Secondary IB Diploma

At HHIS, Year 12 & 13 students have the opportunity to study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.  As an IB World Accredited School, we are proud to work in partnership with the IB so that we can continue to deliver an outstanding educational experience. Our students are inspired and supported to develop their own ideas so they can provide positive change for themselves, their communities and the world. 

The IBDP is an advanced 2-year course of study completed in Year 12 and 13. Studying the IBDP at Hua Hin International School is much more than just a curriculum, it truly is an educational experience which supports immediate successes and prepares students for their next steps at university and in working life.

Central to enjoying the experience and achieving success in the DP, students will need to consistently apply, reflect upon and further develop their use of the ‘I’ values - these support and promote the IB Learner Profile and provide a platform for approaching learning in all their classes.

The spectrum of IB classes and opportunities are designed to teach and support students to think critically and to appreciate the importance of seeing events and knowledge claims from different perspectives. Students are encouraged to understand strengths and weaknesses of what others claim to “know,” to understand and explore ethical controversies inherently relevant to what they learn, and to be able to apply what they learn in meaningful ways to the “real world”.

Central to our education are Creativity, Activity, Service, studies in the Theory of Knowledge and the completion of the Extended Essay. Students also engage in a variety of experiences in Approaches to Learning, where they will further develop an appreciation of international-mindedness, understand their community responsibilities and further enhance their learning skills so they can become creative, independent analytical thinkers who know how to work successfully in a team.

Using all the skills and experiences gained, our students will be able to successfully:

• Design and develop their own ideas and projects for the three Core Components
• Study six subjects at a variety of levels within the different curriculum subject groups
• Have the opportunity to achieve the award of a Bilingual Diploma. 

The IBDP is an advanced 2-year course of study completed in Year 12 and 13. Studying the IBDP at Hua Hin International School is much more than just a curriculum, it truly is an educational experience which supports immediate successes and prepares students for their next steps at university and in working life. Central to enjoying the experience and achieving success in the DP, students will need to consistently apply, reflect upon and further develop their use of the ‘I’ values - these support and promote the IB Learner Profile and provide a platform for approaching learning in all their classes.

The spectrum of IB classes and opportunities are designed to teach and support students to think critically and to appreciate the importance of seeing events and knowledge claims from different perspectives. Students are encouraged to understand strengths and weaknesses of what others claim to “know,” to understand and explore ethical controversies inherently relevant to what they learn, and to be able to apply what they learn in meaningful ways to the “real world”.

Central to our education are Creativity, Activity, Service, studies in the Theory of Knowledge and the completion of the Extended Essay. Students also engage in a variety of experiences in Approaches to Learning, where they will further develop an appreciation of international-mindedness, understand their community responsibilities and further enhance their learning skills so they can become creative, independent analytical thinkers who know how to work successfully in a team. Using all the skills and experiences gained, our students will be able to successfully:

• Design and develop their own ideas and projects for the three Core Components
• Study six subjects at a variety of levels within the different curriculum subject groups
• Have the opportunity to achieve the award of a Bilingual Diploma.  
   

The Bilingual Diploma

In addition to achieving the IB Diploma, HHIS students can also achieve the impressive award of a Bilingual Diploma. Nowadays, in an internationalised economy, employers seek individuals who can communicate in multiple languages. Completing the IB Bilingual Diploma supports our students in developing the ability to communicate in more than one language, as a first language speaker.

The Bilingual Diploma will be awarded to students who fulfill one or both of the following criteria:

• Completion of two languages from Group 1 with the award of a grade 3 or higher in both.
• Completion of one of the subjects from Group 3 or Group 4 in a language that is not the same as the student’s nominated Group 1 language; the student must attain a grade 3 or higher in both the Group 1 language and the subject from Group 3 or 4.

At HHIS, international-mindedness is a view of the world in which we see ourselves connected to the global community. Students, teachers and parents assume a sense of responsibility to its members. We show a strong awareness of the inter-relatedness of all nations and peoples, and a recognition of the complexity of these relationships. As an internationally-minded community,  we appreciate and value the diversity of cultures in the world and make an effort to learn more about them and support others.

HHIS students are inspired to be global leaders of the future. Students show their independence and individual flair, whilst gaining support from the whole community, so that they can gain and develop insights into people and cultures across the world. Working together, they acquire an unprecedented concern for the well-being of the world community. Students continue to show great initiative to create action and deliver big impacts... since our opening in 2015 there has been a number of highlights! What can we achieve next?
We are proud of our student's impact and international outlook

In addition to studying a broad set of subjects, students also participate in the Core Curriculum. This where students develop skills for the future and participate in a unique blend of opportunities and experiences. Students are fully supported and guided by their teachers, as they design and develop their own ideas and projects. Full details are shared below for the exciting personal journey that every student can create.

Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) 

CAS is the heartbeat of learning at Hua Hin International School and all students are encouraged and expected to fully embrace a holistic learning approach throughout their studies at HHIS, regularly reflecting and inspiring new ideas to support their learning and to help others. The CAS programme is supported and enriched by a wealth of local specialists, who form an extensive network of knowledge and expertise that students can draw upon and add to. The programme is composed of three strands: creativity, activity and service.

• Creativity is interpreted broadly to include a wide range of arts activities as well as the creativity students demonstrate in designing and implementing larger projects. Throughout their time at HHIS, students are exposed to a huge variety of opportunities to express and develop their creativity, including dramatic arts, musical performances and art exhibitions. To enrich their CAS portfolio, students will pursue creative experiences that might include participation in a band, producing a stage production, developing an art installation, designing the school gardens, painting a mural, or even adding their input to the interior design of the school facilities. The portfolio really is a blank canvas waiting for the individual stamp of HHIS students.
• Activity can include participation in individual and team sports, but also local expeditions and international projects. HHIS students are fortunate to live in a community that boasts easy access to the sea, whilst being in close proximity to the mountains. There is a huge scope for students to pursue water sports, mountaineering or trekking. The extra-curricular programme in the primary and secondary years is extensive, and IB students at HHIS can make full use of this during their CAS course. Students will have easy access to expert sports coaches, including yoga, karate, football, basketball, running, swimming and sailing. The school is also a short distance from some of the best golf courses in Asia, as well as world-class tennis facilities and well-equipped gyms. Throughout their diploma programme at Hua Hin International School, students will have top quality sporting advice and facilities at their fingertips.
• Service encompasses a host of community and social service activities. Some examples include helping children at local schools, fundraising and working with refugees. Hua Hin International School has a proud tradition of student-led service projects that make a real impact in the community. This is a true strength of the whole school community. The school has a strong relationship with many organisations in the local community and these will be integral to the service projects students will undertake during their CAS programme. The service element of CAS will provide students to make a real difference in the local area and offer their own skills to help and develop Hua Hin and beyond. More than this, by participating in service projects students will benefit from a wider range of cultural perspectives that build upon and enhance their academic work in school. They will become truly open-minded, caring and principled members of society.
   

Theory of Knowledge (TOK)

In Theory of Knowledge (TOK), students reflect on the nature of knowledge and how we know what we profess to know. The course has been designed to encourage critical thinking by examining different ways of knowing, such as faith, language and reason, and different areas of knowledge, including mathematics, natural science, history and religious knowledge systems. At HHIS, IB students will play a key role in curriculum design and will determine the direction of the course.

There is a shared passion and energy for TOK amongst staff at HHIS, and all subjects link to and benefit from the subject. The course is taught by a team of specialists, whose expertise in their own subject field contributes to a diverse pool of knowledge. There is a direct synergy between TOK and diploma programme subjects, with regular discussions of knowledge theory incorporated into subject lessons. Furthermore, the TOK ethos is an extension of the HHIS philosophy of developing inquisitive, reflective learners.

TOK is assessed through an exhibition that looks at the student’s ability to apply TOK thinking to real-life objects. Students also write a 1,600 word essay answering a single question chosen from six offerings set by the IB. An example question includes, ‘To what extent are areas of knowledge shaped by their past? Consider with reference to two areas of knowledge.’

The Extended Essay (EE)

The Extended Essay provides a wonderful opportunity for students to define their own independent, self-directed piece of research, where they can design an individual journey to reflect their personal passions. Students create their own learning path that allows them to nurture their inquisitive nature and support the acquisition of big ideas that can be used in the Diploma Programme and in the future.

Students produce an EE with support and guidance from a supervising teacher and the overall guidance from the Extended Essay Coordinator. Students are given materials to help them in proceeding with their research, including the extended essay requirements, necessary forms to be completed during the essay process along with a list of important due dates to help track and support their progress, towards completing the 4,000-word paper. 

Students engage in research through an in-depth study of a question relating to a subject they select. Students are advised to choose a subject for which they have sufficient background knowledge and skills. Subjects that are not part of the student’s Diploma Programme are permitted, but it is advised that the student has a high level of personal interest in that particular subject. Choosing a topic from a particular subject requires careful consideration. Students must review the relevant subject guidelines, which will be provided by the Extended Essay Coordinator. Topics should be limited in scope so that students have the opportunity to research the issue in depth. Collecting data and information should allow students to provide analysis and evaluation of their research. However it is not necessary for this research to make a contribution to existing or new knowledge within the subject. Students communicate their discoveries in a logical manner and present the essay according to  IB guidelines. The extended essay should include an introduction, the body and the conclusion with a limit of 4,000 words. 

There is no doubt that the Extended Essay is a very rewarding experience. All students will be guided so they follow the IB guidelines and meet the supportive deadlines. Once a student has completed the 4,000 word extended essay to the best of their ability, they will able to reflect and feel very proud of their achievements.

Success in all areas of study and life come from solid foundations. To ensure our students enjoy and achieve in their own personal journeys, there are key areas that they will receive regular input and guidance with: 

1. making positive choices
2. using top tips and advice
3. developing approaches to learning 
4. understanding the assessment details
5. scoring IB points and achieving the Diploma Programme

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Positive Choices

Every year our subject portfolio across the whole school grows as we ask our students about individual interests, what they enjoy and want to study in the future. We know if our students enjoy what they are learning, they will continue to achieve their very best. 

The best advice in selecting subjects for Sixth Form study is to consider the three key questions below:

1. What do you enjoy studying now?
2. What is your passion and which subjects will help you follow your dreams in the future?
3. What areas are you most likely to be successful?

Subject choices are an individual thing, so whilst we want students to gain the advice of others, we also recommend that it is not a good idea to pick a subject because a best friend is studying the same, or because it is what their parent would prefer.

Students are therefore encouraged to first think about the three questions independently, then to talk with friends, parents and teachers.  The process of deciding is not one to rush and decisions are never final. This means, that should a student start by selecting History and then decide they would prefer to study Business Management, we will fully discuss the change and support the student.