Professional Development at Hanova on March 1^st and 2^nd - written by Mr Lucas Roberts.  On March 1^st to 2^nd, two workshops were organized at Hanova for Primary and Secondary school teachers. It was a real treat to have deep, practical learning happening for teachers on campus as opposed to only online in recent years. The energy was really different, and teachers said they can use what they learned for immediate impact on student learning.

Primary School Professional Development - written by Ms Sandy Venter.  In Primary School, we are delighted to share an exciting update from our recent professional development workshop on "Concepts in Action," led by the esteemed educator, Tania Latannzio. This workshop was a transformative experience that deepened our understanding of conceptual learning and its application in the classroom.

Conceptual learning goes beyond rote memorization; it encourages students to grasp underlying principles and apply them across various contexts. Through dynamic discussions and hands-on activities, our staff explored innovative teaching methodologies designed to foster conceptual understanding among students. Tania’s workshop equipped our educators with practical strategies to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity in the classroom.

At the heart of Tania’s teachings lies a profound belief in the transformative power of education. As she aptly puts it, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." This resonated deeply with our staff, inspiring them to ignite a passion for conceptual learning within themselves and their students.

As a school community committed to excellence in education, we are grateful for the insights gained from Tania Latannzio's workshop. It has not only enriched our professional practice but has also strengthened our resolve to prepare students for success in an ever-evolving world.

Secondary School Professional Development - written by Ms Amy Hou.  In Secondary school, we were delighted to have Mr. Patrick Ong, a very experienced IB workshop leader and IB professional development workshop developer, to deliver an IB workshop at Hanova. It was a Category 3 Inquiry in the MYP workshop.

In this workshop, teachers learnt to identify what "inquiry" is and how it naturally differentiates for all learners. We also inquired into how to adapt the teaching and learning environment to reflect the idea that human beings are naturally curious and capable of constructing new understandings in a variety of ways. Most importantly, we looked into how all this can effectively impact on our students’ learning.

It was a quite intensive and productive workshop for teachers. It was also a great professional development opportunity for teachers at Hanova to learn, discuss and reflect on their teaching and learning which will ultimately benefit our students. At Hanova, we are all life-long learners!