From the Principal
IB Learner Profiles
IB Global Conference 2019
The International Baccalaureate Global Conference is the largest gathering of the IB community for each region. From Sunday 24 to Tuesday 26 March, Assistant Principal Natalie Jensen and MYP Coordinator John Collins attended the 2019 IB Global Conference in Hong Kong. Over 1500 people from the IB community from over 40 countries attended and it was an opportunity to meet, engage in conversation and share experiences with IB educators from all over the world.
Natalie and John attended a number of professional development workshops over the three days and connected with IB educators from around the globe to highlight the collective impact that is made through our schools.
Natalie focussed on the continuum of an IB education and the way schools can support students throughout the three programmes. Preshil will be one of the few schools in Australia to be authorised for all three programmes offering the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP).
She was also involved with schools in discussions surrounding ways that we can create impactful learning for teachers and students, rethinking reporting and how we can redefine the way we understand, assess and communicate student learning. This year, the IB has also achieved greater alignment through all three programmes, the PYP, MYP and DP. With the introduction of Approaches to Learning skills throughout the three programmes our focus is on vertically articulating skill development throughout the school for all of our students.
As a continuum school, the IB framework will support consistent pedagogical elements for our 4 year olds through to 18 year old students. The framework of the IB programmes allows us to focus on our students asking questions and ensuring that they, and their learning, is at the core of everything we do, as well as developing skills for lifelong learning and individuals who are responsible and active members of their community.
As a standing committee member of International Baccalaureate Schools Australasia (IBSA), Natalie also had the pleasure of presenting with the other board members to share what they, as an organisation, do to support schools. IBSA currently represents schools from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
IBSA also organises a speaker series each year and
this year Dr Jared Cooney Horvath will be presenting in Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Auckland, Adelaide and Melbourne as part of this series. It is an honour that Preshil will be hosting the Melbourne event for the first time; with so many impressive IB schools in Victoria, this is an exciting opportunity for us.
John Collins attended workshops with a focus on Approaches to Learning Skills, Service Learning and developing International Mindedness in our students for the MYP at the Secondary School.
It was an opportunity for Natalie and John to work with a number of inspirational IB leaders, teachers and coordinators and together they shared many unique approaches to education, social justice and global citizenship. Having time for them to reflect on current practice, explore new partnerships and connections left them with renewed enthusiasm and inspiration as well as a deep respect and admiration for the progressive learning environment that we have at Preshil.
I would like to thank Natalie Jensen for her dedication to her leadership role with the IB at Preshil, and also to thank all the Arlington teachers for such a great term’s work in nurturing and inspiring the children in their care.
Marilyn Smith
Principal