INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMME
GSIS is renowned for being a place of academic excellence, with students’ well-being is placed on an equal footing with their academic achievements. We believe that there is more to academic education than examination results. We want our students to think from a different perspective, to challenge, to enquire and to debate. It is our aim to prepare each and every student by ensuring that they leave GSIS with the qualifications, broad range of skills and depth of knowledge needed to be successful in an increasingly international and diverse world. The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a globally recognised diploma which provides a holistic learning opportunity by balancing subject choices across different disciplines, as well as students in Years 12 – 13 completing a core programme which comprises three elements: Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity and Service, and an Extended Essay.
EXTENDED ESSAY
The Extended Essay provides an opportunity for students to produce a university-style academic paper on a subject of their choice which is highly valued by universities and employers. It gives students the chance to demonstrate true independent learning without the limitations of exams.
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE
The aim of Theory of Knowledge is to not only develop each IB student as a more effective and critical learner but also as a more critical thinker. This course helps you learn how to evaluate what we know and how we know it. It is an integral part of all subject areas and students will achieve a greater understanding of all areas of their academic programme because of it.
CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY AND SERVICE (CAS)
CAS requires each student to take part in a range of experiences and at least one project. CAS activities represent an opportunity for experiential learning and are expected to reflect on these activities by completing a CAS Journal. All IB students are encouraged to be involved with activities which they initiate themselves, for example starting a club, beach clean-up, introducing community support projects, helping charities such as Kids4Kids, Community Action for Refugees, Crossroads.
SUBJECT AREAS
IB Diploma students select six subjects, three of which are studied at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL).
- Language A: Literature – English; German (SL only)
- Language A: Language & Literature – English; Chinese (SL only)
- Language B - German; Mandarin; French
- Language Ab Initio (SL only) – German; Spanish
- Economics
- Geography
- History
- Social & Cultural Anthropology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Physics
- Mathematics Analysis & Approaches
- Mathematics Applications & Interpretation
- Music
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
The Language A Literature course aims at exploring the various manifestations of literature as a particularly powerful mode of writing across cultures and throughout history. The course aims at developing an understanding of factors that contribute to the production and reception of literature. Through close analysis of a range of literary texts in a number of literary forms and from different times and places, students will consider their own interpretations as well as the critical perspectives of others, to explore how such positions are shaped by cultural belief systems and to negotiate meanings for texts.
The Language A Language and Literature course aims at studying the complex and dynamic nature of language and exploring both its practical and aesthetic dimensions. The course explores the crucial role language plays in communication, reflecting experience and shaping the world, and the roles of individuals themselves as producers of language. Throughout the course, students will explore the various ways in which language choices, text types, literary forms and contextual elements all effect meaning.