On 7th November, 2024, CIDER International School hosted a successful Student-Led Conference, designed to foster students’ ownership of learning, enhance parent engagement, and highlight both academic and extracurricular achievements. This event allowed the students of Grade (1- 5) to take the lead in presenting their educational journeys, showcasing their portfolios to their parents, and engaging in a series of interactive activities within the classroom setting.

The event commenced with the students inviting their parents to the classroom, where each student presented their personal portfolio. This portfolio encompassed work from different subjects, reflecting their progress, strengths, and the areas for growth. This presentation was a valuable opportunity for the students to articulate their learning experiences and goals, while also building their self-confidence through the guidance of self-reflection.

Following the portfolio review, students and parents engaged in various classroom activities designed to enhance the understanding of the day-to-day learning environment. These activities not only helped parents to gain insight into their child’s school life but also allowed families to work together in creative, hands-on tasks, further strengthening the bond between parents, students, and teachers.

After the classroom session, students guided their parents through a series of extracurricular activity stations set up around the school. These stations included Art, Music, Sports, Dance and Library that showcased the diverse range of skills students have been developing outside the academic curriculum. The kids and the parents have participated with enthusiasm in the Art arena where they had drawn on the topic “Let your words out with your painting”. This interactive segment demonstrated CIDER International School’s commitment to holistic education, giving parents a firsthand experience of the value, these activities added to their child’s overall development.

At the final station, parents were invited to fill up a feedback form to share their reflections on the conference. This form gathered insights on their experience, including their observations of their child’s progress, the effectiveness of the event, and any recommendations they may have for the future conferences.

The Student-Led Conference at CIDER International School successfully achieved its goal of placing students at the center of the learning conversation. By showcasing their portfolios, engaging in collaborative classroom activities, and touring extracurricular stations, students and parents alike were able to celebrate achievements and identify goals for the future. This event reflected CIDER’s dedication to fostering strong partnerships between students, parents, and educators, reinforcing the school’s commitment to an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.