As the school year draws to a close and the summer holiday approaches, we bring you a special end-of-year episode and the season finale. In this episode, two Grade 11 students, Francesco and Grace, took the mic. They sat down with our Head of School, Marta Medved Krajnovic, and Stephen Taylor, WAB's Director of Innovation in Learning and Teaching, to reflect on the year’s highlights and look ahead to the future.

A Year of Celebration and Connection

From September 1, when our community came together to launch the 30th anniversary, this year has been a joyful celebration of WAB’s enduring spirit. Marta shared that alongside the opening ceremony and alumni profile awards, WAB hosted over 30 alumni reunions in cities around the world. These events offered opportunities to reconnect and reflect on what continues to make WAB feel like home, even decades after graduation.

Another major moment was the #FOEN25: Future of Education Now conference in March, where WAB welcomed global thought leaders to engage with students, educators, and innovators around the future of learning. Student agency, the concept that students are powerful co-creators of their learning, was a central theme, as it has been since WAB’s founding.

The unveiling of the Jane Goodall statue during Jazz and Chill also stood out. Jane, a long-time friend of the school, represents the values of curiosity, courage, and care that continue to shape our learning environment.

Navigating Change and Transition

Change is a familiar part of life at international schools, whether it's moving from school sections, starting the diploma program, or preparing to graduate. Stephen highlighted the importance of WAB’s traditions, like the Grade 8 bridge crossing or the Grade 12 graduation walk, in helping students make meaning of these transitions. These moments of reflection offer both a sense of continuity and celebration.

Francesco reflected on his own transitions through WAB and how, even amid change, there is a comforting sense of familiarity and belonging. Grace shared how these traditions help tie the past and present together, allowing each new generation of students to feel part of something larger.

AI in Education

One of the most discussed topics this year was the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into education. Stephen described WAB’s approach as “careful and considered,” striking a balance between the opportunities AI offers and the ethical considerations it demands, while maintaining a strong commitment to student agency. Rather than banning AI or adopting it uncritically, WAB encourages students to use AI as a tool to support and enhance their learning. "Who is doing the thinking?" is the essential question, Stephen emphasized.

Both school leaders and students acknowledged the challenges and uncertainties surrounding AI, from data privacy to environmental impact. Nevertheless, they agreed that learning to use AI responsibly is essential for future success. As Grace pointed out, demystifying AI and understanding how to use it appropriately prepares students for a world where such technologies will be integral to the workplace.

A Community of Lifelong Learners

A consistent theme in the conversation was the shared commitment to lifelong learning among students, teachers, and school leaders. Marta noted that even school leaders regularly participate in upskilling sessions, underscoring that everyone at WAB is "learning together", adapting to new technologies and global developments as a unified community.

This spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and resilience is what will carry WAB into the next 30 years and beyond, intertwining its past and future, its traditions and innovations. Don't miss this student-led conversation as we honor the past and look forward to what's ahead!

 Welcome to the WAB Podcast! In this episode, Kevin Crouch, WAB's Head of EdTech, IT, and Libraries, sat down with three students, Ville from Grade 5, Sophie and Ciara from Grade 7, along with Middle School Principal Marina Frias-Gavidia, to discuss the exciting rollout of Toddle in Middle School next school year. They also talked about how it can facilitate student learning, increase student agency, and incorporate AI-powered support.

Why Toddle?

For the past four years, Toddle has been a cornerstone of learning in the Elementary School, streamlining everything from lesson planning to student portfolios. Now, it's expanding to Middle School, bringing its all-in-one platform to older students.

As Kevin explained, Toddle unites the entire learning process—teachers can plan, assess, and report in one place, while students gain more ownership of their learning through digital portfolios. Unlike Teams or other platforms, Toddle keeps everything connected, ensuring that learning goals, assignments, and feedback stay aligned.

What Students Love About Toddle

Grade 5 student Ville has been a Toddle user for many years, and he highlighted its functions and flexibility:

• Rubrics help students self-assess and improve their work.
• The Portfolio lets students showcase learning anytime, not just when teachers assign tasks.
• Toddle AI acts as a creative assistant, helping brainstorm project ideas.

For Middle Schoolers like Sophie and Ciara, the move to Toddle will mean better organization across their eight subjects.

 New Features for Middle School

Kevin pointed out that Toddle has also evolved since some Middle School students last used it. Exciting updates include:

• AI-powered tutoring: Students can get instant feedback and practice at their own pace.
• Adaptive "Worksheets": Like Education Perfect, but integrated directly into Toddle.
• Parent access: While daily classwork stays private, parents can see assignments, feedback, and portfolio posts.

Marina emphasized that Toddle supports personalized learning, whether a student needs extra practice or is ready to advance.

What About Teams?

Sophie and Ciara also wondered whether Teams will still be used. Kevin explained that Teams will remain for school-wide communication, while Toddle becomes the hub for classwork, assignments, and portfolios.

Want to hear the full discussion and get to learn how Toddle can bring more student agency, clearer feedback, and better parent insight? Tune into this episode!