On Saturday, it was our pleasure to host the New Zealand International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Top Scholars Award Ceremony in the Chapel of Saint Kentigern. The ceremony recognises students from across New Zealand who score 40+ for the Diploma. 

To achieve the title of IB Top Scholar, graduates must achieve a score of at least 40 points out of a possible 45 from their final examinations.  This feat is achieved by around 8% of IB students worldwide.  

It was a thrill to have six of our 2018 IB Graduates recognised for their outstanding achievement: Andrew Chen (45 points), Yunfan Yu (42 points), Liam Scott-Russell (41 points), George Wu (41 points), Akshay Mor (40 points) and Desmond Yong (40 Points).
(Please see below for an explanation of the point system.)

This year, five students in New Zealand achieved 45 points and we are proud that Andrew Chen’s perfect score places him amongst the top 0.2% of all IB Diploma students worldwide! 

At the Awards Ceremony, the Scholars and the Official Party were piped into the Chapel by Fayth Doherty, before Senior College Principal, Mrs Suzanne Winthrop warmly welcomed the guests representing IB schools from around the country. 

Current Year 13 IB student Venice Qin, known for her exceptional voice, opened with an item backed by Head of Middle College Music, Mr Oliver Gilmour. 

We were privileged that Old Collegian, Chris Luxon, CEO Air New Zealand, made time in his busy schedule to present the Awards. In honouring the students, Mr Luxon, encouraged them to celebrate and recognise their achievements to date. He urged them to reflect on their success and to thank those who had helped them succeed. He said that New Zealand needs ‘people with big brains’ and described the’ 4 Cs’ that the students should aim develop: Curiosity, Conflict management and resolution, Communication skills and Character. 

David Boardman, Chair of the NZ IB Heads’ Association, promoted the global recognition of the IB Diploma as a qualification that provides students with an excellent level of subject knowledge but, importantly, encourages students’ growth as young global citizens.  In the 51 years since the qualification was first offered, it has spread to over 5000 schools, across more than 150 countries.  In New Zealand, 13 schools offer the IB Diploma Programme, representing State, Integrated, Independent, Single Sex and Co-educational schools across all of the main centres of New Zealand. 

The keynote address was given by Georgina Campbell, an IB Diploma graduate of Queen Margaret College, now a Journalist for Newstalk ZB and the New Zealand Herald. She stressed the importance of striving to find her passion, in her case, a career in the fourth estate.  She backed this up with reference to many of the IB Learner Profile characteristics.  Being a good communicator, open-minded and an inquirer assisted her through her degree and to get a job in the media.  However, she said, being a risk taker has brought many experiences that Georgina might not otherwise have had.  Georgina encouraged the IB Top Scholars to be life-long learners and to continue to develop the IB learner profile characteristics. 

Click here to read more about the IB Learner Profile Characteristics.

Our Congratulations to Andrew, Yunfan, George, Liam, Desmond and Akshay on their fantastic achievement and we wish them well as they enter tertiary study.  Andrew has already secured a place at Oxford University. Two are also pursuing university placement overseas whilst the remaining three will take up offers from Auckland University.  

To learn more about the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) click here. 

EXPLANATION OF THE IB DIPLOMA POINTS
The point scale used for IB subjects is 1 (poor) to 7 (best).  Students take six subjects = 42 points. A further 3 additional points* are available based on individual performance in the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge. Therefore, the maximum available score is 45.

HL = Higher Level SL = Standard Level

Three subjects are studied in depth at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL). Students decide which subjects they will study at Higher Level at the end of the second term in Year 12.

*Additional points: A maximum of 3 extra points can be gained for successful completion of the Theory of Knowledge course and the Extended Essay but to be eligible for the diploma, students must also meet the requirements of Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS).

Tags

• Senior College,
• IB Awards,
• Academic

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