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Taught over two years in Years 12 and 13, the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme is taken as an alternative to the New Zealand national examinations (NCEA). The Diploma is awarded as a total qualification.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a broad, balanced and academically challenging educational programme.

The IB Diploma Programme is designed to be both academically challenging and holistically balanced. In addition to their six chosen subjects, students take IB CORE comprising of CAS (Creativity, Service, and Activity components to balance their academic strengths), an Extended Essay (a self-directed research project that culminates in a university style 4,000 word essay) and Theory of Knowledge (a critical thinking course). This level of intellectual and personal development is unique in a secondary school curriculum.

An IB Diploma indicates to a future university that a student can manage the demands of undergraduate studies. Indeed, IB students excel in Postgraduate university studies. Watch this short video, from the Assistant Dean of Admissions at Stanford University, to understand how Higher Education Institutions value students who have participated in the IB Diploma programme.  

Before being offered a place on the two-year International Baccalaureate Diploma programme, students must undertake

  • Rangitoto College Year 11 Diploma and obtain mainly red or blue endorsements.
  • If studying elsewhere in New Zealand and then arriving at Rangitoto College into Year 12, students should arrive with either Level 1 NCEA in Year 11; mostly at Merit and Excellence grades or an equivalent Level 1 school based background.

Rangitoto College is pleased to be one of 5,000 schools in 159 different countries to offer the International Baccalaureate Programme.

Why IB?

IB students develop strong academic characteristics, but also develop social and emotional skills needed to positively impact the future.

The IB Programme aims to develop students who are inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced and reflective.

Students learn to work independently and collaboratively. They develop a wide range of skills and learn to critically evaluate their work, reflect on their progress and set goals.

IB students develop strong academic characteristics, but also develop social and emotional skills needed to positively impact the future.

The IB Programme aims to develop students who are inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers, knowledgeable, principled, open-minded, caring, balanced and reflective.

Students learn to work independently and collaboratively. They develop a wide range of skills and learn to critically evaluate their work, reflect on their progress and set goals.

Watch this video for an international perspective on how the IB Diploma programme supports the development of these competencies.

The IB has a positive impact on students, schools and their wider communities with learning transferring to areas beyond the classroom. Its unique, and innovative approach, to learning means both students and teachers are genuinely engaged with the programs and benefit from being a part of an unparalleled global network.

Students are able to participate in international conferences and educators work with their peers internationally to ensure that the IB remains at the cutting edge of international education.  

2024 IB Diploma Results

The International Baccalaureate class of 2024 had another outstanding year of IB results.  Some of our highlights are:

  • 9 Students gained World Top Scholar status (Top 10% in the World)
  • 3 students gained IB43 which is in the Top 3% in the World: Alice Leader (has received an offer at Cambridge University), Eileena Bao (seeking placement at National University of Singapore) and Summer McClean (Auckland University Bio-Med)
  • IB students from the 2024 cohort continue to access a wide variety of world universities: Cambridge University, New Zealand Universities, Sydney University, Melbourne University, Monash Universities, National University of Singapore, Kyoto University, Uni of Texas, University of Korea – Seoul, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Tsinghua University and Ohio State University
  • Large number of Bilingual Diplomas (Studying Literature in two languages) 2024 students studied English and: Malay, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Macedonian
  • Rangitoto’s school average of IB33, again higher than the world average of IB29, an indication of both staff and student performance and dedication.
  • IB numbers in the school have grown significantly in recent years allowing flexibility of subjects for students and a larger range of qualified staff teaching IB.

2024 Top IB Scholars at celebratory Prizegiving Evening with Prime Minister Christopher Luxton

International University Destinations

Rangitoto College is proud to recognise the growing number of IB students who have been awarded full scholarships into various elite international universities. Many of our IB students go overseas to undertake their university studies. As well as accepting places in New Zealand Universities, over the last two years IB students have accepted places in the following international universities:

Meet our Team

Mrs Catherine Brandt

IB Coordinator

Catherine joined Rangitoto College in 2020 and brings with her 20 years of teaching experience, a Master of Education, leadership experience as a former Deputy Principal, and 5 years as IB Coordinator in a large international school in Dubai. In addition to leading our IB programme, Catherine also teaches IB Psychology and IB Business Management.

T: +64 (9) 477 0150 Ext 672

E: catherine.brandt@rangitoto.school.nz

Mr Alexander Birchall
Extended Essay Coordinator

BA (Hons) in Sociology. Teacher of IB English A (Language and Literature) and TOK at Rangitoto College. I am also the school’s supervisor of School-supported self-taught students in Language A. Prior to arriving at Rangitoto, I taught English B and has also been a TOK Coordinator.

Mrs Courtney Whiting
Theory of Knowledge Coordinator

BA in Art History and History. Curriculum leader of Theory of Knowledge and Classical Studies, teacher of Art History.   I have been teaching Theory of Knowledge for 12 years. Prior to teaching at Rangitoto, I was the curriculum leader of TOK at Takapuna Grammar for 6 years.

Mr Alastair Fear
CAS Coordinator

With a Degree in Physical Education and a teacher of the subject for a number of years Mr Fear brings a wealth of experience to the CAS leadership role. Mr Fear has lead CAS at Rangitoto over the last 6 years and in this time has led its growth within the school.