About AAIBS
The Association of Australasian IB Schools was established in the early 1990’s when the International Baccalaureate was relatively new to Australasia. The aim of the association when it began was to support Australasian schools in delivering the International Baccalaureate Programme in their schools and to provide a network of professional support, information and service. Today the association remains committed to this purpose. It’s goals are:
• To support the goals and objectives of the International Baccalaureate Office and the International Baccalaureate schools in Australasia.
• To provide support for the International Baccalaureate programme and for International Baccalaureate schools in Australasia.
• To facilitate communication among International Baccalaureate schools in Australasia.
• To liaise on behalf of AAIBS member schools with the Ministries of Education and with professional educational organizations in Australasia
• To act upon request or when deemed necessary so as to promote the recognition of the International Baccalaureate Diploma as a qualification for entry to universities in Australasia.
• To support the professional development programmes of the International Baccalaureate in particular those sponsored by the International Baccalaureate originating in member schools.
• To promote research into the benefits of the International Baccalaureate programme and examinations.
In the last year, the AAIBS Standing Committee finalised four main projects:
• Completed the incorporation process so that AAIBS is now a stand alone legal entity registered in NSW.
• Launching the AAIBS Development Fund. This Fund is designed to continue the mission of the IBO in Australasian schools by providing funding to successful applicants to assist with service activities.
• Finalising AAIBS certificates for PYP, MYP & DP students. Each year, Diploma schools run highly successful ceremonies in the February following the results release. These nights are organised by the respective state coordinators' groups and use AAIBS Merit and Distinction certificates as part of the recognition process. Now PYP and MYP certificates are available to member schools to help recognise achievement in these programmes.
• Updating the "Passage to Quality Education" DVD for the Diploma Programme and production planning for DVD's in the other programmes. These DVDs can help both new and existing programme schools with promotion and awareness-raising. The updated DP DVD is now available and will be sent to member schools.
AAIBS Conference
Each year a member school hosts a conference on behalf of the association. AAIBS would like to invite educational leaders and teachers to this year’s conference to be held from April 12-14 & will be hosted by Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College in North Sydney, NSW. We know that this will be a valuable experience for you & your staff. Monte Sant’ Angelo will be seeing their first cohort of Diploma students through next year, and they are also a Candidate school for the Middle Years Programme.
AAIBS Certificates for Students
AAIBS certificates are now available to member schools. The certificates are as follows:
Diploma Programme
• Certificate of Distinction for students who have gained a score of 40 or above.
• Certificate of Merit for students who have gained a score of 7 in one or more subjects.
• Certificate of outstanding Creativity, Action and Service. This is a new certificate to be presented within schools as they see fit for a small number of students whose CAS embodies the IBO mission statement ideal.
Middle Years Programme
There are now MYP Certificates for member schools to award.
• Certificate of Distinction for students who have gained an IB-moderated score of 50 or above
• Certificate of Merit for students who have gained an IB-moderated score of 7 in one or more subjects
• Certificate of outstanding Community and Service. This certificate is to be presented within schools as they see fit to a small number of students whose Community and Service is embodies the IBO mission statement ideal.
A print merge template is available to allow schools to easily add names from an excel or other data file as well as the name of the person who is to sign the certificate, and the date as well as other relevant information (e.g. subjects in which a student achieves a 7 for a Merit award). This feature enables easy production of a print merge file that may be used to print relevant data on these certificates through inkjet or laser printers.
Membership and contacting the Association
The AAIBS Standing Committee is committed, amongst other goals, to represent and support the various IB groups and networks across Australasia. There are now eight groups in Australasia, with three new ones in NZ, WA and Eastern seaboard MYP being investigated. It is important that these networks have a united voice in lobbying with Educational Authorities, Tertiary Admissions Centres, Universities and the IB, and AAIBS wants to support and coordinate these IB school networks.
AAIBS provides a web presence for member schools at www.aaibs.org and will extend this to local associations of member schools as part of the annual membership fee. Member schools should ensure their details on this site are up to date.
Annual membership fees are:
• Full membership for Authorised schools is $550.00 (GST inclusive)
• Associate Membership for recognised Implementing schools is $ 220.00 (GST inclusive)
• Partner Membership $150.00 (GST inclusive)
