The initiatives held in the MYP during March (mentor time lessons from Common Sense, Tech-Free Week, and the teacher training session with Ms. Angelica Marcello) have prompted valuable reflection across our community. These experiences have helped us think more deeply about how we support students in managing their use of technology, the educational value of our pedagogical approaches, and how we continue to guide students in using technology appropriately to enhance their learning.

In response, and in order to promote a more focused and consistent learning environment, the following measures will now be in place across the MYP. We kindly ask for your support in reinforcing these expectations at home.

Phones

• Phones must be handed in at the beginning of homeroom each morning.
• Mentors will complete a phone register (kindly fill in this form to let us know if your child owns a mobile phone and brings it to school – M1 and M2 parents only). (NEW MEASURE)
• Families (including boarding parents, where applicable) will be contacted if a student does not hand in their phone. (NEW MEASURE)
• If a student is found with a phone during the school day, they will be removed from lessons with immediate effect.

School devices in lessons

• Devices may only be used when explicitly instructed by the teacher.
• When devices are in use, teachers will actively monitor student activity to ensure it is relevant to the lesson.
• Personal student devices (iPads or laptops) are not permitted in school without specific permission from Ms Manso. 

Break and lunchtime

• M1–M3 students are not permitted to use devices during breaks and lunchtime. (NEW MEASURE)
• M4–M5 students may use laptops for study purposes only, and exclusively in designated study rooms (not in common areas). (NEW MEASURE)
• Staff on duty will actively supervise students to ensure these expectations are followed.

A consistent and collaborative approach between school and home is essential in supporting students to use technology in a purposeful and responsible way. We thank you in advance for your continued support.

Kind regards,

Ms Manso and the MYP team

As you know, this week our MYP students took part in ‘Disconnect to Reconnect’ – a tech-free week. The aim of this initiative was to encourage students to reflect on their use of technology for educational purposes and to experience what learning feels like without it.

As always, we highly value your perspective and believe that strong collaboration between school and home is essential. Your feedback is incredibly important to us as we continue to reflect on and refine our pedagogical approaches and strategies to enhance learning. 

We would be very grateful if you could take a few moments to complete the following survey, sharing your views and observations from home during this week.

Thank you in advance for your time and support.

Kind regards,

Ms Manso and the MYP team

Next week, we will be celebrating the second edition of Disconnect to Reconnect Week. During this time, students will have access to their devices only for very specific academic purposes, in a small number of subjects where technology is essential.

This initiative is designed as a valuable opportunity for reflection, allowing students – and our wider learning community – to explore how tech-free learning strategies can impact focus, engagement, and well-being. We hope it encourages thoughtful use of technology and deeper connection with the learning process.

We are looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the experience next week. A feedback form will be shared with you via the SON on Thursday to collect your impressions and thoughts on this event.

Thank you for supporting this important initiative.

Kind regards,
The MYP Team

We are pleased to invite families to a workshop titled “Supporting Healthy Digital Habits in Children”

The session will be delivered by Dr. Angelica Marcello, PhD, a behavioral anthropologist, who will guide families in exploring how children engage with smartphones and social media in today’s digital environment. During the workshop, we will discuss topics such as digital wellbeing, online safety, and practical strategies that families can use to support balanced and responsible technology use at home.

Our goal is to provide families with useful insights and tools to help children develop healthy and mindful digital habits. The event will be in presence in the MYP Music Room, and a link will also be provided for those who cannot be with us in person. 

We are looking forward to seeing many of you there!

Throughout the month, we will be offering a series of workshops, school activities, and initiatives designed to explore both the advantages and the potential drawbacks of technology – in school and beyond. These events will be aimed at students as well as their families, as we believe that a shared understanding between home and school is essential.

We trust that this programme will provide a meaningful framework for reflection and dialogue, helping us cultivate a balanced, thoughtful and responsible approach to technology within our learning community.

• AI Literacy – how to interact with it
• AI Technology – how it works
• AI ethical considerations and bias 

To achieve this goal, we have planned 

• One specific Unit of Inquiry dedicated to exploring an aspect of Gen-AI in Computer Science, in every year of the program. Details on the content covered can be found on our MYP Curriculum Overviews under Computer Science Curriculum.

• A number of learning engagements in all subjects, designed to address the following Human + Learning Outcomes. These will start to take place towards the end of November or beginning of December and will continue to be present in all subject groups for the remainder of the school year. 

You will start seeing evidence of implementation in a few weeks, we are looking forward to presenting these learning engagements to our students! 

During this week, our M1–M3 students will keep their iPads at school, using the opportunity to explore alternative ways of engaging with their learning and each other. This initiative will run alongside our sister school in Vicenza, creating a shared experience across both campuses.

We are also challenging students to take this a step further by reducing their phone and device use at home. While we know this isn’t easy, even small efforts can bring big benefits! Parents, we’d love for you to join in by encouraging screen-free moments at home—whether during meals, family activities, or before bed.

Why is this a great opportunity?

Stronger Connections: Less time on screens means more time for conversations, creative play, and meaningful interactions. Studies show that reducing screen use improves social skills and emotional well-being.

Better Focus and Learning: Taking a break from digital distractions helps students stay present in the moment, leading to better concentration and deeper engagement. Research suggests that constant notifications and multitasking reduce cognitive performance, so stepping away from devices can actually boost productivity.

Improved Sleep and Well-being: Screens, especially at night, interfere with sleep quality due to blue light exposure. Studies indicate that reducing screen time before bed leads to better rest, improved mood, and higher energy levels.

To support this initiative, teachers have been informed regarding planning and assessment, ensuring that students won’t need to worry about ManageBac for the week.

This is a challenge, but one we believe will be rewarding for everyone involved. Thank you for your support in making Disconnect to Reconnect Week a success—we look forward to hearing about the positive changes this experience brings!

Mr Iacco

The students had the privilege of hearing directly from Diadora’s president, Enrico Moretti Polegato, who shared insights into the brand’s rich history and commitment to innovation. They also explored key aspects of sports footwear development, including:

Biomechanics – Understanding how science plays a role in optimizing performance and injury prevention.

Shoe Design for Athletes – Learning how different materials and structures enhance comfort and efficiency.

Research & Development Center – Discovering how future products are created through testing and innovation.

Production Center – Witnessing the step-by-step process of manufacturing high-quality athletic shoes.

This experience allowed students to see firsthand how science and technology intersect in the world of sports, deepening their understanding of human physiology, biomechanics, and innovation in athletic gear.

A big thank you to Sunny Watts, our Experiential Learning Coordinator, and our teachers, Mr. Iacco, Miss Bellio and Miss Benvenuto, for making this enriching experience possible!

As part of our current unit on ecosystems, they have been coding and using the micro:bit to measure abiotic features around the school, such as ambient temperature, sound levels, and light levels.

These hands-on investigations have been a great way to connect technology with real-world scientific exploration!

Future opportunities for both M1-3 boys and girls to participate in similar STEM-focused events will be available throughout the year. Stay tuned for further details on how all students can get involved!

Thank you to those of you who have already signed up for the original session the same day from 8:45-10:15. This session is now full so if you are interested in attending please join us for the afternoon session.

Workshop Description:
Technology influences how humans connect to the world, and by extension, how they think, behave and learn. In this workshop, we will share how our use of technology in the PYP enhances critical thinking and enables our learners to inquire, inspire, create, communicate and express themselves. Join us to learn more about how technology is integrated in the classroom by participating in some hands-on tech experiences.

M2 students  are spending this month creating their own vintage travel posters in Design and Technology. This work is part of the unit Vintage graphic design promoting Veneto. The students are focusing on developing their colour theory, colour psychology and graphic design skills. 

We look forward to seeing the final products displayed on the screens around school!

Workshop Description
Technology influences how humans connect to the world, and by extension, how they think, behave and learn. In this workshop, we will share how our use of technology in the PYP enhances critical thinking and enables our learners to inquire, inspire, create, communicate and express themselves. Join us to learn more about how technology is integrated in the classroom by participating in some hands-on tech experiences.

A shared reflection on the impact that technology can have on environmental and social awareness, on the common road to progress: a society of the future in which starting from the tools that technology provides us with leads to new, more responsible and sustainable patterns of action and thinking. Can there be progress that is also sustainable?

The event is free, but you need to register at this Eventbrite link.

Recommended for students 14+, but the event is open to our whole community!