More than a Grade: Finding the Joy in Learning

By Danielle, High School Student at Marymount International School, London

When I was young, I did not understand why my parents preferred sending me to a small IB international school rather than to a middle school with massive cohorts. Yet after 14 years of pursuing the PYP (Primary Years Programme) and MYP (Middle Years Programme), as well as 3 years of studying at Marymount, I have come to a revelation: education is not simply about academic achievements and outcomes. These are important, but it is also about finding the joy in learning, the joy in creativity and the joy in developing a genuine love for learning, which will hopefully grow into a lifelong experience.

My mum once said, “I send you to a school not for you to be the top of everything or hate learning, but to equip yourself with the essential skills for you to learn independently, critically and holistically.”

Her words made a lasting impression on me and have now actually become my daily reality. The MYP is designed to prepare students for the future, not just the next exam. Compared to more rigid systems like GCSEs, in which knowledge can be received more passively, the MYP encourages exploration, risk-taking and personal agency. Students conduct research, write lab reports, collaborate on interdisciplinary projects, and apply learning to real-world contexts. Instead of being confined to a fixed framework, we are encouraged to step outside our comfort zones and challenge ourselves through research projects, writing thesis statements and developing connections within our own community and sometimes even beyond our beautiful Marymount campus.

Do the terms research, thesis and societies ring a bell? They probably resonate more with your university life than your school life, but that is exactly what the MYP and IBDP are here for. Two key elements of the MYP include the Personal Project and regular semester assessments. The Personal Project teaches independence, time management, and research skills at an early stage. It is a project “personal” to our interests, allowing us to cultivate our strengths outside the curriculum. Some of us are learning how to cook from scratch. Some are investigating the relationship between physics and rhythmic gymnastics. Some are writing a play about the Russo-Ukrainian War and the complexities of global conflict– that is me. We also have assessments spread across the year, which build consistency and prepare us for the IBDP, which takes place in the last two years of high school.

Although we do not have GCSEs, the school has opted in for eAssessment in both Maths and English. It is quite self-explanatory, really. eAssessment is an externally assessed online examination equivalent to GCSEs that happens in late May and early June of your last year of MYP. You are probably wondering: maths online? Same. But don’t worry, the Maths and English departments expertly prepare us way before the eAssessment journey begins. It helps build an essential foundation that not only focuses on the academic perspective of learning, but also the technical skills needed as we enter a technologically dominant world.

Coming back to my mom’s quote, I have seen many of my friends in Hong Kong struggling to cope with the frustration over the stress and unwillingness to learn. This is problematic for us individually, but also for the future of mankind, but Marymount helps untangle this dilemma. We have a rich and exciting range of extracurricular activities which allow us to practice our passions and even find new ones, so students, like me, can find an equilibrium between work and life.

Maybe my point is best understood by borrowing a science term. In chemistry, we know equilibrium as the phenomenon of a chemical reaction. This balanced and even reaction similarly applies to our way of learning at Marymount.

Apart from the academic side, Marymount’s culturally enriched and diverse community allows me to explore different aspects of school life. Three years ago, I participated in nothing outside of the classroom. Now, I am an active member of both my volleyball and basketball teams, competing in international tournaments, where we flew to Madrid and achieved 3rd place in the basketball ISSA tournament. I am also part of the Student Council for three consecutive years as class rep, secretary and treasurer. I mean, that is a lot for a student who was new to not only the school but also the country three years ago.

That is why you should not worry about whether your child is new or will find it hard to fit into the school, because ‘fit in’ is not a concept for us. There is plenty of space for everyone in our community as we embrace every student’s uniqueness and cultural background. That is why we are so proud to have over 40 nationalities represented in our community.

The school offers clubs, such as the IDEA committee and the Student Council, where we take action on the values of inclusion and diversity that we uphold. For example, IDEA and the Student Council collaborate to work on our annual International Day. It is a festive event organised by students to celebrate our culture through dance performances, food stalls and traditional clothing. These leadership clubs have allowed me to interact with students across different grades and schools, building teamwork, leadership, resilience, and most importantly, enjoying the fun!

Furthermore, one of the key benefits of studying at a smaller school like Marymount is the level of individual attention. Higher teacher-to-student ratios mean academic progress and well-being are closely monitored. Pastoral care isn’t reactive; it’s proactive. We have a dedicated pastoral care team, our Deputy Head (Pastoral) and our Counsellor, are on hand to supervise any difficult behaviours at school and will support students with a range of issues.

On a personal level, Marymount has given me more than an education. It has given me confidence, friendships across cultures, and teachers who genuinely care about my growth. It’s a place where girls are encouraged to speak up, lead, and explore their interests — whether that’s in academics, sports, the arts, or service.