From the Head of Learning and Teaching – IB Global Conference

Early in Term 3, I travelled with our Head of Senior School, Joanna Graffen, to represent MLC School at the IB Global Conference in Washington DC. Across four days, we engaged with educators from 43 different countries as we explored the conference theme of Inspiring Learners, Realising Potential. With thought provoking keynotes from global thought leaders, we explored diverse topics including the role of education in the era of AI, modernisation of the educational context and the importance of human agency to lead in a complex world.

The conference was an opportunity to learn more about the current research focus of the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) and some of the pilot programs they have initiated. It was particularly interesting to learn about the way in which they are engaging with current trends in education and their commitment to being more transparent about how they are working on these trends and seeking feedback from IB community. This was particularly evident in a session where Matt Glanville, the Director for Assessment at the IB, talked about how they are engaging with AI and the importance of preparing students for a world where this is increasingly becoming part of the workplace.

There was an opportunity to take a deep dive into the curriculum development space with Angela Rivière Head of Programme Development for the Diploma Programme and learn more about the review of the 16+ programs of which the Diploma is part, with the launch of the new programs scheduled for 2030. There are some new courses being developed that provide exciting opportunities and we look forward to discussing these with the teaching team once they become available.

As always it is interesting to spend time with colleagues from other systems and discuss how they approach learning and the challenges they face within their specific context. I am very grateful in Australia that we value teacher professional judgment and autonomy in the way we do after hearing how many of our peers find themselves in systems where standardised testing is mandated at both state and district levels.

But the greatest takeaway from the conference was this, the way in which the IB Diploma Programme is delivered at MLC School is world class and I am so incredibly proud of the staff both past and present who have built this extraordinary program.

– Linda Emms
From the Head of Learning and Teaching