This semester, Wahaha International School (WIS) welcomed a seasoned international educator to lead its Primary Years Programme (PYP) into an exciting new chapter. Ms. Reinette Roberts, an IB expert with nearly two decades of experience across South Africa, the UK, and China, has officially joined WIS as the new PYP Coordinator. How will she integrate her multicultural background into the development of inquiry-based learning? In this exclusive interview, we take a closer look at her educational philosophy and vision.

A Global Educator with Deep IB Roots

Ms. Reinette’s journey reads like a world map of international education. With a bachelor’s degree in Education Management, Policy, and Law from the University of Pretoria in South Africa, she has explored systemic assessment in the UK and has spent years integrating localized curricula in China. Her mission has always been clear: to balance global perspectives with local context.

“The PYP isn’t about transferring knowledge from one place to another,” Ms. Reinette shares. “It’s about rooting learning in culture and community.”

Since 2018, she has led the PYP team at a renowned international school in Ningbo, spearheading curriculum reform and gaining extensive experience in teacher training, curriculum design, and policy development. Her approach is grounded in a global-local fusion:

“In South Africa, I learned the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge systems into inquiry. In the UK, I saw how systematic assessment practices can enhance individualized learning. In China, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the balance between academic rigor and inquiry-based learning.”

At WIS, Ms. Reinette plans to strengthen transdisciplinary connections, integrating Chinese and Western approaches to learning, and aligning the PYP with the MYP framework—ensuring a seamless and authentic IB journey.

Classroom Innovation:

Curiosity as the Catalyst

When speaking about curiosity, Ms. Reinette’s passion for teaching shines through:

“A true PYP classroom is a journey of discovery where every learner finds their path while reaching a shared understanding. They should be both the questioners and the problem-solvers.”

She champions curiosity-driven learning through structured inquiry, illustrated by a typical PYP unit:

Unit: ‘How the World Works’

Central Idea:

Understanding forces and energy helps humans solve problems

The inquiry cycle includes:

◆Provocation: Students experiment with simple machines

◆Question generation: Students develop their own ‘I wonder’ questions

◆Investigation: Guided research and hands-on experiments

◆Application: Creating solutions for real school problems

◆Reflection: Documenting the learning journey in digital portfolios

This approach balances student agency with structured learning outcomes, ensuring both engagement and academic rigor.”

Three Strategic Priorities:

Curriculum, Teachers, and Evaluation

Drawing on her leadership experience, Ms. Reinette has outlined three key strategic directions for the coming academic year:

Curriculum Enhancement:

◆Implementing systematic vertical alignment

◆Strengthening assessment practices using MAP and STAR data

◆Developing detailed scope and sequence documents

Staff Development:

◆Creating professional learning communities

◆Implementing a peer coaching program

◆Regular focused training sessions

Program Evaluation:

◆Developing comprehensive monitoring tools

◆Regular program review cycles

◆Data-driven decision making

She’ll implement a ‘Teaching for Understanding’ framework that ensures deep conceptual learning while maintaining academic excellence.”

Empowering Educators:

Building a Collaborative Learning Culture

Systematic Approach:

◆Weekly collaborative planning

◆Professional development sessions

◆Formal and Peer observation cycles

◆Action research projects

◆And workshops and training

Innovative Elements that can be considered may include but is not limited to:

◆Digital professional portfolios

◆Micro-teaching sessions

◆Expert teacher mentoring program

◆International collaboration opportunities

Making IB Visible: Strengthening Home-School Partnership

To deepen parents’ understanding of the IB approach, Ms. Reinette plans to enhance current communication channels, such as the weekly learning goals bulletins and weekly learning glimpses on Toddle, while introducing new initiatives:

◆Monthly parent workshops

◆Parent education series

◆’PYP in Action’ demonstration lessons

◆Parent inquiry groups

◆Digital resource library

◆Getting the PTA actively involved in strategic planning

These will help parents understand how inquiry-based learning supports academic excellence.

As the interview draws to a close, Ms. Reinette reflects on a pivotal moment of her career: watching a struggling student lead their Exhibition presentation with confidence and deep understanding. It crystallized how the PYP can transform learners when we truly honor their voice and journey.

“What keeps me passionate is seeing the light in students’ eyes when they make connections and discover their capabilities. Every day brings new opportunities to witness growth and transformation.”

Ms. Reinette will lead with expertise and heart, co-writing new educational stories with the WIS team.

“Education is not the filling of a vessel, but the lighting of a fire.”

This quote perhaps best captures the spirit she brings to the WIS community.

We look forward to seeing WIS’s leadership team elevate the school’s IB programmes to new heights, providing students with an even more exceptional international learning experience.