IB Asia Pacific Newsletter

Quarter Three, 2007

Diploma Programme

Workshops and new guides

We have been asked on several occasions to clarify the situation regarding regional workshops and their ability to deal with new course guides. Basically, we cannot guarantee that a workshop will deal with a new course guide until that guide has been published. Up until that point it will only deal with information on a new guide that might be available on the website. Of course, that begs the question as to when guides are published! Currently the situation is that new guides are published no later than March of the year prior to a September start for teaching. However, this is likely to change soon, with the publishing date being brought forward to the end of the previous year. Coordinators’ notes will confirm as and when this change is made.

First Cycle Review

Starting from the May exam session of 2007, the regional office will send to schools that have just completed their first exam session a brief review to complete. While I acknowledge that no-one relishes yet another form to fill in, the regional office feels that five years is too long a time for schools to wait before they get a chance to inform the regional office of progress and possible concerns and to seek appropriate advice and assistance. The review is quite brief, and will, in most cases I hope, be completed by the same coordinator who was present during authorization.

Five Year Review

Schools who are currently in the five year self-study process (or that are due for one in the next couple of years) and that have completed a review previously, are reminded of the significant changes that have occurred to the review in recent years. Most schools will now take up to six months to complete the self-study, so it’s best to start early! Despite the time and effort involved, we have had very positive feedback from schools so far, who see it as a good opportunity to reflect on progress and plan for the future.

Diploma Review Committee

The representative for this region on the Diploma Review Committee for the next two years is Andrew Buxton from Prince Alfred College (South Australia). The role of this position is to provide a regional focus to discussion on Diploma curriculum issues and development at meetings twice a year. I wish him well in this position and encourage coordinators to contact him should they wish to bring ideas and issues to his attention.

Nigel Forbes-Harper, DP Regional Manager

Stephen Keegan, DP Associate Regional Manager

Deirdre Chang-Hufton, Personal Assistant

Email: ibapdp@ibo.org

Welcome

Stephen Keegan

We would like to welcome Stephen Keegan to the regional office in Singapore. Stephen is Associate Manager for the Diploma Programme. Stephen’s position prior to this appointment was as Senior School Principal at International School, Suva, but he has worked at several other schools in this region over the years.

We are glad to have his experience to help deal with the growth of the programme in the region, and we are keen to ensure that our roles allow us time to respond to schools as effectively as possible. While the Managers both work with schools in the authorization and review process, Stephen will oversee the Diploma workshops while Nigel will continue to take responsibility for CAS in schools. Should schools have any queries specific to workshops or CAS, could you please direct them accordingly.