IB Asia Pacific Newsletter

Quarter Three, 2008

Networks and Associations

LIS (Library Information Specialists)

Committee news
Many of our members and their schools have been on a long summer break whilst the southern hemisphere schools have been working on through winter.

New appointments

Madhu Bhargava has recently been appointed Director of Asia as part of the International Association of Librarianship (IASL). We congratulate Madhu on this wonderful appointment.

Blog

Jane Viner has sought permission from Regional office to set up a blog for IB Asia Pacific LIS. The purpose of the blog is for committee members to add posts and comments and the blog will be managed by the Chairperson.

Suggestions can be sent to Jane Viner at vinermj@mlc.vic.edu.au.

Australia
CBC (Children’s Book Council) Children’s Book Week has been celebrated across a range of school libraries during 17–22 August. The theme for 2008 was “Fuel your mind”. This celebration and appreciation of literature is also enjoyed in schools with IB programs.

International Baccalaureate South Australia Teacher-Librarian Network

At the term 2 meeting, which was held at Linden Park Primary School, the group discussed IB authorization/evaluation and the implications for teacher librarians. There was general discussion and sharing of experiences and Marg Bartlett (Linden Park PS), who has conducted these, was able to add valuable insight and advice. With the significant number of IB schools in South Australia and the strength of the network, the group has also contacted representatives in the Asia Pacific office about the possibility of a teacher-librarian workshop being held in Adelaide. The next meeting will be held at Loreto College Senior School Library on 14 August. The focus is “Revolting librarians” – advocacy through thinking & acting outside the square.  

- Alison Hicks

Singapore

It is the start of a new school year for most of us here in Singapore and our local network of international school teacher-librarians (see http://silcsing.wikispaces.com) will hold its first meeting on 11 September at the new East campus of United World College of Southeast Asia, a PYP primary school for students from K1-Grade 4.

Professional development for librarians is a major focus of our group this year. 

We are hosting a one-day conference called "Hands On Literacy", exploring all forms of literacy for all teachers (not just librarians) to be held on 15 November 2008.  Anyone is welcome to attend -- whether working in Singapore or not.  See our wiki page for more information: http://silcsing.wikispaces.com/Hands+On

We are also helping Mario Gauci, one of the PYP associate managers in the IB Asia Pacific office, develop a continuum (PYP/MYP/DP) workshop /conference in Singapore for the autumn of 2009 on "The Library/Resource Centre in IB Schools", as mentioned in the Letter of Introduction re the IBAP Professional Development Calendar for 2009 on the IBO website.
- Katie Day, PYP Teacher-Librarian, United World College of SE Asia, Singapore

Best wishes for the next quarter.

Jane Viner, Chairperson IBAP LIS 2008

vinermj@mlc.vic.edu.au

AAIBS (Association of Australasian International

Baccalaureate Schools)

The Association of Australasian International Baccalaureate Schools will be holding its annual conference in Adelaide from 17 to 19 April 2009, preceding a series of IB Asia Pacific workshops.  Adelaide is a beautiful city, renowned for its fine, affordable dining, wineries, cultural attractions and beaches. Adelaide is a safe city, with a pleasant climate that has easy walking access a multitude of historical and cultural sites. 

The conference theme is Human Ingenuity- Pedagogy for the 21st Century Learner and will be officially opened with a cocktail party at the Wine Centre on Friday evening. A networking opportunity and highlight will be the sumptuous dinner, focusing on premium South Australian wines, on Saturday evening.

The conference will commence on Friday with sessions tailored specifically for interested and candidate schools only. On Saturday and Sunday there will be a conference sub theme; on Saturday key note speakers and breakout session leaders will focus on Pedagogy for the 21st Century Learner through the Learner profiles of Inquirers and Thinkers and on Sunday the focus on Pedagogy for the 21st Century Learner will be addressed through Communicators and Risk-takers. An exceptional range of key note speakers will address the theme in relation to their personal perspective. These include Greg Whitby, Executive Director of Schools for the Parramatta Catholic Education Office, Professor Martin Westwell, Director, Flinders Centre for Science Education in the 21st Century Flinders University in Adelaide, Dale Spender, educational consultant, Marty Gauvin, entrepreneur and businessman and Malcolm Nicholson, Head of MYP from Cardiff.

In addition to the key note speakers, classroom practioners/educators will be presenting breakout sessions based on their practical approach to the conference theme. With over 24 separate breakout sessions on offer, focusing on each of the IB disciplines and including specific sessions for administrators, the organising committee is to be congratulated for their efforts in catering for the needs of all participants. It is also anticipated that there will be a strong representation of IB Asia Pacific  personnel who will be available throughout the conference.

A website is being developed and expressions of interest are being accepted. The website may be accessed at http://www.sapro.com.au/AAIBS.htm

Looking forward to seeing you all in Adelaide.

Chris Rebbeck, Chair

srebchr@bhs.sa.edu.au

AIBSJK (Association of IB Schools in Japan and Korea) Update    

I am sorry to have to report the AIBSJK 2007/8 AGM failed to gather the two-thirds quorum required by the association constitution so none of the proposals were approved. Osaka International School concludes its two-year rotating Chair role this year, so as a new rotating Chair was not confirmed, association member heads will be faced this school year with deciding how to move forward with the future of the association.

I am happy to report the three affiliated IB programme network groups, on the other hand, are thriving. Please refer to the network group websites or contact the group chair for details.

AIBSJK information is available on the AIBSJK website: http://www.senri.ed.jp/ib/aibsjk/index.htm.

General information is posted on this site, plus there is a password protected section for member schools.

PYP East Asia Network Group website: http://www.senri.ed.jp/ib/pypeang/index.htm

Next meeting – 10 October 2008 @ Hiroshima International School (To be confirmed)

Chair: Dr Clarence Coombs, ccoombs@senri.ed.jp

MYP East Asia Network Group website: http://www.senri.ed.jp/ib/mypeang/index.htm

MYP East Asia Network Group meeting  30 October 2008 @ K International School, Tokyo (To be confirmed)

Chair: Mr  Andrew Hancock, andrew@tokyois.jp

DP Coordinators Group

Fall meeting location - 22 September 2008 @ Katoh Gakuen

DP group chair: Craig Sutton, Katoh Gakuen, craig_sutton@mac.com

DP group vice-chair: Pete Heimer pheimer@senri.ed.jp

East Asia DP Coordinators Group

Google Group web address: http://groups.google.com/group/eadpc

Group e-mail: eadpc@googlegroups.com

Thanks to all supportive members of the association and network groups, and to the many people who give their time to ensure the smooth running of the programme groups.

Gwyn Underwood (Retired Chair, AIBSJK) gunderwood@senri.ed.jp