Year 11 IB Subject Guide 2020

THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME In 2019, the College will offer, for the 20th year, the internationally benchmarked Senior Tertiary Entrance Qualification called the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Students at Somerset in Year 10 will elect to do one of two things:– (1) Study only the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) programme over Years 11 and 12, or (2) Study the IB Diploma Programme course over Years 11 and 12. In addition, these IB Diploma Programme students will also undertake a subject called the Theory of Knowledge, complete a research Extended Essay over the two years, and make a formal commitment to undertaking a sport/activity, a cultural creative activity and aspects of community service. This component of the IB Diploma Programme is called "Creativity, Action and Service" (CAS). The IB Diploma Programme is a challenging and diverse course and will provide students with a rich experience over Years 11 and 12. Whilst a student does not have to be exceptionally academic to undertake the IB Diploma Programme with success, it will be necessary to be organised, motivated and to have a very well developed work ethic. IB Schools: Somerset College is one of a selective group of schools in Queensland to offer the IB Diploma Programme yet there are over 71 IB Diploma schools in Australia, many of which are the leading academic schools in the country. In addition, Somerset is one of a handful of schools in Australia to offer the full IB from Junior Primary Years Programme to primary/secondary Middle Years Programme to Diploma Programme in senior school. Currently in the world, there are over 4,871 IB schools located in over 140 different countries. Assessment: In all but two subjects (Visual Art and Theatre), all IB Diploma Programme students will sit for external exams at the end of Year 12 in November. Exams for ab initio Italian take place in May of Year 12 . In most of the IB Diploma Programme subjects, these exams are weighted (60% to 70% of two senior year’s work) and are sat for by students across the world. The exams are criterion referenced and are not scaled. Information:

• Mr Stephen Walther is the College’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Coordinator.

• More information is available on the International Baccalaureate website: http://ibanswers.ibo.org

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