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australianinternationalschool · 1 year

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Catching up with our recent International Baccalaureate Graduates

After studying the rigorous 2 year IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme) we catch up with our recent 2022 graduates. They share details about their experience at AIS and their plans for the future.

AIS 2022 IB Graduates

Bastien Buwalda

Bastien studied triple science IB diploma and achieved top marks of 45/45 points. Bastien shares how important his teachers were to his academic journey “Throughout the entirety of my AIS experience, most of the teachers I had were incredibly supportive of my academic journey and school career – a very large thank you in particular to Mr Gardner, Mr Midgely, Ms Zwanniken, Dr Martindill, Mr Griffiths, Ms Torres and Mr Van Wijk (who is now sadly teaching elsewhere) for making those last two years some of the best of my time at AIS.

Bastien was involved in many different programs at the school “At the start of my journey at AIS, I thoroughly enjoyed my involvement in the many music initiatives. I was a very young member of the AIS soul band, performed at ICE and was able to share my passion for music with like minded peers. At the same time, the MUN program was at its peak, a truly student driven program (at the time led by previous Head Girl/Head Boy, Amelia Woodward and Dylan Alexander) where we could learn and experiment with organisational and leadership skills; it was an incredible experience.”

Bastien is currently studying Clinical Science Student at Macquarie University.

Shihan Yu

Shihan joined the school in 2019 (year 9), she enrolled in the EAL programme (English as an Additional Language) for approximately 1 year before she successfully transitioned to the mainstream. She shares with us the challenges she faced “I have attended AIS since the end of 2019. The thing that I liked most about AIS was the comfortable studying atmosphere and many multicultural activities that let me fully enjoy my school life. My favourite subject was economics, and even though I’m not particularly good at it, I’m fascinated by how it interacts with society, and how the way of thinking is quite different. My favourite teacher is our head of Year 12, Mr Midgley, who is also my chemistry teacher. He is a very nice and humorous teacher, and his classes are always quite funny.”

Shihan graduated with 43 points and is applying for NUS and NTU. After her studies, she looks forward to travelling.

Luana Meyer Accioli de Vasconcellos Luana was at the school since 2020 and recently graduated achieving the highest mark of 45/45 in IB. Luana shared what her IB experience was like “Two years ago I left my high school in Brazil and went straight into IB at AIS. At that time I didn’t understand what IB was and as I started the course, I realized that to maintain my high academic standards I would have to work hard. And that’s what I did. I gave my best every day to overcome the challenges of a new language and country, which didn’t come without anxiety. Fortunately, I met some special people at AIS that made my IB journey more enjoyable; such as Mr Semaan, with whom I found support; and Miss Hlawatsch and Miss Torres, with whom I found kindness and warmth. But truly, I am grateful for everyone involved in the past two years because the number of things that I learned about myself and the world is beyond measure.”

What is the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)?

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a rigorous educational programme established, in 1968 in Geneva, and is one of the secondary school’s major offerings for Years 11 and 12 (ages 16 to 19).

IB DP students study six subjects (three at a higher level, and three at the standard level) and are assessed continuously for the duration of the programme. In addition to the 6 subjects, students are also expected to complete a course referred to as Theory Of Knowledge (TOK), create an Extended Essary (EE) and also engage in Creativity, Action and Service (CAS). An IB education builds critical thinking, communication skills and problem-solving within a context of international mindedness.

Do Universities accept IB students?

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is accepted by the vast majority of the world’s leading universities and colleges. It is an alternative to HSC and GCE A level curriculum, and in Singapore is it the most common curriculum for global citizens.

How does IB prepare students for University?

The IB prepares students for University in a variety of ways. Students are required to write a 4,000-word assignment called the Extended Essay (EE) that demands intensive research on a topic of their choice. IB students meet or exceed standards for critical thinking and research skills required for university study.

The IB also help students develop time management skills that are required to study effectively. The framework focuses on comprehension rather than memory. The examinations ask you to explain something, not how it occurred. Students need to explain the rationale, rather than merely provide a summary. This is a similar framework to how students study at University.

Learn More About the International Baccalaureate

Give your child the opportunity to exceed in their education and become a global student. Learn more about the Australian International School IB programme by calling 6517 0247 or contact us here.

https://www.ais.com.sg/catching-up-recent-international-baccalaureate-graduates/

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australianinternationalschool · 2 years

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What is it like to begin Elementary School at AIS?

Celebrating 100 Days in Prep What is it like to begin Elementary School at AIS?

Celebrating the first 100 days of Elementary School is an exciting and momentous occasion at AIS. The entire Prep cohort counts the days until they reach this milestone, dressing up and engaging in a range of activities that are connected to the number 100.

But there is so much more to celebrate and recognise in the lead up to this day!

Transition is the vital first step towards starting Prep at AIS. Our teachers begin to connect with their incoming students for the next year from early in Semester 2. Establishing relationships and a sense of connection is incredibly important to foster a sense of belonging, curiosity and safety. This might involve the Prep teachers visiting our P4 friends in the Early Learning Village, inviting them to visit Prep tor read together, or meeting with families. Handover conversations between staff also allow teachers to begin the year with a strong understanding of the needs and interests of their new class.

In Semester 1, the focus is on establishing routines and relationships. Developing self management skills is a significant and important shift, with students taking responsibility for a variety of things from managing their own belongings to considering their mindset and how they get along with others.

Learning is at the forefront of all experiences, with a multitude of opportunities for explicit instruction and learning along the way through inquiry. Perhaps this is best explained through an analogy.

Imagine you enter an incredible garden. There is so much to see, smell, hear, taste, feel and think! You begin with curiosity and excitement, dying to explore this incredible area. Your guide leads you to certain areas to observe and explore, taking you ever deeper. After a time, you notice particular things about this environment, such as plants and animals and you start to ask questions. This is the perfect time for your guide to sit you down and explicitly tell you about these things.

Teaching and learning is like this garden experience, particularly in Prep. We need a balance of open-ended learning opportunities to build curiosity and develop questions along with explicit instruction, practice and application of early literacy and numeracy skills. Along the way, students learn to apply the Learner Profile attributes: caring, reflective, open minded, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded.

Photo: The students count down the days in anticipation of their 100th day of school. When they finally reach the milestone they celebrate the occasion as a whole year with a range of activities that connect to the number 100.

But What’s Next for Our Elementary School Students?

The second semester of Prep marks the shift towards greater independence and the journey towards Year 1. As they prepare for this transition, the students enjoy being role models and sharing their expertise with the incoming Prep students. The cycle begins again, as they also have the opportunity to play in the Lower Elementary playground and visit the Year 1 teachers and classrooms.

“One of my favourite parts of the year as an educator, is facilitating and observing the growth of students in their first year of school. There are so many milestones, such as learning to read and count, developing important lifelong skills such as thinking, research, communication, self management and social skills as well as developing confidence and independence within themselves. There is nothing else quite like this special time!”

Tips and Tricks for the first 100 Days of School

Explore the alphabet and numbers in real life

Read regularly with your child – make it an enjoyable, special time together

Encourage independent dressing

Practise packing and unpacking their school bag

Practise tying shoelaces or consider velcro fasteners to start

Talk about the difference between munch and crunch, lunch and recess foods

Ensure your child can easily open and access their food containers

Take on jobs at home e.g. setting the table

Positive conversations about the year ahead

Talk about new routines as the time approaches

Our aim is to make the beginning of Prep a positive, welcoming experience where you and your child have the opportunity to build relationships with both classmates, other students and teachers. We are excited to share the journey ahead with you!

Book a tour today

If your looking for a change or your child is about to start Elementary school, booking an on-site tour is a great way to experience the Australian International School campus. Feel free to contact us at [email protected] or call 6517 0247.

https://www.ais.com.sg/elementary-school-at-ais/

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