Putting the Value in Evaluation
October 29, 2020The International Baccalaureate (Middle Years Programme) or IB MYP for short, has been operating since 1994, with more than 5,000 IB World Schools following the program. So it’s no surprise that being part of such a globally renowned learning program takes merit and determination to be a part of. Something Oakleigh Grammar knows very well, as they recently took part in The IB MYP five year evaluation, a carefully planned reaccreditation process that takes up to 12 months to prepare the required documentation, before the visiting team arrive at the School to spend approximately two and a half days visiting lessons, speaking to staff, the executive team, parents, students and Board members.
MYP Coordinator: Melissa Fitzgerald
This year, Oakleigh Grammar was one of the first schools in the Southern Hemisphere to experience a ‘remote’ evaluation in June, due to COVID-19. It was an intensive three-day experience with an IB team based in New Zealand and Bangladesh that involved time zone differences, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and a number of other online platforms.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) emphasises intellectual challenge. It encourages students aged 11 to 16 to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life. Meaning that students are not only prepared for academic success, but have the holistic training to apply these teachings in everyday settings, something Oakleigh Grammar is very proud to be a part of.
Oakleigh Grammar IB Coordinator, Melissa Fitzgerald, has said, “I’m passionate about the MYP as it is student centred and has a unique approach to teaching and learning that is relevant for a global society. Supporting Oakleigh Grammar through the evaluation process has been a privilege. From this point we need to build on our success with creativity, with the IB Mission Statement to nurture knowledgeable young people to be caring members of a global community, at the centre of our teaching and learning philosophy.”
The 5 year confirmation of the IB MYP programme at Oakleigh Grammar is sure to bring a continuation of exceptional learning outcomes for the students, but also marks the opportunity for further growth and maturation at Oakleigh Grammar, which can only mean bigger and better things for the program at the School.