This week, the Grade 9 students held their Personal Project presentations. I was deeply moved by their outstanding presentations. Until now, I haven’t had many opportunities to speak one-on-one with the Grade 9 students. To be honest, I also didn’t know much about what each student was interested in. However, through this presentation, I was able to learn more about their unique personalities and interests. After the presentations, I felt that I had gotten a little closer to the students, which made me very happy.

 The Grade 9 project involved researching and presenting on a theme they chose themselves. Today, I would like to reflect on the significance of the Personal Project together with you, the parents.

 First of all, choosing their own theme has great significance. It allows students to genuinely engage with their own interests and curiosities. I believe many of the students had moments in their daily lives where they wondered, “Why is this so?” or felt excited to learn more about something. That small spark of curiosity is the very beginning of learning. By selecting a theme that they were truly interested in, their motivation to learn naturally increased, and they likely found the research process itself enjoyable. This was evident in their presentations, which conveyed not only their enthusiasm but also their joy in learning.

 Furthermore, conducting research on a self-chosen theme helps students develop the ability to think, learn, and act independently. For example, they collected information related to their theme and studied it on their own. While organizing their materials, they likely developed the ability to discern which information was most important. Based on this, they also learned to form their own opinions and communicate them to others. I am confident that these skills are essential for navigating the challenges of the future.

 Additionally, delving deeply into their chosen themes served as an opportunity for the students to learn more about themselves. Many students may have realized, “I really enjoy this kind of topic” or “I’d like to work in this field.” These realizations will undoubtedly lead to their future dreams and goals.

 In this sense, I believe this project aligns perfectly with our school’s educational philosophy: “To nurture independent children who think, learn, act, and carve out their own future.” It has been a truly wonderful initiative.

 Tomorrow, the elementary school’s Performance Day will take place. Through their preparation for this event, what kind of skills have the children developed? I look forward to discovering the answer to this question while enjoying tomorrow’s performances alongside parents and teachers.