AISB Secondary Summer School 2025: A Season of Innovation, Expression, and Growth

This year’s Secondary Summer School at AISB was a powerful reminder of what students can achieve when given time, space, and support to explore, create, and connect. Across both blocks, students stepped outside their comfort zones, challenged their thinking, and embraced learning in ways that felt fresh, fun, and full of purpose.

Block 1: Design in Action

From the start, there was a real buzz of excitement around campus. The two-week programme was built around the theme Design in Action, encouraging students to engage with projects that asked them to think critically, design thoughtfully, and collaborate meaningfully.

Tie-Dye T-Shirts

We kicked things off with colour, energy, and lots of messy hands. Students explored the art of tie-dye, testing out techniques and experimenting with bold combinations. What stood out most wasn’t just the creativity, but the way they supported one another—offering tips, sharing fabric, and going back for round two with even more excitement.

City Scapes

In this hands-on design challenge, students imagined and built their own island communities. They considered what people need to live and thrive, mapped out resources and layouts, and brought their ideas to life through carefully crafted 3D models. Each island told a different story—shaped by the values and imagination of its creators.

Renewable Energy Harvesting

Sustainability was at the heart of this project. Students designed and built working models of water wheels and windmills using a mix of recycled materials and 3D-printed parts. It was inspiring to see them troubleshoot, redesign, and persist until their models worked—and even more so to hear the thoughtful conversations about clean energy and real-world applications.

Computer Game Design

For our tech-loving students, this was a definite highlight. Over two weeks, they built browser-based games using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Watching their ideas take shape—from character movement to visual design—was a great reminder of how much learning can happen when students are given the freedom to create something meaningful.

Alien Habitats

What would it take to survive on a distant planet? Students tackled that question through a mix of science and imagination. They analysed fictional soil samples, designed sustainable living systems, and built models of alien habitats that reflected both creative flair and thoughtful planning.

The Amazing Race

We ended Block 1 with a whole-school Amazing Race—an energetic, joyful celebration of teamwork, problem-solving, and school spirit. From sports relays to puzzles and surprise challenges, the entire event was a fantastic way to bring everyone together and end on a high note.

Block 2: EAL Summer School – Confidence, Creativity, and Communication

The second block took on a different—but equally important—focus: building confidence in English through meaningful use and real-world practice. What made this block so special was the courage students showed in trying new things, speaking up, and expressing themselves more fully each day.

Drama and Debates

We began with a focus on speaking fluency and using English in everyday situations. Through group challenges, role plays, and short debates, students learned to take turns, listen actively, and speak with greater confidence. The drama activities quickly became a highlight—full of laughter, energy, and surprise performances.

Social Challenges and Games

Beyond structured lessons, we made space for connection. Students joined in games and team tasks designed to build vocabulary and friendships at the same time. It was in these quieter, unscripted moments—chatting over a group task or helping each other with pronunciation—that the biggest steps forward often happened.

Present Like a Pro

As the programme progressed, we shifted towards more formal presentation skills. Students learned how to plan a clear speech, use persuasive language, and speak to an audience with clarity and purpose. Many surprised even themselves by how much they were able to deliver—without over-relying on notes or slides.

Global and Creative Topics

Each student chose a unique topic to present, from designing a dream pet to inventing a game or imagining a new country to live in. These presentations weren’t just exercises in speaking—they were windows into how much growth had taken place. They spoke with humour, heart, and increasing command of the language.

Celebrating Success

We ended with a celebration that honoured not just what students had accomplished, but the effort it took to get there. It was clear just how much their confidence had grown—how they now spoke with more ease, made new connections, and took pride in what they could do.

To all the students who joined us this summer: you showed up with curiosity, energy, and a willingness to learn—and that made all the difference.

To our families and staff: thank you for your support and for believing in what summer learning can be.

We look forward to carrying this spirit of creativity, collaboration, and growth into the year ahead.