IB Schools top Melbourne’s most popular school zones

October 13, 2021
‘The premium that Melbourne home buyers are paying to get into sought-after school zones has skyrocketed over the past year, with new data showing house prices in 38 catchments have soared by more than 20 per cent – one by an astonishing 45.7 per cent.’ – Melissa Heagney, ‘How much does it cost to buy a house in Melbourne’s most popular School zones?’ , Domain, 23 September, 2021

In total, 7 of these top catchments, or 18.4%, of the high demand catchments are IB World Schools offering the IB Programmes. ‘This shows the desire by parents of the strength of the IB programmes and their unique academic rigour and their emphasis on students’ personal development’, explains Ashley Coats, Chair of IB Schools Australasia, the Association of IB World Schools in the region.

Kunyung Primary School, an IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme, topped the list with a Year on Year growth of 45.7% with Mount Eliza North Primary School, another IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme placed number 3.

While most parents know of the IB Diploma Programme, a senior secondary leaving qualification that is an alternative to the VCE/HSC/SACE/WACE, the IB Programmes actually span from the Primary Years Programme (3 – 12 year olds), Middle Years Programme (11 – 16 year olds) and The Diploma Programme (16-19 year olds) and Career-related Programme (16 – 19 year olds).

Throughout all the IB programmes, students develop approaches to learning skills and the attributes of the IB learner profile. The IB learner is positively challenged to think critically and to learn in a flexible environment crossing disciplinary, cultural and national boundaries. IB programmes also encourage students to be active in their communities and to take their learning beyond academic study.

‘The ever-increasing popularity of IB programmes across public, catholic and private sector schools in Victoria, is starting to influence family decision making regarding schools of choice. Victorian IB primary and secondary schools perform exceptionally well against both local and international standards, delivering outstanding teaching and learning, operating within strong IB professional networks, and collaborating with the broader global IB community. Local IB schools offer families a world class education, underpinned by high quality research, professional learning, evaluation processes, standards and practices.’ explains Steven Wishart, IB Worlds Schools Australasia Relationship Manager, IB World Schools.

Primary Years Programme (3-12 year olds):

In addition to Kunyung Primary School taking out the number 1 spot and Mount Eliza North Primary School placed in number 3, Surrey Hills Primary School (#10), Glenroy West Primary School (#30 ), McKinnon Primary School (#32) were also included in the top catchments for Primary Schools.

Glenroy West Primary School, also a member school of IB Schools Australasia, is the only government school in Moreland exclusively offering the IB Primary Years Programme. Pamela Streete, Principal at Glenroy West Primary and Lisa Brandecker, PYP coordinator said 'Prospective parents are very interested in what the PYP has to offer in terms of the inquiry model and our excellent academic results in literacy and numeracy.'  The school is undergoing a rebuild of all facilities, which will complement the IB philosophy and practice.

Glenroy West also has an onsite kindergarten, York St Kindergarten.  The Kindergarten is is in the beginning stages of offering the PYP.  The school is undergoing a rebuild of all facilities, which will complement the IB philosophy and practice.

39 state schools in Victoria are currently authorised to deliver IB Primary Years Programme with a further 27 independent and catholic schools offer the PYP programme in Victoria: ‘Victoria is the largest and strongest cohort of Primary Schools in the Australasian region with the largest number of Government PYP schools in Australasia. Each year we are seeing more Victorian Government Schools become authorised in the IB Primary Years Programme as the popularity increases and the evidence of benefits of the Primary Years Programme are spread between schools’ said Ashley Coats, Chair of IB Schools Australasia.

Middle Years Programme (11 -16 year olds):

Mount Eliza Secondary College (#16) is the only government school in Victoria to offer the Middle Years Programme and one of only 9 schools in Victoria to offer the Middle Years Programme.

The MYP is specifically designed for students aged 11-16, and uses an inquiry-based approach to learning to engage students’ personal intellects, rather than a more traditional ‘chalk and talk’ teacher-centred approach. 

‘Middle school can be a tricky time for many young people, and the MYP’s emphasis on critical thinking and transferring their learning to real world contexts and situations resonates well with students in this age group’ explains MYP educator and Standing Committee Member of IB Schools Australasia, Natalie Kunst.

Diploma Programme (16-19 year olds):

Coming in 22nd on the list of catchments, Werribee Secondary College offers the IB Diploma Programme.

There are currently four state schools in Victoria that offer the IB Diploma Programme: Albert Park College, Brighton Secondary College, The Mac. Robertson Girls’ High School and Werribee Secondary College.

Two further state schools in Victoria, Auburn High School and Suzanne Cory High School are currently undertaking the candidacy phase and are associate member schools of IB Schools Australasia. 

Dr Judy Rutter, DP Educator and examiner explains: ‘The Diploma Programme is able to give students a broad set of skills to take forwards to tertiary education. Not only do they learn subjects in depth, but self-management and thinking skills are developed throughout the 2-year programme.’  

The IB Diploma Programme is particularly sought out by students wishing to study overseas after their graduation from High School as the IB Diploma Programme is widely recognised by universities around the world.  As with the VCE, the Diploma Programme assessment is managed externally, however for the IB this is through a world-wide network of education experts, who understand the needs of the global economies for young people with a broad education. Subject content is in constant review, to keep students up-to-date with 21st century skills.

The other benefit, for IB students is their real-world envolvement in their communities.  'When visiting a range of IB Diploma Schools, it is note-worthy that they are all involved in their communities, analysing various real world issues and focussed on learning how they can contribute to the society when they leave school.' explains Judy Rutter.  CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service), similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award, provides students with a real world application for their interests and ensures their studies are not just about achieveing a final grade, but also improving their own communities. 

Benefits of an IB Continuum:

Within Australasia there are IB World Schools in all states and territories of Australia as well as in New Zealand.  Within Australia there are 208 schools that offer one or more of the IB Programmes. New Zealand has an additional 27 Schools offering one of more of the IB programmes. These programmes are designed as a continuum with The IB Diploma Programme and the Career-related programme offering alternative pathways to tertiary courses or onto the workforce. Currently there are only three schools in Australasia offering the Career-related programme: Hunter Valley Grammar School (NSW), Queensland Academies Creative Industries Campus (QLD) and Treetops Montessori School (WA).

While state schools in Victoria are often divided into primary and secondary schools, for those non-government schools offering Prep-Year 12, there is the opportunity to become a Continuum school (a school that offers at least three programmes).  Victoria has three continuum schools: Australian International Academy of Education, Preshil and Wesley College.

Continuum schools have benefits for both students and educators.  Natalie Kunst, a MYP educator employed at Preshil explains: ‘For the past 20 years, I have chosen only to teach in IB continuum schools (schools that offer at least 3 of the IB programmes). The 4 IB programmes have been designed and developed to complement each other and to address the distinct needs of students at different stages of their education. These schools provide a continuum of education, that are united by the IB's philosophy and approaches. Working in a continuum school means we can really focus on the IB programmes.’  For many years, I have observed distinct differences in Year 7 students who enter the MYP from PYP schools and non-PYP schools. PYP students are able to jump right into the MYP, and build on the skills and knowledge they have acquired in the PYP. Similarly, the Personal Project that students complete in the final year of the MYP, really helps them develop the inquiry, self-management and organisational skills needed for success in the IB Diploma.' 

About IB Schools Australasia:

IB Schools Australasia is the association for IB World Schools in Australia and New Zealand and we support both IB World Schools (those Authorised to deliver the IB programmes) as well as those schools going through the candidacy process. Since our inception as an association of IB World Schools in 1989, the growth and popularity of the IB Programmes has seen continual growth. We are currently seeing a growth in the number of member schools as well as the authorisation of Candidate schools.

Data originally published:

Heagney, M. (23/9/2021) ‘How much does it cost to buy a house in Melbourne’s most popular School zones?’ , Domain https://www.domain.com.au/news/how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-a-house-in-melbournes-most-popular-school-zones-1089797/?utm_campaign=strap-masthead&utm_source=the-age&utm_medium=link&utm_content=pos1&ref=pos1

 

School zone house price moves above 20 per cent – Melbourne
School zone Median July 2021 YoY
Kunyung Primary School $1,930,000 45.70%
Richmond Primary School $1,842,500 39.60%
Mount Eliza North Primary School $1,650,000 37.50%
Heidelberg Primary School $1,510,000 36.70%
Valkstone Primary School $1,726,000 35.40%
Eastbourne Primary School $660,000 33.30%
Diamond Valley College $990,000 33.20%
Glen Waverley Primary School $1,881,944 33.00%
Sorrento Primary School $1,620,000 32.20%
Surrey Hills Primary School $2,040,000 29.90%
Pakenham Lakeside Primary School $626,500 29.20%
Dromana Primary School $875,000 27.70%
Clayton South Primary School $978,100 26.90%
Williamstown North Primary School $1,525,000 26.80%
Mount Martha Primary School $1,255,000 26.50%
Mount Eliza Secondary College $1,453,000 26.30%
Preston Primary School $1,100,000 25.70%
Cheltenham Primary School $1,196,000 25.60%
St Helena Secondary College $1,077,500 25.50%
Edgars Creek Secondary College $595,000 25.30%
Derinya Primary School $1,100,000 25.00%
Werribee Secondary College $587,000 24.90%
Aldercourt Primary School $565,000 23.60%
Beaumaris Primary School $1,870,000 23.60%
Caulfield Junior College $2,462,500 23.10%
Malvern Valley Primary School $1,226,250 23.10%
Mount Erin Secondary College $787,500 23.00%
Craigieburn Secondary College $615,000 22.90%
Cranbourne East Secondary College $600,000 22.70%
Glenroy West Primary School $797,500 22.70%
Chelsea Heights Primary School $922,000 21.90%
Mckinnon Primary School $1,647,000 21.80%
Kingsley Park Primary School $766,500 21.70%
Beaumaris Secondary College $1,765,000 21.70%
Melton South Primary School $480,000 21.50%
Moonee Ponds West Primary School $1,457,500 21.50%
Manorvale Primary School $525,000 20.80%
Wilandra Rise Primary School $592,700 20.70%
Ripponlea Primary School $2,140,000 20.60%


Data provided by domain