The session invited students to reflect on a powerful question: what do we still consider impossible?

As Professor Fasano explained, we are entering what many define as the “Fourth Science” — a new era in which artificial intelligence, data and technological progress are accelerating discovery across every field of knowledge. A transformation that is not limited to science alone, but is reshaping business, society and the way we understand the world itself.

Throughout the talk, students explored a wide range of topics, including:

• the acceleration of scientific research through AI
• future technologies linked to energy, infrastructure and space exploration
• bio-computing and neural intelligence
• advanced AI systems capable of simulating and interpreting reality
• the ethical challenges connected to emerging technologies

One of the strongest messages that emerged during the session was the importance of learning to think beyond conventional limits. In a world where technology evolves at unprecedented speed, curiosity, adaptability and critical thinking become essential skills for the next generation.

The session also gave students the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with the speaker, making the discussion even more interactive and inspiring.

An experience fully aligned with our vision of education: helping students develop the awareness and mindset needed to navigate — and actively shape — a rapidly evolving future.

The meeting was met with great enthusiasm by the students, who filled the session with thoughtful and curious questions. Together with the author, they explored not only the story itself, but also the historical research on Italian emigration that inspired the book, as well as Ms Capitanio’s experience as both a writer and a teacher.

Ms Capitanio was delighted to meet such an attentive and engaged class. The experience concluded with a group photo and a personal dedication written by the author in each student’s copy of the book — a special memory of a meaningful encounter between students, stories and real-life experiences.

With an Olympic theme, the event celebrated our teachers and staff as true champions, recognising their daily commitment, energy and dedication to our students.

It was a warm and relaxed start to the day, filled with smiles, good food and a strong sense of community.

A heartfelt thank you to the PTA from all our teachers and staff for this thoughtful and much-appreciated initiative.

A powerful and moving performance that tells the true story of Bepi, the artist’s father, deported to the Nazi labour camp of Ebensee for his role as a partisan.

Accompanied by live music, the show deeply engaged students from across Vicenza, who followed with great attention throughout.

At the end, our MYP3 students asked thoughtful questions, reflecting both on the historical themes and the role of music in the performance. Their feedback was unanimous: an emotional, engaging experience that sparked meaningful reflections on issues that still resonate today.

A moment of learning that goes beyond the classroom, where history becomes personal and truly memorable.

From reading marathons to moments of shared storytelling, the day brought classes together in a celebration of books and imagination. Particularly special was seeing older students reading to younger ones, creating connections through stories and inspiring a love for reading across all ages.

A special thank you to all the teachers involved, who fully embraced the spirit of the initiative by dressing up as beloved book characters, making the experience even more engaging and memorable for our students.

A simple yet powerful reminder of how stories can bring us together and spark curiosity in every learner.

As our PYP4 and PYP5 students prepared to leave for Robomed 2026, an international robotics competition, the entire PYP gathered to send them off in the best possible way: with thunderous applause and a chorus of “Go Wildcats!” echoing through the campus.

It was a moment filled with pride, energy and shared excitement.
A moment that also celebrated achievement, as Riccardo Gaiani and Luca Hildebrand were recognised for advancing to the provincial round of the Mathematics Games.

Then, the journey began.

Four Days of Innovation, Challenge and Growth

Accompanied by Mr Davide Gusatto, PYP Digital Design Teacher who led the preparation for the competition, and Ms Stefania Pasquali, Head of PYP, our students stepped into an international environment where creativity, problem-solving and teamwork take centre stage.

Competing under the name Wildcats, they brought with them not only technical skills, but also months of dedication, curiosity and collaboration.

At the heart of this journey lies an educational approach where technology and coding are not isolated subjects, but tools for thinking, creating and solving real-world problems. Experiences like Robomed reflect how these disciplines are fully integrated into our learning model, empowering students to become confident and creative problem-solvers.

Behind their performance lies a journey of preparation that blended disciplines and talents, made even richer thanks to the valuable support of Ms Silvia Bertinato, PYP Art Teacher, who contributed to shaping both the creative and expressive side of the project.

Representing Our School, Living Our Values

Throughout the competition, our students represented H-FARM International School Vicenza with enthusiasm, resilience and a strong sense of identity.

They worked together, faced challenges, adapted and learned – demonstrating what it truly means to take knowledge beyond the classroom and apply it in real-world contexts.

Meet the Wildcats

We are proud of our team:

• Gruppach Alberto
• Myers Zahara Sophia Grace
• Nannetti Carlo Maria
• Trimble Liam Isaac James
• Zanetti Alexander

More Than a Competition

Robomed was not just a competition.
It was an experience of growth, discovery and connection.

A reflection of a learning journey where technology, creativity and critical thinking come together to shape the skills students will carry into the future.

And as the Wildcats return, one thing is certain:
the journey they started together will continue to shape their curiosity, confidence and passion for what comes next.

Go Wildcats!

As part of the IB’s regular evaluation cycle, these visits are designed to ensure that schools continue to align with the highest international standards, while also reflecting on their own growth and future direction. In the weeks leading up to the visit, our entire community (students, teachers, and parents) contributed to a comprehensive self-study, highlighting both our achievements and areas for development.

The visit itself was an opportunity not only for evaluation, but for dialogue: classroom observations, meetings with leadership, and conversations with families all contributed to a rich and authentic picture of our school.

The PLT is proud to share a summary of the key strengths identified by the visiting team, alongside their suggestions to help us continue evolving.

Key Strengths

Purpose and Leadership
The school demonstrates a strong sense of purpose, guided by a clear mission and identity. Leadership is cohesive, with alignment between the leadership team and the board, ensuring shared values across the school. Relationships with students and parents are positive and meaningful, fostering trust and engagement.

Learning Environment
The school promotes a collaborative and reflective environment where learning is visible and happens in diverse settings. “The school building is buzzing”

Resources are strategically allocated with a long-term vision, and facilities are used flexibly to meet students’ needs.
Student wellbeing is a priority, supported by SEN coordinators, pastoral leadership, and tutors. Transitions between programmes are well supported, and career counselling is effective.
Teachers benefit from strong professional development opportunities and a culture of continuous learning, supported by an observation system that includes peer collaboration.

School Culture
Policies reflect the community and demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusion, language development, and academic integrity. Assessment is effectively used as a tool for learning. The development of IB Continuum policies highlights a coherent and reflective approach to school improvement.

Learning and Teaching
The curriculum is broad, balanced, and aligned with the IB philosophy. Social-emotional learning and the IB learner profile are well integrated, promoting lifelong learning.
Teaching practices make thinking visible, encourage deep reflection, and extend learning beyond the classroom. Technology is meaningfully integrated, and there is a strong sense of shared learning within the community.
Assessment practices are varied and creative, offering multiple ways for students to demonstrate and celebrate success.

PDP (Professional Development Plan)

Strengths

• Strong teacher engagement and passion
• Clear focus on student learning
• Well-defined and challenging goals
• Effective leadership by coordinators with a community-driven approach
• Dedicated time for planning and collaboration
• Alignment with IB standards
• High levels of commitment and perseverance
• Diverse professional learning activities
• Insightful reflection embedded in the process
• A clear culture of ongoing development and learning

Suggestions for Growth

• Incorporate research-based approaches into planning
• Engage a wider range of stakeholders
• Use multiple methods for data collection
• Consider adopting a structured change framework
• Define milestones and success criteria
• Introduce a more formal reflection protocol

Areas for Further Development

• Enhance understanding of school policies among students and parents
• Improve curriculum coherence, especially vertical alignment at transition points
• Develop a whole-school approach to ATL (Approaches to Learning) mapping

H-FARM Words

And these are the words that were captured by the visiting team during the meetings with teachers, students and parents:

Environment

Friendly/Excellent/Lively/Multiple/Welcoming/Dynamic/Futuristic

Culture

Special/Caring/Community/Peaceful/Openminded/Adjustable/Flexible/Thoughtful/Meaningful

Learning

Fun/ Connections/Creation/ Messy/Allowed/ Inquiring/ Organized/Exploration/Engaging

Parents

Encouraging/Complete/Wholistic/ Human/ Active/ Individual

Students

Creative/ Professional/ Community/ Good/ International/ Disciplined/ Perfect/ Communicator / Unique

Hosted at Minerva Bar in Vicenza, the event welcomed around 80 members of our community, creating a vibrant and warm atmosphere from the very start. Parents, staff, and friends of the school came together to celebrate what makes H-FARM Vicenza so unique: a shared vision, a strong sense of belonging, and an international spirit that connects us all.

The evening was enriched by the presence of our Director General, Antonello Barbaro, and our Head of School, Alessandra Chiovati, whose participation highlighted the importance of moments like these in strengthening the bond between school and families. We were also honoured by a thoughtful greeting from the Mayor of Vicenza, Giacomo Possamai, a meaningful gesture that underlined the school’s growing connection with the local community.

Guests enjoyed a delicious aperitivo with a rich buffet and drinks, in a relaxed and friendly setting that naturally encouraged conversation and connection. Adding a creative twist to the evening was a cleverly designed “bingo card” networking activity, which brought energy and fun to the room while helping parents meet and engage with one another in a spontaneous way.

A highlight of the evening was the raffle organised by the PTA, featuring a variety of wonderful prizes and generating excitement throughout the event. It was a perfect example of the care and dedication the PTA brings to every initiative.

Downstairs, guests had the opportunity to watch a beautiful video created by the PTA in collaboration with DP1 student Raffaele Campironi. Through interviews with students, teachers, and staff, the video offered an authentic glimpse into the daily life of our school—capturing its international identity, its welcoming environment, and the strong relationships that define our community.

This first edition of the Community Aperitivo was, without a doubt, a great success. A heartfelt thank you goes to our PTA, whose enthusiasm, creativity, and commitment made this event possible.

Moments like these remind us that H-FARM Vicenza is more than a school—it is a community. And if last night is anything to go by, this is just the beginning of a new and much-loved tradition, one that we hope will continue to grow and bring even more families together in the years to come.

On 13 April, our Director General, Antonello Barbaro, and our Head of School, Alessandra Chiovati, met with PTA members and Class Representatives for an open and meaningful conversation about the future of H-FARM International School Vicenza.

Moments like these are at the heart of our school community. They reflect our belief that education is strongest when built on trust, transparency, and a genuine partnership with families.

To ensure full transparency and to keep our wider community informed, below you can find a structured summary of the key points discussed during the meeting. These notes reflect the main updates, strategic priorities, and future developments shared with parents.

1. Welcome & Opening Remarks

• Warm welcome to PTA members and class representatives.
• Emphasis on the importance of transparency and strong parent-school partnership.
• School vision grounded in data, cognitive science, and student future readiness.

2. School Growth & Enrollment

• Current student population 314
• Re-enrollment rate: 87% → strong indicator of parent confidence.
• Projected growth: 320/330+ students in the coming months
• Long term plan: 350-500 students+ building expansion+potential small boarding

3. Academic Strategy & Vision

• Academic excellence continues to be the primary growth driver.
• Implementation of Continuous Improvement Management Process:
  • Data-driven decision-making
  • Personalized action plans for students and year groups
• Focus in the AI era:
  • Not just graduating students, but developing character and judgment
  • Use of “desirable difficulties” to deepen learning
  • Preparing students to think critically beyond algorithm reliance
• Mission reaffirmed:
  “Empowering students to transform innovation into human progress for a better society.”

4. Investment In “Space for Learning”

4.1 Expanding Academic Facilities

• Launch of Innovation Labs “Quantum Force”:
  • Focus on IoT, Robotics & AI 
  • Dedicated AI Curriculum 

4.2 Infrastructure, Safety & Wellbeing

• Outdoor upgrades:
  • New playground 
  • Renovated volleyball facilities
  • New green areas (gardens, hedge, relaxation zone)
• Safety improvements:
  • Anti-trauma curbing (football pitch)
  • High-security perimeter netting
  • Secured Early Years play area
• Student wellbeing:
  • New girls’ changing room in gym
  • Social and relaxation spaces
• Commitment to continuous yearly improvements.

5. Investment in Faculty

• Maintain Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR): 7.1
• Plan to hire 2 additional high-quality teachers (AY26/27)
• Staff support includes:
  • Professional development (MIT collaboration, leadership workshops, NAE Conference)
  • Welfare & compensation alignment with NAE Europe
  • Access to medical services and wellness programs
• Key message: investing in teachers directly benefits students.

6. Student Outcomes

• Academic improvement driven by data-based strategies
• Development of resilient, balanced individuals
• Strong social connections and friendships
• Graduates accessing top global universities

7. Parent Engagement 

Parents encouraged to support the school by:

1. Celebrate the whole child (academic, social, emotional, physical, language, cultural)
2. Support and recognize teachers
3. Act as critical friends (feedback & advocacy)
4. Contribute philanthropically:
   • € 1-15k → playground expansion
   • € 3-15k → Quantum Lab equipment
   • € 0,5-5k → Library development support
5. Engage actively in the community as representatives

H-FARM International School families can benefit from a 10% discount, sharable with friends and acquaintances of our students, making this enriching experience accessible beyond the school community.
The offer can be redeemed using the dedicated coupon code listed below.

This year’s Summer Academy at H-FARM International School Vicenza offers three tailored programmes:

• Adventures in English (EYU)
• English Experience (PYP)
• English Immersion (MYP 1 to 3)

Activities are carefully tailored to different age groups and interests, ensuring an engaging and meaningful experience for every participant. Within a safe and innovative setting, students build new connections, develop creative thinking, and grow in confidence and independence.

All programs blend English-language activities with hands-on experiential workshops, creating a truly international atmosphere aligned with our school’s educational vision.

Discover all programs and full offer details on our website:

Website in English

Website in Italiano

Coupon code

• his-2026 – 10% discount for H-FARM International School Vicenza families

Discounts cannot be combined with other promotions or offers.
For further information or support, our team is happy to help via email at summeracademy@h-farm.com or by phone at +39 0444 545007.