IB Middle Years Programme

Between 20–23 March I had the privilege of attending the IB Global Conference in Singapore, where this year’s theme — Our Humanity, Connected — celebrated the vital role schools play in nurturing compassionate, capable young people. It was inspiring to connect with IB educators and school leaders from across the Asia‑Pacific region and to see that many of Oakleigh Grammar’s own initiatives mirror the world’s best practice in character education and holistic learning (think Round Square and our commitment to student agency and character education).

A standout session was delivered by Professor Sandra Milligan (University of Melbourne), whose call to “produce first‑class humans, not second‑class computers” perfectly reflects our school values. Professor Milligan highlighted groundbreaking work in developing new metrics that move beyond traditional grades to assess the complex competencies — collaboration, self‑regulation, critical thinking and ethical action — that truly prepare students to thrive in an interconnected world. These competencies mirror the MYP’s holistic approach to learning: our Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills (communication, social, self‑management, research and thinking) and the IB Learner Profile attributes (such as principled, reflective and open‑minded). This alignment demonstrates how Oakleigh Grammar’s focus on nurturing well‑rounded, capable learners ensures our students develop the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed for success beyond the classroom.

Guang Wu

IB MYP Coordinator