The IB Diploma programme is available to all students entering Year 12 at Kristin providing they have met the relevant subject entry criteria. It is not a programme that is limited to the academic elite – most students at Kristin have the ability to gain the Diploma.

Strong IB candidates are those who are highly motivated with above-average ability across a range of subjects and able to develop the skills to organise and manage their time effectively.

The Diploma Programme aims to equip students with:

• Critical thinking and reflective skills
• Research skills
• The ability to learn independently
• Intercultural understanding and respect Whilst providing students with:
• A broad and balanced, academically
• A globally recognised university demanding, programme of study entrance qualification

SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS

IB subjects are categorised into six groups covering the major fields of knowledge. These groupings are described on the following pages. Students select one subject from each of Groups 1 to 5. The sixth subject may come from Group 6 or be another chosen from Groups 1 to 4. Where a student’s planned tertiary course requires a particular combination of subjects, dispensation may be granted by IB for the student to complete a non-regular diploma course.

Three subjects are studied at standard level (SL) and three in more breadth or depth at higher level (HL). Most subjects are available at Kristin at both levels although it is important to refer to the course information which follows to ensure a viable course is selected. Students consider their choices for higher and standard subjects on entering Year 12 and confirm these in Term 4 of Year 12.

CORE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to their chosen subjects, IB Diploma students complete the following three core requirements which are integral to the programme’s philosophy and develop important study and personal skills:

• The Theory of Knowledge course encourages students to consider how knowledge is created and to reflect on the process of learning in the subjects they study as part of their Diploma programme. Students learn to analyse knowledge in a critical manner using diverse ways of knowing and by considering what constitutes knowledge in particular areas of knowledge, science, history, maths and art. Towards the end of the first year of the course there is an assessment, The Exhibition, in which students choose three objects to showcase how Theory of Knowledge manifests in the real world. In the second year, students complete an externally assessed essay on a prescribed title.
• The Extended Essay, a 4,000-word research paper on a topic of the student’s choosing, produced under the guidance of a supervisor. In Year 12, students are counselled on their choice of topic and supervisor and given advice on the techniques of researching and essay writing. Extended essays are graded by external examiners.
• CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). IB students are involved in a comprehensive range of service, creative and active pursuits outside of the classroom, many of which contribute to their CAS experience. CAS involves real, purposeful activities which provide a degree of personal challenge and lead to significant outcomes. Students are encouraged to give thoughtful consideration to planning and reviewing their CAS programme and to reflect on the outcomes and the personal learning involved.

ASSESSMENT

At least 50% of the assessment in each subject is external, including examinations in November of Year 13. All subjects also include a component of internally assessed course work, samples of which are sent for external moderation. In each subject a candidate is graded from 7 (excellent) to 1 (very poor). In addition to this, up to three points are awarded for performance in the extended essay and ToK. In order to qualify for the Diploma, a candidate must complete all the requirements above and have an aggregate of at least 24 points out of the possible 45. Students are expected to adhere to the school’s ‘Academic Integrity Policy’ and the ‘Senior School Assessment Procedures - IB’ when preparing work for assessment. These documents are issued and reviewed with students early in Term 1.

COURSE COSTS

$675 per year of the programme to offset the cost of examination registration fees

Studies in Language & Literature

• Chinese A Language & Literature
• English A Language & Literature
• English A Literature
• Korean A Literature

Individuals & Societies

• Business Management
• Economics
• Environmental Systems & Societies (SL)
• Geography
• History
• Psychology

Experimental Sciences

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Environmental Systems & Societies (SL)
• Sports

Language Acquisition

• Mandarin B
• English B
• French B
• French ab initio (SL)
• Spanish ab initio (SL)
• Spanish B

Mathematics

• Maths – Analysis and Approaches
• Maths – Application & Interpretation (SL)

The Arts

• Dance
• Music
• Theatre Arts
• Visual Arts