International Baccalaureate (ages 16 to 18)

The perfect conclusion to a Montessori education.

An International Baccalaureate (IB) education is the perfect conclusion to a Montessori education as it has so many parallels:

• Both are child-centred (rather than teacher-centred)
• Both are based upon Method rather than Content
• Both promote individual enquiry
• Both promote social and community behaviour
• Both promote children’s education for peace
• Both believe in self-discipline and integral sense of purpose
• Both have diversity leading to global perspectives
• Both promote the value of solid, hard and uninterrupted work

The aim of the IB is to nurture internationally minded young adults who help create a better world, which is in line with Dr Maria Montessori’s thinking:

Education should not limit itself to seeking new methods for a mostly arid transmission of knowledge: its aim must be to give the necessary aid to human development.”

A First in Education

We are proud to have been the first Montessori school in the world to offer the IB – back in 1993. Since then, Montessori schools around the world have replicated this model as the IB is the perfect conclusion to a Montessori education, as well as a great prelude and foundation to tertiary study and the world beyond.

Our IB students have their own dedicated building, the Shammai Building. It is named as such in honour of our very first two IB students, Adam Shaman and Mai Shimizu.

The flow of adolescence is found in the third plane of development.

At this stage, the fire is still burning, but the transformation is becoming more peaceful.

Montessori based her educational philosophy on the idea that children develop through a series of four planes. At this age (15-18), children are in the third plane of development, which is a period when they have a huge capacity for creative expression, while their style of learning becomes more practical and experiential. Adolescents at this age see themselves more as an adult, looking outward into the world, and the universe.

Want to know more about Montessori’s planes of development?

Planes of Development

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

The intent of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is to nurture internationally minded young adults who help create a better world.

Established in 1968 by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO), the IBDP is an academically challenging and internationally focused program designed to prepare students for the worlds of further education and professional life.

Today, there are more than 5,000 IB schools in more than 140 countries. Moreover, the IBDP is recognised by universities and employers the world over.

Lauded for nurturing principled, knowledgeable, and open-minded young adults, the IB equips and encourages students to become active, responsible global citizens. As such, the IBO has developed a set of attributes that constitute the ideal learner profile, which includes being:

• Inquisitive
• Knowledgeable
• Thoughtful
• Communicators
• Principled
• Open-minded
• Caring
• Courageous
• Balanced
• Reflective

Our IB teachers incorporate these attributes in each lesson and foster them in each of our students.

A perfectly balanced and academically rigorous curriculum.

With a written curriculum or framework and age-appropriate student assessments, the IBDP comprises three core elements and six subject groups.

IBDP subject groups:

• Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature (English)
• Group 2: Language Acquisition (German)
• Group 3: Individuals and Societies (Geography, Psychology, Philosophy)
• Group 4: Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
• Group 5: Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches, Applications and Interpretation)
• Group 6: Arts (Visual Arts)

IBDP core elements:

1. Theory of knowledge. Students reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we know what we claim to know.
2. Extended essays. Independent, self-directed research, culminating in a 4,000-word paper.
3. Creativity, activity, and service (CAS). Students complete a project related to these three concepts.

Want to know more about the IBDP and the IBO? Check out their website:

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme

In addition to our 30-year track record of delivering the IBDP, we are proud to introduce the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) as a second pathway for our students. This new program opens up exciting opportunities for students to pursue a specialised and career-focused educational experience.

Empowering Careers and Education

The IBCP is tailored to meet the needs of students pursuing career-related education, offers a unique pathway. Designed to prepare students for further/higher education, apprenticeships, or employment, the comprehensive curriculum encompasses four core components alongside a career-related study. This combination ensures that students gain a well-rounded education that equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their chosen field.

Core components:

The IBCP encompasses a dynamic core curriculum composed of four pivotal components that foster holistic development and intellectual growth:

• Personal and Professional Skills: Cultivating essential life skills and nurturing a sense of professional competence.
• Service Learning: Encouraging active community engagement and instilling a profound sense of social responsibility.
• Reflective Project: Stimulating critical thinking and promoting in-depth research on a self-selected topic of personal interest.
• Language Development: Enhancing linguistic proficiency to foster effective communication across diverse contexts.

In addition to the core components, the IBCP offers a career-related study that serves as a gateway to higher education, internships or apprenticeships, and positions in specific fields of interest. This unique facet of the program allows students to apply and practice theories and concepts while developing a versatile skill set within authentic, meaningful contexts. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded the highly coveted International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme Certificate, an internationally recognised qualification.

Career-related Studies

The career-related study is designed to prepare students for higher education, an internship or apprenticeship, or a position in a designated field of interest.

It provides the opportunity for students to learn about theories and concepts through application and practice while developing broad-based skills in authentic and meaningful contexts. Students who complete the programme receive the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme Certificate, the certification awarded by the career-related study provider and, if applicable, their secondary school high school diploma.

Want to know more about the IBCP and the IBO? Check out their website:

International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme

Handbook

Welcome to our 2023 International Baccalaureate Handbook!

2023 International Baccalaureate Handbook

This handbook is designed exclusively for students enroled or about to be enroled in the IBDP and the IBCP.

What can you find in this handbook?

Our handbook provides essential information, tips, and guidance to help you navigate your journey through the IBDP and IBCP. You will find:

• Curriculum Details: Learn about the subjects offered in both programs and understand how they promote a holistic learning experience.
• Assessment and Grading: Get familiar with the assessment methods used in the IBDP and IBCP and how your performance is evaluated.
• Support and Resources: Find information on the various support services available to help you succeed in your studies and overall wellbeing.

We are committed to supporting your educational journey and ensuring you make the most of your time in the IBDP and IBCP. This handbook aims to be your go-to resource, empowering you to excel academically, personally, and professionally.

A Day In The Life…

Have you ever been curious about what a day in the life of an International Baccalaureate student looks like? Here is a video, which may give you some insight.

Staff Perspective

Watch Diana unpacking what the IB is all about! She also talks about our school, her students, and how our school is putting students at the centre of their own learning.

Our school belongs to an international network of IB schools.

We are a member of the IB Schools Australasia, which is an association dedicated to assisting IB schools in Australasia, providing a network of professional support, information and service.