Education: Kristin School
Kristin’s IB Top Scholars Honoured at Government House The academic success of 14 Kristin students was celebrated at the annual International Baccalaureate (IB) Top Scholars’ Awards Ceremony at Government House Auckland on Tuesday night. Now in its third year, the Top Scholar Awards Ceremony honours the New Zealand candidates who achieve a score of 40 points or more, out of a possible 45, in the prestigious IB Diploma. Students who attain this score are ranked in the top 6% of students worldwide. One in six of Kristin’s recent IB Diploma graduates achieved this result. The ceremony, hosted by His Excellency, Lieutenant General the Right Honourable Sir Jerry Mateparae, Governor General of New Zealand, was attended by New Zealand’s top IB Diploma students, their families, IB Heads Caucus of NZ, School Heads and academic dignitaries from throughout the country. His Excellency addressed the guests and presented the awards. Isobel Campbell received special recognition for being one of eight individuals to achieve a perfect score of 45 in her Diploma – something achieved by only 0.2% of IB Diploma candidates worldwide. Following closely behind Isobel were fellow Kristin students Lucy Bayliss (44), Mack Lee (44), Lingshu Liu (43), Nadia Sussman (43), Tabitha Yeoh (43), Alec Xie (42), Celina Chang (41), Isabelle Hunt (41), Holly Thomas (41), Sorina Casvean-Muresan (40), Louis Harden-Bull (40), Ji Youn Kim (40) and Andrew Wetherell (40). At last year’s Senior School Prize-giving, Isobel was awarded the Claudia Wysocki Memorial Trophy for IB Dux of School.
The IB Diploma at Kristin All of Kristin’s Senior School students undertake Level 1 NCEA in Year 11 before being offered the choice to either continue with Levels 2 and 3, or to begin the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma programme in Year 12. While NCEA and IB are both challenging qualifications, the dual pathways provide the opportunity for students to take greater control of their learning, allowing them to choose an academic format to suit their learning styles and to customise their qualification towards their tertiary aspirations.
Year 5 Scientist Achieves NCEA Success
While most 9-year-olds are yet to fully understand the notion of exams and the NCEA achievement standards that will define their school years in the future, one young Kristin student has excelled well beyond his age group, achieving remarkable results in NCEA Level 1 Science. Currently a Year 6 student in Kristin’s Junior School, Iain Lam has been studying advanced Science since Year 3 when his classroom teacher identified Iain’s exceptional talent for understanding scientific concepts. Iain was identified by an Educational Psychologist and Occupational Therapist as a gifted child with learning difficulties when he was in Year 0 and he skipped Year 1 after the assessment and recommendation from the school. In consultation with Rod Fee, the teacher in charge of Gifted Education and Advanced Inquiry at Kristin, the Junior School pastoral team established a programme that would allow Iain to expand his
science skills while supporting all areas of his at Kristin. “We pride ourselves on offering a development and learning. differentiated programme in all classrooms, so that Through weekly lessons with Rebecca Simpson, there is an appropriate level of challenge in place a science teacher and Senior School House Dean, for all students to extend their learning. Where we and regular maths tutoring, Iain’s knowledge and identify students with exceptional abilities, Kristin is understanding quickly developed, allowing him to able to mobilise resources within our community to officially join the NCEA Level 1 class at the beginning develop their unique skills while taking care to ensure of Year 5 under the guidance of Dawn Sullivan, Head a balanced approach to their overall wellbeing and of Kristin’s Science faculty. education.” After a year at this level, Iain achieved 16 credits Iain will be taking part in NCEA Level 1 Further in Level 1 Science, 12 of which were with Merit. Iain Science this year. stays with his Junior School class for all other literacy subjects and more importantly, still enjoys his social life with his peers in the Junior School. Kristin welcomes applications for the Middle School Scholarship Programme from students entering Year 9 in Term 1 2015. This model, which If you wish to experience the benefits of a Kristin education ensure we receive your application for our brings together Foundation Scholarships before 2pm, Friday 30 May 2014. teachers and support For further information please contact the Registrar, Linda Teagle staff from all three admissions@kristin.school.nz 09 415 9566 Ext 2324 schools, has proven to be a very effective Tuesday 18 March Thursday 3 April way to support the Junior School (Kindergarten - Year 6) academic and pastoral 9.30am (enter at Gate One) needs of gifted children Middle School (Year 7-10) 11.00am (enter at Gate Two) such as Iain. Senior School (Year 11-13) Kristin’s Junior 9.30am (enter at Gate Two) School Principal, Diana Please register attendance 415 9566 ext. 2324 or Patchett, believes that admissions@kristin.school.nz students such as Iain can benefit hugely from a multifaceted approach like what has been demonstrated
MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS
School Tour
www.channelmag.co.nz Issue 41 - March 2014
105