Last week, eight members of our FIS team had the privilege of attending the IB Global Conference in Budapest. This was a wonderful opportunity for us educators to engage with the latest in teaching and learning practices, either by attending workshops or in face to face dialogues with our international colleagues. Topics such as the meaningful integration of artificial intelligence, inclusive education, student and teacher well-being, leadership, and innovation were standing out. The overarching theme, “Inspiring learners, realizing potential,” resonated deeply as we explored diverse ways to ignite curiosity and foster growth in our students and ourselves.
It’s clear that the emphasis is shifting more towards developing core competencies – such as critical thinking, reflection, and collaboration, just to name a few – rather than strictly covering content. These discussions reaffirmed the importance of pedagogical leadership in shaping an educational environment where all students can flourish.
With that in mind, I’m pleased to reiterate that the FIS is on an exciting path towards becoming a full IB continuum school. We are eagerly preparing for our PYP authorization visit, scheduled for Spring 2025. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to providing a cohesive, inquiry-based learning experience from the early years through to the IB Diploma.
Before we go on Fall break, we wrapped up this part of the term in true FIS spirit with yesterday’s scarecrow building. It was wonderful to see our community come together to create scarecrows that were not just scary but fun and unique as well. Stepping in as an advisor for 8B, my class teamed up with Mrs. Allen’s 1B class to craft our own scarecrow. It was a memorable experience that brought the different grade levels closer and reminded me that collaboration and creativity thrive when we work together, no matter our age or experience. Take some time to admire the scarecrows on display all around our facilities, even facing Allee am Röthelheimpark!
As we head toward the Semester 1 Conferences on November 5, I look forward to celebrating the progress and achievements of our students, and to the valuable conversations these moments of reflection bring.
Wishing you all a restful and enjoyable Fall Break.
Warm regards,
