On May 9, the International School of Florence proudly inaugurated this year’s edition of the Primary Years Programme Exhibition—an inspiring culmination of student-driven inquiry, creativity, and reflection. Held in the historic courtyard of Villa Tavernule in Bagno a Ripoli, the event brought together the ISF community to celebrate a full year of learning.
The theme of this year’s Exhibition, Where We Are in Place and Time, invited 5th-grade students to explore topics of personal relevance while adhering to common learning goals and project milestones. From early morning until afternoon, the courtyard buzzed with purposeful conversations as students presented their projects to parents, teachers, staff, and peers. Subjects ranged from the history of Artificial Intelligence to fashion to Calcio Storico, and the students presented their process of research and methodology, describing their projects to visitors throughout the day.
One fifth-grade student, an aspiring photographer, spoke about how his mother’s love of photography first sparked his interest. His project drew inspiration from the work of photographer Gabriele Galimberti, known for his portraits of children with their favourite toys. he created a photograph using this concept, offering a thoughtful reflection on identity, culture, and childhood. A young fashion enthusiast, shared her dream of becoming a fashion designer. Her articulate and confident presentation underscored ISF’s commitment to nurturing individuality and supporting students as they pursue their unique interests.
The Exhibition highlighted emerging interests in law, medicine, mechanics, sustainability, and design. Another student proudly described the history of Florence’s Calcio Storico, presenting clay representations of the four team symbols and a full costume display. A sport enthusiast, ressed in his cycling jersey, shared his interest in everything bicycle-related, from the mechanics to the sport to the evolution of the bicycle, while a classmate related her interest in the artistry of paper-making.
The International School of Florence provides a community where students are supported in being their authentic selves. Guided by the philosophy of the IB Primary Years Programme, ISF emphasizes holistic development, student agency, and transdisciplinary learning—an approach that encourages students to make meaningful connections across subject areas and engage with real-world issues. This year’s Exhibition showcased how students apply knowledge from multiple disciplines to explore topics with depth and creativity. As they inquired into personal and global themes, they embodied the attributes of the IB Learner Profile: becoming knowledgeable, reflective, open-minded, and principled learners. Through compassionate guidance and a rich, inquiry-based curriculum, ISF empowers students to think critically, act responsibly, and develop a lifelong love of learning.
