective communication with school faculty and farmers outside the WAB community. 

Lucienne, a member of the Club Zer0, shares her passion for conservation and sustainability, which motivated her to join the club. She believes that Zer0 has the potential to make a meaningful impact in this area. 

Join us for an engaging conversation in this episode as we dive into the IB CAS program and explore how students at WAB navigate and experience it. 

In this week's WAB Podcast, we dive into the significance of learning spaces in students' learning and how they can ignite inspiration as a "third teacher." Stephen Taylor, WAB's Director of Innovation in Learning and Teaching, has taken over as host, engaging in a conversation with two guests: Erica Borsa, an architect and founder of Studio Vapore, and Leanne Kingston, a Middle School Visual Arts teacher at WAB.

With several years of collaboration with WAB, Erica Borsa's designs have played a crucial role in numerous recent renovation projects. As students transitioned into new spaces after the summer break, Erica highlighted the delight and surprise she experienced when students discovered new functions within the environment. Reflecting on the influence of spaces in students' learning, she said, "Spaces are meant to inspire people."

Leanne, as a teacher at WAB, shared her firsthand experiences with the newly renovated spaces, emphasizing the added flexibility they bring to her classroom. She also expressed her impression of these spaces, stating, "You can really see that there's a real intention in how the spaces are made, and that comes across really strongly."

If you're interested in finding out more about WAB's learning spaces and their impact on student learning, this episode is not to be missed.  

WAB's latest podcast episode delves into the exciting realm of personalized learning, offering insights into how we tailor learning for our students. Taken over and hosted by Kevin Crouch, WAB’s Head of EdTech, IT, and Libraries, this discussion features Phil Jury from Education Perfect and Ben Newman, WAB's Head of High School Math and Middle School Math Teacher.

Phil Jury shares insights into the evolution of personalized learning, tracing its history and highlighting the role of modern technology. He defines personalized learning as the process of tailoring educational approaches to address individual needs.

Ben Newman, sheds light on how WAB uses tools like Education Perfect to empower both students and teachers at WAB to effectively personalize challenging learning. By recognizing the diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities of our students, these tools support teachers in providing relevant and engaging educational experiences.

If you're interested in finding out more about how personalized learning can be used to ensure each student achieves their learning goals, then this podcast episode is a must-listen. 

In this week's episode of the WAB Podcast, High School Student Council President Jeremy and Vice President Hannah took the reins as hosts to interview Dr. Jaime Pustis, our new High School principal.

During the conversation, Jaime reflected on her educational journey across Peru, Poland, Latvia, Cameroon and Guatemala, which influenced her values as an educator and leader, as well as her human-centered philosophy.

"I believe that classrooms should be a place where students walk into and can be themselves, and they are safe to take risks, learn, grow, and even fail," expressed Jaime.

"As I took on a leadership role, I carried these sentiments with me. My desire is to serve others, and now, instead of it just being in the scope of a classroom, it extends to the community, such as here at the WAB High School," she added.

Jaime also shared her impressions before and after joining WAB, highlighting WAB's warm and welcoming nature. "Our school is a connected community," she emphasized.

To learn more about our new High School Principal, don't miss this student-led edition of the WAB Podcast. Tune in for an engaging and friendly conversation between Jaime and her students. 

During the first month of the 2023/24 school year, the WAB campus has become a hub of exciting activities, setting the stage for a dynamic start to the school year. From the lively Community Picnic and WABX to the MAX Festival, the AI Parent Workshop, and the International Peace Day activities, the enthusiasm and joy among students and staff are palpable.

In the first episode of WAB's Season 4 podcast, WAB's Head of School Dr. Marta Medved Krajnovic, and Director of Innovation in Learning and Teaching Stephen Taylor, reflect on the positive spirit and energy of the first month of school. They discussed the exciting summer renovations, emphasized the community's inclusiveness and diversity, and highlighted WAB's ongoing commitment to sustainability.

They also shared information on our upcoming reaccreditations and the planned celebrations for our 30th anniversary.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Distinguished Speaker Series featuring Rosalind Wiseman and be sure to stay tuned for the next podcast episode, where high school students will take over to interview their new Principal.