International Baccalaureate Scholarship winners announced

Education Minister Gerry Reid today announced the names of the two students who have received the International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarships, which will allow them to attend the IB program at Holy Heart of Mary Regional High School in St. John�s in the fall of 2003.

"Three months ago, I announced that government would provide two scholarships for students residing outside of the St. John�s area to attend Holy Heart High School and participate in this exciting program," said Minister Reid. "Our students throughout the province are highly motivated and want to avail of the best programs and scholarships available. I am pleased to announce that Garrett McLean from Sacred Heart All Grade in Conche, and Ashley Vardy of Hickman�s Harbour, attending Random Island Academy, are the first recipients of this new scholarship."

The IB program is a demanding, pre-university course of study designed for highly motivated secondary students. The program offers a comprehensive, two-year international curriculum and stresses critical thinking and inter-cultural understanding. It is designed to develop well-rounded students and includes a strong emphasis on community involvement and volunteerism. The program introduces students to an international learning environment and participating students complete a set of international exams at the end of the program, and are well prepared to enter university with advanced standing.

"Mr. McLean and Ms. Vardy are both highly engaged and dedicated students," added the minister. "They each have a long list of academic, extra-curricular and volunteer accomplishments, and I am confident they will enjoy every success in this dynamic program and will be wonderful additions to the Holy Heart student body."

The scholarships are valued at $10,000 each or $5,000 a year for a two-year period. Additionally, the Department of Education will provide an allowance of $1,000, if required, to cover the expense of the students� travel to and from St. John�s.

The internationally acclaimed International Baccalaureate Diploma Program is offered exclusively at ten United World Colleges worldwide, and Lester B. Pearson Collegiate in British Columbia is one of these renowned institutions. Since 1974, the province has partnered with Lester B. Pearson Collegiate, in offering one scholarship annually to a student from this province. Recipients of these scholarships have come from all regions of Newfoundland and Labrador.

In addition to the United World Colleges which offer the IB program, there are 1,425 schools worldwide to offer the program. In 2000, Holy Heart of Mary High School in St. John�s became one of these schools, and has the distinction of being the only school in Newfoundland and Labrador to offer the program as a part of its curriculum. Until these new scholarships were announced in April 2003, only students residing within the St. John�s metro area were able to avail of the program at Holy Heart.

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-0048 or (709) 727-3438

2003 07 15                                        3:15 p.m.