International Baccalaureate
Field Trip Forms for Camp Squeah (May 2025 Grad Session - IB students)
We hope that you found the Orientation yesterday productive and enjoyable. It was lovely to meet you all and to spend part of the afternoon with you. Below you will find the Letter Home, Medical and Parent Consent forms for our 2-night, 3-day trip trip to Camp Squeah upcoming on September 20, 2023, buses leaving at 8:00am from Churchill School. Please read the Letter Home with your parent/guardian with due care and attention because there is a lot of important information in that letter. Please follow this up with printing and completing the Medical and Parent Consent forms. These two forms must be returned to the IB Office (room 202A, between rooms 201 and 202), at Churchill School, by June 25, 2023 - 3:30pm. June 26, 2023 - 3:30pm. There will be two baskets front and centre in the IB Office for your convenience, one for each form. If you are not from Churchill, you can ask a trusted teacher or counsellor to "Blue Bag" the form to Ms Puzio at Churchill School (please use an envelope in this case). There are no more fees to pay as they were part of your IB fees for 2023-24.
Incoming IB Year One Students (May 2025 Grad Session)
We are looking forward to seeing you on June 14 in Churchill's Cafeteria at 4:00pm. This IB Orientation event will last until about 5:30pm, you will be introduced to our program, meet other incoming IB students, meet your IB Directors, meet some IB teachers and you will receive some IB English books. See you there!
The IB Application Process for September 2024 Enrolment
For current Grade 9 students (Grade 10 students as of September 2023), and their families, interested in applying for IB for our September 2024 enrolment, please join the IB Diploma Coordinator, Karen Puzio, in the Auditorium at Churchill School on Thursday, November 30th from 5:30 to 7:00pm for a presentation about IB, what IB looks like at Churchill School, and information about applying for 2024. I look forward to seeing you there!
- Application forms for 2024 enrolment will be posted on December 1 by 3:30pm.
- Applications for IB for enrolment in 2024 will be due in the Main Office at Churchill School by 3:00pm on December 13, 2023.
- The IB Diploma Program at Churchill School is a Vancouver School District program.
Please continue reading this webpage for more and important details about IB, our IB team at Churchill embraces educational approaches that encourage students to become active, compassionate, life-long learners. IB is much more than "advanced" classes.
The IB Application Process is CLOSED for September 2023 Enrolment: Thank you for your interest in our program, it is now full.
The International Baccalaureate
The IB Diploma Program is designed as an academically challenging and balanced program that encourages community involvement and service while also preparing students for success at university. The IB values 21st century learning, there is a focus on the development of specific skills: communication, social, self-management/executive, research and thinking.
In the IB Program, we strive to meet the goals of the IB Mission Statement and to help our students develop the IB Learner Profile.
The International Baccalaureate Mission Statement & International Mindedness
"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 school, 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."
At Churchill, all learners are encouraged to develop awareness beyond the individual and their immediate community.
School Strategy & IB at Churchill Secondary
The Learner Profile & IB Approaches to Teaching and Learning are frameworks for students, staff, and administration that encourages a holistic approach to education. Therefore, the foundation of the IB Mission Statement and International Mindedness are further reinforced. All teachers and students strive to be:
- Inquirers - curious
- Knowledgeable - well-read, aware
- Thinkers - rational, critical
- Communicators - collaborative
- Principled - honest, act with integrity
- Open-Minded - non-judgmental, unprejudiced
- Caring - compassionate
- Risk-Takers - resilient
- Balanced - mindful
- Reflective - thoughtful
For more details about the individual learner profiles, see: learner-profile-en.pdf
This philosophy of holistic education aligns completely with the Vancouver School District's School Plan, which includes:
- Improving student achievement, physical and mental well-being, and belonging
- Increasing equity
- Continuing its Reconciliation journey with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit
The Outcomes of an IB Education at Churchill School
Diploma Programme candidates are required to study six subjects and a programme core. Specialization is provided by requiring at least three [no more than four] of the six subjects to be studied at HL. Breadth is provided by studying three subjects [two if four HL subjects are taken] at standard level (SL).
Below are the subjects we offer at Churchill, but please note that these offerings can change.
Please note that students who enroll in the IB Program at Churchill are also required to complete the new Contemporary Indigenous Studies course on time-table. This means that Grade 11 students cannot have an on time-table elective. This course must be completed, on timetable as an IB student even if the student has already completed the course. It is a part of our core program.
Students choose courses from the following subject groups:
- Group 1: Studies in language and literature
- English A: Literature
- French A: Language and Literature
- Group 2: Language acquisition
- French B
- French ab initio
- Japanese ab initio
- Group 3: Individuals and societies
- Geography
- History
- Psychology
- Group 4: Natural Sciences
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Group 5: Mathematics
- Group 6: The arts
- Film
- Dance
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
Students may opt out of Group 6 to study an additional Group 2, 3, or 4 - depending on the timetable. We highly recommend that students consider taking a Group 6 rather than replacing it because it provides the best IB experience and balanced course load. For more detailed descriptions of the IB courses offered at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School, see the PDF attachments below.
The core of the Diploma Programme consists of the theory of knowledge (TOK), the extended essay (EE) and creativity, activity, service (CAS).
- TOK provides a forum for discussion, reflection and instruction that considers the nature of human knowledge and supports the development of interdisciplinary understanding.
- The EE provides the opportunity to investigate an academic research question of individual interest and in the process to develop the independent research and writing skills expected for further education.
- Participation in the school’s CAS programme broadens the educational experience by expecting students to be involved in creative, physical and service activities.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School
Most IB subjects are blended HL/SL in Year 1 (Grade 11). This means that HL and SL students are in the same classroom. Decisions about HL/SL status is made at the end of Grade 11 up to October of Year 2 (Grade 12).
All IB Group Subjects are completed on timetable over two years.
Please note: we do our best to accommodate all course requests; however, there may be restrictions in the timetable and students may not get all the courses and/or levels they request.
At Churchill School, IB teachers recognize that all teachers are, in practice, language teachers with responsibilities in facilitating communication. Students who join our program are to learn at least one language in addition to their home/personal language(s). At Churchill we offer French B and Japanese ab initio options for our IB students to learn.
French A is for candidates admitted to the IB French Immersion Programme.
Language of Instruction, Group 1:
English - All candidates will complete English A.
Language Acquisition, Group 2:
French Immersion A
French B
For candidates with grade 10 level ability in the language. There will be a language placement test for French B.
Japanese ab initio.pdf
For candidates who are interested in learning a new language from the beginning (ab initio) or for candidates who do not qualify for French A or French B, French ab initio or Japanese ab initio may be the right fit for you. Our Japanese Language teacher, Ms Wakabayahsi, will be available for questions at the Course Selection session as will Mme Kung for French. There will also be language placement exams for French B, French ab initio and Japanese ab initio
Individuals & Societies (Humanities), Group 3:
Candidates select one Group 3 subject (can select two if they elect not to complete a Group 6 subject). If a candidate chooses IB Psychology, in order to graduate high school, the candidate must also complete a Social Studies 11 (SS11) equivalent course online or in summer school as IB Psychology does not meet the requirements for SS11. If a candidate completes either IB Geography or IB History, the requirements for graduation are met and no online or summer school SS11 equivalent course needs to be completed.
Geography
History HL
History SL
Psychology
Natural Sciences, Group 4:
Candidates select one Group 4 subject (can select two if they elect not to complete a Group 6 subject).
NB: Most Canadian post-secondary institutions require students complete two sciences for admissions into their Science faculties. Also, most Canadian post-secondary institutions require that students complete Provincial-level (i.e. not IB) Chemistry 11 and Physics 11. IB candidates taking one of these (IB Chemistry or IB Physics, but not both) and IB Biology (thus completing the two required sciences) will need to complete the other (Chemistry or Physics) at the Provincial grade 11 level only. This should be done online or during summer school.
NB: Engineering programs vary in their requirements and IB candidates should examine what they will need for admissions before course selection. Most engineering programs require both Chemistry and Physics at the grade 12 level too; in that case, IB candidates completing one of these course requirements in IB (i.e. IB Chemistry or IB Physics) ought to complete the grade 11 and 12 at the Provincial level online or in summer school.
IB candidates can request to complete IB Chemistry and IB Physics; however, we encourage candidates to also follow their interests. If a candidate is interested in a future in medicine, they really ought to take IB Biology! The universities do not care if the required Physics and Chemistry 11 classes are IB or not. Many of our IB candidates complete the other required science at the provincial level online or during summer school.
Biology HL
Biology SL
Chemistry HL
Chemistry SL
Physics HL
Physics SL
Mathematics, Group 5:
With the IB Curriculum changes implemented recently, IB at SWC is approaching admissions to IB Math differently. Candidates who have successfully completed Math 10 will be placed in one cohort and candidates who have successfully completed Math 11+ will be placed in another. The cohort for Math 10 candidates will be learning Analysis and Approaches (AA) SL. The cohort for Math 11+ candidates will be learning AA blended HL/SL. The difference between the dedicated AA SL and blended AA HL/SL cohorts will be content and speed with which units will be taught. Essentially, the AA HL/SL cohort is a year ahead.
Candidates will work throughout the year in their designated cohorts to demonstrate their ability and upon their teachers’ recommendation and a minimum required IB score achieved by the end of term 2, candidates from both cohorts will either:
- Continue in AA SL
- Enter a new stream available in Year 2 only: Applications and Interpretations (AI) SL.
- Enter a new stream available in Year 2 only: Analysis and Approaches (AA) HL
NB: Candidates interested in admissions to Commerce, Sciences, or Engineering faculties in university must complete AA SL or HL to be considered for admissions. Candidates interested in Arts faculties will be considered for admissions with the completion of AI SL.
Math AA HL and SL.pdf
Math AI SL only.pdf
Fine Arts, Group 6:
For candidates to have the true IB experience and a most manageable course load, they ought to complete a Group 6 subject. However, IB recognizes some of the limitations post-secondary institutions have placed on admission requirements and Group 6 is optional.
NB: Group 6 is a perfect outlet for creativity, it adds balance and structure to the IB candidates overwhelming schedule, and significantly develops the critical skill of critical thinking. FYI: candidates interested in architecture ought to consider completing Visual Arts!
Film HL/SL
IB Dance.pdf
IB Dance SL.pdf
Theatre HL
Theatre SL
Visual Arts HL
Visual Arts SL
IB Core:
Successful completion of the IB Programme depends on the successful completion of its core.
CAS and the EE are completed off-timetable with the guidance of the CAS Coordinator, Ms Waight, and the Diploma Coordinator, Ms Puzio.
TOK, or Theory of Knowledge, is completed on-timetable over the two years.
Core CAS
Core Extended Essay
Core TOK
Helpful Links for Families
How to solve a concern at school: https://www.vsb.bc.ca/page/5044/how-to-solve-a-concern-at-school
Inclusion policies:
https://inclusionbc.org/our-resources/inclusive-education-handbook-chapter-5/
Vancouver School Board Policy on Choice & District Programs:
https://media.vsb.bc.ca/media/Default/medialib/ap_220_district_programs_choice.3c9d8c14456.pdf
Vancouver School Board Policy on integration of students with diverse needs: https://media.vsb.bc.ca/media/Default/medialib/ap_213_integration_of_students_with_diverse_needs.100d8414451.pdf
IB on Academic Integrity: below are two useful links to documents for parents and students about the IB's rigorous academic integrity policies and expectations. There was a recent IB publication about ChatGPT made available to IB staff. It is most relevant that students and parents understand:"Students should be aware that the IB does not regard any work produced—even only in part—by such tools [ChatGPT], to be their own. Therefore, as with any quote or material from another source, it must be clear that AI-generated text, image or graph included in a piece of work, has been copied from such software. The software must be credited in the body of the text and appropriately referenced in the bibliography. As with current practice, an essay which is predominantly quotes will not get many, if any, marks with an IB mark scheme."
Student pamphlet: Student Pamphlet Academic Honesty.pdf
Academic integrity handbook: IB on Academic Integrity.pdf
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