Dear MYP1 Me, Here’s What I Hope...

As I zip up my bag on the last day of PYP 5 at Manchester International School, I can’t help but wonder what life will be like in the MYP program. Everyone keeps telling me, “things will change”—but what does that really mean?

Will the subjects be tougher? Probably. Will the teachers expect more? Definitely. But here’s what I’m most curious about: Will I still feel the same excitement to explore, to ask questions, to wonder?

The Primary Years Programme (PYP) at this premium IB Continuum school taught me to be curious, to research, and to care about the world around me. I loved our Units of Inquiry, the group projects, the hands-on experiments, and those silly but meaningful class debates. I hope the Middle Years Programme (MYP) continues to foster that spirit of inquiry, even if the format changes.

I’ve heard we get subject-specific teachers in MYP, which sounds both exciting and a little daunting! I’m also a bit nervous about assessments—“criteria-based” sounds serious. But I’m ready to embrace the challenge, to reflect on my learning, and to improve myself in this new academic environment at Manchester International School.

Mostly, I hope I can still be me—the student who loves to learn by doing, who isn’t afraid to ask questions, and who cares deeply about making a difference in the world. As I transition into the MYP, I want to carry forward the passion for learning that was nurtured in me during the PYP years at this renowned institution.

So, future MYP1 me, when you read this, I hope you’ve found your groove, your confidence, and your spark at Manchester International School. This journey through the IB Continuum is going to shape who you become. Remember, you’re going to do great, and learning doesn’t stop—it just evolves.

Love,

Your curious PYP 5 self