Principal s Briefing for P5 Parents 29 August 2014 MOE Internet http://www.moe.gov.sg/ Parents in Education (PiE) http://parents-in-education.moe.gov.sg/ School Information Service (SIS) http://sis.moe.gov.sg/ 1
Education and Career Guidance (ECG) https://ecareers.sg/ Time Programme 1900 Opening Address Principal, Mrs Cheng Huey Teng 1905 Family Matters @ Pioneer (Esther Tan Li Xin) 1920 Science Study Tips SH Science http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=45ry8h4fp ew 1930 English Language Study Tips HOD English (Covering) 1940 Mathematics Study Tips HOD Maths (Covering) 1950 Mother Tongue LanguageStudy Tips HOD MT 2000 Sharing by Principal - Subject-Based Banding (SBB) - Direct School Admission (DSA) -PSLE - Strategies and Tips for Parents * HOD = Head of Department, SH = Subject Head Preparing our Children for the Future Primary School Education 2
Nurture each child to become: Our School - a Caring, Learning Community; Each Child - a Life-long Learner, a Leader with Character, a Success in his own Right. Our Values An Inquiring and Imaginative Mind Value Self and Others Integrity Doing Our Best a confident person who has a strong sense of right and wrong, is adaptable and resilient, knows himself, is discerning in judgment, thinks independently and critically, and communicates effectively a self-directed learner who questions, reflects, perseveres and takes responsibility for his own learning. Nurture each child to become: an active contributor who is able to work effectively in teams, is innovative, exercises initiative, takes calculated risks and strives for excellence. a concerned citizen who is rooted to Singapore, has a strong sense of civic responsibility, is informed about Singapore and the world, and takes an active part in bettering the lives of others around him. Responsible Decision- Making Self- Awareness Core Values Self- Management Social Relationship Awareness Management 21 st Century Competencies 3
Primary School Curriculum Outline Subject-Based Banding (SBB) Direct School Admission (DSA) PSLE Strategies and Tips for Parents Subject-based Banding Nurturing every child What is SBB? Every child is unique, with different aptitudes, capabilities and talents. We believes in providing a balanced education. Subject-based Banding (SBB) has been introduced to ensure that your child s interests and strengths are taken into consideration and aims to help every child realize his/her potential. 4
How does Subject-Based Banding work? End P5 Pupil takes subject combination chosen by parents English, Math, Science and Mother Tongue are available at standard and foundation levels. Mother Tongue is also available at the higher level. At P5 Pupil who takes 1 or more foundation subject(s) and does very well in the subjects School may allow him to upgrade 1 or 2 subjects to standard level if school believes he can cope; or continue the same subject combination in P6 Pupil who takes 4 standard subjects and has difficulty coping School may allow him to take 1 or more subjects at foundation level in P6 All other pupils School will allow them to continue the same subject combination in P6 At P6 Pupil takes subject combination decided by school End P6 Pupil sits for Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) This will ultimately affect the stream, school and subject combinationsthe child can be eligible for @ Secondary level. SBB in Pioneer Primary Decision Criteria Consider passing mark between 40 to 50 Pupils track record Subject Combinations Offering ^ For pupils to be offered Higher Mother Tongue, they must pass all subjects and score at least 75 marks for MT. * Only by School decision. Not available for parents option 2014 P5 Combination 1 4S 1H^ 2 4S 3 2S 2F(FMA & FMT) 4 2S 2F(FMA & FSC) 5 3S 1F(FMT) 6 3S 1F(FMA)* 7 1S(MT) 3F 8 1S(EL) 3F 9 4F 5
Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) PSLE A Placement Test Reflectrelative achievementlevel of pupil compared to peers. Place students into different courses based on his / her academic ability. Enable posting to secondary school by merit and, as far as possible school of choice. How will PSLE scores be calculated? The raw mark for each subject is converted to a transformed score (T-score) The T-score reflects the pupils standing relative to other pupils on a common scale The Aggregate Score is the sum of the T- score in all subjects Each subject carries equal weighting How will PSLE scores be calculated? The PSLE score takes into account the content and demand of each subject number of subjects taken 6
Secondary Schools Source: http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/secondary/courses/ Some Conscious Choices Direct School Admission (DSA) Specialized Schools To research whether secondary school offer this and selection criteria Secondary One Posting After PSLE What is DSA? Allows students to demonstrate a wider range of talents in seeking admission to secondary schools. Type of Schools Schools with IP or SIS (NUSHS, SST & SOTA) Independent Schools (without IP) Autonomous Schools (without IP) Discretionary Places Up to 100% (IP schools admitted up to 50%) 20% 10% Niche Programme School 5% 7
Direct School Admission Flowchart of Various Stages of DSA School Student MOE Based on students talents and achievements. Consider both academic and non-academic areas. Pre-Selection Stage 1. DSA schools publish their latest admission criteria on their respective websites in May. Each secondary school has its own criteria for selection. Based on the qualities, such as talent in science, music or sports, that the school would like to emphasize. To assess these qualities in applicants, schools may conduct tests, interviews or trials as necessary. http://ww.moe.edu.sg/education/admissions/dsa-sec/ Selection Stage 3. DSA schools conduct selection tests/camps or interviews to evaluate the applicants. DSA schools are to inform the applicants on the outcome of the application. Selection Stage 4. DSA schools are to submit lists of students on Confirmed Offer and Waiting List to PPS. Selection Stage 2. Students go for selection tests/camps or interviews at the DSA schools. Pre-Exercise School Preference Stage 5. The system will centrally generate and send out School Preference Forms to all applicants (through their primary schools) who are given Confirmed Offer (s) and/or placed on Waiting List. School Student MOE Exercise School Preference Stage 6. Student registers his/her DSA School Preference. Pre-Exercise School Preference Stage 5. The system will centrally generate and send out School Preference Forms to all applicants (thru their primary schools) who are given Confirmed Offer (s) and/or placed on Waiting List. Results Release Stage 8. The results of DSA-Sec Exercise will be released together with the release of PSLE results. Before Release of DSA-Sec Results 7. After PSLE results are made available to the system, the system allocates students to schools of their preferences based on school s ranking lists taking into account the course eligibility and availability of DSA vacancies. 8
Direct School Admission Some popular schools of choice for DSA include: River Valley High School, Nan Hua High School, Hwa Chong Institution, Nanyang Girls High School, Crescent Girls School, NUSHS, SOTA, SST, SSS Pupils seeking DSA will have to submit application to individual school. Students must achieve PSLE results that would enable them to be eligible for admission to the course offered by school. Source: http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/dsa-sec/ RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL General Ability Test (GAT) All applicants mustsitfor thegat conducted by Principal Academy Inc(PAI)before submitting the application form. RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Applicants must fulfil the followingcriteriato be shortlisted for academic/ special talent test(s): (a) DSA/Academic Top 90% in GAT and At least75% for overall percentageand an A grade for ChineseLanguage inbothp5 Year-End and P6 Mid- Year Examination. 9
RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Applicants must fulfil the followingcriteriato be shortlisted for academic/ special talent test(s): (b) DSA/Special Talent Top 90% in GAT and At least70% for overall percentageand an A grade for ChineseLanguage inbothp5 Year-End and P6 Mid-Year Examination. Special Talents: RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Sports and Games: Badminton, Basketball, Cross Country (Girls), Floorball, Netball, Softball, Table Tennis, Volleyball and Wushu. Performing Arts: Chinese Orchestra, Choir, CLDDS, Concert Band, Dance (Chinese), ELDDS and String Ensemble. Others: Infocomm, Robotics and Leadership. RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Supporting Evidences: Application Form Certified copies of P5 Year-End and P6 Mid-Year Examination result slips Certified copies of other supporting documents such as CCA records, certificates, VIA records, commendation letters or other achievements to support evidence of special talent, if any. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a schoolbased selection test, audition or sports trial and interview. NAN HUA HIGH SCHOOL Special Talents: At least 70% in at least 3 subjects in P6 mid year examination. Take Higher Chinese or Chinese Language for PSLE. Outstanding CCA achievements in Chinese Orchestra, Choir, Dance, Guzheng, Symphonic Band, Drama (Chinese/English), Chinese Calligraphy, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball (boys), Netball (girls), Softball (girls), Table-Tennis and Volleyball (boys). 10
NAN HUA HIGH SCHOOL Supporting Evidences: Certified copies of P6 Mid-Year Result Slips Relevant Music or Dance Certificates Supporting documents on Special Music/Dance/Drama/ Sports Skills and CCA achievements Short-listed candidates will be invited to attend an audition or selection test and interview CRESCENT GIRLS SCHOOL Special Talents: Good performance in primary school examination. Demonstrate talents in one of the following areas: Aesthetics (visual or performing arts), IT, English and Mother Tongues (drama, oratorical, story-telling, debate, and writing), Sports (national and/or zonal competitions). CRESCENT GIRLS SCHOOL Supporting Evidences: Primary 5 end-of-year school results and Primary 6 mid-year school results CCA records if any All supporting documents e.g. certificates for international/national competitions, character awards, etc Students selected based on their talents relevant to a particular CCA are expected to join the respective CCA allocated by the school during their 4 years with Crescent. SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SINGAPORE Admission through DSA only. Selection criteria: Academic and Cognitive Ability (Track record and outcomes of selection test) Aptitude for Applied Learning (Participate in selection activity and be assessed in terms of their ability to work in teams to solve a problem.) Interests and Motivation (CCA involvement, student portfolio, teacher s recommendation, personal statement and interviews.) 11
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS SINGAPORE Admission through DSA only. Selection criteria: Dance (Ballet or Non-Ballet) Music (Instrumental or Voice) Theatre Visual Arts Selection process includes live auditions, interviews, portfolio reviews and writing exercise. Specialised Schools Selection criteria: Open to all P6 N(T)-eligible students No specific PSLE cut-off score School will evaluate applicants and consider student s potential to benefit from its skills-based, practice oriented curriculum P6 NT-eligible students will receive a letter inviting them to apply for admission when they receive their PSLE results Specialised Schools Specialised Schools Crest Secondary School Jurong East Spectra Secondary School Woodlands 12
EVENTUAL OUTCOME The preparation of a child to do well is a progressive and ongoing process, it starts NOW. Our pupils areas for improvement By the end of P6, students are to be well-prepared to excel in the PSLE, entering a Secondary school of choice. A Child Of Good Character and possesses a Positive Attitude towards life, learning and their future. Observations and concerns Pupils need to be more focused and made more aware of the importance of examination. Pupils need to reduce the time spent on online games, social network etc. Pupils should be reminded to head home straight after school and not to loiter around the school and neighbourhood. PARENTS SUPPORT IS CRITICAL FOR YOUR CHILDREN S SUCCESS 13
SET UP A TIMETABLE Plan a timetable together and include all topics that need to be covered. Parent should ensure that the child follows the timetable strictly. Monitoring is key TARGET SETTING Target setting for the child -must have a specific target that needs to be attained within a specified timeframe. GOALS help a child to focus on the process to achieving the results. REINFORCEMENT OF ROUTINES Parents have to adopt a 'tough love' approach NOT scolding / nagging Parents have to be firm and recognise what is best for the child, and not give in to the child's demands GENERAL TIPS Spend at least 1 hour daily after completion of homework to study and 2 hours every weekend. Cultivate Positive working attitude - Encourage your child to hand in all HW on time. - Encourage your child to take pride in his/her work by doing their best in their daily assignments and remind them to check their work upon completion. - Show perseverance. Do not leave any question blank. Instead, try to break down the question and work out some steps based on the hints given in the question. 14
GENERAL TIPS: Read widely. Encourage your child to make their own notes. Write summary Use Concept Map / Mindmap Thank you for being the pillar of support for your child Your love for your child will never fail Study Smart. Time your child when doing practice paper Plan revision to cover all topics Q & A 15