IB MATTERSMarch 2011

IB MATTERS

A monthly publication about trialling the

Primary Years Program (PYP) and

the Middle Years Program (MYP)

at Al Zahra College.

The International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an exciting set of educational programs offered in more than two thousand school schools in over 120 countries around the world. The programs focus on student-centred inquiry-based learning and global concerns. They challenge students to think in sophisticated ways about the connections between ideas in different areas of study. They put learning into an international context.

Trialling IB at Al Zahra College

In 2011, Al Zahra College is a Candidate School for the PYP and a Candidate School for the MYP. The goal is for Al Zahra College to eventually offer all three programs to our students.

NOTE: AZC is undertaking a trial implementation of PYP and MYP. Authorisation can take several years and cannot be guaranteed.

The initial planning for PYP and other possible IB programmes at AZC began back in 2003.

Following first-hand experience with all three programmes (PYP, MYP and DP) in Qatar, Dr Darvall recommended trialling its implementation at AZC.

In 2008, AZC registered with IB as an Interested PYP School. Following a preliminary visit in

2009, AZC was invited to become a Candidate PYP School.

During 2010, AZC completed a Pre-Authorisation visit that considered our preparedness for authorisation as a PYP School.

At this stage, and with a lot more hard work, we plan to seek authorisation in late 2011.

In 2009, AZC registered as an Interested MYP School in preparation for the commencement of Year 7 in 2010. In 2010, AZC was accepted as a Candidate MYP School.

Information sessions are conducted to facilitate parent understanding of what PYP and MYP are all about - bringing learning alive.

PYP & MYP @ AZC

Kindergarten: sharing the planet.

In Kindergarten, we have been investigating how plants grow. We planted some broad bean seeds in cups so we could watch the seed sprout. The shoot and root come out of the seed. The roots grow down and the shoot grows up.

We observed the growth of our seedlings. When they had been growing for a few weeks, we took some of them out of the dirt, and looked at the different parts using magnifying glasses.

We have been amazed at how fast our tomato and pumpkin plants have grown in our garden!

We have been discussing how plants are life sustaining for all living things, and have discovered:

• We need plants for food.• The animals that some people eat need plants for food. • Plants make oxygen - that we need to breathe. • Plants make their own food in their leaves.• Plants give us shade.• Many things we use are made from plants. For example, paper is made from plants.

Kinder: How does your garden grow?

How does your garden grow? (cont.)

On Tuesday, 15 March, Years 3 and 4 went to Arncliffe Park to represent AZC for the Interschool Harmony Day Activity.

Year 3 wrote an invitation to their parents to invite them to the activities. They wrote: Dear Mum and Dad, You are invited to join us at Arncliffe Park on Tuesday, 15th March. Years 3 and 4 students will attend an Interschool Harmony day activity involving students from five other schools. Please feel free to walk with us at 9.30am from school or meet us there at 10.00am.

As part of PYP, Year 3 has been doing an inquiry into: Where We Are in Place and Time and the central idea is: ‘Public areas strengthen communities and provide people with opportunities to connect.’ We have also been learning about the Action Cycle and our task on 15th March was to connect with two students or adults from the other schools. In this way, we woud be making our community stronger.

At Arncliffe Park we all sang the Australian National Anthem, connected with students from other schools and, by doing this, our community has become stronger.

Sophie, Eman and Mrs Iliadis

The Fun of Harmony Day Song

Harmony Day, Harmony Day you’re the best.We can meet all our friends, you can meet the rest. On this day, everyone’s in peace, Even your uncle and his niece.

Everyone is using co-operation, even in a situation. So you shouldn’t shout and cry, even in the places dry.

So don’t make haste, but you’ve still got no time to waste. Don’t make your friends mad or else they’ll make you sad. So join in the fun and make the best of the sun.

Lyrics and Tune by Sophie and Eman

Year 3: Where we are in place and time.

At Al Zahra College, feedback on

student progress is given to parents through Student Progress Reports at the end of each semester (Terms 2 and 4).

In 2011, PYP Unit of Inquiry reports will be included each semester, rather than at the end of each unit.

To comply with government requirements, our Student Reports will:

• be provided at least twice per year;

• be timely;

• deal with academic and non – academic learning;

• be in plain language to be readily understood by parents and guardians;

• be confidential;

• maintain the privacy of students;

• be followed by opportunity for discussion between the child, parents/guardians and teachers;

• give constructive advice about supporting the child’s further progress at school;

• include for each subject studied, an assessment grading of A, B, C, D or E, clearly designed against specific standards: The NSW Board of Studies common grade scale.

• (Note that Pre-School reports will have their own grading method); and

• include the child’s achievement relative to the achievement of the child’s peer group at the school.

For students undertaking standard assessment in reading, writing, spelling and numeracy in Years 3 and 5, the semester 2 report will include:

• the result of that assessment against appropriate national benchmarks;

• the result of that assessment against achievement levels or bands; and

• the average achievement of the child’s peer group at the school against achievement levels or bands.

If you would like any further information, please come and see

Dr David McGregor, PYP

Coordinator.

Primary Student Progress Reports

LEADERSHIPThere are many opportunities for all students to develop their leadership skills at AZC.

These include:• School parliament ministers

(including Prime Minister and Opposition Leader).

•Class captains (class representatives to school parliament).

• House captains

• Class monitors

• Sporting team captains

• Leading weekly/special assemblies

• Leading Salat

The duration of these leadership positions may range from 1 week to 1 term, 1 semester, or the entire academic year.

Completed and sustained leadership contributions will be acknowledged in student progress reports and contribute to the Annual Leadership, Service and Service Learning awards.

SERVICE

There is a strong service culture at AZC where students learn that it is possible to make a positive difference in the world.

Students support a range of Australian charities including: Pink

Ribbon Day – breast cancer; Daffodil Day – The Cancer Foundation; Jeans for Genes Day – CMRI; Literacy Backpack Project for Indigenous Students – Foundation for Youth.

AZC also sponsors two students annually at a Lebanese orphanage.

Global appeals are strongly supported when they occur, for example, the Pakistani Flood Appeal and the Tsunami Appeal.

Primary students can provide a service to students during lunch breaks by coordinating grade-based activities on a termly basis.

Completed and sustained service contributions will be acknowledged in student progress reports and contribute to the Annual Leadership, Service and Service Learning awards.

SERVICE LEARNING

Service learning is a method of teaching, learning and reflecting, frequently youth service, throughout the community. As a teaching method, it falls under the philosophy of experiential education. More specifically, it integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, encourage lifelong civic engagement, and strengthen communities for the common good.

Classes will promote service learning during the course of the academic year.

Examples of service learning can be found at:

http:/www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/servicelearning/project_ideas.htm

http://www.goodcharacter.com/SERVICE/primer-­‐10.html  

http://www.proteacher.org/c/868_Service_Learning_Projects.html

ANNUAL LEADERSHIP, SERVICE, SERVICE LEARNING AWARDS

LeadershipAn Annual Leadership Award will be gained by leadership action for two terms during an academic year.

ServiceAn Annual Service Award will be gained by service action for two terms during an academic year.

Service LearningAn Annual Service Learning Award will be gained by completed service learning action to a minimum Grade 4 level, during an academic year.

CitizenshipAn Annual Citizenship Award will be gained by achieving the Annual Leadership, Annual Service and Annual Service Learning Awards during an academic year.

Citizenship 2011

Al Zahra College aims to develop faithful, knowledgeable and wise citizens who take responsibility for creating a better and more peaceful world.

We will challenge our students to become active learners and critical thinkers who promote intercultural understanding and respect.

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THE IB LEARNER PROFILE

Below is a detailed list of the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile attributes.

Students at Al Zahra are striving to develop these attributes as they engage in the IB

Primary Years Programme.

Reflective: They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and

experience. They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in

order to support their learning and personal development.

Caring: They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and

feelings of others. They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a

positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

Communicators: They understand and express ideas and information confidently

and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of

communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

Open-minded: They understand and appreciate their own cultures and personal

histories, and are open to the perspectives, values and traditions of other individuals

and communities. They are accustomed to seeking and evaluating a range of points

of view, and are willing to grow from the experience.

Inquirers: They develop their natural curiosity. They acquire the skills necessary to

conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning. They actively

enjoy learning and this love of learning will be sustained throughout their lives.

Balanced: They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional

balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

Principled: They act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness,

justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities. They

take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany

them.

Knowledgeable: They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global

significance. In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop

understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

Risk-takers: They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and

forethought and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and

strategies. They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

Thinkers: They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and

creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical

decisions.

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AL ZAHRA COLLEGE

3 - 5 Wollongong Road, ARNCLIFFE. NSW 2205

P: (+61) 2 9599 0161

F: (+61) 2 9599 0162

E: info@azc.nsw.edu.au

W: www.azc.nsw.edu.au !