On Wednesday during weekly professional development meeting PYP coordinator Ms Dinara provided a session for all PYP teachers. This week teachers were inquiring into a concept -driven curriculum. Concept-based inquiry is a powerful vehicle for learning that promotes meaning and understanding, and challenges students to engage with significant ideas. Teachers have been involved into discussions on how key concept, related concepts and conceptual understanding is supported in the classroom while teaching and learning process.

Julie Loveless (Worcester Polytechnic Institute) and Carly Mankus (Franklin & Marshall College) visited the European School on September 25. The university representatives met students from Georgian Program, American High School, and IB Programmes. They discussed admission requirements and study programs, shared their tips on how to craft a standout college essay, and answered students’ questions.

During the MYP Assembly, some updates were shared with students about field trips, service and action and the launch of a new study room during lunchtimes for students who wish to engage in independent study. Mr. Riz also shared a short story, titled 'The Emperor and The Seed', which inspired students to think about honesty, trust, and doing the right thing, even when nobody is looking. This connects to our school motto, Excellence in Learning for Life. We also awarded the MYP Head's Trophy of Excellence to all grade 6 students for a superb transition into the MYP and for showing exemplary behavior and class conduct.

On 23 September the IB Diploma Programme held its 2 nd assembly of the year in the school’s Main Hall. The theme of the assembly was “Welcome to Pre-University”. The main purpose of the assembly was to raise students’ awareness about their status as pre-university students and the implications that go with it. Talking to students about the significance of the Diploma Programme stage, Dr Brice, who led the assembly, said: “What you do in pre-university impacts the tertiary stage of your education, which impacts your post-university life, not only academically, but also in terms of your ability to make important decisions in life.” DP assemblies will be taking place fortnightly throughout the school year. They are meant to be a forum for students and teachers to explore, discuss and reflect on various topics.

Every Wednesday PYP coordinator Ms Dinara is organizing different professional sessions for all PYP teachers. This week teachers were reviewing PYP assessment major principals: Assessing—how we discover what the students know and have learned, Recording—how we choose to collect and analyse data, Reporting—how we choose to communicate information. In groups teachers shared common understanding of PYP assessment policy, criteria for effective assessments, assessment strategies and tools.

On Tuesday 17th September, all MYP staff and parents engaged in an evening to learn about the vision of the MYP Head and the educational philosophy of the MYP Coordinator. The staff worked hard to develop booths to show parents what their subjects entail, with samples of assessments and important curriculum information displayed for parents to see. We would like to thank all MYP staff and parents for their support at such events. Staff, student and parent partnerships is key to a developing high-quality education that nurtures excellence in learning.

On Monday 16th September, during the first MYP assembly of the new academic year, Mr Riz explored the difference between ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ as a way of inspiring students to achieve their personal best. School assemblies serve an important function to develop school culture and we were pleased with our student engagement and interest during this assembly. We believe that all students have an unlocked potential and the MYP is a rigorous programme that requires students to learn from mistakes and to grow from failures through the development of approaches to learning skills (ATLS).

Throughout the week, the MYP Head met with groups of parents to learn about their views of aspects of the MYP that they would like to keep, grow and change. Mr. Riz and Ms. Linda also shared information about key changes introduced at the start of the school year and shared student expectations for MYP. We would like to thank all parents who attended and look forward to the next MYP Event, which will be the Back to School Night on Tuesday 17th September at 16:00 in the Main Hall. All MYP parents are encouraged to attend as they will meet the teachers and learn about the MYP subject groups.

On the 13th of September 2019 PYP Parent Orientation meeting was organized for all Grade 1 to 5 parents. The main goal of the meeting was to meet our current and new parents and to establish effective start of the new academic year. This meeting gave an opportunity for parents to know what to expect in the coming year and also equip themselves for it. Primary school pedagogical leadership team shared school policies, curriculum and assessment expectations.