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St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School

Mr. Adriano PerusinPrincipal

Ms. Antonia MontanariIB Coordinator & Vice Principal

Ms. Toni PinelliSuperintendent of Education – responsible for STA Family of Schools

and STA IB Diploma Programme

Presentation Agenda

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• Opening Prayer Adrianna Rerecich, Chaplain

• Welcome and Opening Remarks Adriano Perusin, Principal

• STA IB Diploma Programme Antonia Montanari, IB Coordinator & VP

• The IB Programme

• Benefits of the IB Programme

• Elements of the IB Programme

& Alignment with Ontario Curriculum

(Sample Timetable)

• Student Voice Student Representatives

• Post-Secondary Transitions

• Pre-IB Application Process

• Transportation

• Questions and Answers

• Graduate and Parent Testimonial

• School Tours

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School

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OUR SCHOOL

❑ Catholic School

❑ Academic Excellence

❑ Pathways Planning and Support

❑ Student Leadership Development

❑ Parent Engagement

❑ Co-Curricular Teams and Clubs

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School

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St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School IB Diploma Programme

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IB: An Education for Life

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Founded in 1968 for internationally mobile students

❑ Focus on the whole person

❑ International perspective

❑ Responsible citizenship

❑ Critical and compassionate thinkers

❑ Informed participants in local and international affairs

❑ Respectful of other cultures and attitudes

International Baccalaureate Community

❑ Over 5,177 schools, 6,425 programmes

❑ Over 1,250,000 students

❑ In 150 countries (185 schools in Canada offering Diploma Programme)

❑ Integration with Grade 11 and 12 Ontario Curriculum and Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations

❑ STA is one of 89 Diploma Programme Schools in Ontario

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STA IB Community❑STA received accreditation to offer the IB Diploma Programme to grade 11 and 12 students in March 2012.

❑In 2018/2019 St. Thomas Aquinas’ IB Programme underwent its first audit conducted by the IB World Schools Department.

❑The IB Programme at St. Thomas Aquinas was congratulated on a strong programme implementation.

❑The IB Diploma programme was found to be in conformance with IB Programme standards and practices.

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Benefits of the program❑IB is a programme with ADDED VALUE!❑Potential for Advanced standing in some first-year University courses

❑IB internal and external assessments determine grades

❑Measured against worldwide standards

❑Opportunities to study abroad

❑Clustered classroom settings

❑Students earn an IB Diploma and an Ontario Diploma (OSSD)

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IB Learner Profile

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▪ Inquirers

▪ Knowledgeable

▪ Thinkers

▪ Communicators

▪ Risk Takers

▪ Principled

▪ Caring

▪ Open-minded

▪ Well-balanced

▪ Reflective

What does IB offer the student?

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❑ High academic standards – expanded learning beyond academic study

❑ Prepares for the rigors of post-secondary education

❑ Educates the whole person

❑ Students appreciate cultures and attitudes other than their own and to be informed, tolerant and be willing to engage with diverse groups

❑ Take ownership for your own learning

❑ The IB diploma is widely recognized by the world’s leading universities.

Sample Pre-IB Timetable

Grade 9

Semester 1

Grade 9

Semester 2

Pre – IB English Pre – IB

Mathematics

Pre- IB French Pre – IB

Science

Pre – IB

Geography

Religion

Music/Drama/

Visual Art

Phys. Ed.

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Grade10

Semester 1

Grade 10

Semester 2

Pre – IB English Pre- IB French

Pre – IB

Mathematics

Pre – IB

Mathematics

Grade 11

Pre – IB History Pre – IB Science

Religion Arts/Tech/

Physed/

Business/ Civics

& Careers**

**Careers/Civics** (Summer school or on-line as possible option)

Our Programme is a Four Year Commitment

IB Course OfferingsGrades 11 and 12

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❑ Group 1 – Language & Literature (English)

❑ Group 2 – Second Language

(French)

❑ Group 3 – Individuals and Society (History, Economics)

❑ Group 4 –Experimental Sciences

(Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

❑ Group 5 – Mathematics

❑ Group 6 – The Arts (Drama)

Central Elements of the IB Diploma

Extended Essay (EE) – Grade 11 & 12 Requirement

Up to 4,000 word investigation of a topic of special interest outside of the regular curriculum which acquaints diploma candidates with the kind of independent research and writing skills expected by universities.

Theory of Knowledge (ToK) – Grade 11 & 12 Requirement

Challenges students to question the basis of knowledge, to develop the ability to analyze evidence and to appreciate other cultural perspectives.

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) – Grade 11 & 12 Requirement

Continuous community involvement demonstrating reflective/experiential learning completed in grades 11 and 12.

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Success Rate for Aquinas Students

2018-2019 Results❑French SL: 86% of students received a mark between 84%-100%

❑Physics SL: 89% of students received a mark between 84%-100%

❑Math SL: 62% of students received a mark between 84%-100%

❑English HL: 94% of students received a mark between 84%-100%

❑Biology HL: 65% of students received a mark between 84%-100%

❑Biology SL: 100 % of students received a mark between 84%-100%

❑History HL: 71 % of students received a mark between 84%-100%

❑Chemistry HL: 54% of students received a mark between 84%-100%

❑Chemistry SL: 54% of students received a mark between 84% - 100%

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STA 2019 Worldwide ComparisonSUBJECT STA SCORES WORLDWIDE SCORES

ENGLISH A: Lang & Lit HL 5.67 4.96

FRENCH B SL 5.47 5.03

HISTORY HL 5.12 4.77

PHYSICS SL 6.06 4.03

MATH SL 5.02 4.18

BIOLOGY SL 5.71 4.17

BIOLOGY HL 5.00 4.33

CHEMISTRY SL 4.75 4.00

Chemistry HL 4.72 4.50

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STA’s Top IB Student Class of 2019

❑ AnnaMaria Zubieta: 2018-2019 Top IB Graduate

❑ High Diploma Score of 43 out of 45

❑Extra Curricular

– Prefects, RAM Mentors, Voyage Science, Social Justice Club, Video Game Design Club, L2L Tutoring, French Club, Physics Club and Sustainable Garden Initiative

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Student Voice – Niya Jowahir, Grade 12

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High SchoolIB Diploma Programme

Making friends and connections with

teachers

Develop work ethic and leadership

skills

Preparation for university, in both

content and learning style

Curriculum Extension:

promotes self-learning

Student Voice – Sheil Patel, Grade 11

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High SchoolIB Diploma Programme

Making friends and connections with

teachers

Develop work ethic and leadership

skills

Preparation for university, in both

content and learning style

Curriculum Extension:

promotes self-learning

Ontario Post Secondary Destinationsfor STA IB Students 2019

❑ Waterloo University – Biomedical Engineering, Architectural Engineering

❑Western University – Medical Science, Economics, Biomedical Life Sciences, Health Science, Criminology, Mechatronics Engineering

❑McGill University – Biological Science, Biomedical Science, Life Science, Computer Engineering

❑University of Toronto – Social Science, Materials Engineering, Life Science

❑McMaster University – Integrated Business and Humanities, Life Science, Health Science

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❑Bader International Study Centre in England – Global Development Studies

❑Brown University (Providence Rhode Island) – Liberal Medical Education

❑St. George University – 6 year MD Program

❑University of Queensland Australia – 5 year entry dentistry program

❑Royal College of Surgeons (Ireland) – 6 year Medicine Program

❑University College Dublin – 6 year Medicine Program

❑Fairfield University (Connecticut) – International Studies

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International Post Secondary Destinationsfor STA IB Students 2019

Scholarship Awards - 2019❑Western University – Mechatronics Engineering

Received Admission scholarship of $10,000 ($2,500 for 4 years)

❑McGill University - Biological, Biomedical and Life Sciences

James McGill Scholarship ($5,000) and the Josef & Jochem Entrance Scholarship ($5000)

❑University of Toronto – Social Science program

Received entrance scholarship ($3000) and designated a U of T scholar ($7500)

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❑McGill University – Bachelor of Computer Engineering

Received McGill scholarship of $3,000.00

❑Western – Duel Major for Economics and criminology under the social sci faculty

Received The Western Scholarship of Excellence $2000

❑Waterloo University - CAP/Honours Science

Received President’s Scholarship of $2000

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Post Secondary Destinationsfor STA IB Students 2019

AnnaMaria Zubieta – McGill University

“The things that I learned academically during the past two years have been really important to my university studies and my future career path, I would argue that it’s the learning skills that IB has taught me that have been the most critical to my success. Things like being brave in the face of challenges, being responsible, thinking critically. In fact, there’s a whole IB learner profile with 8 different characteristics that every perfect IB student should have. And I think this is what makes IB so great; it’s a program that doesn’t just stuff you with tons and tons of knowledge, but instead it focuses on shaping you as a person and as a student, which has made so many aspects of my life better, including my time at university.”

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Quotes from IB Students in 1st Year University

Eunice Tunggal – McMaster University

“IB in general helped us to mature into not just excellent students, but excellent citizens of the world. We know how to learn, how to think creatively, how to communicate, how to be proactive, and how to really step out and make a difference. We have been given the opportunity to become the parts that are needed to make change.”

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Quotes from IB Students in 2nd Year University

Fadi Bahodi – Western University

“In terms of university, I am performing very well. I am one of the top students in terms of research and academic performance. My experience with voyage science gave me a variety of skills with start-ups, as I now have my own start-up. I generally manage my time very well and can juggle a variety of difficult tasks and can handle difficult learning challenges. University has been quite easy for me, and I do have IB to thank for that.”

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Quotes from IB Students in 3rd Year University

AdmissionGrade 9

Admission is based on:

❑CAT 4 scores

❑Evaluation of Learning skills

❑Evaluation of Grade 7 Final Report card

❑Evaluation of Grade 8 Progress Report card

❑Evaluation of Grade 8 Mid-term Report card

❑Focus on Math, English, & French Report card grades

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Application ProcessGrade 9

a) Completion of the Canadian Achievement Test (CAT) Version 4. The CAT is a testing system that assesses the essential learning outcomes of the following basic skill areas: reading, writing, and mathematics. The CAT will be written at St. Thomas Aquinas on Saturday, November 2nd and 9th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The cost of the test is $25.00, non-refundable. Registration is required for this testing. Registration is available on-line at https://hcdsb.formstack.com/forms/ib

b) CAT 4 results will be mailed home when they have been returned to St. Thomas Aquinas CSS.

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Application Process❑Submission of the Application Package, Birth Certificate, a copy of Grade 7 Final Report Card, Grade 8 Progress Report, CAT 4 results, proof of status in Canada (if not born in Canada) by Monday, December 16th, 2019.

❑Conditional offers will be mailed out at the beginning of February 2020.

❑Acceptance will be dependent on Mid-term Grade 8 report card.

❑Applications will be available online at the end of November.

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Programme Fees 2020-2021Grade 9: $250, non-refundable after March 2, 2020

Grade 10: $350, non-refundable after June 25, 2020

Grade 11: $600 (includes the cost of 2 IB Exams) in US fundsNon-refundable after October 30, 2020

Grade 12: $1,000 (includes the cost of 4 IB Exams) in US fundsNon-refundable after October 30, 2020

Fees are used to provide resources and training specific to the IB Programme.

Grade 11 and 12 fees: Canadian equivalent to be determined based on current exchange rate as on the first day of instruction of that school year.

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Transportation

❑IB is a specialized program

❑As per HCDSB Policy 1-04: Transportation is only provided for students living within the STA boundaries who qualify for bussing according to board policies

❑As per HCDSB Policy 1-04: Cross Boundary students attending the IB program DO NOT require a cross boundary form

❑Cross Boundary IB students are responsible for their own transportation

❑ Students in a specialized program whom “OPT OUT” of the IB program will be required to return to their home school

❑ Visit www.haltonbus.ca if you have questions related to busing eligibility.

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Frequently asked questions ?

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1. What is the difference between Advance Placement (AP) and IB?

Advance Placement (AP) IB Diploma Programme

Opportunity for advance standing in university

Opportunity for advance standing in university

Taken on a course by course basis Offers a complete program and with an internationally recognized diploma

Only receives an OSSD Receives OSSD and IB Diploma

Mark is based solely on an end of

term AP exam

Marks determined by both internal

assessment and final IB exams

Ontario marks are not converted to reflect AP results

All grade 12 marks are converted from IB final exams to Ontario marks

Frequently asked questions ?

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2.How much homework can a student expect as part of the IB Programme?

The short answer is that there is generally more homework for IB students than in an academic program.

3.Is it possible for me to get both my IB Diploma and my Extended French Certificate?

Yes, it will require students to take slightly different courses in both grade 9 and grade 10 to meet the required amount of hours for the Extended French Certificate.

Frequently asked questions ?

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4. When do students actually work on their diploma?

All work towards the IB diploma must be completed over a 2 year span. Our students complete all of this course work beginning in September of their Grade 11 year. In order to prepare for the program, students apply to join our St. Thomas Aquinas pre-IB program, which focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the IB Diploma.

Frequently asked questions ?

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5. How are IB exams different than regular high-school exams?

Grade 11 and 12 IB exams are held in May each year; the dates and times are determined by the IB Organization. Exam content is determined by the IB Organization. Exams are marked externally by their own IB assessors.

6. Can I join the Programme in Grade 10?

There are very few spaces available in grade 10. Applicants will be assessed on an individual basis. The application for grade 10 students will be made available in January on our STA website.

Frequently asked questions ?

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7. If I have any more questions, what is the best way to get in touch with the IB Coordinator?

Via email. We will do our best to get back to you within 24 hours. Email address are listed on the website.

Or

IB Guidance Secretary

IB Guidance Office is open Monday – Friday from 11:00 am to 2:30 pm

8. Can applicants make an appointment to discuss their application with the IB Coordinator?

It is not possible for us to meet with each applicant individually. We receive many applications and find the most effective way to handle questions is by email to the Coordinator or the IB Guidance Secretary.

Frequently asked questions?

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9. How do you decide which students are admitted into the programme?

A committee reviews the applications and makes a determination. The committee reviews and evaluates the students learning skills, grades in Math, English and French for both grade 7 and grade 8 and the CAT 4 test scores.

10. Is the application for the Grade 9 Pre-IB Programme available online?

Yes, the grade 9 pre-IB programme application will be available on line at the end of November. Please review the application for all necessary documents that need to be submitted.

Important dates are listed on the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School website – The application for Grade 9 is due Monday, December 16th, 2019.

Frequently asked questions?

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11. How many students do you let into the programme in each grade?

We receive many applications for the IB Programme, each grade and year is reviewed on an individual basis, last year we had approximately 300 applicants for approximately 100 seats.

Contact Us

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Email: staib@hcdsb.org

Website: sta.hcdsb.org/IB

Twitter: @STAOakville, @IBSTAOakville

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/staoakville

CAT 4 Registration

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❑If you wish to register for the CAT 4 test, registration is available on-line at https://hcdsb.formstack.com/forms/ib