IB OVERVIEW

The unique features of the IB: the Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and the Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) Program, embrace the core values of Suzanne Cory High School. The CAS program develops the role of service to the community, a sense of global humanity and tolerance.

The Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge are both highly academic and can be seen as providing excellent skills and knowledge that will allow students to prosper in their post secondary school studies and as lifelong learners.

IB Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the organisation works with schools, government and international organisations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment. These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

International Baccalaureate (IB) - A Quick Guide

Two year programme - students must complete both years of all subjects
Students are assessed on work learnt across both years
Assessed via internal and external assessment
Six academic subjects studied; one from each subject group - ensures breadth of study
Core programs compulsory - TOK, EE and CAS
Final score of 45 calculated by achievement in subjects and core programs.
Students complete SCHS programs - Primus, Secundus, Sport, Co-curricular, Assembly

The IB Learner Profile

Diploma Program Overview

What is unique about the DP curriculum?

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme aims to provide an internationally recognised qualification for university entry. The programme fosters international mindedness through a broad curriculum. Diploma Programme (DP) students complete courses from six subject groups, ensuring a depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding. By engaging with a range of subjects indicating the study of an additional language, they experience a comprehensive education that encourages them to link their learning to form a more useful way to apply what they have learned.

The compulsory programme core consists of three components:

● Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

● The Extended Essay (EE)

● Creativity, Activity & Service (CAS)

These core requirements unify the whole Diploma. In addition, assessment and examination at the completion of the DP course are a recognised worldwide standard, measuring student understanding and providing a passport to university. Competition of the full DP programme is also required for Australian universities.

Who should do the Diploma?

To be a successful IB Diploma student, it is necessary to be punctual both to classes and to school, to have an excellent attendance record, and to complete work on time and to an appropriate standard. In all courses, students must complete mandatory coursework assignments - typically this amounts to 25% of the final subject grade but varies slightly between subjects. The key to doing this work to an acceptable standard is organisation, and the importance of keeping to internal deadlines cannot be stressed enough.

Successful IB Students:

● Have good work ethic/time management skills

● Have the ability to work across the curriculum

● Enjoy collaborative work practices

● Are higher order thinkers

● Have an interest in internationalis,

● Want to impact positively on the world

● See themselves as ‘life-long learners'

Pamoja

To provide additional subject options, students may be permitted to undertake one IB subject online. Online subjects would be conducted through the Pamoja Education platform. Students undertaking a subject via Pamoja would complete a series of asynchronous lessons via the platform. All lessons cover the same content as students in face-to-face classes. Pamoja courses also prepare students for the same assessments as traditional face-to-face classes.

Students at SCHS will only be permitted to undertake one online Pamoja subject as part of their IB course load. Students studying a Pamoja subject would be required to pay the associated enrolment fees as required by the platform. These costs vary per subject but are approximately $2300 AUD per school year. Exact costs are subject to international currency exchange rates.

Subjects on offer from Pamoja can be found here.

Higher Level vs. Standard Level

When selecting their six academic subjects, students will choose to take some of these subjects at higher level (HL) and some at standard level (SL). HL and SL courses differ in scope but are measured according to the same grade descriptors, with students expected to demonstrate a greater body of knowledge, understanding and skills at higher level. It is expected that students will take three subjects at HL and three

subjects at SL.

● HL subjects are equivalent in time to a standard VCE subject

● SL subjects are equivalent in time to six lessons per two-week cycle

Example Student Subject Selections

Assessment in the IB Diploma Program

Assessment is criterion-based, therefore student performance is measured against pre-specified assessment criteria based on the aims and objectives of each subject curriculum, rather than the performance of other students taking the same examinations. The range of scores that students have attained remains statistically stable, and universities all over the world value the rigour and consistency of Diploma Programme assessment practice. Students must adhere to the Academic Honesty Policy for all tasks. Final Submission Academic Honesty Form must be signed by students and teachers prior to submission to the IBO.

● Scores of 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest) per subject.

● A mark out of 3 awarded for TOK and EE.

● Highest possible score is 45 points

For each academic subject students' score will be determined based upon their achievement in a combination of internal and external assessment. Scores on these tasks are used to determine where the student fits in the grading scale based upon a ‘best fits approach.’

● Internal Assessment: All subjects will have one internal assessment task. This may take the form of a research task, scientific inquiry or oral presentation. This is completed at school across a period of time as dictated by the relevant subject syllabus.

● External Assessment: For all academic subjects students will undertake written examinations at the end of the second year of their diploma.

All assessment that counts towards the final score is externally marked and/or moderated by the IBO.

Further information about assessment in the IB can be found via the following link:

https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/understanding-ib-assessment/

Calculation of Results

Example Results

IB Scores and the ATAR

IB scores are translated into an ATAR via a conversion table. This is calibrated based on comparison of the performance of IB and non-IB students in the VCE General Achievement Test and in university outcomes.

VTAC publish the conversion table here each year.

IB Admissions Policy

Admission to the IB Diploma Programme will be determined by demonstrating the following criteria:

1. A written application to demonstrate:

Understanding of the IB Diploma Programme philosophy and requirements
Involvement in non-academic activities (this includes both at SCHS and/or externally to the school)

The written application is completed through the subject selection google form by answering specific questions.

If necessary, students may be required to attend an interview with the Director of IB to determine access to the programme. Grades, attendance and successful completion of school directives such as the Secundus Project, may be considered also.

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