VUCA - what are we facing in the world today? After a disruptive start to the term, I have been reflecting on the fact that none of us knows what will come in the future for our children. I see the children collaborating in their learning; talking, comparing, contrasting, suggesting etc, and I wonder what challenges lie ahead for them in years to come.

In our world of VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity), there are ways we can empower our children to be able to navigate the world as it is and how it will be. Our International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme aims to equip our students with agency. "Agency is the capacity and propensity to take purposeful initiative - the opposite of helplessness" (IB). As far as students go, there is evidence that a lack of autonomy (that is, a command-and-compliance culture) leads to poor outcomes in many areas. Student agency is about learning through activities that are meaningful and relevant to the learners. We want our learners not to respond passively to circumstances, but "to seek meaning and act with purpose to achieve the conditions they desire in their own and others' lives." (Getting Smart). By empowering learners to develop a growth mindset, where they believe they have the capacity to learn and see value in their participation, we grow capable, lifelong learners in many different contexts, capable of navigating their own future lives.

This year, in our continuing journey with PYP, we will be inquiring into our practice and environment to ensure our students develop agency and growth mindsets. Our PYP team will be working through a number of programme development plans in order to stretch our thinking and growth in PYP. Do we have an environment children can learn and take action in? Do children have the power to act? Do they have the WILL to act? We aim to stretch our students beyond their comfort zone into their learning zone. This can be uncomfortable, but when children know they have the capacity to learn, and believe in their purpose, they will work through challenges in order to achieve. I am looking forward to inquiring into our teaching and learning practices to ensure we keep challenging our learners to have agency and the will to act!

Next week we recognise Neurodiversity Week! Neurodiversity is present in workplaces, homes, schools, and universities, in fact, everywhere there are people. It presents in many different ways and looks and feels different for every person. We recognise that not all people are the same, but being kind, understanding, and open-minded is what we want our young people to be. Do you know someone who is neurodiverse? What strengths do they have? What do you like or love about them? Consider looking into neurodiversity and keep that learning going. Let's embrace nuerodiversity in all its glory!

You will have received a message and link to a Google form from our Principal Lucy Naylor yesterday regarding the school being open for a limited number of students on Thursday 16 March. If you are not able to use SKIDS (which are opening for the day), or keep your children home, then use the form to book your child into school. There are a limited number spaces available, as we will have a skeleton staff on site. The remainder of teachers will be participating in industrial action to try to push for a better collective agreement that reflects our own needs and those of the students we teach.

Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

Sara Baker

Acting Principal