We know that the world beyond school is full of both opportunity and uncertainty. The pace at which the world is evolving can be intimidating, and the unpredictability of the workplace can be scary. We also know that flexibility is the key to thriving in this ever-changing environment, which is why we offer the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme.
The Career-Related Programme (CP) is Brockton’s newest Pathway to Graduation. This two-year programme for Grades 11 & 12 helps students become career-ready learners by combining the academic rigor of the International Baccalaureate (IB) with career-related study and out-of-the-classroom experience.
Brockton’s CP was launched this year, making our school the first school in BC, and the 6th in Canada, to offer this innovative programme. Our first cohort were offered two tracks within the programme – Entrepreneurship and Environmental Science. As they have now completed their first year within the CP, they were asked to reflect upon what they’ve learned so far.
Eva: The CP allows us to change and shape our projects, procedures, and products around our interests, which is helpful as we need to be able to change with the world around us. The frequent field trips we took have deepened my understanding of what we learnt in the classroom, and the ethics component has given me multiple new lenses that I can use to analyze information in more in-depth ways. It has helped me to understand my morals and ideals and why I do what I do, as well as helped me to understand what shapes our world,
Rhiannon: I think that the CP is such an exploration-based program with the opportunity to put your interests and questions at its core. In the CP we have the freedom to explore areas that interest us, and in turn pursue them through project-based learning. It’s super accommodating. If there is an area that interests you, you can let your teachers know, and they will teach you more about it. The flexibility of the CP also allows you to work and collaborate with different people, just like you would in the adult world; this flexibility has allowed me to talk out ideas, gain new perspectives, and complete initiatives.
Sarah: The CP has made me more mature, more intellectual, and more knowledgeable about the world that I am living in. The Language Development (LD) component has brought me closer to my mother tongue, French, and I have been able to focus on bringing back my childhood culture and memories, and explore how it can enhance my field of study.
Nicole: Throughout the CP I have learned many things that have helped me better understand myself, and the world I live in. The ethics component has helped me rethink how I see and understand the world, and made me think more about my decisions in life, taking an ethical perspective and considering how it will affect my choices. I was given the chance to connect with my interests in ways I have not been able to do before and probably would not have if I had not been given this opportunity.
Jeffery: Ethics has been a strong part of my life for as long as I can remember, and learning about different types of ethics in the CP has helped me grow as a person. I have been able to look through multiple lenses, and learn about the importance of collective action in creating effective change. Through the Community Engagement component I’ve learned about the importance of collective action to create effective change. The CP allows people to explore and adapt to fit their own interests and curiosities.
Massai: I gained valuable insights about myself through the CP. Being in the CP has helped me become more comfortable sharing my perspectives, ideas, and thoughts, which has greatly affected my personal life. Living by our personal ethics means consistently applying these principles and being true to ourselves. It builds trust, credibility, and contributes to a better society. I’ve discovered how my skills, knowledge, and drive can be utilized to benefit my local community, and that it is ok to think differently; we are not all ending up on the same life path, so why not share what is of value to us?
We’ll be sharing more updates, insights, and reflections as this cohorts goes into their second year of the CP, so keep an eye out!
