AWIS Newsletter 25-8

Dear AWIS Community, 

As we reach the middle of our school year, this is a wonderful moment for us to pause, reflect, and look forward together. Reflection is at the heart of learning—it allows us to recognize how far we have come, celebrate milestones, and set new goals. This year, in September to be exact, is especially meaningful as we celebrate AWIS’s 10th anniversary—ten years of nurturing curious, compassionate, and confident learners.

At AWIS, we believe that understanding growth is just as important as celebrating achievement—and this year, we are introducing a new way to do just that: the GROWS assessment approach.

Our shift to the GROWS assessment approach emphasizes growth, goal-setting, and self-reflection, encouraging children to see learning as a journey rather than a race. This approach highlights progress through five stages: Getting Started, Reinforced, On Task, Well Developed, and Surpasses. This shift helps children see learning as a journey and empowers them to take ownership of their growth.

Reflection also connects naturally with another important part of our identity as a school: cultural diversity and global citizenship. These past months, our students engaged in meaningful celebrations in the classroom and school wide such as the Tanabata Festival and the Aiwinvengers Fair, where they experienced traditions, creativity, and collaboration that extend beyond the classroom. These events are more than festivities; they are opportunities for children to reflect on their class inquiries and own identities while appreciating the stories, customs, and perspectives of others.

Our students are guided every day by a diverse team of teachers from around the world, each bringing unique experiences, cultures, and perspectives into the classroom. This diversity enriches learning, models global citizenship, and provides children with a wide range of approaches to problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration. Working alongside teachers from many different backgrounds helps students understand that learning and expression can take many forms—mirroring the values of empathy, curiosity, and respect we celebrate at AWIS.

In that same spirit of growth and reflection, our students will also be celebrating another exciting milestone: 100 Days of School. This joyful tradition recognizes 100 days of learning, friendships, and growth—an opportunity that is personal for our students as they see how far they have come since the start of the year. Just as the GROWS approach empowers students to take ownership of their progress, the 100 Days celebration helps them realize how much their choices, curiosity, and efforts contribute to their learning and sense of accomplishment.

Research in early childhood education consistently shows that when children are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and engage with diverse cultures, they develop stronger social-emotional skills, empathy, and open-mindedness. These qualities not only enrich their academic growth but also prepare them to be active, caring members of a global community and nurture a deeper sense of fulfillment and happiness in life.

I encourage families to continue this practice of reflection and cultural sharing at home. Ask your child what they are proud of, what new skill they want to learn, or what they discovered about another culture through our school activities. These conversations strengthen the bridge between home and school and help children see that learning is both personal and universal.

Together, as we celebrate AWIS’s 10th anniversary, let us continue this journey as a school community—learning, growing, and exploring together. Each reflection, each shared story, and each new experience brings us closer to nurturing children who are not only academically capable, but curious, empathetic, and globally minded citizens of tomorrow.

With deep gratitude, 

Darlin Okada

Head of School

 This year’s fair was especially meaningful as we opened our doors to 236 families and our local community, sharing the vision that coming together as a school community can make a big difference in the lives of children worldwide. The fair was a school-wide, student-initiated activity, where students proudly showcased how they protect peace, play, and the planet, stepping into the role of real-life superheroes.

Different booths were set up by our homeroom teachers, each highlighting what students have been learning in Summer School. Each class chose a focus—peace, play, or the planet—and reflected this in their booth, presenting their ideas and projects for families and visitors to explore. Students took ownership of their learning, sharing their creativity, knowledge, and reflections with the community.

The event was further enriched by the presence of real-life local heroes, including city policemen, storytellers from the local city hall, representatives from Animal Refuge Kansai, and AWIS parents serving as flea market sellers. Together, these contributions helped illustrate the power of community collaboration and inspired students to see how real-world actions connect to the values they practice every day. 

Through this event, students and families learned the power of collaboration, empathy, and civic responsibility, supporting the Save the Children Foundation. We are proud to announce that, with the generous support of parents, local organizations, and community members, the fair raised 80,000 yen for this important cause. The event was a vibrant celebration of creativity, curiosity, and global citizenship, highlighting how every idea and every effort can make a meaningful difference in the world. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our collaborators, contributors, and volunteers for making this event truly meaningful.

Our field trip opened a world of wonder as students explored how materials connect to identity, culture, and creativity. From brainstorming designs in class to bringing them to life in the art lab, the journey was full of curiosity, discovery, and joy. Along the way, children learned about the history and diversity of printing methods, gaining a deeper appreciation for the tools we use to communicate ideas and tell stories. The experience culminated with students proudly taking home their personally designed bags, tangible reminders of their creativity and self-expression.

Our field trip opened a world of wonder as students explored how materials connect to identity, culture, and creativity. From brainstorming designs in class to bringing them to life in the art lab, the journey was full of curiosity, discovery, and joy.

During the trip, students demonstrated attributes of the IB Learner Profile, becoming inquirers as they explored new materials, thinkers as they problem-solved design challenges, and communicators as they shared ideas with peers and teachers. They also practiced ATL skills, including collaboration while working in teams, self-management in planning and executing their designs, research skills as they learned about different printing methods, and creative thinking as they expressed personal identity through art.

This hands-on experience helped students become reflective and confident learners, able to connect their creations to personal identity, culture, and creativity. The journey culminated with students proudly taking home their personally designed bags, tangible reminders of their creativity, effort, and growth as young artists, innovators, and global citizens.

And of course, it was always fun to meet AWIS students from across campuses, fostering friendships and a sense of community that extends beyond the classroom.

Students embraced this traditional Japanese festival, writing wishes and learning about cultural customs that connect us to history and community. Through this celebration, children practiced communication, reflection, and creative expression while developing respect for cultural traditions, strengthening the attributes of open-mindedness and caring, and engaging in skills of social collaboration and thinking.

During our Summer School program, students’ voice, choice, and ownership of learning were strengthened as they collaborated on the theme “Aiwinvengers Fair: Protectors of Peace, Play, and the Planet.” This program also welcomed siblings, AWIS alumni, and external students, enriching our learning experiences through a wider community of peers and perspectives. Beyond projects and initiatives, students also enjoyed refreshing activities such as pool time, which encouraged safe play, physical development, teamwork, and confidence. These experiences highlighted the balance of learning, fun, and wellbeing that is central to our early years program.

Our open sessions for parents and school leadership provided a welcoming space to exchange ideas, share feedback, and strengthen the school–home partnership. During these meetings, we also practiced strategies to support communication and nurture an inquiry mindset in young learners, empowering parents to actively engage during the most critical period of growth and learning in their child’s life. 

A key part of our literacy curriculum, this program strengthens foundational skills in listening, sound recognition, and early reading development, ensuring children become confident and capable readers.

For young English learners, developing phonological awareness is especially important as it helps children recognize the sounds and patterns of language, making it easier to decode new words, improve pronunciation, and build vocabulary.

Using the Orton-Gillingham approach, students engage in multisensory, structured, and sequential activities to learn language in a hands-on and memorable way. Examples include:

• Sound and letter linking: Using sand trays, magnetic letters, or finger tracing to connect sounds to letters while saying them aloud.
   
• Rhyming and segmenting games: Clapping, tapping, or moving objects to break words into individual sounds (phonemes) or blend sounds together.
   
• Word building and manipulation: Rearranging letter tiles to form new words, enhancing understanding of letter-sound relationships.
   
• Story-based phonics activities: Listening to short stories and identifying specific sounds, blending listening skills with comprehension and vocabulary development.
   

Through these activities, children develop learning skills such as thinking, communication, and self-management, while demonstrating being inquirers, thinkers, and communicators.

By embedding these engaging, multisensory practices, the Phonological Awareness Program not only strengthens early reading skills but also fosters confidence, curiosity, and a love for English language learning, laying a strong foundation for lifelong literacy.

Beginning in September, Junior Kindy and Kindy classes will commence their Cambridge English Assessment preparation and review, supporting students not only in developing English communication skills, but also providing opportunities to cultivate positive attitudes to learning, including confidence, commitment, and integrity. We will be sharing more details about the structure of this review and preparation, as well as ways you can support your child at home, in upcoming announcements.

Our cooking program has undergone ongoing revisions to reflect the crops currently being grown on our farm, ensuring a strong connection between classroom learning and real-world experiences. The program is being refreshed to align with our Green Farming learning, helping students understand sustainability, healthy choices, and the farm-to-table connection.

We are moving to the GROWS framework (Getting Started, Reinforced, On Task, Well Developed, Surpasses), a holistic approach that emphasizes goal-setting, reflection, observation, work samples, and skill development.

The goal of GROWS is to make learning visible to students, helping them understand where they are in their learning journey and how they can progress. It encourages children to reflect on their own growth, from trying something new, to practicing with guidance, to working independently, demonstrating consistency, and even going beyond expectations.

Through GROWS, students develop self-assessment skills, gain confidence in their abilities, and become capable, reflective learners who take ownership of their learning. Teachers use this approach to provide meaningful feedback and guidance, while families can better understand their child’s progress and celebrate their achievements.

By emphasizing reflection, goal-setting, and visible progress, the GROWS approach aligns with Learner Profile attributes, such as reflective, principled, and inquirers, and supports the development of self-management, thinking, and communication. It transforms assessment from a simple measurement of achievement into a dynamic tool for growth, learning, and lifelong curiosity.

100 Days of School Celebration

This year, we hope to begin a meaningful tradition at AWIS—recognizing 100 days of learning, friendships, and growth on September 3rd. This celebration is not just about counting the days, but about honoring the incredible progress our students have made since the start of the school year.

Reaching the 100-day mark reminds us of the many little steps that together create a big journey—moments of curiosity, cooperation, laughter, and resilience. It is a time to celebrate not only how far students have come academically, but also how they have grown in confidence, independence, and their ability to build caring friendships.

We also hope this opportunity will help our students recognize how much they can take control of their own learning, growth, and happiness. By reflecting on their accomplishments and experiences so far, children can see that their choices, actions, and persistence shape their learning journey every day.

As we mark this joyful milestone, we look forward to making it a tradition that inspires students to embrace their progress and continue reaching for new goals with excitement and pride. All students are encouraged to show up in any attire representing 100 or even being 100 years old!

Parent–Teacher Conferences

Coming soon, these conferences will provide opportunities to discuss your child’s progress, strengths, and goals for the remainder of the school year using the GROWS assessment approach.

Stepping Up to Preschool Orientation

We warmly invite parents of our Nursery class to join us in learning about the exciting Preschool program that awaits their children. This orientation will be a chance to explore how we can work together to support students in this important next step of their learning journey.

More details on how to sign up will be shared in a separate announcement.