Showcasing Student Agency, Creativity, and Global‑Minded Learning

Last month’s MYP Personal Project Exhibition was a moment of real pride for our school community. As Personal Project Coordinator, it is always inspiring to watch our MYP 5 (Grade 10) students transform months of independent inquiry, research, and reflection into meaningful, high‑quality outcomes.

What stood out this year was not only the impressive final products, but the remarkable depth of student agency, resilience, and creativity. Each project reflected a genuine commitment to personal learning goals—and the confidence to take ideas from concept to completion.

Celebrating Student Achievement and Supportive Mentorship

Behind every successful Personal Project is a powerful partnership. Our sincere thanks go to our dedicated Personal Project supervisors, whose expert guidance helped students refine their ideas, navigate challenges, and grow as independent learners.

This exhibition also highlights the strength of teaching and learning across the entire school. From Primary through to MYP, students are consistently encouraged to think critically, take ownership of their learning, and approach new challenges with confidence.

Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills at the Core

One of the most impressive aspects of this year’s exhibition was the clear demonstration of Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills—central to all IB programmes. Students showed exceptional:

• Self‑management as they planned, organised, and tracked progress

• Creative and critical thinking in designing innovative solutions

• Communication skills when presenting their work to the community

• Collaboration through peer feedback and shared problem‑solving

• Reflection as they evaluated both their product and personal growth

These skills are not only essential for IB success—they are critical foundations for future academic pathways and global‑minded citizenship.

Rising Standards and Real‑World Impact

Deputy Head Robbie Alexander shared that “each year, the quality of student projects continues to increase.” This was evident in the depth of inquiry, maturity of presentation, and the authentic purpose students brought to their work.

Importantly, the impact of this year’s exhibition extends well beyond the event itself. Members of our Primary Team have already invited several students to deliver follow‑up sessions connected to curriculum learning. For example:

• A student researching bioplastics will support Primary sustainability studies

• Another student’s first aid instructional videos will be used in future safety training

These opportunities highlight the real‑world relevance of the Personal Project and its ability to enrich learning across the whole school.

Adapting to New Challenges with Excellence

This cohort also faced a new challenge: completing the Personal Project within a shorter timeframe due to the introduction of MYP eAssessments and the new MYP ePortfolio.

Despite these increased pressures, students demonstrated remarkable adaptability and perseverance—producing work of outstanding quality. Their achievements deserve genuine celebration.

A Signature MYP Experience That Empowers Every Learner

The Personal Project remains one of the most powerful and transformative experiences in the MYP. It is a space where students lead their own learning, pursue their passions, and express their identities through meaningful, independent inquiry.

This year’s exhibition was a strong reminder of why the Personal Project matters—and a testament to what our students can achieve when they are empowered to shine.