The Devonport Flagstaff Page 33
February 5 2015
Takapuna School NEwS
Grammar FEBRUARY 5, 2015
International Baccalaureate The school had its first International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma cohort sit the International Baccalaureate examinations last November. This group of students was made up of students who reflect the normal range of abilities that feature in every mixed ability class at Takapuna Grammar School. It contained students who are very able in many areas and those who find challenges in others. It is fair to say that the cohort were united by a passion for learning and were prepared to work hard to gain the results they have. The Principal, Mr Simon Lamb, is delighted to report that 100% of students sitting the IB Diploma Programme at Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) last year, gained the Diploma. The top three marks were (out of 45): 43, 42 and 40, placing TGS in the top three of schools in New Zealand. The average for TGS was 34, the same average for New Zealand which, as a country, performs very well internationally in the IB Diploma. Mr Lamb indicated that, “given the range of abilities in the group, we are delighted that all gained the Diploma and also gained access to universities worldwide.” The lowest score received was 26, giving all guaranteed entry to Auckland University and other universities around the world. The IB Diploma is granted at 24 and this score is well recognised as being well in advance of standards expected for successful study at universities internationally. “This year, the benchmark has been set,” Mr Lamb said. “The IB candidates have demonstrated that through hard work, students of any ability can sit the IB Diploma at Takapuna Grammar School and expect to achieve it. Our current 2015 cohorts, the Year 1 IB candidates and the Year 2 Candidates sit at 38 and 35 students respectively.” At the time of writing student entry into IB at Year 12 is increasing as students realise the successes of the previous year’s
results. Numbers are expected to settle at above 40, given the patterns of the past few days. “Takapuna Grammar School is very proud to offer NCEA, Scholarship and IB qualifications,” says Mr Lamb. “We remain committed to all qualifications and understand that all are options for students and it is up to them and their parents to make the selections that are most appropriate to the learning and ambitions of the teenagers in our care.” The IB remains attractive because: • It has priorities that align to the school’s teaching and learning philosophy. • It is an internationally recognised qualification. • It is fully transportable for students intending to study in New Zealand or overseas. It is well recognised and offers considerable benefit to students who travel and study internationally. • It provides students with another choice to the national qualification • Some of our local primary and intermediate schools offer the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), so the Diploma offers continuance for those students who wish to pursue an IB academic career. From the outset the decision to include the IB is no reflection on NCEA. The school values, and remains committed to, NCEA. Students perform well in it and this qualification, in itself, has offered opportunities to future employment and tertiary study options. The notion of offering choice is important as many in our community do study and travel internationally. They benefit from the transportability of the IB programme. Many are attracted to the IB for the way it prepares students for tertiary study, for the way co-curricular programmes are credited to the Diploma and for the range of subject areas that are insisted on within the qualification.
David Sorrenson (43)
Harry Elworthy (42)
Ben Wilks (40)