Wawel International School – anglojęzyczne przedszkole i szkoła podstawowa Kraków
WAWEL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
The Mysterious 4Cs – Four Pillars of Modern Education
In a world that’s changing faster than ever before, schools can no longer focus solely on teaching facts and dates. They must shape people – individuals who are aware, creative, collaborative, and prepared for challenges we can’t even predict yet. That’s why at Wawel International School, we focus on the 4Cs – the four pillars of modern education: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration.
🎨 Creativity – More Than Just Drawing
We believe every student has creative potential – not just in the artistic sense. At our school, creativity is nurtured through:
interdisciplinary projects;
encouraging students to create their own presentations, stories, and problem-solving strategies;
an open space for asking “unusual” questions.
Our students learn that thinking outside the box is not just a classroom skill – it’s a life skill.
🔍 Critical Thinking – Questions Matter More Than Answers
In the age of fake news and information overload, we don’t teach children what to think – we teach them how to think. We foster critical thinking through:
analyzing sources and verifying facts,
discussions and debates,
problem-solving tasks,
self-reflection and regular self-assessment.
At Wawel International School, students learn not to accept everything at face value. Instead, they ask questions, seek evidence, and draw their own conclusions.
💬 Communication – Express Yourself With Intention
Effective communication isn’t just about speaking well – it’s about listening, showing empathy, and expressing your ideas with respect. We develop communication skills through:
daily presentations and public speaking,
learning how to debate and give constructive feedback,
intercultural communication – our community includes students from many countries,
collaborative projects where students learn to voice their opinions and work together.
🤝 Collaboration – Better Together
The ability to work in a team is just as important today as subject knowledge. At Wawel International School, we promote collaboration through:
partner and group-based learning,
project work that requires joint planning and role-sharing,
mediation training and conflict resolution practice,
a supportive environment where cooperation wins over competition.
💡 4Cs in Practice – What It Looks Like Day to Day
There’s no room for boredom in a WIS classroom. Instead, you’ll find:
social projects where students plan and carry out their own charity or community actions,
“thinking labs” where they learn to analyze, evaluate, and create,
emotional education classes where we discuss feelings, teamwork, and what truly matters.
🌍 Why Does It Matter So Much?
According to the World Economic Forum, the 4Cs are future skills that will define success in both professional and social life. That’s why we emphasize them so strongly – because we want our students not only to pass exams, but to grow into thoughtful, open-minded, and courageous global citizens.
If you’d like to see the 4Cs in action – visit our school, talk to our students, explore their projects. We’re sure you’ll be amazed at what they can do – and how wisely they choose to do it.