IB Asia Pacific Newsletter

April - June 2006

Australasia

Diploma Programme Planned for Queensland Smart State Academies

The Queensland Government’s landmark move to establish two selective entry academies is good news for interested/potential IB students. The DP programme is planned to be a key feature of both the Science, Maths and Technology Academy (Toowong), and the Creative Industries Academy (Kelvin Grove), which are due to open in 2007. While the academies will be oriented towards students with talents in the maths/sciences and creative arts, all students will have to complete the full requirements of the Diploma Programme, including all subject groups, the Theory of Knowledge, the Extended Essay and CAS.

The Academies plan to allow students to fast track their studies partnered with Queensland’s top universities. The Science, Mathematics and Technology Academy is linked with the University of Queensland, and the Creative Arts Academy is developed in partnership with Queensland University of Technology. Griffith University will be also working with the academies in the development of specialist programme opportunities. For more information see http://www.qldacademies.eq.edu.au/

The Academies will be seeking authorisation on 17 and 18 July 2006.

Mid Semester Entry: University of Sydney Faculty of Economics and Business

The University of Sydney Faculty of Economics and Business is now welcoming applications for mid semester (July 2006) entry based on predicted grades for students who complete the May IB Diploma examination session. This will help facilitate entry for students whose results are not released until July. For more information contact the faculty or go to: http://www.usyd.edu.au/fstudent/undergrad/apply/inm/apply.shtml

Victorian Government schools to have opportunity to offer Diploma

In April this year the IB Diploma Programme was accredited by the Victorian Qualifications Authority as a Victorian senior secondary certificate of education and the Minister for Education and Training has given approval for the provision of the IB Diploma Programme in Victorian state schools.

The guidelines for approval and delivery of the IB Diploma Programme in government schools have been developed by the Department of Education and Training (DE&T) and are available from http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/init.htm.

Enquiries related to these Guidelines should be directed to Edmund Misson, Assistant General Manager, Post Compulsory Division, ph: 9637 3927, Email: Edmund.Misson.J@edumail.vic.gov.au or to the Sydney Office.

AAIBS Conference, IB Asia-Pacific workshops at Somerset, and Governance Summit

The Association of Australasian IB Schools (AAIBS) annual conference will be hosted this year by Somerset College from the 01 – 03 July. The theme of the conference, “Supporting the Learning Process: Internationalism in National Schools” is relevant to all IB schools, educators and schools interested in IB programmes. I hope to see all Australasian IB schools and represented. A great program has been developed. Further information can be accessed from www.somerset.qld.edu.au and www.aaibs.org.

IB Asia-Pacific Workshops for PYP, MYP and DP will also be held at Somerset College on 4, 5 and 6 July. The MYP Workshop on Intercultural Awareness (L3) is directed towards experienced MYP practitioners and Coordinators. There are five PYP Workshops and ten Diploma Workshops. More information on these workshops can be found on www.ibo.org

The Australian International Education Research Network, Macquarie in association with AAIBS is also hosting a Leadership Schools Retreat 2 - 3 July at Somerset College and Sofitel. The programme includes Deputy Director General of the IB Dr Ian Hill, Dr Allan Beavis, Allan Wilcox from CIS, Dr Tim Plumptre Executive Director Canadian Institute of Governance and other key speakers including Patron the Hon Tim Fischer AC. It is hoped that Heads and Council Members of IB World Schools will be attending. More information is available at www.somerset.qld.edu.au and www.aaibs.org.

Future Astronaut?

Natasha Bosanac from Somerset College who graduated with the IB Diploma in November 2005 has been offered a place at MIT to do Aero Space Engineering. Her aim is to go to NASA and eventually go into space. Hopefully Natasha will be speaking at the AAIBS Conference at Somerset in July.

If you have other success stories about the destinations of IB Graduates please let us know.

Federal Requirements and Plain English Student Reports

The Federal Education Minister, the Hon Julie Bishop, has replied to a letter from the IBAPAus Sydney Office which asked about the new requirements for plain language student reports and IB MYP Assessment and reporting procedures and I quote from her reply.

“From 2006, as a condition of Australian Government funding, all schools must provide parents with plain English student reports that include, for all subjects studies, an assessment against achievement levels or bands which must be labelled as A, B, C, D,E (or an equivalent), and these must be defined against specific learning standards. I consider the seven-point grading scale of the International Baccalaureate as equivalent to an A-E grading system.” (3 April 2006)

Staff Changes

On 5 May Aileen Woo left the Australian office of IB Asia Pacific to pursue her Medicine studies and her desire to work with organisations like Medecins sans Frontiers. Aileen has been a living embodiment of the IB mission and learner profile and will be sorely missed. I have found her professionalism, commitment, talent and personal qualities an incredible assistance in the operations of the Sydney Office. During her time she has enhanced and expanded so much of the work with do with all IB stakeholders. We wish to thank Aileen sincerely for the contribution she has made in the past two years and wish her every success.

Greg Valentine, Regional Representative Australasia

Lucinda Petroeschevsky-Mayer, Personal Assistant

Email: ibapausreception@ibo.org

Welcome

Lucinda

Petroeschevsky-Mayer

Dear All,

I am a foreign language enthusiast, and former law student who is committed to multicultural education. I am presently completing my Masters in Cross-Cultural Communication at the University of Sydney, and have experience in Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Most recently I worked as a legal journalist. I am looking forward to strengthening the key relationships which build the IB Asia-Pacific network, at all three programme levels, as well as working closely with Universities, to foster increased understanding and dialogue between tertiary institutions and IB schools.

I am very honoured to be part of an organisation with so many talented and committed individuals, working towards a common goal.

Farewell

Aileen Woo

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

I am leaving the IB Asia-Pacific Australia office to pursue further studies. It has been a pleasure to work with you. I’ve particularly enjoyed meeting people whose commitment to and care for their vocation I so admire.

I wish you and your schools all the best, and hope to see you again in the future.