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October 2014 In this issueLooking Ahead: 2014-15• PYP, MYP and DP: A bit more about

the IB• School Trips: Team Building and

Collaboration• Construction Plans for 2014-15• Secondary Student Council 2014-15• In Pictures: IST Biathlon 2014

PYP, MYP AND DP: A BIT MORE ABOUT THE IBOn the evening of October 9th (7pm, Secondary Campus), IST’s own Leah Bortolin (PYP Coordinator), Shane Rumbold (MYP Coordinator) and John Kernis (DP Coordinator) will conduct a workshop for all parents on the IB continuum. The IB continuum means looking at the International Baccalaureate programmes in their entirety, from the PYP to the MYP to the DP, and how each programme prepares students for the next step.

In advance of that workshop, we’d like to provide some background information about the IB and its origins.

The International Baccalaureate in Brief

The International Baccalaureate began in 1968 with a programme designed to provide a university preparatory curriculum that was suitable for internationally mobile families. The programme was developed by a group of teachers at the International School of Geneva with assistance from other international schools as well.

Interestingly, one of the IB visionaries at that time, Mr. Desmond Cole-Baker, was also a visiting consultant to IST in

our school’s early days (1963). The original programme was the Diploma Programme and the first DP exams were trialed at seven schools around the world:

• United World College of the Atlantic, Wales, United Kingdom

• International School of Geneva, Switzerland

• United Nations International School (UNIS), New York, US

• International College, Beirut, Lebanon

• Copenhagen International School, Denmark

• Iranzamin International School, Teheran, Iran

• North Manchester High School for Girls, United Kingdom

For some of us in today’s world, imaging the world in the late 1960’s is difficult. Concepts such as the global economy and international mindedness were not as easy to grasp as what we witness today. The goal of the Diploma Programme was to provide a course of study that would provide students with a genuine appreciation and understanding of other cultures, their languages and their perspectives on issues that affect us all.

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With time, the IBO went on to introduce the MYP followed by the PYP to complete the continuum.

PYP MYP DP

year established by the IB

1997 1994 1968

year introduced at IST 1999 1998 1983

The goal of the IB continuum is best summarized by the mission statement from the IBO:

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

While today in the IST environment the above mission statement may not seem remarkable, it is indeed an ambitious and distinctly different goal than that stated by the entities that determine the national curriculum from our home countries. Many of these entities include in their mission statements a focus on training a workforce, providing education for all, setting the foundation for college success and/or ensuring consistency amongst the schools in the constituency. While all of these are certainly worthwhile endeavours, these goals don’t ask for the national programmes to go beyond preparing people to be employed or to go to college. Taken in that light, it is easier to appreciate the forward looking goals of the IBO mission statement which calls for young people to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

Programme Review Cycle

Last year, IST successfully completed the process of re-accreditation through the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA). Accreditation through CIS and MSA is important to IST because it helps others, such as universities and future employers, understand that IST adheres to defined standards which are recognized by many organizations around world (see http://www.istafrica.com/accreditation for more information).

Similarly, the IBO maintains a set of standards and practices which serve to provide both the school and the IBO with criteria to measure success in implementing the three IB programmes. While the CIS/MSA cycle is ten years long, the IBO review cycle is five years. Preparations are underway now for an evaluation visit in November 2015 for reaccreditation from the IB regarding IST’s implementation of the PYP and the MYP. The review of IST’s implementation of the DP took place in October 2011.

The IB Continuum Workshop for Parents

To learn more about the IB programmes at IST, please mark your calendars and plan to attend this workshop being conducted by IST’s IB Coordinators.

Thursday, October 9th

7 - 8 pm

Secondary Campus, Room B4Also, don’t forget to watch the talk by Sir Ken Robinson on Do schools kill creativity? We are looking forward to seeing you at the workshop!

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Many of us have heard of the concept in education referred to as 21st century skills. Twenty-first century skills means those skills and abilities that our children will need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. While the exact definition of the phrase may have slight variations depending on the culture and context, educationalists generally take the meaning of the term to be demonstrating competency in critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication, collaboration, information literacy, and life skills (see Teaching and assessing 21st century skills from Cambridge Assessment).

IST’s school trips are designed to help our students develop their 21st century skills as well as help them make connections between the curricular content presented in the classroom and the outside world.

The school trips planned for 2014-15 are:

Grade 4 - BagamoyoGrade 4 students traveled overnight to Bagamoyo in early September with the their class. This is an annual trip for Grade 4 and serves to bridge two of the Grade 4 units of inquiry: How We Organize Ourselves and Who We Are. The students focused on the resources of Bagamoyo that encouraged trade and settlement in Tanzania. In addition, the students looked at the slave trade in the history of Tanzania and used that as a springboard to discuss human rights.

Grade 5 - Mikumi National ParkIn mid-September, Grade 5 students traveled with their classmates to stay in Mikumi National Park. During the trip, the students visited Mikumi Village School where they took part in activities with the students there. They also spent a day in Udzungwa National Park which is one of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots. The trip is integral to their unit of inquiry "Sharing the Planet” which looks at borders and the consequences they place on the communities they serve.

These annual trips for Grades 4 and 5 represent milestones in a number of ways. For some students, it is their first trip away from home and a

big step towards independence. For most students, these trips also require them to consider questions that are difficult and have complex answers. For all, it is a wonderful opportunity to have fun together as members of their classroom community.

Grade 6 Beach Day and Grades

7-10 PAMOJA Beach Days

The Beach Day outing is one of the first school trips held in the new school year for most Secondary students. This year, the Beach Days were held from August 22nd to 29th. The purpose of Beach Days is to allow students and teachers to get to know each other in a fun setting that encourages team building and collaboration throughout the year. In addition, Grades 7-10 pay special attention to the meaning of the Pamoja Way which is a shared values statement using language that is accessible to all students and teachers. The Pamoja Way was adopted by the Secondary Campus Student Council during the 2011-2012 school year.

Grade 11 IBDP Induction As part of their introduction to the International Baccalaureate programme, all Grade 11 / DP1 students were involved in a three day retreat held off campus in late August. The trip focused on the core of the Diploma and the students’ adjustment to the programme. In line with the school’s aim to develop excellence in our students through challenge, support and inspiration, this year's retreat was centered

SCHOOL TRIPS: TEAM BUILDING AND COLLABORATION

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around the theme of “Step out, Step up!”.

The theme highlighted the belief in the importance of increasing student participation and influence in the decisions affecting them, and how they can make a difference in the world.

Students took part in a range of activities - comprising and weaving together CAS, TOK, the IB Learner Profile, and their approaches to learning - and helping them design balanced lives in preparation for a rigorous two years of learning. Equally important, this was a time for students to bond with each other and build trusting, supportive and collaborative relationships.

Grades 6-11 Extended Studies Programme (ESP)The Extended Studies Programme is designed to extend the IST curriculum to an interesting and unfamiliar outdoor/cultural setting in Tanzania. ESP is a requirement which means that all students in Grades 6-11 must participate.

Typically, ESP trips are 5-day overnight or residential trips. The aims and objectives of each trip support the components listed below.

ADVENTURE EDUCATIONStudents will develop skills in effective communication, cooperation, and problem solving by taking part in safe and developmentally appropriate outdoor physical and intellectual challenges.

INTERCULTURAL AND

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS Students will learn about the culture and the ecology of a particular region/site.

SERVICE LEARNINGStudents will take part in a service learning activity(s) that will benefit the local population and/or the environment.

Students in Grades 6-8 travel as a grade level to a particular site, while students in Grades 9-10 select a trip based on interest from a variety of trips on offer (through a lottery process). Grade 11 students conduct fieldwork in order gather data for their IB coursework in the Sciences and/or Geography.

Grade 6 students will participate in ESP the week of November 17th, 2014, while those in Grades 7-11 participate during the week of February 2nd, 2015.

Optional Trips for Secondary StudentsIn addition to the above school sponsored trips, there are also opportunities for other potential trip options that students may elect to join if they meet eligibility requirements. Eligibility requirements include being in good standing within the school and, depending on the activity, may include a selection process by the activity sponsor. These trips are not compulsory and students are encouraged to exercise prudence in choosing trips so that they will miss a minimum of school days for these activities. For a list of these trip options, see the article published by Rob Tate, Athletics Director and Activities Coordinator, in the August 22nd issue of the Weekly Bulletin.

BEACH DAYS

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CONSTRUCTION PLANS FOR 2014-15In September 2013, the Board approved Phase I of the school’s overall master site plan. The plan for Phase I includes the following new structures or modifications to existing structures to be implemented over a seven year period:

Elementary Campus

• New Covered Court • Swing Pods - eight classrooms on

two levels • Multi-Purpose Hall Renovation • Grade 4-5 Renovations and New

Commons area • New Grade 5 Building and canteen • Improvements in landscaping and

walkways around campus

Secondary Campus

• Athletics Centre

• Block E & D Renovations and New Commons area

• Performing Arts Center • Library Renovation • Improvements in landscaping and

walkways around campus

The master site planning process at IST was first renewed in February 2013 with a workshop led by Fielding Nair International (FNI) titled Global Best Practices: Design for Learning in the Creative Age. FNI are the school’s consultant architects who specialize in the architectural design and planning of educational facilities. During that initial visit, through the workshop and subsequent focus group meetings, FNI met with parents, students and teachers to understand the school’s needs with respect to creating spaces to enhance learning.

FNI returned to IST on two more occasions last year culminating in a presentation of their concepts to parents, teachers and students during a three-day visit in September 2013. FNI’s presentation can be viewed on the IST website under Campus Development Plans.

In the next two months, we will begin work on the additional covered court for the Elementary Campus. This court is a prerequisite which will give students additional space for PE classes while renovations to the multi-purpose hall (currently called the PE Hall) are underway.

In addition to the new covered court, work will also begin on the installation of additional classroom space (referred to as Swing Pods above). The additional classrooms will be built near the football field, behind the main administration building. Construction will begin later this school year and will include an update to the school entrance near the main administration

RENOVATIONS TO PE HALL

Current plans for the upgraded multi-purpose hall include: • new roof with thermal and acoustic

insulation • a wider stage / viewing area • new recessed lighting and air

conditioning • built-in audio/visual equipment • forced ventilation, with operable

windows for natural ventilation mode (further developed by local engineers)

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building in addition to the new classrooms. Note this additional classroom space is required to allow for the planned renovations to the Grade 4 and 5 blocks. The structure will be designed to serve multiple uses.

In addition to the overall plans from FNI, the school is also working with Troppo Architects for specific recommendations appropriate for our tropical climate. Troppo were awarded a 2014 gold medal from the Australian Architects Association for their work over the past 34 years in designs for tropical environments.

ENTRANCE FROM ADMINISTRATION PARKING

LOT

FNI have also provided concept designs for a new school entrance and covered court on the Elementary Campus.

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SECONDARY STUDENT COUNCIL 2014-15

For the 2014-2015 school year, the Secondary Student Council is lead by the newly elected Executive Team: Shivani Somaiya (IB2) as President, Vyette Tiya (IB2) as Vice-President, Aman Tanna (G10) as Secretary and Junwoo Jang (IB2) as Public Relations Officer, as well as two representatives from each Grade. The Student Council functions as a body to support students, serving as the direct line of communication between students and the school’s administration and board. The Student Council aims to be the voice for students' rights and concerns, creating an environment of accessibility, trust, and openness for suggestions, improvements or clarifications. The group also prepares for and delivers a range of events to bring the school together as a whole and to develop school spirit and unity. The faculty advisors for this year are Ms. Begona Hernandez and Mr. David Pallas.

On September 19th, the Student Council hosted an open forum for Grades 11 and 12. The purpose of this event was to allow students and school leadership to share views with each other, voice any concerns and promote an understanding of the school’s direction. Over 50 students attended the event, held in the courtyard, during their

lunch break. The students had submitted several questions beforehand to the Student Council Executive Team, who in turn shared the questions anonymously with the school leadership to promote discussion. The main question areas were around:

•student dress code – why can’t it be more relaxed?•Prank day – why can’t there be one, with students able to do as they wish?•Why can’t Grade 11 students have off-campus privileges in the way that Grade 12 students do? Martin Hall, Jeff Smith, Lynley Russek and Tom Triller answered the questions on behalf of the school. Junwoo Jang noted, "As a whole, it was great that the students had the opportunity to see some of their questions addressed by the administration

directly then and there… Some students felt that their questions were not really answered [and] … we would like to work the the administration next time in preparing and finding more effective ways to respond to the students in a clear manner."

Events such as these help the school move closer to realizing the goals set out in the Strategic Plan for 2013-16. By increasing student participation and student influence in the decisions affecting them we hope students are learning how to engage meaningfully in finding solutions to local and global problems.

Similar events are planned for Grades 9 / 10 and Grades 6 through 8.

left to right: Junwoo Jang, Vyette Tiya, Shivani Somaiya,

Aman Tanna

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International School of

Tanganyika

P.O. Box 2651Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

www.istafrica.com

The IST Community Biathlon was held on September 20th on the Secondary Campus. This IST sporting tradition involves a 250m swim and a 4km run on the back streets of the peninsula. Thank you to all the participants and volunteers for making this year’s event another tremendous success.

IST COMMUNITY BIATHLON 2014