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IB Asia Pacific Newsletter

Quarter One, 2007

Australasia

Congratulations to newly Authorised schools

Brighton Primary School Melbourne - PYP

Glendowie Primary School Auckland NZ - PYP

Kardinia International College Geelong – PYP

Korowa Girls School Melbourne – PYP

Presbyterian Ladies’ College Perth – PYP

St George’s Preparatory School Wanganui NZ – PYP

Australia now has the equal third largest (with UK) number of IB schools with a total of 100. This includes 31 PYP, 46 MYP (including partner schools) and 45 DP (some have more than one programme).

AAIBS Conference

The Association of Australasian IB School Annual Conference is being held at Narrabundah College 7 – 9 July on the Conference Theme of ‘Foundations and Futures’. The Conference will also celebrate twenty-five years of IB Diploma Graduates in Australasia, as Narrabundah was the first authorised IB School in this sub-region and its first graduates were celebrated in 1982. Details about the Conference can be found on www.aaibs.org and the Narrabundah College website site – www.narrabundahc.act.edu.au  

There will be a significant presence at the AAIBS Conference by IB Asia-Pacific Staff  who will be available to help Interested schools as well as provide information for Candidate and Authorised schools to keep them abreast of the latest developments in each of PYP, MYP and DP. We hope to see all Australasian authorised, candidate and interested IB schools represented on this special occasion and to enjoy the stimulating programme of keynote addresses as well as job-alike sessions, seminars and networking. Check the websites for any special deals available for early-bird registration and for staff from AAIBS Member schools and for multiple members of staff. If your school is not an AAIBS Member school then you should look at the benefits of membership.

Results for the IB Diploma in 2006

Overall results in 2006 were very pleasing with success rates above world averages (95.67% pass rate in Australasia) and 13 students securing 45 point Diplomas. This number may increase with some remarks as 31 students had scores of 44 and about 20% of students scored 40+ points. Whilst IB Diploma cohorts in some schools are still quite small, it is pleasing to see the size of the Diploma cohorts increasing in schools as more students are being encouraged to benefit from an IB preparation for Tertiary study and more importantly for life in a more multi-cultural and global world.

It was also particularly pleasing to see the success that schools had in Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay with most students securing bonus points and many getting all three points. It is fair to say that some schools are far more successful in some subjects than others and there are many reasons for this. It is however very important to ensure that teachers teaching IB Diploma subjects are current with their workshop attendance and are well networked with other experienced teachers, schools and coordinators.

I am also delighted to see the increased emphasis being placed on the IB Mission in Australasian schools, the strategies to develop intercultural understanding and service to others (there are some absolutely outstanding CAS projects resulting in enormous student personal growth) and the planning taking place to embed the IB Learner Profile into the Diploma Programme. These students will  no doubt impact positively on their world to make it a better place. It is for this very reason that more and more students within schools can be exposed to IB philosophy and practice and that school cultures  reflect IB ideals for all students, whether enrolled on the Diploma or not.

My congratulations to you and your staff who are doing so much to promote the IB Mission and facilitate the growth of such outstanding young people. At the Diploma Graduations I will be attending in the next few months in Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide I hope to have the opportunity to congratulate the students themselves and challenge them to be the life-long learner that the IB Learner Profile promotes. For that very reason it is also essential that we as educators also aspire to this profile as role models and help establish school cultures that nurture and value those characteristics.

January 2007 ‘IB World’

The January 2007 edition of ‘IB World’ was another wonderful example of the good things happening around the IB World. It was most pleasing to see a good write up on page 9 about the Student Conference being organised by the NSW/ACT Diploma Coordinators Group which will be held at the Sydney Town Hall on Thursday 15 February and will precede the NSW/ACT Diploma Graduation Ceremony. It is exciting to see past IB Diplomates involved and the presence of the Tertiary Sector. My personal congratulations to Julie Wilson from Redlands and the NSW/ACT Group.

I hope that there will be a more expansive report on the Student Conference in a later IB World and encourage all schools to take the opportunity provide to submit articles and photographs about the exciting things also taking place in their schools or networks. I am aware of just how many there are and no doubt there are also many we do not know about.

School Contact Details

We have recently checked school details on IBIS and there are quite a few schools who have had changes in personnel  and the Head of School and/or Coordinator details are now incorrect. Could you please check that all information on IBIS is accurate and edit it where necessary. You may be missing out on communications if the information is not accurate.  Please also inform the IBAPAUS Office in Sydney when contact details change.

My very best wishes to all in the IB Asia Pacific for a wonderful 2007. May it be one of good health, happiness and  personal and professional growth.

Greg Valentine, Regional Representative Australasia

Email: ibapausreception@ibo.org

 


Wecome

Ms Stefanie Sandford will commence work on 12 February as a full-time assistant in the Sydney Office. Stefanie has a Degree in Community Welfare and International Social Development and previously  worked as Personal Assistant to the Director of the Overseas Missionary Fellowship. She has also been a volunteer with Opportunity International, Oxfam and World Vision and has completed Overseas Field Placements in the Philippines and Thailand.

Stefanie will provide support for the role of the Regional Representative as well as  the expansion of the IB Mission and Strategic Plan in Australasia and IBAP, our work with the Tertiary sector and provide administrative support for AAIBS and other networks and support groups aligned with AAIBS.

Aileen Woo has been working in the Sydney Office since she returned from overseas late last year and will assist with Stefanie’s induction into the role. Aileen has been an exemplary model of the IB-learner and I wish every success as she returns to University after finishing in late February. I cannot thank her enough for her professionalism and friendship over the past three years.