Island School Chinese Website
IB Core Requirements Year 12
The Year 12 IB Diploma students are now moving into the time of year when Internal Assessments and the IB Core requirements begin to dominate their time. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you of what the core requirements are and what will be coming up for the students.
There are three aspects of the IB Core that have to be satisfied for students to be awarded the full IB Diploma. CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) is an ongoing programme that the students are already contributing to. If you want more information on this please see the school CAS website.
The other two areas are the Extended Essay (EE) and the Theory of Knowledge (TOK). Students will receive a grade in each of those two areas from ‘A’ to ‘E’ and this then combines to create core points out of 3.
As a reminder the points matrix for the Core is as follows:
http://island.edu.hk/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Core-Points-Grid.jpg
Students need to get at least a grade ‘D’ in both the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge (TOK) to be awarded the IB Diploma.
The Extended Essay
The EE is 4000 word independent research based piece of academic writing. The process will begin on the 7th March and will run until the final deadline on October 25th 2017. The EE is either based on one of the subject disciplines that a student takes or it can be an interdisciplinary World Studies essay. Students will be assigned a teacher supervisor who will help guide them through the process. Supervisors are allocated on a subject basis with each teacher taking up to 3 students. Students are asked to make three choices of subject areas and in most cases students do get their first or second choice.
Theory of Knowledge
There are two parts to the TOK assessment. The first one is the Presentation which will take place on June 19th and 20th this year. Students will then complete their TOK Essay in Year 13 with a final hand in date just after the Chinese New Year holiday.
If you have any questions about the IB Core requirements I would advise you to channel them through your son/daughter where possible. The more they take ownership of the process the better and they will be given access to all of the information needed.
Year 13 Key Dates and Information
Matt Rappel
Key Dates for Year 12 Students 2016
Dear Parents
There are a number of key events coming up for the Year 12 students. On top of the general dates listed below students may well have Internal Assessments for their IB subjects and end of unit deadlines for BTEC course work. It is a busy time of year for them and it is essential that they are all as organised as possible. It is also important that they look after their own wellbeing in this time. They should try to find time to exercise, sleep properly and work smartly.
23-27 May – Assessment week for Year 12 students – Students will follow the timetable as given to them by the examination office
8 and 10 June – Year 12 Tutor for Learning – Appointments will be made for students and their parents closer to the time
14 and 15 June – TOK Presentations
19 August – Extended Essay First Draft Deadline
Predicted Grades
The Predicted Grades for IB and BTEC courses will be generated over the next few months. Teachers will come up with a provisional predicted grade in early June in time for the Tutor for Learning Sessions. These grades are then finalised on the 5th October in Year 13.
For information on how Predicted Grades are made please go to the HE website here.
We understand the importance of predicted grades for their next step in education. We have many years of experience and we have a reputation for getting them right which is trusted by universities and colleges all round the world. We realise the dangers of predicting too low which may give less of an impression of our students than they deserve, so we always tend to give the benefit of any doubt. We also realise the dangers of predicting too high. This can easily end up with them being required to achieve a grade that is realistically beyond their performance. This can seriously damage their hopes of getting in to the university they want to, or create a bad impression if they arrive at a college having underperformed in their eyes.
Kind Regards
Matt Rappel
Vice Principal
Exam Timetable and Y11 Sign Off/Study Leave
IB-GCSE-IGCSE Exam Timetable – May & June 2016 (Access Arrangement)
GCSE-IGCSE Exam Timetable – May & June 2016 (Final)
Applied Learning Pathway Exhibition 23rd Feb
Dear Students, Parents and Guardians of Island School Applied Learners
You are cordially invited to attend the Applied Learning Pathway Exhibition Tuesday February 23rd 6pm – 8pm, Island School.
Our Y13 Applied Learners will be showing their Extended Project artefacts and will be on hand to explain them to you, with the Y12 Applied Learners on hand to discuss their Extended Projects that they are developing.
The BTEC Performing Arts students will be performing ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ from the script developed by Frantic Assemblies based on the book by the same title. TV/Film students will be showcasing some of the techniques they have been developing. The BTEC Business classes will have their products that they have developed and sold on display. Examples of best practice in BTEC Sports projects will be on view.
It will also be an opportunity to meet the staff in a less formal situation. Drinks and canapés will be available. It is an occasion to celebrate our students’ endeavours.
Please respond using the attached E-Form to indicate you attendance.
Regards
Roger Wilkinson
ALP coordinator
Island School Parent Portal 
