Navishka Canakiah

I oversee the well-being, pastoral care, and holistic development of students in their final years of schooling. Supporting students aged 16–18, my role involves fostering their personal, social, emotional, and academic growth while guiding them through this pivotal stage of their education.

I work collaboratively with teachers, parents, and the wider school community to ensure a balanced and positive school experience, integrating well-being initiatives and strategies into daily routines. I actively align student support strategies with the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework, ensuring that approaches to learning (ATL) skills and learner profile attributes are embedded across all aspects of student life.

As a leader in Sixth Form education, I am dedicated to supporting students in managing academic demands, co-curricular involvement, and future planning, helping them transition confidently into university, careers, or other post-school pathways. I also facilitate the integration of IB policies—including academic honesty, inclusion, and assessment practices—into everyday teaching and learning, ensuring alignment with the IB’s mission to foster internationally minded, lifelong learners.

Additionally, I contribute to the development, review, and alignment of the Sixth Form curriculum, ensuring it meets the needs of diverse learners while maintaining the rigorous standards of international education. I collaborate with faculty to incorporate cross-disciplinary connections and foster global contexts, ensuring that the curriculum remains both relevant and inspiring.

Through personalized mentorship, data-driven interventions, and professional development opportunities for staff, I empower students and teachers to achieve their full potential. I also lead reflective practices and workshops, helping the school community to engage deeply with the IB philosophy and uphold its standards for academic and personal success.

My role includes liaising with the school leadership team to ensure smooth communication, seamless implementation of IB policies, and strategic planning for the growth and sustainability of the IB program. I champion innovation and inclusivity, striving to create an environment where all students feel supported, valued, and inspired to pursue excellence in all aspects of their learning journey.

As the CAS Coordinator at Northfields, I lead the implementation and promotion of the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) program, ensuring it aligns with the IB philosophy of fostering holistic development, ethical awareness, and international-mindedness. My work emphasizes experiential learning that connects students to the world beyond the classroom, equipping them with the skills and values to make meaningful contributions to society.

Program Development and Promotion:
I have spearheaded impactful projects such as organizing a CAS trip, offering students immersive opportunities to engage directly with CAS principles through meaningful service-learning experiences. I also coordinated and managed the CAS Exhibition, a platform for students to showcase their CAS achievements and reflections, fostering a sense of pride, community involvement, and awareness of the program’s significance. Additionally, I collaborated with subject teachers to integrate CAS into academic learning, promoting interdisciplinary connections that deepen students’ understanding of both curricular content and real-world applications.

Student Engagement:
I actively encourage students to take ownership of their CAS journey by guiding them in setting meaningful goals, regularly reflecting on their progress, and addressing ethical concerns in their projects. My mentorship helps students develop essential qualities such as responsibility, empathy, and global citizenship, while ensuring they align their CAS activities with IB learning outcomes.

Community Partnerships:
I have strengthened service learning by forging and expanding partnerships with local and international organizations, ensuring students have impactful experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world challenges. These partnerships enrich the CAS program and provide students with opportunities to work collaboratively on issues such as sustainability, social justice, and community well-being.

Policy and Leadership:
I developed and maintained comprehensive CAS policy statements, ensuring consistency and alignment with IB standards. As part of my leadership role, I provide professional development and supervision for CAS advisors, fostering a collaborative and cohesive team approach. By working closely with school leadership, I ensure the effective integration of CAS into the wider school curriculum and culture.

Outreach and Collaboration:
I actively promote the significance of CAS to students, colleagues, parents, and the wider community through workshops, presentations, and events. By collaborating with external providers, I have enriched CAS experiences, offering unique opportunities for student growth and engagement in meaningful, ethical action.

Active Contribution:
In addition to overseeing CAS, I delegate tasks effectively and participate actively in the broader life of the Northfields community, championing the values of creativity, activity, service, and international-mindedness. I ensure that CAS remains a cornerstone of the school’s mission, inspiring students to embrace lifelong learning and contribute positively to their communities.

Teach French to a diverse and multicultural cohort of students across IB DP and MYP levels, adapting instructional strategies to meet the varying needs, abilities, and learning styles of learners in an inclusive classroom setting.

• Develop and deliver comprehensive, inquiry-based lesson plans aligned with IB DP and MYP frameworks, focusing on fostering international-mindedness, intercultural understanding, and strong language acquisition skills. Lessons emphasize the IB learner profile attributes, equipping students with the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage with global issues through the lens of French language and culture.

• Plan and implement dynamic, hands-on activities such as role-playing, simulations, debates, and collaborative projects, encouraging active student participation and promoting critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork.

• Integrate technology into teaching practices to enhance learning experiences, using tools such as interactive language applications, digital collaborative platforms, multimedia presentations, and online resources to promote engagement and proficiency.

• Design and conduct varied and robust formative and summative assessments, including oral presentations, essays, interactive oral tasks, and collaborative projects, adhering to IB DP and MYP assessment criteria to evaluate students' understanding and growth effectively.

• Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful learning environment where students feel supported and encouraged to express their ideas, participate in discussions, and develop a lifelong love for language learning.

• Collaborate closely with colleagues and curriculum coordinators to design interdisciplinary units of inquiry, linking French language acquisition with global issues, cultural perspectives, and other subject areas. These units emphasize conceptual understanding and connect to real-world contexts, inspiring students to see the relevance of their learning.

• Provide personalized guidance and feedback to students, supporting them in achieving their academic goals while helping them build confidence and fluency in French. Focus on developing students' skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, tailored to their individual learning paths.

• Actively engage in professional development to stay updated on best practices for teaching IB DP and MYP, contributing to curriculum alignment, policy development, and team collaboration within the language department.

• Undertake initiatives such as leading cultural events, organizing student exchanges, and curating immersion experiences to deepen students' understanding of Francophone cultures and broaden their global outlook.

• Promote interdisciplinary connections through CAS (Creativity, Activity, and Service) integration, where students use their language skills in meaningful community service projects and creative initiatives that align with IB values.

• Ensure that all lessons and interactions contribute to a safe, positive, and empowering classroom atmosphere, fostering respect, empathy, and a sense of belonging for every student.

As a Middle School Form Tutor, I played a key role in the pastoral care and academic progress of students in Years 10–11, guiding them through an important transitional stage of their education.

• Pastoral Leadership: Provided personalized support to students, fostering their personal, social, and emotional development while promoting the school’s ethos and values. Encouraged a positive and respectful learning environment by maintaining high standards of behavior and discipline.
• Academic Guidance: Assisted students in making informed subject choices, aligning their academic pathways with their interests, strengths, and future aspirations. Worked closely with students, parents, and subject teachers to ensure a cohesive approach to their progress.
• Behavior Management: Encouraged self-discipline and accountability among students, reinforcing positive behavior through clear expectations and consistent follow-up. Addressed behavioral concerns promptly and constructively to promote growth and learning.
• Holistic Support: Actively engaged with students to monitor their well-being and progress, helping them balance academic demands with personal development. Fostered an inclusive environment where every student felt supported and valued.