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International Accreditation Offers Perth Students the World

MEDIA RELEASE

International School of Western Australia receives approval to offer prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma program

Perth students can now receive a truly international education following the International School of Western Australia’s acceptance into the prestigious International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program.

The International School will offer the IB Diploma Program to students in years 11 and 12. The Diploma is recognised by the world’s leading universities and offers an alternative to local curriculums such as the TEE in Western Australia.

International School of Western Australia principal Ian Bayly said the school was proud to be able to offer the challenging, internationally recognised program to its students.

“The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who gain a lifelong desire to learn. IB students have a reputation of being terrific learners and we expect those undertaking the course here at the International School of Western Australia to embrace the diversity and challenges of the course.

"The International School of Western Australia seeks to provide students with a well-rounded education, equipping them for study at universities in Australia and around the world," Mr Bayly said.

The co-educational, internationally-accredited and non-denominational International School of Western Australia is attended by students from more than 15 countries.

The IB Diploma Program was first launched in Switzerland in the late 1960s with the aim being to facilitate the international mobility of students by providing schools with a curriculum and qualification recognised by universities around the world.

The International School of Western Australia's International Baccalaureate coordinator Damien Kerrigan said offering the IB Diploma course at the school makes perfect sense as students are naturally inquisitive and bring a great diversity of perception and knowledge to their studies.

“Regardless of whether they are local or international, students at the school are placed in an environment that is directly in touch with the rest of the world – through the multi-cultural school community and the courses offered,” Mr Kerrigan said.

All IB students learn a second language, together with the skills to live and work with others both locally and internationally.

Over the course of the two year program students follow a Theory of Knowledge course (TOK) and participate in Creativity, Action and Service (CAS) activities of their choice, designed to enhance critical thinking and understanding as well as personal development.

"The varied courses offered as part of the IB ensure the program stretches each student to excel to the best of their ability and allows them to extend their learning beyond the classroom," Mr Kerrigan said.

The IB Diploma Program, which is experiencing significant growth in popularity internationally, will be offered at the school from the next school year – July 2008.

The International School of Western Australia also offers the Advanced Placement (AP) program, offering parents and students a choice in terms of academic study. The AP program is a challenging program of credit for university-level studies pursued at high school level and is recognised by more than 300 world-class universities.

Ends

For further information contact:
Bronwyn Daly, Professional Public Relations: 9388 0944
bdaly@pprwa.com.au

Notes to Editors

About the International School of Western Australia
The International School of Western Australia provides a world-class education to a non-denominational and multicultural student body whether they are Australian citizens, Australian residents or international students. The not-for-profit school’s coeducational, internationally-accredited, program is based on the Northern Hemisphere school calendar and curriculum.

More than fifteen countries are represented at the school that caters for years one through to 12 and as a community we work to ensure that each student has a positive and enriching learning experience. The school’s small class sizes provide a supportive educational environment that encourages the pursuit of knowledge and understanding and instills in students a lifelong love of learning.


About the International Baccalaureate
The IB Diploma Program for students aged 16 to 19 is an academically challenging and balanced program of education with final examinations that prepares students for success at university and life beyond.

Based in Switzerland, the IB program began in the late 1960s and now more than 1,500 schools around the world participate in the program. Results and feedback show the program to be academically rigorous, producing graduates that are well-prepared for entry to a host of university courses around the globe.

The bulk of each course is externally graded by international examiners. Which means that when students sit their exams, they are essentially competing with students all over the world - giving the course a strong moderating factor.
Over the course of the two-year program students:

• Study six subjects chosen from the six subject groups
• Complete supervised 4000 word essay extended essay of their own design
• Follow a critical thinking program Theory of Knowledge Course (TOK)
• Participate within and out of school in Creativity, Action, Service (CAS).