MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAM
IB MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME
Dear Parents and Carers of MESC,
A big welcome to all the new families and students here at MESC, particularly the Year 7s. For those of you who I have not yet met, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Kylie Russell and I am the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) Educational Leader and Coordinator here at the college.
A little bit of background about the MYP Programme
In November of 2019, MESC became an authorised IB World School for the MYP, where we were recognised as being able to offer the Middle Years Programme for Years 7-9. This was a considerable accomplishment made possible by the active roles played by the school’s educators, administrators, students and families. MESC joined the global community of schools committed to developing knowledgeable, caring young people who will be ready to negotiate their futures successfully and make contributions resulting in a more harmonious and peaceful world. MESC is only one of two state government schools who offer the MYP Programme in Victoria as well as ensuring that all of our students meet the full requirements of the Victorian Curriculum and Standards.
So what exactly is the IB?
“The IB (International Bacclaureate) is a non profit foundation, motivated by it’s mission to create a better world through education.”
The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.
To this end the organisation works with schools, governments and international organisations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate, and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.”
www.ibo.org
In 2024, we will be undertaking our review of the IB MYP programme which will involve a self-study and evaluation. Throughout this year and leading up to the review next year, school staff and students will be reflecting on our current practices and I will also be looking for feedback from families in this process. This will be a time to celebrate the successes of the programme and to also look for ways to improve. Please check Compass regularly for updates on this and how you can support this.
This term, I have been visiting many classrooms to talk with students about their learning and to see the work they are completing. The way students have settled into the start of the year has been wonderful. I was also lucky enough to attend both the Year 7 camp and the Year 8 City Cite Experience where students exhibited many Learner Profile attributes. Please check out some of the photos and reflections from some of our students here in the newsletter.
As part of their introduction to the MYP, students in Year 7 have been learning more during their Connect classes this term. As part of this, they created promotional posters of MESC. Please also check out some of these in our newsletter.
We are very proud of our Middle Years Programme here at MESC and actively encourage all of our students to be Happy, Smart, Prepared and active lifelong learners making a difference to the world around them.
If you have any questions regarding the MYP, please do not hesitate to contact myself or Celeste Lombardi (MYP Assistant Principal).
I wish you all a happy and safe Easter Break,
Kylie Russell
IB MYP Leader and Co-ordinator
