The Australian Curriculum is the national curriculum used in primary schools and secondary schools throughout Australia. It is designed to level the playing field and ensure that Australian students — regardless of their background — have access to a thought-provoking, skills-based education.
Families relocating from Australia to Singapore may find that it’s best to choose an international school in Singapore rooted in the IB framework, such as One World International School Nanyang (a dual programme IB World School offering the IB Primary Years Programme and IB Diploma Programme). While there may be some hurdles to overcome during the transition, most students find that it’s easy to move from an Australian school to an international school that offers an IB education.
Aligning the Australian Curriculum With IB Principles
The Australian Curriculum was designed to improve the quality and equity of education throughout Australia and to increase transparency in education. It is often described as a three-dimensional curriculum with targeted learning areas, capabilities and cross-curriculum priorities. By weaving those three dimensions together, the Australian curriculum can promote knowledge acquisition, deepen understanding of complex topics and promote skill development in students of all ages.
Keeping these three dimensions in mind, it’s clear that the Australian curriculum is aligned with the IB framework in many ways. Skills-based learning is a central focal point of the Australian curriculum, just as it is within the IB. As a result, many students find that it is easy to transition from an Australian school to an international IB school in Singapore.
The Australian Curriculum vs. IB Programmes
When comparing the Australian Curriculum and IB programmes, you will notice some distinct differences.
The Australian Curriculum offers:
- A national perspective, largely focusing on issues that are of critical importance in Australia.
- A prescriptive approach to learning, with students having little autonomy over the courses they choose or the learning approach they prefer.
- A discussion-based approach to teaching, with many teachers believing they should be guides rather than instructors.
- A varied approach to assessment, ensuring that the needs of students are met while accurately assessing a particular subject area or topic.
IB programmes offer:
- A global perspective, allowing students to become more culturally aware and responsive.
- A well-rounded approach to learning that emphasises student voice and choice in education. Students have more freedom and flexibility to direct the course of their learning experiences.
- A discussion-based approach to teaching, with many teachers believing they should be guides rather than instructors. Teachers at our IB school are trained in the IB framework, allowing them to effectively implement the curriculum at every level.
- A varied approach to assessment, including written, oral and project-based assignments, ensuring that students are accurately assessed on a particular subject area or topic.
Areas of Synergy That Aid the Transition
In some key ways, the Australian Curriculum and the IB programmes are aligned with one another. Both programmes prioritise discussion-based learning, which helps make the transition as seamless as possible. Students who have been attending an Australian school are accustomed to this approach, and they do not feel intimidated when they are in a new school and engaging in discussion with their classmates.
Another critical area of synergy is the approach to assessments. Both the Australian Curriculum and the IB programmes rely on a wide range of assessment styles to accurately test the knowledge and skills of students, regardless of their strengths and weaknesses. Compared to other curricula, which rely heavily on standardised testing, both the Australian Curriculum and IB have a similar approach to testing and assessment.
Adapting to Inquiry-Based Learning
Discussion-based learning is the norm within the Australian Curriculum, but it does not introduce the concept of inquiry-based learning. Inquiry-led learning is an approach designed to spark curiosity and wonder in the minds of students, giving them the confidence to continue asking questions, testing theories, making mistakes and studying the results.
When a student is not accustomed to inquiry-based learning, it may feel a bit foreign and unnatural. An Australian student may be looking for a teacher to tell them what questions they should be asking, but an IB teacher is not going to do that. They are going to provide students with scenarios and tools for finding the answers, so it could take some time to adjust to this new approach.
What Inquiry-Based Learning Looks Like in the IB PYP and IBDP
Inquiry-based learning anchors both the IB PYP and IBDP, but families that are relocating from Australia may not know what that looks like.
At OWIS Nanyang, we incorporate inquiry-based learning by:
- Creating an engaging and immersive learning environment. Classroom setup and structure are critical to effectively implementing inquiry-led learning at every level. In the Early Childhood Programme, for example, children enjoy hands-on learning at theme-based stations within the classroom. They can use their interests to fuel their learning, and they are given the freedom to make discoveries.
- Allowing teachers to serve as facilitators and managers, rather than as instructors. Teachers in the IBDP, for instance, often avoid directly answering students’ questions. Instead, they facilitate further discussion among the group, helping students organically improve their communication and collaboration skills all while deepening their understanding of the material.
- By giving students agency in their learning and empowering them to work independently, the teachers at OWIS Nanyang instill a better sense of self-motivation in students and help them build upon their natural sense of curiosity.
Strategies for Adapting to Inquiry-Based Learning
While the inquiry-based learning model may look and feel a bit different for students who are coming from an Australian school, most find that it’s quite easy to adapt to it. Many students report that they prefer the inquiry-based learning approach because it allows them to play a more central role in shaping their educational experience.
As your child prepares to relocate to Singapore and transition to an international school, you can help them adapt to inquiry-based learning by:
- Reminding them that they can and should ask questions and that there is no such thing as a bad question.
- Encouraging them to persevere and become more resilient. Try to encourage them to keep moving forward, even if they make a mistake or feel embarrassed in class.
- Helping them discover their interests and passions, and encouraging them to work on projects outside the classroom environment. Instilling a love of learning in your child, and nurturing their natural sense of curiosity, will allow them to seamlessly transition to an inquiry-based learning environment.
Recognising and Overcoming Potential Challenges
By being aware of the potential challenges that your child may face as they transition to a new international school in Singapore, you can prepare them to overcome those challenges. Instilling this sense of resilience in your child is critical to their overall success, as it will allow them to adopt a growth mindset and continue moving forward, even in the face of adversity. As they mature, they will no longer see challenges as a setback, but rather as an opportunity for growth and learning.
Challenges Some Students Face When Transitioning From the Australian Curriculum to the IB
While both the Australian Curriculum and IB are closely aligned in their goals and educational approaches, there are some common challenges that many students face as they transition from one to the other. Some key challenges to be aware of include:
- Feeling overwhelmed by the opportunity to express voice and choice in education. The Australian Curriculum is widely known as a prescriptive curriculum, so students are used to being told what subjects they will take and which courses will be required. Some students may feel a bit intimidated, shy or overwhelmed when it comes to voicing their opinions in class.
- Feeling intimidated by the breadth and depth of the IB programmes. In particular, the IB DP is considered a more rigorous curriculum, and there are increased academic requirements when compared to the Australian Curriculum.
The Importance of Establishing a Support Network at Your Singapore International School
Any period of transition can be difficult, but that’s where the support of others in your international school community comes into play. As you settle into your new life in Singapore, you and your family will want to become more involved in your school community and start establishing a network of support.
Encouraging your child to join extracurricular activities, volunteering at the school when possible and developing a positive working relationship with teachers and administrators can help make this transitional period feel less overwhelming for both you and your child.
Learn More About the IB at OWIS Nanyang
At OWIS Nanyang, we are proud to be considered among the popular international schools in Singapore. Our multicultural community at our international school in Jurong includes students from a wide range of countries, including Australia. Furthermore, our IB-trained teachers have significant experience helping students navigate through these transitions.
In addition to our holistic approach to education and our skills-based curriculum, we also offer a comprehensive pastoral care programme that is designed to meet the physical, emotional and social needs of our students.
To learn more about the benefits of attending an IB school in Singapore, schedule your campus tour of OWIS Nanyang today.
