Friends embracing life
THE curriculum in Year 11 and 12 at The Friends’ School offers students a choice of studying for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, the Tasmanian Certificate of Education, or Vocational Education and Training programs.
Recently, 2017 graduate Caitlin Roberts successfully completed the IB Diploma program at The Friends’ School. Caitlin embraced all aspects of the IB program, particularly with her passion for science.
She undertook biology at higher level and chemistry at standard level achieving top scores in both, aided by her excellent research projects.
She combined her science projects and entered the Tasmanian Science Talent Search, coming second in the state in the science investigation category.
This qualified her to enter the BHP Billiton Foundation Science and Engineering Awards and she recently attended a science camp in Melbourne with the 26 other Australian finalists. Caitlin’s second place nationally in the investigation category for her project on the proteaseinhibiting effect of almonds, allows her to take her project global as a result of her invitation to the International Science and Engineering Fair in the US next month.
“The writing, research and critical thinking skills taught during the IB have assisted me enormously with my learning.’ Caitlin said. “The IB is not necessarily a program for an elite student as it is sometimes made out to be, however, it is a program designed for those that love to learn to thrive in, and it provides opportunities for those people to engage in a broad curriculum.”
Caitlin earned an IB score that would have seen her ATAR equivalent ranked in the top 100 pre-tertiary results in Tasmania. While the school appreciates the value of academic achievements through a strong culture of learning at Friends’, the focus is also to work in partnership with students, inspired by the school’s belief in the intrinsic worth of each person and its expectation that students will do their best.
The IB Diploma is a rigorous and academically challenging two-year program which involves the study of six subjects (three at higher level and three at standard level), giving breadth and depth in learning.
The course also requires that students participate in creativity, service and action; complete a course on the theory of knowledge (exploring the nature of knowledge in different subject areas); and write an extended essay.
This encourages among other things the development of inquiry skills, selfmanagement and openminded attitudes with a global perspective. For information about the IB or about being a student at The Friends’ School, phone 6210 2286 or send an email to enrol.office@friends.tas.edu.au