Online Platforms

ManageBac is an online platform aimed to facilitate effective communication between students, teachers and parents alike. It has been built from the outset around the IB philosophy and is used globally in over 2,500 international schools. It caters for all IBO programmes including Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Year Programme (MYP) and the Diploma Programme (DP).

The main idea around ManageBac is that teachers upload on the platform material and announcements related to the subject they teach. The material can range from a file with revision notes to videos and images, links to websites etc. ManageBac enables a central control of all teaching processes, which benefits both teachers and students, but also parents. It is worth mentioning that access to the platform can be made from any device that has an Internet connection, from fixed and portable computers, tablets, chromebooks and mobiles or, in principle, even from smart TVs.

The benefits for students are multiple. With ManageBac, students now have an online and interactive contact book, where all the information about their courses is gathered. Using the calendar, they see the announcements about tasks they have to perform and homework they have to deliver, as well as dates for upcoming exams and other major deadlines. They can also maintain a journal and log their progress as they work towards their extended essay, and the completion of their CAS portfolio. They can also see announcements about field trips and other school events.

In addition, students are no longer required to keep bulky envelopes with printed notes from their teachers, since these are available as electronic downloadable files on the platform. What is more, everything is on the cloud so they can access those files anytime and anywhere at their own convenience. Students are able to send their work to their teachers through the platform, reducing the cost of printing and paper waste. It is not an exaggeration to say that ManageBac results in a tangible improvement in student performance, since it helps them organize their workload better and improves their time management.

The benefits for parents are equally important. Parents now know exactly what their children have to do and when they have to deliver their work. They can also follow their progress and have a better feel of their performance. Overall, ManageBac is a useful tool that enables the effective communication between all parties involved in the educational process and helps immensely in the organization of all aspects relating to it.

Library

Mission Statement

The Platon Library environment serves as a learner oriented ‘laboratory’ which supports, extends and individualizes the school’s curriculum. This is a library within the school where students, staff and often parents have access to a variety of sources. The goal of the school library is to ensure that all members of the school community have equitable access to books and reading, as well as to information and information technology, in a spacious and peaceful environment.

Vision Statement

Platon Library seeks to be the central point for all kinds of reading, cultural activities, access to information, knowledge building, deep thinking and lively discussion.

Opening Hours

The library is open throughout the school year. Timetable: Monday to Friday – 8:00-16:00.
For any changes in the opening hours relevant announcements are displayed at the library entrance.

Objectives

  1. To search, locate, evaluate and acquire new material.
  2. To organize the provided material in a searchable, traceable and usable order for users.
  3. To provide students with seminars and workshops on the use of OPAC and other electronic resources.
  4. To provide students with seminars and workshops on plagiarism and academic honesty.
  5. To follow the developments in librarianship and information sciences and to adopt standards and acquisitions that will improve the provided services.

Services

The Platon Library keeps up with international scientific standards and actively participates in the latest scientific developments.

Collection

The Library maintains a rich collection of books, about 10,000 volumes, and is in the position to serve all the educational needs of students of all grades and age groups. Furthermore, there is an extensive collection of books, periodicals, audiovisual material (DVDs, CDs, DVD ROMs, CD ROMs), maps, etc. In addition, there is easy access to external databases for a more detailed enquiry.

Website and OPAC:

Our Library maintains an online portal which consists of a plethora of tools that meet all users needs. Furthermore, the Library has a latest technology electronic catalogue (Online Public Access Catalogue, OPAC), which offers extended access possibilities to all databases in collection.

Website: http://library.platon.gr

OPAC: http://platonlibrary.ddns.net:8080/newgenlibctxt

Computer Corner

Within the Library premises there are six computers with internet access equipped with office and educational software along with access to wireless network, WiFi.

Health and Safety Policy

It is the policy of our Diploma Department and our responsibility to adopt all reasonably practicable measures so as to ensure the health and safety of all our students and staff members. It is our responsibility to:

Observe health & safety protocol stipulations

  • Protect students against risk to their health and safety in school
  • Maintain a safe environment, equipment and systems
  • Commit to continuous improvement of health and safety measures
  • Ensure that staff members take full account of health and safety issues when planning an academic and/or extra-curricular activity
  • Ensure that staff members set a positive example by their actions
  • Secure that electrical equipment are checked on a regular basis and are in good working order
  • Damaged equipment is reported to our school’s maintenance and facilities department
  • Provide sufficient ventilation to all classrooms and science lab; secure a reasonable temperature and appropriate lighting during school hours; provide suitable toilet and washing facilities

Laboratory protocol

  • Science teachers along with the lab technician are responsible of safe arrangements concerning selection, transport and use of chemical substances strictly used for academic purposes as prescribed by IB Diploma regulations
  • Students undergo training sessions regarding the use of laboratory equipment and safety protocols

First Aid

  • First aid provisions and needed medical attention is carried out by a trained in-school nurse

The lift

  • The school’s passenger lift is regularly maintained and inspected, however is out of limits for students, unless pupils have suffered an injury or have walking difficulties and or make use of a wheelchair

No-smoking policy

  • The entire school is a non-smoking area

Information & communication technology

  • ICT school technicians are responsible for
    • the safety of electronic devices and equipment
    • enabling the use and application of ICT
    • installing, maintaining and operating ICT systems

External – off school visits:

  • Any organized visits and fieldtrips that occur away from school must be authorized by the DP Coordinator
  • A risk assessment is carried out so as to determine safety measures
  • Students are always chaperoned by experienced staff members
  • School buses and alternative public transport routes are used, always with parental consent
  • The location is, prior to the visit, inspected by experienced staff members

Emergency procedures

  • Fire escape routes are kept clear for easy access
  • Fire drills are regularly conducted involving the entire school community
  • Purpose of fire drills is to evacuate students to a place of safety as quickly as possible and take attendance
  • Emergency procedures are clearly shared with students and staff
  • Fire extinguishers are regularly checked, along with fire alarms and smoke detectors, installed in all of the classrooms and lab.

Platon Facilities

Platon School has been offering education of a high academic caliber ever since 1969, assisting students to grow into responsible and internationally minded citizens of tomorrow. Its privately-owned campus in Stavros combine light-filled and airy classrooms with the latest smart board technology, extended athletic facilities (indoor swimming pool, indoor basketball court, football stadium), arts (indoor auditorium, ballet, music and arts classrooms) and IT facilities.

Platon’s Library ensures all students and staff have access to books, information and information technology in a spacious and peaceful environment, complementing the school’s educational mission. The librarian offers valuable help to IB students in bibliography search and citation of sources, while also ensuring they follow the academic honesty policy of the Platon IB Diploma Programme.

The Science Laboratory is fully equipped for all sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Physics) and complies with the strictest safety requirements. A separate part of the laboratory is used exclusively by IB Diploma students, for their practicals and research based personal investigations and extended essays.

A recent addition is the Planetarium – Observatory, established in April 2017, introducing students, staff and guests to the exciting science of Astronomy and the magic of space.

Student Life

IB Diploma students at Platon School attend to a 7 to 9 teaching period day. Although teaching strategies are based on lectures, they are further enhanced by in-class presentations, projects, group work, individual research, hands-on practicals, field trips and CAS activities.

Their daily schedule is structured in such a way that each student has study hall periods on particular days throughout the week. During these periods, students have consultation sessions with their teachers, visit the school library and use the extended collection of IB textbooks for their study, or engage in various in-school CAS activities, like promoting a literacy programme in the kindergarten or engaging in community projects. Upon the initiation of their written assignments (personal investigations, extended essay) this time can also be allocated to meetings with their supervisors. In IB2, meetings with the University counselor are scheduled. If need be, students also have the opportunity to talk to the school counselor in the case where help is required with study and exam skills, self-management and time management.

However, school life for IB students is not only attending classes and studying. Special events are organized within and outside the department to mark various celebrations, both at a national and international level. Students are encouraged to further their extracurricular activities, like sports, arts or participation in student conferences.  Trips to theatre/music performances and to art exhibitions are organized in collaboration with their Arts and Language/Literature teachers. These activities not only help students develop their aesthetic understanding and international mindedness, but also offer them a well deserved break from their studying. IB students in Platon remain involved in school life e.g., giving talks to their fellow students or offering valuable help for the Christmas Bazaar organized annually for charity.

The Platon IB Diploma Programme has a strong alumni dating from 2011, when it was first introduced. Upon finishing their course and departing for University studies in different countries around Europe and as far as Canada and the USA, Platon IB alumni always return during their holidays to advice new students and share with them not only their experiences as new citizens of the world, but also their know-how on the Diploma and their love and appreciation for their former school.