2021 principal’s dialogue - ministry of education
TRANSCRIPT
2021 Principal’s Dialogue with Sec 1 Parents
8 Jan 2021
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The 4 “Every”s of Fairfield
• Every Fairsian is precious
• Every Fairsian is unique
• Every Fairsian has different talents
• Every Fairsian can learn and change
Whole School Approach to Pastoral Care
School LeadersSpend time with individual classes
Year Heads & other key personnel
Oversee pastoral care of the level
Form TeachersGet to know students through 1 to 1 conferencing
Counsellors & Allied Educators
Provide support to students with greater needs
Peer Support Leaders
Look out for peers who may need support
PrincipalMs Audrey Chen
School Leaders
Vice-Principal 1Mr Lim Sin Heng
Vice-Principal 2Mr Alan Lim
Sec 1 Year HeadMr Eric Loh
Other Key PersonnelMr Chua Chang Fong, HOD AestheticsMrs Kwok Jiapei, HOD EnglishMs Lee Chee Peng, HOD MathMs Shamsiah Bte Zainalabidin, SH CCE
Support Team
Mr Larry LohSchool Counsellor
Ms Tan Xin RuSchool Counsellor
Support Team
Ms NoreffalizaAED Learning & Behaviour Support
Ms Eirena KhanAED Learning & Behaviour Support
Support Team
Ms Charlene KohChristian MinistryStaff
Mr Ingo HoffmanChristian MinistryStaff
Fairfield Education
Our MissionTo provide a holistic education in a Christian
environment so as to nurture leaders of good character, equipped to serve God, nation,
community and school
We share a common history
and ethos with other Methodist schools
Our VisionA Vibrant Community of Active Life-Long
Learners & Influential Leaders
Active Lifelong Learner and
Influential Leader
Personhood
Commitment to Community
Heart of Service
Wisdom
4 Fairsian Outcomes
Personhood
• I have a positive attitude toward my holistic development.
• I do not give up when I face challenges.
• I pursue excellence in my own learning and development.
• I conduct myself with good character in all situations.
Demonstrates strong self-mastery and good moral and performance character
2021 FocusGrowing in Personhood
100% Pure & Honest Fairsian1 Tim 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on
you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in
conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (NIV)
2021 FocusGrowing in Personhood
100% Pure & Honest Fairsian
1. What does it mean to be a 100% pure & honest Fairsian?
2. Why should we become 100% pure & honest Fairsian?
3. How can we become 100% pure & honest Fairsian?
School Website
School Website – Parents Page
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Guiding Principles for School-Home Partnership
1. Students succeed when schools and parents work hand in hand to support students in learning self-management skills, taking responsibility and building resilience.
2. Mutual respect and trust forms the strong foundation for positive engagement between schools and parents.
Making Learning Experiential
Creating a Culture of Thinking
• I am generally curious and eager to learn new things.
• I regularly spend time (beyond timetabled lessons) to pursue my intellectual interests (e.g. read up on topics I am interested in, attend enrichment programmes).
• I like to ask questions about the things I am learning.
• I often try to make connections between new things that I am learning and things that I already know.
• If I get stuck with a learning task, I will try to think of how to get round the problem.
Learning Dispositions for Active Lifelong Learners
Nurture a Growth Mindset
• Think of challenges not as roadblocks, but opportunities for growth
• Use the language of growth – e.g. “I’m not sure I can do it now, but I think I can learn with time and effort.”
Carol Dweck “Mindset:
The New Psychology of Success”
Encourage Joy of Learning!
Encourage Joy of Learning by
• not over-emphasising academic
performance
• focus on your child’s learning journey,
rather than compare them to others
Give our children the time and space to deepen learning
Learn for Life in Fairfield
• Focus on the learning every day, not assessments once a term
• No mid-year exams for Sec 1 and 3
• Only 1 weighted assessment (WA) per subject per term
Level WA1 WA2 WA3 End-of-YearExam
Sec 1 10% 15% 15% 60%
Ownership of Learning
• Make full use of curriculum time
• Practise “3Bs before me”: brain, book & buddy before asking teacher for help
• Record homework in student diary
• Take personal responsibility for prompt submission of homework and assignments
How to build self-efficacy
Self-efficacy:
The belief in one’s capabilities to organise and execute the courses of action to manage prospective situations (Albert Bandura, psychologist)
“I think I can” mindset
The belief that one’s own efforts lead to outcomes
• 1st we do it for you
• Then we do it with you
• Then we watch you do it
• Then you do it completely independently
Towards a Student-Led SchoolSophia Blackmore Leadership Programme
• Student Council
• Community Student Leaders
• Peer Support Board
• Class Committee
– Chairpersons
– Class Captains
• CCA Leaders
• Sports Leaders
Sophia Blackmore Leadership Programme
Personal Voice is the ability to…..
Articulate opinions with respect and
confidence
Form sound opinions through listening to
others and reflecting deeply
Exercise moral courage to stand up for one’s
belief
Bring About Positive Change
Voice of a Fairsian Programme [EL]
Sec 1 Imagining Personal Voice
(‘Growing Years’)
Students respond critically to personal recounts through an individually recorded
speech.
Sec 2 Exploring Personal Voice(‘The Great Exposition’)
Students engage in a comparative analysis and present their findings through a paired
presentation.
Sec 3Developing a Strong Personal Voice
(‘Community Problem Solving Project’)
Students advocate a solution to help a community through collaborative research.
Sec 4/5Exemplifying a Strong Personal Voice
(‘Genius Hour’)
Students express their personal views on a topic they are passionate about through
an individual presentation.
Voice of a Fairsian Programme MT
Sec 1
Explore through storytelling
(Heart of Gratitude)
Individual 2-3min Oral Presentation
on a significant person in your daily lives
Sec 2
Express through multimedia production
(Heart for the Community)
Group 1 min video, introducing a local
landmark
Sec 3
Enthuse through persuasive speech
(Finding your own voice)
3-5 mins news clip or talk show
to discuss local social issues.
Sec 4/5
Evaluate through effective conversation
(Expanding your voice)
Individual 5 min oral conversation
to present their views supported with
examples on social issues
Science Programme for Aspiring Researchers (SPEAR)
Programmes unique to each level:
Sec 1 River Studies Project
Programmes unique to each level:
Sec 1 Community Garden Project
Developmental Framework
Level Characteristic Character/Leadership Journey
Academic Journey
Sec 1 Transition from P6 to Sec 1
Self-Leadership Increase in number of subjects, new subjects
Sec 2 Physical and emotional growth
Peer Leadership Streaming examinations [placement]
Sec 3 Transition from junior to senior student
OrganisationalLeadership
Building foundations of two-year course leading to GCE exams
Sec 4/5 Preparing for the next challenge
Influential Leadership GCE examinations [placement]
Four-Year FLEX ProgrammeFairfield Learning Experience
Year Focus
Sec 1 Outdoor Adventure Camp
Sec 2 Empathy & Acceptance
Sec 3 Be a Blessing Project
Sec 4 / 5 Career Counselling
Sec 1 FLEX WeekOutdoor Adventure Camp
Students’ exposure to and use
of the Internet and devices...
In 2020
Concerns about
screen time and
self-
management
In 2021
Greater
incorporation of
ICT in teaching
and learning
In 2021
Students will
have their own
personal
devices
HBLBlended
Learning PDLP
Knowledge
Digital Literacy(new branch under Peer Support)
Developing
students’
understanding of IT-
related issues and
risks
Eg. evaluating
information sources,
using social media,
digital footprint,
digital addiction
Netiquette
Developing
students’ habits of
appropriate and
gracious use of the
Internet
Eg. in the use of
email, WhatsApp,
social media
Self-
Management
Developing
students’ ability to
use the Internet and
devices in a positive
and healthy way
Eg. identifying
digital addiction,
managing screen
time & digital
learning resources
Be a smart and gracious
user of technology!
Respect Others
• No vulgarities or
spam messages
in chats and other
platforms
• Not using phones
for other
purposes other
than instructed by
teachers
Be Considerate
• Refrain from
sending text
messages
beyond 6pm
Self-Management
• Refrain from
using devices at
least 1 hour
before bedtime
Discipline Team
Mr Vincent ChiaHOD Discipline
Ms Yen Ding YiSec 1 Level
Discipline Teacher
Ms Venetia ChongSec 1 Level
Discipline Teacher
Rules & Expectations• In enrolling in the school, students and
parents are accepting the standards expected of students of this school.
• Rules are aligned with values and part of character education
• Rules teach students the discipline of living within a community and submitting to authority
• Refer to school rules in student diary p37-50
Goal
• To grow in wisdom and maturity, not merely comply with rules
• Every student possesses the self-discipline to live out the values & bless the community
• Every student to lead & influence his/her peers
Expected Learning Culture• Safe and positive learning culture for
everyone• Respect for all => no bullying and use of
vulgarities• Punctuality and attendance to maximise
learning time– Parents should seek permission from school
leaders for absence within school term
• Reduction of distractions to maximise learning – Mobile phones are to be kept in the lockers and
not to be used during curriculum time including lunch breaks and free periods
Approach to Discipline • Balance between justice and restoration
• Form Teachers, Year Head and Discipline Team will partner parents in monitoring and changing students’ behaviour
• “Detention first” before other activities as “character first”
• Demerit points to signal consequences
• Students with conduct grade of “Fair” and below will not qualify for MOE or major school awards
• Students with major offences are not positive role models – may not be eligible for key leadership positions
School Hours
• Morning Assembly at 8:30am (COVID SMM)
• Dismissal times – please refer to timetable
• Students with free periods can only leave 1 hour before the end of the day
• CCAs to end by 6:00pm
• School will be locked at 6:30pm
• Contact teachers Mon-Fri 7:30am-6:00pm
Communication with Parents1. School website
2. Student diary
3. Parents Gateway app
4. Email
5. Hard copy letter
6. Phone calls
Feedback to Form Teacher or Subject Teacher Year Head/HOD P or VP
Follow us on Instagram@ ohitsfairfieldfor updates on school life posted by the Student Council
2021 FocusGrowing in Personhood