Course Outline
Year 13 - IBDP
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Biology Programme 2025
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Paper 1
Paper 1A: Multiple choice questions
Paper 1B: Data-based questions
Paper 2
Section A: Data-based questions and short answer questions
Section B: Extended response questions
Internal Assessment
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
November 2025
In the first year of the Diploma Programme the students develop their understanding of the core topics of Biology – Cells and Biomolecules, Metabolism, Genetics and Equilibrium, Body and Plant Systems, Biodiversity, Nutrition and Human Impacts. Through practical work the students are also developing their investigative and analytical skills in preparation for their Internal Assessment.
Course Information
• Students are issued with a textbook for the duration of the 2-year course.
• Students are also issued with a Study Guide and a workbook which will be charged to their accounts.
• 2025 teachers are Ms Renaud
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Completing any unfinished classwork.
• Completing workbook/worksheet exercises.
• Going over classwork to identify any gaps in understanding which should be raised with the teacher in the following lesson.
Head of Department: Rebecca
Hickey
Queen Margaret College
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
Course details
The role of businesses, as distinct from other organizations in a society, is to produce and sell goods and services that meet human needs and wants by organizing resources. Profit-making, risktaking and operating in a competitive environment characterize most business organizations. Business management is the study of decision-making within an organization, whereas economics is the study of scarcity and resource allocation, both on micro and macro levels.
The Diploma Programme business management course is designed to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of business management theories, as well as their ability to apply a range of tools and techniques. Students learn to analyse, discuss and evaluate business activities at local, national and international levels. The course covers a range of organizations from all sectors, as well as the socio-cultural and economic contexts in which those organizations operate. Emphasis is placed on strategic decision-making and the operational business functions of human resource management, finance and accounts, marketing and operations management.
Course Information
Homework expectations
It is the responsibility of each student to catch up on any missed notes and exercises and this should be done in their own time.
Students are expected to do regular homework each night to consolidate their understanding of the material covered. Regular assignments will be given that include case studies and questions from past IB examinations. Students should have a clearfile or folder to store all assignments and topic tests.
Head of Learning Area: Adrian Hardy
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Chemistry SL/HL Programme 2025 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Paper 1 Paper 1A: Multiple choice questions Paper 1B: Data-based questions
Paper 2
Term 4 2024 through Term 1, 2025
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
In Term 1, all students will complete their individual chemistry investigation report, by applying the feedback generated from the draft version. They will also be complete the standard level syllabus including redox reactions, organic chemistry and periodic trends. Higher level students will begin learning additional content relating to each topic covered in the standard level syllabus but going into greater depth. In Terms two and three, standard level students will review and practise the standard level content, in preparation for the final examinations. Higher level students will complete the additional higher level content.
Resources:
• Each student has been issued with a textbook for duration of the two-year course.
• Students also have access to the Kognity online learning platform for the duration of the twoyear course.
• The teachers for 2025 are Ms Nicole Hoy and Dr Noah Lim
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve a high grade in IBD Chemistry, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• pre-reading lesson content.
• completing unfinished class work
• completing assigned exercises.
• reviewing lesson content to identify any gaps in understanding which should be raised with the teacher in the next lesson and/or in extra-help sessions.
• honing skills and evaluating their progress by completing and self-marking practice problems.
Head of Learning Area: Rebecca Hickey
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Chinese B SL and HL Programme 2025 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
The course is focused on language acquisition and the use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes. We use authentic texts to develop an understanding of the Chinesespeaking world while consolidating reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Students have the advantage of being fully immersed in a Chinese-speaking environment, in which they have daily exposure to a variety of rich language learning experiences. In Chinese B course, students study a wide range of topics, exploring the five themes of Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation and Sharing the Planet. Higher Level students will additionally study two literary texts on which their individual oral will be based. Through studying this thematic content, students develop their international mindedness and understanding of the concepts that language acquisition focuses on, namely, audience, context, purpose, meaning and variation.
In addition to the first-year topics covered, students will focus on the themes of Human Ingenuity and Sharing the Planet, and further study the following topics:
• Human ingenuity: technology, scientific renovation, entertainment, communications and media, and artistic expressions
– Students explore the ways in which human creativity and innovation affect the world.
• Sharing the planet: Globalisation, environment issues, equality, ethics, human rights, peace and conflicts
– Students explore the challenges and opportunities that individuals face in the modern world.
Course Information
• In 2025, Year 13 Chinese B is an option subject
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’. Homework might include:
• Learning a wide range of words, verbs, phrases, and cohesive devices
• Completion of assignments started in class
• Reading and grammar exercises to do
• Writings of different text types (360-480 characters for standard level, or 540-720 characters for higher level) and/or regular diary entries
• speaking tasks
• Creating revision materials
• Reviewing the work completed during class time, such as dictation
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class with www.languageperfect.com
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
• Carrying out research tasks on the internet
of Learning Area: Caroline Harding
Head
Component
Queen Margaret College Year 13
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
The course is focused on language acquisition and the use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes. We use authentic texts to develop an understanding of the English-speaking world while consolidating reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students have the advantage of being fully immersed in an English-speaking environment, in which they have daily exposure to a variety of rich language learning experiences. In English B we study a range of topics exploring the five IBD themes of Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation and Sharing the Planet. Higher Level students will also study two literary texts on which their individual oral will be based.
Course Information
• In 2025 Year 13 English B is an option subject.
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’. Homework might include:
• Learning a number of words, verbs or phrases.
• Completion of assignments started in class.
• Reading and grammar exercises to do or an essay to write.
• Creating revision material
• Reviewing the work completed during class time.
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class.
• Researching on the internet.
• Reading the works of literature.
Students will need to purchase their second literary text – Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Head of Learning Area: Caroline Harding
Queen Margaret College
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below. IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
The second year of this course will begin by focusing of on the Internal Assessment. All students will then complete the course completing their studies into the interrelationships between the environment and societies, enabling them to adopt an informed personal response to a wide range of pressing environmental issues. They will then consolidate their understanding of each core topic through a programme of structured review in preparation for their final exams.
Course Information
• Students are issued with a textbook for the duration of the 2-year course
• 2025 teacher is Miss Johns and Mr. Noble
Homework expectations
Your student should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Completing any unfinished classwork.
• Completing assignments.
• Going over classwork to identify any gaps in understanding which should be raised with the teacher in the following lesson.
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Film Programme 2024-2025
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Film portfolio (Portfolio pages and a film reel)
Summative: End of Term 3, 2025. (15th September) Comparative study
(9 pages; 9 minutes)
(Multimedia 10 minutes)
(2000 words, 5 minutes)
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
Summative: Week 1, Term 2 2025 (May 2nd)
Summative: Week 9, Term 2 2025. (23rd June).
Students explore the various contexts of film and make links to, and between, films, filmmakers and filmmaking techniques. They acquire and apply skills as discerning interpreters of film and as creators of film, working both individually and collaboratively. Through ongoing reflection, students develop evaluative and critical perspectives on their own film work and the work of others.
It is expected that by the end of the film course, students at SL or HL will be able to demonstrate the following: knowledge and understanding of specified contexts and processes, application and analysis of knowledge and understanding, synthesis and evaluation, and select, use and apply a variety of appropriate skills and techniques.
Course information
• Reading film. SL and HL students will examine film as an art form, studying a broad range of film texts from a variety of cultural contexts and analysing how film elements combine to convey meaning.
• Contextualizing film. SL and HL students will explore the evolution of film across time, space and culture. Students will examine various areas of film focus in order to recognize the similarities and differences that exist between films from contrasting cultural contexts.
• Exploring film production roles. SL and HL students will explore various film production roles through engagement with all phases of the filmmaking process in order to fulfill their own filmmaker intentions. Students acquire, develop and apply skills through filmmaking exercises, experiments and completed films. (Production skills within the defined production roles of Cinematographer, Director, Editor, Sound or Writer. Implicit in all of this is communication, collaboration and organisation).
• Collaboratively producing film HL only. Students focus on the collaborative aspects of filmmaking and experience working in core production teams in order to fulfill shared artistic intentions. They work in chosen film production roles and contribute to all phases of the filmmaking process in order to collaboratively create original completed films. (Production skills, as above).
• There are three assessments for Film. Students will also maintain a Film Journal throughout the course, which is compulsory, but not assessed.
Homework expectations
• Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
• To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week.
• Homework might include:
o Completion of or extension of work done in class
o Reading of the texts studied in class
o Revision of material covered in class
o Written responses and essays
o Preparation for assessments
o Practice examinations
Head of Department: Tim Jenkin
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 French B SL/HL Programme 2025
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
The course is focused on language acquisition and the use of language in a range of contexts and for different purposes. We use authentic texts to develop an understanding of the French-speaking world while consolidating reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students have the advantage of being fully immersed in a French-speaking environment, in which they have daily exposure to a variety of rich language learning experiences. In French B we study a range of topics exploring the five IBD themes of: Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation and Sharing the Planet. Higher Level students also study two literary texts on which their individual oral will be based.
Course Information
• In 2025 Year 13 French B is an option subject.
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’. Homework might include:
• Learning a number of words, verbs or phrases
• Completion of assignments started in class
• Reading and grammar exercises to do or an essay to write
• Creating revision material
• Reviewing the work completed during class time
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class with www.educationperfect.com
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
• Carrying out a research task on the internet
HL students will be charged for two literary texts, approximately $70.
Head of Learning Area: Caroline Harding
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 History Programme 2025
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Paper 1 (SL and HL)
Rights and Protest
Paper 2 (SL and HL)
Authoritarian States
Cold War
Paper 3(HL only)
Russia 1855-2000
Western Europe after 1945
Internal assessment
- 30%
- 20%
- 45%
End of 2 years examination
- 25% External End of 2 years examination
- 35% External End of 2 years examination
- 25%
- 20% Internal Term 2 Week 1
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
The second year of the History programme continues to develop the knowledge and skills learnt in the first year. The focus of the course is gain an understanding of international events and the links between countries, movements and events. It is a world history course, focussed mainly on the twentieth century. It covers aspects of American, African, Asian and European history, although the Higher Level students will study the European part in further detail. Through this course student will develop their research, critical thinking and communication skills.
Course Information
• Paper 1 is a Source Interpretation paper, the two topics studied are Civil Rights in the USA and South Africa
• Paper 2 is an essay-based assessment. Students will write two essays, one on authoritarian states and one on the Cold War
• Paper 3 is for Higher Level students only. Many of the topics will overlap with Paper 2, although there will be some additional knowledge and study required. The students are required to write three essays for this paper in the external examination.
• The internal assessment was started in Term 4 of 2024 and is due at the beginning of Term 2 2025
• Year 13 students have school-based examination in May and August.
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Extra readings
• Studying for tests
• Working on their internal assessment
• Writing essays
Head of Learning Area: Adrian Hardy
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Japanese B SL/HL Programme 2025
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Paper 1(Writing)
Paper 2(Listening and Reading)
Course details
The concept of international mindedness is at the heart of language learning. The study of Japanese will help students build their confidence by improving their speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. Emphasis is on making the language a vibrant and current tool for the understanding of another culture. The course is taught in Japanese wherever possible, with an aim to encourage students to deduce and infer the meaning of unknown words from context. Students work with authentic material and discuss current issues in detail. They study the following themes: Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation and Sharing the Planet. Students have regular conversation practice with our French language assistant to help develop their fluency and comprehension.
Course Information
• In 2025 Year 13 Japanese B is an option subject.
Topics
• 私たちの生活とテクノロジー Technology and Our Lives
• 成功を夢見て Dream of Success
• ともに生きる社会 Diverse Society
• 未来へのコンパス Compass to My Future
• 進化するデザイン Evolving Design
• 日本芸術への響き Be Inspired by Japanese Art
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’. Homework might include:
• Learning a number of words, verbs or phrases
• Reading and grammar exercises to do or an essay to write
• Creating revision material
• Reviewing the work completed during class time
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class with www.languageperfect.com
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
• Carrying out a research task on the internet
Head of Department: Caroline Harding
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 English A: Literature SSST Programme 2025-2026 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Individual Oral (Exploration of a global issue in connection with two studied literary works) 30% SL
Paper 1 Guided literary analysis 35%
Internal (Individual oral commentary and discussion with teacher)
External examination
Practice: 2024 (Y1), Term 3, Week 8 & 9
Final: 2024 (Y1), Term 4, Week 7
Practice: 2024 (Y1), Term 4, Week 2 AND 2025 (Y2), Term 3, Week 34
Final: 2025 (Y2), Term 4
Paper 2 Comparative essay 35% SL
External examination
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
Practice: 2025 (Y2), Term 2, Week 4-5, AND 2025 (Y2), Term 3, Week 3-4
Final: 2025 (Y2), Term 4
This course will encourage a personal appreciation of literature and develop an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism through the study of a wide range of literary works from different periods, genres, styles, and contexts. These works will incorporate some texts in translation and present a reflection on the culture to which they belong so that the students’ cultural perspective is widened. Texts will be chosen to encompass the diverse voices within literature and demonstrate how writers both conform and challenge conventions associated with different literary text types. This comprehensive study will result in students becoming life-long readers with a deep appreciation of literature.
Course information
• The course is comprised of three larger Areas of Exploration. Specific concepts are explored, and texts are selected to be studied within each area, but any texts studied can be used for any of the assessment components.
• The following two Areas of Exploration are studied in the first year of the course: 1. Readers, writers, and texts; 2 Time and space; and 3 Intertextuality will be taught in the second year of the course.
• There are three assessments for Standard Level. Students will also maintain an online Learner Portfolio throughout the course, which is compulsory, but not assessed.
Homework expectations
• Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
• To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week.
• Homework might include:
o Completion of or extension of work done in class
o Reading of the texts studied in class
o Revision of material covered in class
o Written responses and essays
o Preparation for assessments
o Practice examinations
of Learning Area: Annabel Harris
Head
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 English A: Literature Programme 2025 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Individual Oral (Exploration of a global issue in connection with two studied literary works)
30% SL 20% HL
Higher Level Essay (Formal literary essay, in connection with one studied literary work) 20% (HL only)
Paper 1 Guided literary analysis 35%
Internal (Individual oral commentary and discussion with teacher)
Final: 2024 (Y1), Term 4, Week 7
Final: 2025 (Y2), Term 1, Week 11
Paper 2 Comparative essay
35% SL 25% HL
External
External examination
External examination
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
Practice: 2024 (Y1), Term 4, Week 2 AND 2025 (Y2), Term 3, Week 3-4
Final: 2025 (Y2), Term 4
Practice: 2025 (Y2), Term 2, Week 4-5, AND 2025 (Y2), Term 3, Week 3-4
Final: 2025 (Y2), Term 4
This course will encourage a personal appreciation of literature and develop an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism through the study of a wide range of literary works from different periods, genres, styles, and contexts. These works will incorporate some texts in translation and present a reflection on the culture to which they belong so that the students’ cultural perspective is widened. Texts will be chosen to encompass the diverse voices within literature and demonstrate how writers both conform and challenge conventions associated with different literary text types. This comprehensive study will result in students becoming life-long readers with a deep appreciation of literature.
Course information
• The course is comprised of three larger Areas of Exploration. Specific concepts are explored, and texts are selected to be studied within each area, but any texts studied can be used for any of the assessment components.
• The following two Areas of Exploration are studied in the first year of the course: 1. Readers, writers, and texts; 2. Time and space; and 3. Intertextuality will be taught in the second year of the course.
• There are three assessments for Standard Level and four assessments for Higher Level. Students will also maintain an online Learner Portfolio throughout the course, which is compulsory, but not assessed. For more detailed information about the IB Diploma Assessment procedures at QMC
Homework expectations
• Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
• To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week.
• Homework might include:
o Completion of or extension of work done in class
o Reading of the texts studied in class
o Revision of material covered in class
o Written responses and essays
o Preparation for assessments
o Practice examinations
Head of Department: Annabel Harris
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL Programme 2024-2025 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Paper 1 (2 hours)
Year 2, Term 4 Paper 2 (2 hours)
Paper 3 (1 hour)
Internal
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures
Course details
Year 2, Term 4
Year 2, Term 4
Year 2, Term 2
This course caters for students with a good background in mathematics who are competent in a range of analytical and technical skills across a broad range of topics. Strength in algebra and algebra-based topics is essential, and aptitude and interest in abstract thinking is highly desirable.
The majority of students taking Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL will be expecting to include mathematics as a major component of their university studies, either as a subject in its own right or within courses such as physics, engineering and technology. Others may take this subject because they have a strong interest in mathematics and enjoy meeting its challenges and engaging with its problems.
Course Information
• The Mathematics Help Room is staffed by teachers every week at lunchtime and after school on Wednesdays. Students can attend to do their homework or receive some extra help.
• There will also be the opportunity to take part in the following activities and competitions:
✓ International Competition and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) for Mathematics (entry fee approximately $25.00).
✓ The Australian Mathematics Competition is held in August (entry fee approximately $15.00).
✓ A team will be selected to compete at The Wellington Mathematics Association MathsWell Competition held in August (entry fee approximately $25.00).
• Students must have a graphing calculator, preferably a Casio FX9860GIII.
• All students will be issued with individual electronic textbooks (approximate cost $50).
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to do regular homework each night to consolidate their understanding of the material covered. It is the responsibility of each student to catch up on any missed notes and exercises and this should be done in their own time. Regular assignments will be given with questions from past IB examinations.
Head of Learning Area: Matthew Kavanagh and Mike Lockwood
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL Programme 2024-2025
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Component
1 (1 hour 30 minutes)
2 (1 hour 30 minutes)
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures
Course details
Year 2, Term 4
Year 2, Term 4
Year 2, Term 2
This course caters for students with a good background in mathematics who are competent in a range of analytical and technical skills across a broad range of topics. Strength in algebra and algebrabased topics is essential.
The majority of students taking Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL will be expecting to include mathematics as a major component of their university studies within courses such as physics, engineering and technology. Others may take this subject because they have a strong interest in mathematics and enjoy meeting its challenges and engaging with its problems.
Course Information
• The Mathematics Help Room is staffed by teachers every week at lunchtime and after school on Wednesdays. Students can attend to do their homework or receive some extra help.
• There will also be the opportunity to take part in the following activities and competitions:
✓ International Competition and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) for Mathematics (entry fee approximately $25.00).
✓ The Australian Mathematics Competition is held in August (entry fee approximately $15.00).
✓ A team will be selected to compete at The Wellington Mathematics Association MathsWell Competition held in August (entry fee approximately $25.00).
• Students must have a graphing calculator, preferably a Casio FX9860GIII.
• All students will be issued with individual electronic textbooks (approximate cost $50)
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to do regular homework each night to consolidate their understanding of the material covered.
It is the responsibility of each student to catch up on any missed notes and exercises and this should be done in their own time. Regular assignments will be given with questions from past IB examinations.
Head of Learning Area: Matthew Kavanagh and Mike Lockwood
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations HL Programme 2024-2025
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Paper 1 (2 hours)
Year 2, Term 4 Paper 2 (2 hours)
Paper 3 (1 hour)
Internal
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures
Course details
Year 2, Term 4
Year 2, Term 4
Year 2, Term 2
This course is equivalent in status to Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches HL but addresses different needs. It has an emphasis on the application of mathematics across a broad range of topics, including geometry, algebra and calculus, with the greatest emphasis on statistical techniques. It is designed for students with strengths in the application of mathematics to problem solving in context, statistical thinking and the use of technology for analysis.
Students taking this course are well prepared for a career in areas such as social sciences, humanities, medicine, statistics or business. These students may need to utilize the statistics and logical reasoning that they have learned as part of the Mathematical Applications and Interpretation SL course in their future studies.
Course Information
• The Mathematics Help Room is staffed by teachers every week at lunchtime and after school on Wednesdays. Students can attend to do their homework or receive some extra help.
• There will also be the opportunity to take part in the following activities and competitions:
✓ International Competition and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) for Mathematics (entry fee approximately $25.00).
✓ The Australian Mathematics Competition is held in August (entry fee approximately $15.00).
✓ A team will be selected to compete at The Wellington Mathematics Association MathsWell Competition held in August (entry fee approximately $25.00).
• Students must have a graphing calculator, preferably a Casio FX9860GIII.
• All students will be issued with individual electronic textbooks (approximate cost $50).
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to do regular homework each night to consolidate their understanding of the material covered. It is the responsibility of each student to catch up on any missed notes and exercises and this should be done in their own time. Regular assignments will be given with questions from past IB examinations.
Head of Learning Area: Matthew Kavanagh and Mike Lockwood
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Mathematics Applications and Interpretations SL Programme 2024-2025 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
1 (2 hours)
2 (2
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures
Course details
Year 2, Term 4
Year 2, Term 4
Year 2, Term 2
This course is equivalent in status to Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL but addresses different needs. It has an emphasis on the application of mathematics across a broad range of topics, including geometry, algebra and calculus, with the greatest emphasis on statistical techniques. It is designed for students with varied mathematical backgrounds and abilities.
Students taking this course are well prepared for a career in areas such as social sciences, humanities, medicine, statistics or business. These students may need to utilise the statistics and logical reasoning that they have learned as part of the Mathematical Applications and Interpretation SL course in their future studies.
Course Information
• The Mathematics Help Room is staffed by teachers every week at lunchtime and after school on Wednesdays. Students can attend to do their homework or receive some extra help.
• There will also be the opportunity to take part in the following activities and competitions:
✓ International Competition and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) for Mathematics (entry fee approximately $25.00).
✓ The Australian Mathematics Competition is held in August (entry fee approximately $15.00).
✓ A team will be selected to compete at The Wellington Mathematics Association MathsWell Competition held in August (entry fee approximately $25.00).
• Students must have a graphing calculator, preferably a Casio FX9860GIII.
• All students will be issued with individual electronic textbooks (approximate cost $50).
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to do regular homework each night to consolidate their understanding of the material covered.
It is the responsibility of each student to catch up on any missed notes and exercises and this should be done in their own time. Regular weekly assignments will be given with questions from past IB examinations.
Head of Learning Area: Matthew Kavanagh and Mike Lockwood
Experimenting with Music
Exploring Music in Context
Presenting Music
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Music Programme 2025
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
30SL 20HL
30SL 20HL
40SL 30HL
The Contemporary Music Maker 30HL
End Term 4 y12
Term 1 week 7 y13
Term 2 week 3 y13
Term 3 week 6 y13
Final Deadline for uploading Term 3 week 9 y13
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
The Diploma Programme Music course provides an excellent foundation for further study in music at university level or in music career pathways. This course also provides all students with the opportunity to engage in the world of music as lifelong participants. In this course students engage with diverse musical material from personal, local and global contexts through four different Areas of Inquiry:
• Music for sociocultural and political expression
• Music for listening and performance
• Music for dramatic impact, movement and entertainment
• Music technology in the electronic and digital age
Students understand and practise three musical processes by exploring music in context, experimenting with music and presenting. Through this they develop skills and competencies in three musical roles: as researchers, creators and performers
HL students also present a project called ‘The contemporary music maker’ in which they plan and create a music project that is rooted in the learning of the course and inspired by real-life practices of music-making.
Students who take this course must have an active interest and ability in Music, and have completed at least three years’ instrumental or vocal tuition.
Course Information:
• Students who take IBD Music have 8 periods (HL) 7 periods (SL) per 10 day cycle
• Students are expected at this level to be having individual music tuition and to participate in at least one extra-curricular music activity at Queen Margaret College.
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Completing performance practice
• Completing creative tasks
• Completing Research and analysis tasks
Head of Learning Area: Tim Jenkin
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Physics Programme 2025
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Component
Paper 1
Paper 1A: Multiple choice questions
Paper 1B: Data-based questions
Paper 2
Section A: Data-based questions and short answer questions
Section B: Extended response questions
Internal Assessment
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
November 2025
November 2025
The aim of this course is to integrate content, key principles and the nature of science through inquiry. Skills in the study of physics will be integrated into the teaching of the syllabus content.
The first year of the course will explore the following topics:
• Topic A: Space, time and motion
• Topic B: The particulate nature of matter (part 1)
• Topic E: Nuclear and quantum physics
• Completing Internal Assessment investigation
The second year of the course will explore the following topics:
• Topic B: The particulate nature of matter (part 2)
• Topic C: Wave behaviour
• Topic D: Fields
• Submitting Internal Assessment report
Standard level content will be intertwined with higher level content for each topic throughout the two-year course
Course Information
• Students are issued with a textbook for the duration of the two-year course
• The teacher for the course in 2025 is Kent Hogan
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Completing any unfinished classwork.
• Completing workbook/worksheet exercises.
• Going over classwork to identify any gaps in understanding which should be raised with the teacher in the following lesson.
Head of Department: Rebecca Hickey
Queen Margaret College
Year 12 and 13 Psychology Programme 2024-2025
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Paper 2 (Options x 2*)
* Standard Level students only do one option paper
** Higher level students only
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
The IB Diploma Programme psychology course aims to develop an awareness of how research findings can be applied to better understand human behaviour, and how ethical practices are upheld in psychological inquiry. In the core component of the course students are taught the biological, cognitive and sociocultural influences on human cognition and behaviour. They also learn about and use a range of psychological research methods, and carry out their own psychological experiment. In the second year of the course students work through additional units that cover abnormal, health, and developmental psychology. Higher level students are also introduced to qualitative research methods such as interviews, case studies and observations.
Course Information
• For HL students, 80% of course is assessed by examination at the end of the second year (75% for SL students)
• The internal assessment is required to be handed in during class time on the due date.
• See the IB Diploma Assessment procedures for more information.
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Doing readings in preparation for upcoming lessons
• Revising class notes
• Planning and practicing essay writing in exam conditions
• Internal assessment tasks
Head of Learning Area: Adrian Hardy
Queen Margaret College Year 13 Sport and Exercise Health Science Programme 2025 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
1 – Multiple Choice
Paper 2 – Data analysis and 5 longer answer questions
Paper 3 – Several short answer questions in each of the two options
Assessment
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS) is an experimental science course combining academic study with practical and investigative skills. SEHS explores the science underpinning physical performance and provides the opportunity to apply these principles. The course incorporates the disciplines of anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition. Students cover a range of core and option topics and carry out practical (experimental) investigations. The course offers a deeper understanding of the issues related to sports, exercise and health in the 21st century and addresses the international dimension and ethics related to both the individual and global context.
In the first year of the Diploma Programme the students develop their understanding of the core topics of Anatomy, exercise physiology, movement analysis, skill learning in sport, human performance. Through practical work the students are also developing their investigative and analytical skills in preparation for their Internal Assessment towards a topic of their choice related to sport, exercise, health science
Course Information
• Students are issued with online notes
• 2025 teachers is Mr Smith
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Completing any unfinished classwork.
• Completing flipped classroom work
• Going over classwork to identify any gaps in understanding which should be raised with the teacher in the following lesson.
Head of Learning Area: Rebecca Hickey
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 of Spanish Ab Initio Programme 2025
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
3, Sunday 14 September
The Spanish Ab Initio course is designed to give students with no prior knowledge of the subject a solid foundation in the language. The topics covered include a variety of contexts and situations, both related to their personal experiences and to the Spanish-speaking world. In Year 13, students cover well-being, media and technology, holidays, future plans, the environment and global issues. They learn to describe past and future events and express hopes, fears and desires. They also look at similarities and differences between New Zealand and countries in the Spanish-speaking world. Language structures are taught through topics and there is a thorough introduction to basic grammar. Students have regular conversation practice with our Spanish language assistant to help develop their speaking and listening skills.
Course Information
• Year 13 Spanish Ab Initio is an option subject.
• Year 13 have 7 lessons per 10-day timetable.
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’. Homework might include:
• Learning a number of words, verbs or phrases
• Completion of assignments started in class
• Reading and grammar exercises or writing tasks (75- 100 words)
• Creating revision material
• Reviewing the work completed during class time
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class with www.educationperfect.com
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
• Carrying out a research task on the internet
Head of Learning Area: Caroline Harding
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Spanish B SL Programme 2025 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
The course is focused on language acquisition and the use of Spanish in a range of contexts and for different purposes. We use authentic texts to develop an understanding of the Spanish-speaking world while consolidating reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students have regular conversation practice with our Spanish assistant to help them communicate their ideas clearly and effectively and maintain a conversation In Spanish B we study a range of topics exploring the five IBD themes of: Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organisation and Sharing the Planet.
Course Information
• Year 13 Spanish B is an option subject.
• There are 7 lessons per 10-day timetable.
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects. To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete homework during the week. The key to language learning is ‘little and often’. Homework might include:
• Learning a number of words, verbs or phrases.
• Completion of assignments started in class.
• Reading and grammar exercises to do or an essay to write.
• Creating revision material
• Reviewing the work completed during class time.
• Revision of vocabulary learned in class with www.educationperfect.com
• Catching up on work missed due to absence.
• Carrying out research tasks on the internet.
Head of Learning Area: Caroline Harding
Queen Margaret College
Year 12 and 13 Theory of Knowledge Programme 2025-2026 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Part 1: The exhibition
Part 2: Essay on a prescribed title
Internal Year 13, Term 1, week 9
Parent Evening: Wednesday 26 March
4pm - 5.30pm
External Year 13, Terms 1, 2 & 3
• Term 1, week 10
Prescribed titles introduced
• Term 2, week 5, Friday 30 May
Essay outlines due
• Term 2, week 8, Monday 16 June
Draft Essay due
• Term 3, week 1 & 2
Individual feedback sessions given
Final essays due 10 days after
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures.pdf
Course details
Theory of knowledge is a course about critical thinking and inquiring into the process of knowing, rather than about learning a specific body of knowledge. It is a core element which all Diploma Programme students undertake and to which all schools are required to devote at least 100 hours of class time.
Course Information
Part 1:
The exhibition Each student must create an individual exhibition. It requires students to select an Internal Assessment (IA) prompt on which to base their exhibition. Three objects are chosen to be displayed, linked to the same prompt. Students are encouraged to choose objects that are of personal interest and that they have come across in their academic studies and/or their lives beyond the classroom.
Part 2:
Essay on a prescribed title. Students must submit an essay on any one of six titles prescribed by the IB. The maximum length for the essay is 1,600 words. The titles ask generic questions about knowledge and are cross-disciplinary in nature. They may be answered with reference to any
part or parts of the TOK course, to specific disciplines, or with reference to opinions gained about knowledge both inside and outside the classroom.
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete some homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Revising content covered in class
• Writing personal reflections on course content and knowledge questions raised
• Keeping up to date with current events
Queen Margaret College
Year 13 Visual Arts Programme 2025 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Course Component
Part 1: Comparative Study
Part 2: Process Portfolio
Part 3: Exhibition
2025 Units of work
Independent student projects
2025 Proposed completion dates
Terms 1-3
Students will plan and propose a calendar of completion dates for submission of their required number of individual studio works in negotiation with their teacher. These contribute to their process portfolio and final exhibition.
Comparative Study e-submission
Process Portfolio e-submission
Final Exhibition of studio works
Final e-submission documentation
Term 3, week 4 2025
Term 2, week 4 2025
Term 3, week 6 2025
End Term 3, 2025
IB Diploma assessment procedures are outlined below.
IB Diploma Assessment Procedures 2023
Course details
In the second year of Visual Arts study, each student will undertake a range of independent, selfdeveloped thematic units designed to give opportunities for research, investigation and creation of studio work. Students will be exposed to a wide range of self-chosen visual arts techniques that can be reinterpreted and applied to their artistic outcomes. They will also visit local galleries in class or independently in order to review and analyse the exhibited artworks and curatorial practices in Visual art The second year will conclude with a final exhibition assessment and celebration of the student’s artworks.
Course Information
• Year 13 IB Visual Arts is assessed against three course components.
• There is a $150 consumables fee which covers some resource requirements. This will be charged to your school account. Individual projects may require purchase of some own material or equipment resources.
• There may be planned trips / visiting speakers throughout the year which are necessary to develop knowledge for some assessment tasks in the unit topics. You will be notified of any costs associated with any trips or speakers (eg: travel, entry fees). Costs incurred will be charged to your school account.
• Students in this course are required to purchase the Adobe Creative Cloud suite for approx $42. This gives them an annual subscription to industry standard software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. This will be installed at school and charged to students' school accounts
Homework expectations
Your daughter should be learning at home for a total of at least 15 hours per week, across all subjects.
To achieve at a high level in this subject, students are expected to complete homework during the week. Homework might include:
• Reading and researching about artists studied in class
• Completion of assignments started in class
• Practising new techniques learned in class
• Catching up on work missed due to absence
• Researching on the internet
• Attending lunchtime workshops to complete any practical work or to access extra help with practical work.
• Sourcing materials and resources for practical construction work.
Teacher in charge: Anna Faulknor