International Baccalaureate

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 schools, 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.—International Baccalaureate Mission Statement. http://www.ibo.org/

Yesterday my daughter received a letter.  Not just any letter but one we have been waiting for with great trepidation.  The contents of this letter would determine for her the next four years in her academic career.  She's in grade eight right now and already thinking about university and what it will take to ensure she gets into the university of her choice.

On February 12th she, along with about 250 other hopefuls sat through four assessments required for the 120 seats available in the IB programme at Port Moody Secondary.  This along with a very comprehensive application will determine if she or any of the students qualify for this somewhat exclusive programme. 

Yesterday's letter indicated that yes, my daughter has what it takes to be an IB student.  So what does this mean for her?  It's a huge opportunity for her but she doesn't see it that way, not entirely.  She's saddened by this news because it will mean attending a school that will not include many of her friends, well, none of her friends to be precise.  She will have one classmate joining her, in fact she's known him since grade two and his mom is my BFF.  They can rely on each other until they establish themselves amongst their peers. 

She's resigned herself to the fact that her father will insist she take this opportunity, my position is a little softer.  While I agree that this could be the opportunity of a life time I also understand what it's like to be an introverted teenage girl...very very different from and extroverted teenage boy! (her father)  He feels she's too young to make such a decision.  My argument is that if she's smart enough and mature enough to get into this programme she's also not going to make her decision lightly.  Doesn't matter though, she and I both know there is no arguing with her father, a lesson I learned years ago.

So she'll bow her head and agree to attend, will she be happy?  That's up to her.  I think once she's actually going and realises it's not so bad she'll embrace this opportunity.  Right now though, she's already missing friends that may or may not have staying power.  I've told her, if they are really good friends, going to different schools won't matter.  In fact that may make the friendship stronger because you're not "stuck" with each other all day long, that you will actually have something to talk about that hasn't been said a million times already.   

She has had a door opened for her, it's up to her to walk through it...

With much love, light and a mothers pride,
Tammy.