A Message to Parents of Students Planning to do the IB Diploma Programme
The IB Diploma is, in my view, a very rich, balanced and rigorous programme. In NSW, only a few hundred have the privilege to enrol in such a programme. You have to be enrolled in the score or so Independent schools offering such a programme. But the programme is also a very demanding one. From my years of tutoring IB maths, one thing that strikes me is the stress most of the students experience - there is so much to do, and there simply isn't enough time. Besides the heavy extra-curricular activities just add to the pressure. I could only watch helplessly.
But there is a way around this problem. Do some of the coursework in Year 10. Trinity Grammar is one school that does this - it commences the programme in the last term of Year 10. In my view that is smart. If you ask your school about this, they may not agree with me. But just ask your son or daughter to talk to those currently doing the programme; ask about their experience and for their honest view.
If you can cover 10 to 25% of the IB Maths, in Year 10, that would be a tremendous help later on. From my experience, most students begin Year 11 less than adequately prepared. Also, typically a school with about 15 students opting for Maths HL, end up with 2 or 3 finishing the course. The rest would have dropped to Maths SL or Maths Studies SL.
I'd be happy to talk to any parent wanting my advice. Just call me on: 0490 - 780 347.
The IB Diploma is, in my view, a very rich, balanced and rigorous programme. In NSW, only a few hundred have the privilege to enrol in such a programme. You have to be enrolled in the score or so Independent schools offering such a programme. But the programme is also a very demanding one. From my years of tutoring IB maths, one thing that strikes me is the stress most of the students experience - there is so much to do, and there simply isn't enough time. Besides the heavy extra-curricular activities just add to the pressure. I could only watch helplessly.
But there is a way around this problem. Do some of the coursework in Year 10. Trinity Grammar is one school that does this - it commences the programme in the last term of Year 10. In my view that is smart. If you ask your school about this, they may not agree with me. But just ask your son or daughter to talk to those currently doing the programme; ask about their experience and for their honest view.
If you can cover 10 to 25% of the IB Maths, in Year 10, that would be a tremendous help later on. From my experience, most students begin Year 11 less than adequately prepared. Also, typically a school with about 15 students opting for Maths HL, end up with 2 or 3 finishing the course. The rest would have dropped to Maths SL or Maths Studies SL.
I'd be happy to talk to any parent wanting my advice. Just call me on: 0490 - 780 347.
Last edited: