Interviews
PYPTrailblazers: ‘I learnt to be caring, courageous & curious’
This student from Apeejay’s IB School says that PYP was not just a class; it was a rewarding journey
Graduating from the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) marks an important milestone, celebrating a young learner’s journey of inquiry, reflection, and growth as they prepare to enter the Middle Years Programme (MYP). Meet Nayantara Sewak Cecil, who recently graduated from PYP-5 and moved to MYP-1 at Apeejay’s IB School, Apeejay School International, Panchsheel Park.
In a candid interview, she shares her learning curve.
Which learner profile attribute do you think you developed the most?
The learner profile attribute that I developed the most was ‘caring’. I learnt how to listen with respect and be empathetic towards my classmates.
Can you share an example of how you showed being a risk-taker or a thinker this year?
I joined this school in July 2024. Therefore, transferring to this school was the biggest risk I took. Everything was new and unfamiliar, and I wondered how I would make friends and settle here. However, with the support and encouragement I received from the facilitators here, I acted with courage and objectivity, trying out new things and embracing new experiences.
How has your school helped you become a better researcher, communicator, or thinker?
My school has helped me in all three areas. I have become a better researcher by learning how to read articles and summarise them myself. I can express myself with confidence and without any fear. The school has also improved my critical thinking skills by helping me to analyse a situation from different perspectives and by providing me with opportunities to expand my skills in the visual arts.
What ATL (Approaches to Learning) skill do you feel most confident in now?
I feel confident in self-management skills, especially in perseverance and positive thinking. This helps me collaborate better in group tasks and share my thoughts during class discussions.
What topic did you choose for your PYP exhibition, and why?
The topic of my PYP exhibition was The Impact of Diverse Daily Activities on the Human Brain. I chose this topic because I wanted to understand and help other people understand how the use of smartphones affects brain health. I also wanted to expand this study to research those daily habits that improve our cognitive skills, like reading a hard-copy book, and those which harm our brain, like scrolling social media for a long time. I was also interested in studying the positive and negative impact of technology on cognitive skills.
What did your exhibition project help you learn about yourself?
The project helped me realise that I am harming my brain when I watch the screen for a long period. I also learnt that I should spend more of my free time doing things that improve my cognitive skills.
Which unit of inquiry was the most exciting for you this year?
My favourite unit of inquiry was ‘Sharing the Planet’. This unit educated me about climate change and how it is everyone’s responsibility to conserve natural resources and work towards sustainability for the well-being of our future generations.
What is your most memorable learning moment?
My most memorable learning moment from PYP-5 was the importance of teamwork when I won the third prize with my partner, Vedant, in the group race at the Annual Sports Day.
