- ASPIRE results Vocal Collective Shines
- IB Diploma rule changes
- Uniform sales
- What they say about IB in South Australia
- P&C Fund raising
I don’t know if you have had the opportunity to travel but my experience is that whilst doing so you see many amazing things and have incredible experiences but these quickly pass as you then travel between destinations or are replaced when you reach a new highlight. It is only when you return home and you look back at the completed photo album or video that you appreciate the wonderful “whole“of the experience. You get to experience it again but from an external aspect. An experience that is often more powerful and fulfilling than the actual doing. I guess this comes from an ability to reflect.
This is what Aspire 09 felt like for me and I hope it felt the same for the staff and students of QACI. It was a wonderful reliving of the wide range of experiences and stories that are indicative of life here without the pressures of the business that often cloud the originals.
ASPIRE 09, the edited and polished travel video, was amazing from the challenging repertoire of performance and technological showcasing to the inspirational stories that sat behind each and every award recipient.
I am truly a fortunate person to spend my days among these students and the wonderful and dedicated teachers who guide them.
Academic Subject Award Recipients
Year 10
Pre IB Business Adam Dixon
Pre IB English Gabrielle Mickel
Pre IB Film, Spanish ab inito Samantha Canin-Henkel
& Theatre
Pre IB French India Ghariss
Pre IB Mandarin ab initio Sakura Hurrell
Pre IB Mandarin (Language B) Tammy Tang
Pre IB Mathematics Taylor Donaldson
Pre IB Music Ophelia Ho
Pre IB Visual Arts (Fine Art) Tiffany Lane
Pre IB Visual Arts (Design) Julia Lau
Year 11
IB1 Biology, Environmental Joanne Cutler
Systems & Society
IB1 Business, English, Angelina Phengphong
Mandarin ab initio & Theatre
IB1 Film Yasmin Morgan
IB1 French ab initio Sheridan Eccleston
& Visual Arts
IB1 French (Language B) Ariel Harris
IB1 Mandarin (Language B) Shuwei Zhang
IB1 Mathematical Studies Annabel Dorey
IB1 Music Ashleigh Murray
IB1 Spanish ab initio Maximillian Fowler-Roy
Year 12
IB2 Biology HL, Mathematics SL, Rebecca Kelly
Spanish ab initio & Visual Arts
IB2 Business HL & Bernice Yap
Mandarin (Language B)
IB2 English SL Alexandra Hackett
IB2 English HL Nicola Murray
IB2 French ab initio Natalie Huang
IB2 French SL Sophie Richards
IB2 Film, Mathematical Studies Clare Anderson
& Theatre
Academic Excellence Award Recipients
Pre IB – Arkie Barton, Samantha Canin-Henkel, Beth Carter, Taylor Donaldson, Samantha Hjertquist, Irina Korenevski, Tiffany Lane, Lara Patty, Eleanor Roga and Tammy Tang.
IB1 – Joanne Cutler, Annabel Dorey, Sheridan Eccleston, Alexandra Hackett, Joshua Hammond, Alanna Koh and Angelina Phengphong.
IB2 – Clare Anderson, Ayeesha Ash, Rebecca Kelly, Nicola Murray, Sophie Richards and Marley Thomas.
Academic Student of the Year
Clare Anderson
Student Hosts
Jessica Brain, Stephanie Carmichael, Benjamin Cotgrove, Christopher Drinkwater and Sheridan Eccleston.
Contributing Artists and Performers
Mitch Albury, Ayeesha Ash, Ella Bailey, Phoebe Ballard, Joshua Beattie, Madeline Briscoe, Stephanie Carmichael, Nora Chan, Jacob Clarke, Joanne Cutler, Cameron Dunlop, Sheridan Eccleston, David Freeman, Laveenia Ganash, India Ghariss, Emma Harrison, Sophie Huchet, Sakura Hurrell, Jazzie Illenberger, Madeline Keenan, Alexandra Keddie, Grace Kim, Alanna Koh, Martin Koleczko, Brandon Lee, Chloe Maddren, Brent Miller, Ashleigh Murray, Patrick Nicholl, Reade Norman, Angelina Phengphong, Ariel Pearse, Briana Pearse, Cameron Phillips, Harrison Prouse, Samuel Ryan, Jamin Samios, Rohan Seekers, Stephen Smith, Faron Swingler, Tammy Tang, Marley Thomas, Amanda Tsao, Siobhan Usher, Adeline Williams, Hannah Williams, Cameron Whitten, Eden Young and Shuwei Zhang.
Theatre Technical Team
Samantha Dale, Samantha Horig, Brittany Jones, Tiffany Lane, Alexandra Mitchell, Yasmin Morgan, Sophie Murdock, Mark Nugent, Simon Nugent, Erin O’Shannessy and Lauren Scandrett.
Aspire reminds us and refocusses us that when we are immersed in the hard work and business of the day to day being at QACI we need to remember
QACI ……
- provides a rich environment for learning boasting excellent facilities and staff that are committed to and enthusiastic about their chosen area of expertise.
- encourages students to be independent, responsible, and innovative and avoids reproducing traditional school roles which can neglect the recognition of student potential. Students are encouraged to have a voice in their learning.
- is a challenging academic environment designed to activate creative thinking and challenge traditional thought. It does not employ the practise of knowledge without context and investigation.
- will endeavour to continue to provide students with added extras including university links and other offers unique to Academy students.
- is where learning takes place in an environment where knowledge is valued by students and their peers. The QACI does not have students who are disengaged with learning and therefore resulting behavioural issues are not apparent.
The IB ………….
- is more than a digit. It is a reflection of personal attributes including: discipline, intelligence, motivation, maturity, commitment, focus and drive. These attributes are responsible for success and happiness in personal, employment and educational contexts
- is a journey not an outcome. It provides you with a path of self development and learning through CAS, TOK, EE and discipline areas. It is not restricted to only addressing the academic but celebrates self reflection, exploration and personal challenge.
- can and will make students life long learners capable of overcoming difficulties and developing a sense of commitment to task that will underpin future success.
- provides students with opportunities locally, interstate, and overseas. In some instances IB students are given credit for their studies by tertiary institutions
Vocal Collective Choir shines
The Vocal Collective performed at the Prestige QLD Music Festival last week and were awarded a 2nd place in a section of over 15 choirs. They were a stand out group on the day due to the fact that they were different from the rest; presented maturely, professionally and enthusiastically, and performed a challenging and 'un-high school' like program. However, the traditional choral sound was favoured on the day!
Congratulations to the Vocal Collective for their hard work and commitment this year and we look forward to seeing this fairly new group continue to grow next year - alongside another exciting vocal group - VOX 13.school' like program.
Term 4 Assessment student assessment commitments out next week
Year 10 and 11 students will receive a second of their assessment commitments for term 4 following on from the whole of semester assessment calendar issued in term 3. The information they will receive will include some alterations and a detailed timetable for the submission and assessment block in the last two weeks of term. Please be on the look out for this.
Congratulations Shuwei
Shuwei Zhang won year11,12 background speakers division First prize
from 2009 Chinese Speaking Competition, organized by The Confucius Institute at QUT in collaboration with Chinese Language Teachers Association of Queensland. He received $200 cash and books to the value of $100.
Prestigious TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarship available for 2010
Nominations are open to all Queensland state and non-state secondary schools for the 2010 TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarship. Principals are invited to nominate one Year 12 student who has achieved academic excellence and demonstrated strong leadership skills in sporting, cultural or community activities. Nominations close 30 November. Visit the TJ Ryan Memorial Medal and Scholarship website for more information.
Theory of knowledge and extended essay requirements –Important changes
With effect from the November 2010 examination session ,our current year 11 students, if a diploma candidate is awarded a grade E for theory of knowledge or a grade E for the extended essay, the candidate must achieve 28 points or more to be eligible for the diploma. However, if a candidate is awarded an E for both theory of knowledge and the extended essay requirement, the candidate will not qualify for the diploma regardless of the total number of points achieved.
Uniform Sales
Uniforms will be available for purchase at the Queensland Academy for Creative Industries Gallery on the following dates and times:
Saturday Nov 28 10.00am – 3.00pm
Tuesday Dec 1 10.00am – 1.00pm
Thursday Dec 3 2.00pm – 7.00pm
Friday Dec 4 2.00pm – 7.00pm
Monday Dec 7 10.00am – 1.00pm
Attached to this information notice are order forms for use when attending the Academy to purchase uniforms.
The process for purchase is:
- Arrive at Level 2
- Move to the Gallery to choose and try on garments
- Complete the order form to match the garments selected
- Make payments (eftpos, cash, credit card or cheque) at the Box Office on Level 2.
Uniform items may be taken at this time but it is necessary to place an order for winter items. Sample sizes will only be available on the dates listed if you wish for your child to check sizing of the winter uniform.
For parents of year 12 or students who grow fast who wish to sell uniforms as second hand.
If you wish to take advantage of this session to sell second hand uniforms a rack will be established for this purpose. In doing so however, the following preparation to the clothing will need to be made in order for it to be made available for sale.
- Items will be restricted to
- Blazers
- Ties and scarfs
- Girls skirts
- Woollen pullover
- Woollen vest
- Woollen cardigan
(no shirts or blouses).
- All items must be on separate hangers (except ties and scarfs).
- Each item must be clearly labelled and fixed with:
- Name of seller
- Phone contact
- Price of garment
- Items will need to be in place at the Academy by Wednesday 25 November 12.00pm.
- After selling has concluded a cheque for the sold items will be forwarded to you (less 10% processing charge).
A view of IB from the South Australian perspective
The International Baccalaureate is gaining popularity among our schools, here's a look at the reasons for the rise in participation by Martina Simos September 15, 2009 12:00am
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,26072066-5018864,00.html
The International Baccalaureate is a global education program that has nearly 750,000 students in 2718 schools across 138 countries.
This alternative education system has been adopted by more primary schools in South Australia than in any other state in the nation.
The program provides international education through school, with a curriculum focused on delivering a qualification recognised by universities worldwide.
In SA, 18 private and 28 public schools have adopted the program. While observers say the program is world-class, the uptake has sparked questions.
Melbourne academic Kathryn Hegarty, a research fellow at RMIT University, says this is a "strong signal" that "something is not working in our present system of curriculum".
Dr Hegarty, whose research interests include tertiary curriculum development and the preparedness of Year 12 students for higher education, said more debate was needed on the quality of education on offer in public schools. "We tend to take decisions that put more programs in when things aren't working rather than stop and say why aren't they working," she says.
"If you are putting in something like the IB, you are really challenging the fundamental role of public education in our social democracy and I think that's a major issue.
"The IB challenges the fundamental philosophical tenets of a state education and we haven't debated it in the kind of way we need to be clear about why we are doing it.
"I do believe it should be available and accessible but I think we need to have a fundamental conversation on what is its role and function and are we saying that our government schools don't cater for university admission and we need the IB to fill that gap?"
Dr Hegarty says while she is aware the IB offers many benefits to students she has concerns that the curriculum in the final two years (the diploma program) is "elitist" and it could disadvantage students who may not have the prior cultural knowledge of curriculum areas such as the arts, history and literature.
"Certainly, elitism does become more evident in the final two years. We have lots of students who go to the IB for Years 11 and 12 but it is still focused on cultural knowledge and academic knowledge which is very much about professional and upper middle class futures," Dr Hegarty says.
"If your family is interested in the arts, values literature and engages in those pursuits as leisure, you have a huge advantage over kids whose families have not historically had those opportunities or who might simply be focused on earning a living or who might not have had that education themselves."
Dr Hegarty says if IB is to be a democratic option, which can be accessed for all students, then it must be resourced so all students can develop the skills required for its curriculum. If state schools are not equipped to make this transition, the risk is that they will fall out of the IB," she says.
"We need to ensure senior secondary challenges this and offers all students opportunities to engage their academic and employment dream."
The regional representative for IB Asia Pacific Australasia, Greg Valentine, says any student who is average or above average and has a reasonable work ethic can successfully complete the diploma program and be well-prepared for university studies.
He says Australian students are "above world average" and that success in the senior years in any high school program demands a sound work ethic.
Last year, 28 students from around Australia got a perfect score of 45. "There's a lot more work to be done in Year 11 and 12 compared with Year 10 in any program," Mr. Valentine says.
"The score that is required to get the diploma is 24 points and that equates to a TER (tertiary entrance rank) of 70.
"Any student who is capable of getting 70 and above would be capable of getting the diploma. The average score for the diploma around the world is about 30.5 so the average score worldwide is 85 (TER)."
Eight years ago, there were 44 schools in Australasia - Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji) offering one of three IB programs - the primary years program, the middle years program and the diploma program. Now there are 120 schools in Australia alone and 33 of those are from SA.
There are 90 more schools in Australasia waiting for authorisation to operate as IB schools.
IB world schools pay an annual school fee for each program they are authorised to teach but if schools offer two or more programs they pay a reduced fee.
They pay $11,150 for the diploma program $9300 for the middle years and $8100 for the primary years. Assessment moderation costs extra.
The driving success behind the program, Mr Valentine says, is the teachers who view the IB as "good teaching and learning" in a global society.
He says the IB is not a collection of subjects but has a central philosophy with core components which require students to take part in active community involvement.
He says the philosophy, the international mindedness, the inter-cultural understanding, the second language learning, community service and opportunities for students to impact on the world all make it appealing to teachers.
"They are very comfortable with it pedagogically. I think there is a very strong drive in Australia at the moment and a recognition that we've got to prepare students in our schools for a life in a more global world," he says. "We might be geographically isolated but we're not technologically or culturally isolated anymore."
As an independent body, the IB has flexibility to make quick curriculum changes - a feature he says is not found in a state or national curriculum and is apolitical.
"We're just going to do it because it's good teaching and learning and I think there are too many occasions in education where we seem more concerned about what the impact of a decision will be on the election than what we are about the impact in the classroom," he says. "Sometimes change takes too long in bureaucracies."
Director of SA State School Organisations, David Knuckey, says the IB has a specific educational framework which is appealing to parents concerned with the variation of education standards in the education sector.
P&C Fund-raising - Your choice.
There is no charge for membership of the QACI P&C Association, however the Association wishes to undertake a lively programme of activities to build our school community so that we can be the best possible support to our students, their families and the Academy. This programme does require funding.
The P&C has decided not to engage in the traditional fund-raising activities—raffles, sausage-sizzles and the like– as these are less appropriate for the busy P&C member-ship and QACI family community. To fund its activities, the Executive invites members, QACI families and community members to make a voluntary contribution each year—one per family—which is used to pursue a social programme and provide sup-port for appropriate academy-based and extra-curricular activities.
In 2008 and 2009, the suggested contribution of $50 per family was well received and generously supported. At the P&C’s meeting on 19 August 2009 it was decided that the recommended voluntary contribution for the 2010 academic year would again be $50.
A brochure outlining this will be issued with enrolment information for 2010.
Thank you for your support of the P&C. If you have not yet made it along to a P&C meeting, and would like to, meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of each month, 7.00pm at the Academy. I look forward to seeing you there.
Michael Cohen –President
Upcoming Events
26 October – Free dress Pink Day for cancer
26 October – term 4 Assessment calendar update issued to year 10/11
26 October – year 12 SWOTVAC week commences
29 October – year 10 Theatre performance 7.00pm
30 October – year 10 Theatre performance 7.00pm
3 November – year 12 Formal IB exams commence (run until 20 October)
13/14 November –year 11 Theatre performances 7.00pm
15 November – New cohort Induction and family barbecue
20 November – year 12 Graduation
16-20 November – year 10/11 submissions block
26 November – year 10/11 Film showing
23-27 November – year 10/11 examination block
28 November – Uniform sales commence
30 November/1 December – year 11 Intensive Extended essay workshops
