BIS High School Diplomas and the Wide Range of Support Systems Available to You at BIS
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Bavarian International School IB Diploma Handbook 2015-2017 MISSION Inspiring and challenging young minds as a caring and committed international community to achieve excellence, assume responsibility and pursue life-long learning. 1 IBDP and High School Diploma Handbook 2015-7 Our Mandate Inspiring and challenging young minds Stimulate inquiring minds and spark enthusiasm for discovery and exploration. Focus on all aspects of student development: the academic, the intellectual, the creative, the social, the physical, the ethical and the emotional. In a caring and committed international community Provide an open-minded and supportive atmosphere through a climate of commitment, empathy and open communication. Facilitate the acquisition of languages and understanding of culture by communicating in English and by providing instruction of German and other languages. Promote international-mindedness throughout our curriculum by exploring our diversity of culture, language and experience while gaining insights from the unique perspective of our German host culture. 2 IBDP and High School Diploma Handbook 2015-7 Achieve excellence Promote the acquisition of concepts, knowledge, skills and attitudes required to think critically, pursue excellence and fulfil one’s personal potential. Be a dynamic and progressive school with well-resourced and innovative programmes. Pursue excellence through a commitment to the continuum of the IB programmes and other accrediting educational organisations. Assume responsibility Stimulate inquiry into local and global issues from multiple perspectives and develop the understanding that the opinions of others may also be right. Build a strong sense of personal and social responsibility that sets the foundation for a balanced lifestyle and encourages service to others, our community and our environment. Life-long learners Challenge our students to become life-long learners by taking risks, reflecting on their experiences and preparing for their futures. Encourage parent and family involvement in each student’s learning to enhance the success of our programmes. Excel in standards of education with dedicated teachers and a committed staff who seek multiple opportunities for professional development. 3 IBDP and High School Diploma Handbook 2015-7 4 IBDP and High School Diploma Handbook 2015-7 FOREWORD FROM THE PRINCIPAL It is my pleasure to welcome you to the BIS IB and BIS Diploma Handbook. Detailed within is a wealth of information that will help you to understand the subject choices on offer, the challenges and rewards of the next two academic years and the exciting pathways that await our students upon graduation. However, this handbook is only one means of communicating this important information. I encourage all students to engage with their teachers, to ask about the IBDP courses, to discuss academic pathways with their parents and to actively seek the advice and insight of our current IB and High School Diploma students. Our school community is our best resource. This handbook describes the formal curriculum of the IB and BIS High School Diplomas and the wide range of support systems available to you at BIS. Our aim is to provide a curriculum and a learning environment conducive to healthy and well- informed debate in order to encourage the development of a global awareness and the communication skills necessary to bridge international barriers. This is what sets our programmes apart from other well-established examination systems and in turn what differentiates future graduates of BIS from other students from around the world. A generous range of subject choice is offered in addition to the Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS components of your programme. We are confident that our students will be able to select a broad and balanced range of courses that they will find fascinating, challenging and complimentary. The International Baccalaureate and BIS High School Diplomas are internationally designed for young people moving on to tertiary study in all parts of the world. With either of these qualifications, our students are well equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for successful study in their university of choice and for lifelong learning. Furthermore, through the last two years of study here at BIS, our students will forge lifelong friendships that will endure, regardless of geographical location. Expectations of our IB and BIS High School Diploma students are extremely high. Our Grade 11 and 12 students are our foremost student ambassadors and role models for their peers in the school. I encourage you to take these responsibilities seriously, to strive to excel in your academic studies, to maximise your participation and involvement in a range activities beyond the taught curriculum and, essentially, to enjoy the process. Yours sincerely, John Barker Principal Secondary School 5 IBDP and High School Diploma Handbook 2015-7 6 IBDP and High School Diploma Handbook 2015-7 MESSAGE FROM THE IB DIPLOMA COORDINATOR As students entering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, you are embarking upon the pathway from junior to senior studies and ultimately life beyond school. This is a thoroughly exciting and exhilarating time, as for most of you, it is the first time you have had to think beyond the immediate future and make long term plans. Subjects and courses chosen in Grade 11and 12 influence your future study options and ultimately your career paths. The IB Diploma has at its core the IB learner profile and is built upon creativity, action, service, a curiosity about knowledge (Theory of Knowledge) and academic rigour through the extended essay. This is what distinguishes the programme from other national educational systems and elevates it from simply being the transfer of knowledge to the creation of new knowledge and a new awareness of self and others. Life as an IB Diploma student is enriching and challenging as it affords you the opportunity to study a variety of subjects from the six groups encapsulate a wealth of interests, skills, creative talents and perspectives. You must be committed and organised and be able to remain focussed even when the number of deadlines and amount of work begins to seem overwhelming. Please remember that this journey need not be a lonely one. It is a well trampled path, and you follow in the footsteps of all the BIS students who passed through here before you. Your teachers and parents are here to help, advise and assist you in your choices as you discover your own strengths and weaknesses, learn about the world we live in, and encompass the wealth of knowledge being imparted within the BIS community of learners. All that I ask is that you do your best by maintaining that balance between effective learning as an IB Diploma student and a healthy home and social life. As the IB Diploma coordinator my mission is that you receive the best learning experience possible with the maximum amount of support and guidance that still enables you to make independent, healthy and rewarding choices. I would like the 7 IBDP and High School Diploma Handbook 2015-7 IB Diploma programme to stimulate and engage you but also to widen your understanding of others and the world around us and to that end develop some degree of international mindedness. I know that you will enjoy this phase of your educational pathway and my door is always open to you whenever you require guidance, advice or a friendly ear. I hope your find this handbook helpful reading as you start on your International Baccalaureate Diploma learning path. I look forward to working hard with you and encouraging you in the final two years of your schooling. These are decisive years that will sculpt you and will ultimately help define the rest of your life. I would like to wish you all the very best. Mr. Rohan Skene IB Diploma Co-coordinator Assistant Principal and Pastoral Co-coordinator Secondary School 8 IBDP and High School Diploma Handbook 2015-7 Table of Contents SECONDARY SCHOOL .................................................................................................................... 12 CODE OF CONDUCT ....................................................................................................................... 12 THE IB DIPLOMA .............................................................................................................................. 13 IB MISSION STATEMENT ................................................................................................................ 14 IB LEARNER PROFILE ..................................................................................................................... 15 SENIOR SCHOOL LIFE..................................................................................................................... 16 IB and BIS DIPLOMAS ...................................................................................................................... 18 BIS HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ....................................................................................................... 21 IBDP GRADING ................................................................................................................................. 22 APPROACHES TO LEARNING ...................................................................................................... 24 WORK ETHIC ..................................................................................................................................... 26 ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES