9/1/2014
1
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/
9/1/2014
2
Education and Career Guidance (ECG) https://ecareers.sg/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Ry8h4fp
ew
Time Programme
1900 Opening Address – Principal, Mrs Cheng Huey Teng
1905 “Family Matters @ Pioneer” (Esther Tan Li Xin)
1920 Science Study Tips – SH Science
1930 English Language Study Tips – HOD English (Covering)
1940 Mathematics Study Tips – HOD Maths (Covering)
1950 Mother Tongue Language Study 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
9/1/2014
3
Our Values
Our School - a Caring , Learning Community;
Each Child - a Life-long Learner, a Leader with
Character, a Success in his own Right.
An Inquiring and Imaginative Mind
Value Self and Others
Integrity
Doing Our Best
Nurture each child to become:
• 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.
Core
Values
Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Social AwarenessRelationship
Management
ResponsibleDecision-
Making
21st Century Competencies
9/1/2014
4
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.
9/1/2014
5
How does Subject-Based Banding work?
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 P5Pupil who takes 1or more foundationsubject(s) and doesvery well in thesubjects
Pupil who takes 4standard subjects andhas difficulty coping
All other pupils
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
School may allow him to take 1 or more subjects at foundation level in P6
School will allow them to continue the same subject combination in P6
End P5
Pupil takes subject combination decided by school
Pupil sits for Primary School Leaving Examination
(PSLE)
At P6
End P6
This will ultimately affect the stream,
school and subject combinations the 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 Offering2014 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* Only by School decision.
Not available for parents’ option
^ For pupils to be offered Higher Mother
Tongue, they must pass all subjects and
score at least 75 marks for MT.
9/1/2014
6
Primary School
Leaving Examination (PSLE)
PSLE – A Placement Test
• Reflect relative achievement level 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
9/1/2014
7
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 Discretionary Places
Schools with IP or
SIS (NUSHS, SST & SOTA)
Up to 100%
(IP schools admitted up to
50%)
Independent Schools
(without IP)
20%
Autonomous Schools
(without IP)
10%
Niche Programme School 5%
9/1/2014
8
Direct School Admission
• Based on students’ talents and achievements.
• Consider both academic and non-academic
areas.
• 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/
School Student MOE
Pre-Selection Stage
1. DSA schools publish their latest admission criteria on their respective websites in May.
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 Stage5. 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.
Flowchart of Various Stages of DSA
School Student MOE
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.
Exercise School Preference
Stage6. Student registers his/her DSA School Preference.
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.Results Release Stage
8. The results of DSA-Sec Exercise will be released
together with the release of PSLE results.
9/1/2014
9
Source: http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/dsa-sec/
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.
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
General Ability Test (GAT)
• All applicants must sit for the GAT conducted
by Principal Academy Inc (PAI) before
submitting the application form.
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Applicants must fulfil the following criteria to be
shortlisted for academic/ special talent test(s):
(a) DSA/Academic
• Top 90% in GAT and
• At least 75% for overall percentage and an “A” grade
for Chinese Language in both P5 Year-End and P6 Mid-
Year Examination.
9/1/2014
10
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Applicants must fulfil the following criteria to be
shortlisted for academic/ special talent test(s):
(b) DSA/Special Talent
• Top 90% in GAT and
• At least 70% for overall percentage and an “A” grade for
Chinese Language in both P5 Year-End and P6 Mid-Year
Examination.
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL
Special Talents:
• 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.
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
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 school-based selection test, audition or sports trial and interview.
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
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).
9/1/2014
11
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
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
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
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).
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
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.
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
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.)
9/1/2014
12
DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION –
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.
• 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
Specialised Schools
9/1/2014
13
EVENTUAL OUTCOME• The preparation of a child to do well is a progressive
and ongoing process, it starts NOW.
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.
Our pupils’ areas for improvement
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 on-line 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
9/1/2014
14
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 bydoing 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.
9/1/2014
15
GENERAL TIPS:
• Read widely.
• Encourage your child to make their own notes.
– Write summary
– Use Concept Map / Mindmap
• Study Smart.
– Time your child when doing practice paper
– Plan revision to cover all topics
Thank you for being the pillar of support for your child
Your love for your child will never fail
Q & A