‘The aim of all IB programs is to develop internationally-minded people who, recognising their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.’
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Years 11 and 12
At Central Coast Steiner School, we are committed to nurturing the growth of young people so that they grow into caring, capable and creative adults. Within a supportive community, we provide rich opportunities that enable each student to succeed far beyond the years at school.
With this in mind, Central Steiner School is introducing the International Baccalaureate IB Diploma Programme. Central Coast Steiner School is the only school on the Central Coast to offer the IB Diploma as from 2025.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a highly regarded Year 12 credential that can be studied as an alternative to the HSC. This is an exciting and human-centred way to achieve an ATAR. It offers our Year 11 and 12 students a program that supports them to flourish as informed, ethical and reflective learners. Widely recognised by universities and employers in Australia and internationally, the IB Diploma supports students in reaching their full potential as knowledgeable, compassionate, and engaged global citizens who actively strive to make the world a better place.
Importantly, the IB aligns seamlessly with our Steiner mission and values. The IB Diploma enables students to direct their learning path, developing the confidence they need to thrive and make a lasting difference. The approach to learning and teaching allows IB Diploma students to develop transferable lifelong attributes such as critical thinking, international mindedness, creativity, agency and resilience. These attributes enable students to make ethical decisions, join with others in celebrating our shared humanity, and apply what they learn in complex, challenging and unpredictable situations.
As new global challenges emerge at an unprecedented pace of change, an IB education is more relevant and necessary than ever.
What is the IB Diploma?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a two-year educational programme primarily aimed at 16-to-19-year-olds in 140 countries around the globe. The programme provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognised by many universities worldwide.
The Diploma Programme (DP) is composed of six diverse subject groups, complemented by the DP core, which includes Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and the Extended Essay (EE). Within the core subjects, students embark on a voyage of self-discovery, contemplating the essence of knowledge, pursuing independent research, and contributing to projects often intertwined with community service.
Learner attributes we nurture
The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognising their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world.
Inquirers
We nurture our curiosity, developing skills for inquiry and research. We know how to learn independently and with others. We learn with enthusiasm and sustain our love of learning
throughout life.
We develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. We engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.
Knowledgeable
We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.
Thinkers
We express ourselves confidently and creatively in more than one language and in many ways. We collaborate effectively, listening carefully to the perspectives of other individuals and
groups.
Communicators
We act with integrity and honesty, with a strong sense of fairness and justice, and with respect for the dignity and rights of people everywhere. We take responsibility for our actions and their
consequences.
Principled
We critically appreciate our own cultures and personal histories, as well as the values and traditions of others. We seek and evaluate a range of points of view, and we are willing to grow from the experience.
Open-minded
We show empathy, compassion and respect. We have a commitment to service, and we act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and in the world around us.
Caring
We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.
Risk-takers
We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve wellbeing for ourselves and others. We recognise our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.
Balance
We thoughtfully consider the world and our own ideas and experience. We work to understand our strengths and weaknesses in order to support our learning and personal development.
Reflective
Our subjects
What subjects will Central Coast Steiner School offer?
Our curriculum offerings span the spectrum of the six IB Diploma groups:
To cater to individual interests, students have the option to delve into an additional Individuals and Societies subject (Group 3) or study an additional Language (Group 2) instead of Film Studies.
The introduction of the IB Diploma marks an exhilarating moment in the journey of Central Coast Steiner School, filled with promise and potential.
English Language and Literature (Group 1)
In this course, students study a wide range of literary and non-literary texts in a variety of media. By examining communicative acts across literary form and textual type alongside appropriate secondary readings, students will investigate the nature of language itself and the ways in which it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture. Approaches to study in the course are meant to be wide-ranging and can include literary theory, sociolinguistics, media studies and critical discourse analysis, among others.
Spanish ab initio (Beginners) (Group 2)
This course is for students who have a genuine interest in learning about Spain and Latin America and have no previous formal experience of learning Spanish. It offers an insight into a new language and the rich culture of Spain and Latin America. Spanish is a really useful language to speak and use on a holiday as it is the official language in over 20 countries across the world. By the end of the course, you would be able to communicate quasi-fluently in Spanish, which would be a great help if you were going on a holiday abroad in Spanish-speaking countries or some states in the USA. This course will also allow you to carry on with Spanish at University.
Psychology and/or Business Management (Group 3)
Psychology
Psychology is the rigorous and systematic study of mental processes and behaviour, including biological, socio-cultural and cognitive approaches to Psychology. The Psychology course allows students to have a greater understanding of themselves and appreciate the diversity of human behaviour. Students explore how different psychological approaches help to explain behaviours, emotions, perceptions, attitudes, mental illness, abnormal behaviour and addiction. They will study the methodology and application of psychological research, including the ethical concerns raised and undertake their own research study as part of the course.
Business Management
Students learn to analyse, discuss and evaluate local, national and international business activities. The course covers a range of organisations from all sectors. The course covers the key characteristics of business organisation and environment and the business functions of human resource management, finance and accounts, marketing and operations management. By exploring six underpinning concepts (change, culture, ethics, globalisation, innovation and strategy), the course allows students to develop a holistic understanding of today’s complex and dynamic business environment. The course encourages the appreciation of ethical concerns at both a local and global level. It aims to develop relevant and transferable skills, including thinking critically, making ethically sound and well-informed decisions, appreciating the pace, nature and significance of change, and thinking strategically.
Environmental Systems and Societies (Group 4)
Mathematics (Group 5)
The IB DP Mathematics: applications and Interpretation course recognises the increasing role mathematics and technology play in a diverse range of fields in a data-rich world. As such, it emphasises the meaning of mathematics in context by focusing on topics often used as applications or in mathematical modelling. The course is for students who enjoy seeing mathematics used in real world contexts and to solve real world problems. It enables students to develop a curiosity and enjoyment of mathematics and appreciate its elegance and power.
Film Studies (Group 6)
The Diploma Programme (DP) film course aims to develop students as proficient interpreters and makers of film texts. Through the study and analysis of film texts, and through practical exercises in film production, the film course develops students” critical abilities and their appreciation of artistic, cultural, historical and global perspectives in film. Students examine film concepts, theories, practices and ideas from multiple perspectives, challenging their own viewpoints and biases in order to understand and value those of others DP film students experiment with film and multimedia technology, acquiring the skills and creative competencies required to successfully communicate through the language of the medium. They develop an artistic voice and learn how to express personal perspectives through film.
IB Diploma curriculum guide for parents and students
We welcome your application to join Year 11 in 2025!
If your query is not answered in the below links please feel free to email enrolments@ccrss.nsw.edu.au
