Grade 12: TOK essays are nearing completion and ready to send to the IBO Extended Essays are already completed and sent. January 15th was the date the IBO portal for electronic coursework opened. Over the coming weeks your children will be involved in uploading and verifying a number of pieces of work between now and April, dependent upon the subjects they are studying. The first of these assignments to be electronically sent to the IBO are the extended essay and Theory of Knowledge essay. Students have been issued with secure login details in order to access the site.
It is also important for you to know that the login details are the ones which students will use on July 6th to access their final IB Diploma results. Please encourage them to keep the details safe and also make an electronic copy.
As you may already know, the mock exams are fast approaching. We will carry these out during Week Without Walls (February 24th - 28th). The schedule represents an excellent opportunity for students to complete high stakes assessment and receive feedback in time for the final revision period before the official IBO examinations in May.
Grade 11: Grade 11 are now fully engaged in the IB Diploma Program and are in the midst of being formally introduced to the Extended Essay work. Sessions have been organized by Mr. Cartlidge to help students begin to formalize the subject area, topic and research question. In addition, all Grade 11 students have completed their first formal CAS interview. Three of these interviews will take place during the course of the IB Diploma course and the first one allowed students to reflect on what they have already learned from CAS as well as to plan what comes next. We have insisted that all students should have at least 25 reflections completed across up to 8 different experiences by spring break. Students who have not managed to plan their time will be the first to be given guidance and support through the advisory processes.
Grade 10: Students ended the month of December by completing their choices for IB Diploma courses for next academic year. The intention is for us to construct the schedule as soon as possible so that all Grade 10 students leave in June with their Grade 11 schedule in hand. If you already know that your family will not be in Dakar next year, please communicate this information to us as soon as you know to facilitate our communication with other schools as required. As always we encourage you to call in to school at any time with questions and or concerns related to the IB Diploma Program and all things academic here at ISD.
Mr. Paul Lennon
High School Assistant Principal & IB Diploma Coordinator