Dear Parents and Caregivers

One of the key elements of the PYP framework we often get asked about is Learner Agency. On the diagram below you can see how the IB have placed agency at the centre of learning surrounded by the words voice, choice and ownership  - the 3 key elements of Learner Agency. The IB define learner agency as:

“Agency is the power to take meaningful and intentional action, and acknowledges the rights and responsibilities of the individual, supporting voice, choice and ownership…”      IBO November 2017

Here at Nexus this means our learners are actively involved in their learning, making choices and taking actions. Learner agency is about giving our children the tools and resources they need to become active and independent learners who are capable of taking ownership of their own learning journeys. By encouraging agency, we help learners develop the skills and mindset they need to thrive in school and beyond. In this weeks News from the Year Groups we have focused on the different ways learners are able to take ownership of their learning - please do take a look. 

On the theme of Learner Agency we have our Primary Learning Conferences coming up on the 9th and 10th of March. Learning Conferences are formal sessions for parents led by the learners themselves. Our teachers will have guided and prepared your child for this experience. The emphasis is on the discussion between you and your child around their learning journey. During the conference the learners reflect on their learning in a range of areas. At Nexus we believe that learning is enhanced when a child reflects on his or her own learning processes. By empowering learners to become more self-directed and engaged in their learning we encourage motivation, deeper learning, and better outcomes. Learner agency also helps develop important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. In addition these conferences facilitate the ongoing home school relationships that we know are critical to successful learning.

As restrictions have lifted we are delighted to be able to invite you into school for face to face meetings - we strongly believe that the value that comes from the 3-way conversation is significantly enhanced by being together, in the same space. In addition many of the activities have been planned with access to school spaces and resources in mind. We are very much looking forward to being able to welcome you into the building. 

We are about to update the suggestions for iPad cases we put forward for families to purchase. As such I am hoping that if you have bought a case recently you may be able to help. The recommendations we give are always based on user experience, if you have a case you could recommend as robust and reliable please let us know on this form. We won't share any personal information, rather, we are looking for trends of products people have used and would recommend, so we can pass those recommendations on.

Finally, on a sadder note I have to share that Ms Zehra will be leaving us at the end of this term.  Ms Zehra has been with us for 5 years, in that time she has been a strong and passionate member of the Year 1 and Year 2 teams. We wish her and her family safe travels as they move over to Canada for the next part of their life adventure. Ms Pia will be joining us for the remainder of the year in 2R, and we are looking forward to welcoming her.

Have a lovely weekend.

Warm regards

Fiona Lewis

Head of Primary