Migration and Musical

This week, the Grade 5/6 class continued the busy rhythm of preparing for the musical, with rehearsals taking center stage. Alongside this, we introduced a new unit on migration, and the shift in focus added a deeper, more reflective layer to the week’s learning.

The unit began with an activity called Unpacking Migration. Through a popcorn talk format, students responded to the word “migration” and shared connections, questions, and ideas. The responses ranged widely—some linked migration to family movements, education, and new opportunities, while others brought up more difficult realities such as war, climate change, and displacement. As the board filled up, it became clear that migration is not a single experience, but a complex idea shaped by many different circumstances and emotions.

This was followed by the Would You Leave? decision activity. In this exercise, migration scenarios were read aloud and students physically moved to different parts of the classroom to indicate whether they would stay, leave, or feel unsure. Each scenario challenged students to think more deeply about real-world situations. Some prompts involved better job opportunities abroad, while others included serious issues such as war, drought, flooding, or restrictions on freedom. After each decision, students discussed their reasoning by considering questions such as why they made that choice, what would be difficult about it, and what might be gained or lost.

What stood out during this activity was how varied the responses were. In situations involving safety, many were quick to choose “leave,” while scenarios involving family, friends, or opportunity often created uncertainty. The discussions highlighted that migration decisions are rarely simple, and are often shaped by a mix of emotional, practical, and ethical factors.

The final activity, Pack Your Bag, brought the idea of migration even closer to personal experience. Students imagined having to move to another country the very next day and were only allowed to pack a small backpack with ten items. As different constraints and scenarios were introduced, the challenge became even more difficult. Choices had to be made between essentials, personal belongings, and items that provided comfort or connection to home. The activity emphasized how limited space forces difficult decisions, and how quickly priorities can shift in situations of uncertainty.

Overall, while the musical continued to demand focus and energy, the introduction of the migration unit added an important shift in perspective. Through discussion, movement, and decision-making, students began to see migration not just as movement from one place to another, but as a deeply human experience involving risk, sacrifice, opportunity, and change.

Have a wonderful weekend ahead. 

Your homeroom teacher, 

Ms. Pam

Welcome Back!

 This week was a short but busy one as we returned to school after the Golden Week break. It was nice to see everyone again after the long holiday and catch up with friends and teachers. Although we only had two school days this week, we quickly got back into our routines and started preparing for the weeks ahead.

Most of our time was spent practicing for our musical, Porridge by Craig Hawes. We worked hard during rehearsals, practicing our songs, lines, and stage movements so that the performance will go smoothly. Everyone showed great teamwork and enthusiasm, and it was exciting to continue preparing together.

We also spent time getting ready for our upcoming Cambridge assessments. We reviewed important topics, practiced different skills, and made sure we understood what to expect in the assessments. Even though the week was short, it was a good start after the break and helped everyone settle back into school life.

Have a wonderful weekend to all of you.

Your homeroom teacher, 

Ms. Pam

A Journey Worth Celebrating

This week, our exhibition came to life—and with it, a powerful reminder of what growth truly looks like.

There’s something special about exhibition week. The spaces felt different -- full of energy, anticipation, and a quiet kind of pride that builds as each piece finds its place. But what stood out to me most this time wasn’t just what was displayed. It was everything that led up to it.
Over the past weeks, the students have been on a journey that went far beyond creating final pieces. They stepped into uncertainty, tested ideas, reworked their thinking, and kept going -- even when things didn’t come together right away. Again and again, I watched them choose persistence over perfection.

What we see in the exhibition is only a small window into that process. Behind every finished piece are drafts that didn’t quite work, questions that didn’t have immediate answers, and moments where starting over felt like the only option. And yet, those moments are where the real learning happened.

There were quiet breakthroughs that didn’t need an audience, and small victories that carried just as much weight as the final results. Some students discovered new confidence in their voice. Others learned how to sit with challenges a little longer. Many found strength in supporting one another -- offering feedback, encouragement, and perspective along the way.
This is what makes the exhibition meaningful. It isn’t just about showcasing outcomes; it’s about honoring growth. It’s about recognizing that learning is not linear, and that progress often comes in ways that aren’t immediately visible.

To our parents: thank you for the many ways you showed up. From helping transform the space, to offering encouragement behind the scenes, to simply being present and engaged -- you helped create something that felt bigger than an event. You helped build a sense of community that felt like family. Your support at home, especially through moments of challenge and growth, did not go unnoticed. The learning extended far beyond the classroom, and your partnership made that possible.

And to our mentors: thank you for guiding, listening, and sharing your time and insight so generously. Your presence added depth to the students’ experiences and reminded them that learning is a collaborative, ongoing journey.

To my dear Grade 5/6 students: thank you. Thank you for your willingness to try, to reflect, and to keep moving forward. Thank you for trusting the process -- even when it felt messy or uncertain. The work you’ve shared is thoughtful and important, but the growth behind it is what truly stands out.

You’ve grown in leaps and bounds -- not just in what you can do, but in how you approach learning itself. And that is something worth celebrating.

This exhibition belongs to you -- not just for what you created, but for everything you discovered along the way.

I am proud of all of you.

Have a wonderful Golden Week break to all.

Your homeroom teacher, 
Ms. Pam

Exhibition 2026

There is something truly special about this moment.

After weeks of wondering, questioning, researching, and reflecting, our learners are now ready to share their PYP Exhibition. What we are seeing now is not just a final product, but the result of a sustained process of thinking, collaboration, and growth. This is not simply a presentation of what they have learned—it is a reflection of who they are becoming as learners and as individuals.

Throughout this journey, the children have explored big ideas connected to the world around them. They began by identifying issues that mattered to them, before developing their own central ideas to guide their inquiries. Along the way, they asked thoughtful questions, conducted research using a variety of sources, and engaged in rich discussions with their peers. Each step of the process challenged them to think more deeply, consider different perspectives, and refine their understanding.

A key part of the Exhibition has been ownership. Each child has taken responsibility for their learning, shaping their own direction and managing their time, goals, and progress. Their individual spaces reflect this—showcasing not only what they discovered, but how their thinking evolved over time. You will see evidence of their initial questions, their research, their reflections, and the actions they have considered or taken as a result of their learning.

From environmental responsibility to human relationships, from well-being to social change, their inquiries highlight both curiosity and compassion. Just as importantly, they demonstrate the development of essential skills such as communication, self-management, research, and collaboration.

As we approach Monday’s Exhibition, the excitement in the classroom is tangible. Learners are refining how they will share their ideas, thinking carefully about how to communicate their message clearly and meaningfully to others. They are not only preparing to present, but to engage in conversations—to explain, to respond, and to reflect further through dialogue.

We hope that when you explore the Exhibition, you will notice not only the final displays, but the thinking behind them. Take time to ask questions, to make connections, and to engage with the ideas being shared. These interactions are an important part of the learning experience, helping students to deepen their understanding and see the impact of their work.

We look forward to sharing more of this journey with you and celebrating all that the students have accomplished.

Have a wonderful weekend to all of you.

Your homeroom teacher, 

Ms. Pam

Our Central Idea

This week in our classroom, the energy has been both focused and inspiring as students continue their journey toward the Exhibition. With most of their individual work now visible and taking shape, it has been exciting to see their ideas come to life in meaningful and creative ways.

Our focus this week shifted toward making deeper connections. Students spent time reflecting on their passions and exploring how these interests link not only to their own experiences, but also to broader concepts. Through thoughtful discussions and collaboration, they began to recognize patterns and relationships between their ideas. Many discovered that their passions could be grouped into larger themes such as community, self, and environment. This realization has helped them see that while their projects are unique, they are also interconnected in powerful ways.

One of the most significant achievements this week was the development of our shared Exhibition central idea. As a class, students worked together to craft a statement that captures the essence of their collective learning and purpose. They thoughtfully considered how their individual inquiries contribute to something bigger than themselves.

Our final central idea is:

“Turning our passions into action creates positive change within ourselves, our community, and the world.”

This statement reflects not only what students are learning, but who they are becoming -- individuals who understand that their ideas and actions have the power to make a difference.

As we move forward, students will continue refining their work with this central idea in mind, ensuring that their projects clearly communicate both their passion and their impact. It is a joy to watch them grow as thinkers, collaborators, and change-makers.

Have a wonderful weekend to all of you. 

Your homeroom teacher,

Ms. Pam

Preparation for the PYP Exhibition

This week, our Grade 5/6 students have been deeply engaged in preparing for one of our most awaited milestones of the year --- the PYP Exhibition!

The children have been working with great focus and enthusiasm as they bring their ideas to life. A major part of this week was dedicated to creating and refining the displays for their exhibition booths. The students thoughtfully designed their spaces to clearly communicate their central ideas, lines of inquiry, and research findings.

It has been wonderful to see the creativity and individuality shining through in each project. From eye-catching visuals to interactive elements, students are considering how best to engage their audience and share their learning in meaningful ways. They have been collaborating, problem-solving, and making important decisions about how to present their work effectively.

Throughout the process, students have demonstrated strong self-management and communication skills. They are learning how to organize their materials, manage their time, and give and receive constructive feedback from teachers and peers.

I am incredibly proud of the effort and dedication shown by all students this week. The excitement is building as we move closer to the Exhibition, and we look forward to seeing their hard work come together in the final presentations.

Have a wonderful weekend to all of you.

Your homeroom teacher,

Ms. Pam