Welcome to the latest episode of the WAB Podcast! In this episode, we are joined by?Marina Frias Gavidia, our Middle School Principal, and?Dr. Jaime Pustis, High School Principal, along with two students,?Thomas?from Grade 6 and?Simo?from Grade 12. They discussed WAB's Day 9, a program designed to promote student agency, personalized learning, and flexibility. From student-led workshops and community engagement projects to academic support and well-being sessions, they explored how Day 9 is designed and what it can offer, allowing students to explore their passions, develop leadership skills, and take ownership of their learning. 

Marina explained that Day 9 was introduced to give students more control over their learning. By building flexibility into the schedule, this could allow students to explore their passions and interests.  

For High School students, Day 9 offers opportunities to deepen their studies, especially in Higher Level (HL) courses for the IB Diploma Program. Jaime also highlighted how the program prepares students for life beyond WAB, helping them develop time management and decision-making skills. "whether that is a study block, whether that is a well-being session, it (Day 9) provides the opportunity for them to really do some deep thinking about what is it that they actually need," said Jaime.  

Grade 6 student Thomas, new to the Day 9 program, enjoyed activities like Capture the Flag and Chinese history workshops. He also sees Day 9 as a great opportunity to catch up on his learning. For example, during a recent Day 9, he used the time to work on his project for design. 

Simo, a Grade 12 student, has participated in many Day 9s over the years. From selecting quiet reading time to leading student initiatives, he has learned to use Day 9 more effectively. He highlighted its flexibility and benefits, emphasizing how it caters to individual student needs and helps develop time management skills. As he progressed to high school, Day 9 became a valuable time for meeting with teachers and advancing his studies in the Higher-Level subjects he chose. 

To hear more about Day 9 and its impact on our students, tune in to the full episode of the WAB Podcast!