For parents and guardians

Pre-year

We arrange Open Doors events for 9th graders and their families every January/February. The purpose of these events is to give information on our IB section and application procedures.

At the start of the new school year in August, we organise a meeting for pre-year students' parents/guardians. This meeting will give important information about how our school operates, and the parents can meet each other and our staff.

A second pre-year parents' meeting is  scheduled for January. At this point the pre-year students are choosing their six subjects for DP1&DP2 years. We will explain what options are available and what to consider when deciding which subjects and levels to choose. 

Main channels of information 

1.  Our Study Guide is where you can find crucial information about the school, the people, and the studies here. We hope you will take some time to browse through the contents. You can access the Study Guide using the link on the main page of the Wilma system.
2. Wilma is our main channel of communication with parents/guardians. Therefore, it is important to access Wilma on a regular basis for:
   • Messages
   • Absences
   • Daily schedules

   • Report cards etc.

     Please notice that, once the student turns 18, parents/guardians cannot access Wilma any more unless the student gives permission for the continued use of Wilma.

3. The Handbook for May Examination Session is a document unique for each examination session, so DP1 and DP2 have their own.
   • The Handbook can be accessed though the permanent links on the main page in Wilma.
   • It explains the DP programme in detail, including
     • Content of each subject
     • Assessment components
     • Core (CAS, Extended Essay, TOK)
4. We have a "Calendar for Ressu IB School", which shows information about important dates in the school. The Calendar can be accessed either via the link on the Wilma main page or through our Study guide .
5. Parents/guardians will receive a Term Info Letter via Wilma at the beginning of each term. It contains a brief overview of what will happen during the term and a short description of the content of each course.
6. After each term, the teachers will assess the students' work and give the course grades. The grades given will be published on a specific date at the start of a new term (see Calendar for the dates). After the publication, students and guardians will be able to see the most recent grades in Wilma. 

Main differences between the Diploma Programme and the Finnish National lukio Programme

1. The IB Diploma Programme lasts for two years.
2. In the IB DP, each course is only offered once per academic year.
3. The grading scale is from 1 (lowest) to 7 (best).
4. In addition to the final examinations in May, the students also need to complete various research papers in each of their subjects and complete the Core elements in order to pass the diploma.
5. The DP Programme cannot be studied independently.
   • Once a student has more than three absences per course, they need to contact the subject teacher to discuss whether there is something they need to do to compensate for the missed lessons.
   • If the student is absent for 1/3 of the course or if absences continue for several terms, the school has the right to remove the student from the course if necessary. This means that the student will need to retake the year.
   • Because of the need to participate in lessons, the head principal will not allow leave of absences that last for over 5 week days.

The academic year of a DP student in Ressu

TERM 1

DP1

• Students often find DP studies to be more demanding than the pre-year, and adjusting to it can take some time. As a result, the grades for Term 1 may be lower than expected.
• CAS (Creativity, Activity and Service) starts. Students do CAS outside their lessons.

DP2

• The final version of the Extended Essay is submitted. The EE is a big research project, which requires a lot of time and effort, so reaching the end of the process is definitely worth celebrating in the school.
• There are Internal Assessment (IA) deadlines in each subject, some for draft versions, other for final submission. They are carefully scattered across the academic year but unfortunately some overlapping is unavoidable. Research papers are done in each subject and they are a part of the final assessment, along with the final examinations in May. They are submitted for external assessment in the spring.
• First set of Predicted Grades are given – they are used mainly in the application process for universities outside of Finland.

TERM 2

DP1

• Students are pre-registered for their May Final Examination Session. The registration details will be checked and edited if needed during DP2 Term 2 when final registration takes place.

DP2

• TOK exhibition.
• IA deadlines continue.
• Some languages have their Individual Orals recorded (see more detailed dates on school calendar).
• Final registration for May Examination Session done. Due to free compulsory education the school will pay the first examination session fees. After the registration deadline changes to the registration details will cost extra (personal details can be edited without additional fees).

TERM 3

Parents and Guardians’ info sessions for both DP1 and DP2 during Open Doors Day.

DP1

• Students start their Extended Essays projects.
• CAS checked before Christmas holiday.
• Collaborative Sciences project (CSP) takes place during the exam week. All DP1 students participate in CSP. The students won't get grades from this project, but they must attend to pass to get the Diploma. 

DP2

• CAS checked before Christmas holiday.
• Individual Orals recorded during exam week in several languages.
• IA deadlines continue.

TERM 4

DP1

• Extended Essay process continues.

DP2

• Final set of Predicted Grades given – for the IBO, also used when applying to Finnish universities.
• MOCK exams.
• CAS completed.
• IA deadlines continue.

TERM 5

DP1

• Extended Essay process continues.
• CAS checked before Summer holiday.

DP2

• Independent study leave.
• Voluntary extra sessions in each subject for revision.
• Final Examinations in May.
• Results released in July.
• Graduation in late August.

The IB Organisation offers general information for parents on the IB programmes, university applications and supporting your children during their studies:

http://www.ibo.org/information-for-parents/(Link leads to external service)