Australia is one of the biggest markets for the International Baccalaureate, and the number of schools offering it has surged. This is despite some states and territories – including NSW – not allowing it in government schools
School principal John Chiswell says he probably sounds evangelistic when he talks about the International Baccalaureate – he's not the only one.
Edna Sackson, primary years program co-ordinator at Mount Scopus Memorial College in Burwood, is similarly enthusiastic."The learning in our school is rich, deep and real, often transformative for both learners and teachers," she said. A second language is compulsory across the programs. The primary and middle years programs still address the Victorian and Australian Curriculum but the diploma program has its own syllabus. It requires students to study six subjects, write a 4000-word research essay and perform community service.Alamanda College, said the IB framework was different because it "emphasises the whole child and puts the learner at the centre.
In Victoria, the IB has traditionally been offered to year 11 and 12 students by private schools as a VCE alternative, providing a point of difference in marketing. School marketing expert Stephen Holmes said for Australian schools it was "almost a form of unofficial certification of being global in perspective."
Dr Kidson said government schools were investing serious time and money to introduce the programs, including annual fees, professional learning costs and hiring a second-language teacher.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Put your back into it: No evidence straight-back lifting is safer, say expertsEveryone knows you need to keep your back straight when you lift or you’ll hurt it. But there is almost no evidence it is true, say Australian scientists.
Read more »
Put your back into it: No evidence straight-back lifting is safer, say expertsResearchers found no evidence people who lifted with a straight back or a bent back were more likely to get back pain | liammannix
Read more »
Boom Crash Opera reunite for national tour | Sky News AustraliaThe 'crazy times' are coming back for Boom Crash Opera as the rockers reunite with their lead singer for a national tour.\n\nDale Ryder will front the band for the first time in three years.\n\nImage: News Corp Australia
Read more »
How 'war detectives' tracked down missing Australian soldiers in WWIIt was in the shadow of the Gallipoli campaign that the Red Cross first sent investigators overseas with the most difficult of detective tasks.
Read more »
UK election: Labour closing gap with Torries as Brexit, NHS take centre stageWith less than two weeks to go to Britain's General Election, the latest polling shows the Conservative Party's lead over Labour has dropped slightly
Read more »
'As long as you gamble, you feel like an Australian': one in six teenagers gambling underageUnderage gambling is 'normalised' in Australia, with a landmark study showing one in six people aged 16 to 17 placing bets or wagering money
Read more »