WERRIBEE Secondary College will become the first government school in Victoria to offer the International Baccalaureate.
The diploma is an alternative to VCE and gives students an university entrance score recognised worldwide.
The college’s IB co-ordinator, Angela Callea, said the school had tried to get accepted into the International Baccalaureate Organisation for five years.
“We had to get accreditation to prove we would be capable of teaching the program,” she said.
“Then we had to wait for government approval to add it to our curriculum.”
Ms Callea said the school had sent teachers for training in preparation for diploma rollout next year.
Information evenings had also been held for parents and students to help them understand how the program was run.
Ms Callea said the IB required students to write an extended essay based on a subject of their choice.
Students must also complete a volunteer unit to prove they were involved in their community.
Acting principal William Hatzis said students were eager to find out more about the diploma.
“We are still in the initial stages but the students are showing interest in the program and many are keen to find out how it is run.”
