COMPASSVALESECONDARY SCHOOLHelping every student find their COMPASS in life

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Compassvale Secondary School was founded in 2000 and we endeavour to provide a holistic student-centric, values-driven education that prepares students for the 21st century.

Our Vision - World Ready YouthInnovative contributors and upright citizens with a global outlook.

Our MissionWe develop our students to their fullest potential through a balanced education and instil in them a passion for living and learning.

Our Values Graciousness – Be kind in thoughts, words and deedsEmpathy – Understand and share the feelings of othersResilience – Persevere in overcoming challengesRespect – Value self and othersIntegrity – Be morally upright

Our Motto - Realising the Star WithinThe North Star strives for excellence in every endeavour, and in so doing, maximises his/her potential *New school uniforms from 2017

Sec 1 cohort onwards

Our Philosophy, Culture and Ethos We believe there is a star in all our students and help our students find the compass in their lives and realise the star within. We want our students to be like the North Star, shining brightly with good character and excellence in both academic and non-academic domains, as a guiding light for the community and the world. Our teachers are committed and dedicated to bringing out the best in every student and our school ethos are:

Achieve our Best Every student a ‘North Star’

Believe in Every Child Everyone can achieve and all can succeed

Care for Every Child Every teacher guides and mentors each ‘North Star’ in developing holistically as individuals

Determined to Learn Every student comes to school with the right attitude for learning and the mindset of high expectations

North Star Education Programme (NSEP)We offer a total curriculum that covers all five domains of student development (cognitive/social/moral/physical/aesthetics) to develop our students to be world and future-ready, with the right values and 21st century competencies.

We aim to foster a vibrant learning community with a positive school culture and nurturing school climate through • Diverse and engaging school programmes with ample opportunities for student participation and student voice• Continuous professional development and an active professional learning community among all staff, and • Strong support and partnership of key stakeholders, educational and community partners

The school is well equipped with air-conditioned classrooms for all graduating classes, an Indoor Sports Hall, artificial school field, air-conditioned fitness gym, Applied Learning Centre, etc., among other standard facilities.

Every Student a North Star

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i-TEACH Framework – Our teaching and learning is based on the i-TEACH framework for integrated, engaged and assessed learning, with teachers as curriculum innovators, collaborative learners and holistic educators.

STEM – We aim to establish our strengths in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). This is supported by our Aeronautics Applied Learning Programme, Project Work with a scientific focus on environment education/sustainable living, Science Outdoor Learning Experiential Programme, Fun Math Programme, Elementz Science Research Programme, Craft & Technology 3D Design/Printing Programme, ‘O’ level Electronics Applied Subject (to be introduced to Sec 3/2019), etc.

Departmental Signature Programmes – Besides STEM, other departments also have their signature programmes such as the EL Speech & Drama Programme, MTL Oratorical Skills Programme and ICT Coding for Fun, etc.

School-wide pedagogies – All our teachers are well trained in Assessment for Learning, Thinking Routines, Inquiry-based Learning, Flipped Classroom, ICT-enabled Active Learning/Self-Directed/Collaborative Learning and Whole-School Approach to Effective Communication to ensure joy of learning and that every student is an engaged learner.

L-R: National Research Foundation’s National Science Experiment Big Data Challenge - Our team’s research on using big data to improve learning spaces was featured in The Straits Times; Sec 1 Project Work Carnival on ‘Managing Food Waste’ and ‘Making Effective Use of Recreational Spaces’; Students visited 883 FM, the first bilingual radio station in Singapore as part of Mother Tongue Fortnight activities ; Students taking part in South Zone Centre of Excellence (D&T) Millennium Challenge – Bridge & Car Race Competition

Learning Support – We have achieved consistently value-added results in most subjects through various strategies based on our PrIME (Proactive, Intervention, Motivating & Empowering) framework driven by the Academic Excellence (ACE) Committee. Strategies include Personal Education & Career (PEC) Plan/Aspirational Target Setting for all students, ASPIRE motivational programmes for graduating students, Head Start Programme, After School Study Programme and Start Right Programme/Teacher Mentors for students who need additional support, etc.

Value-Added Results2016 GCE O Level Results Sec 4 Express Sec 5 Normal (A)Students with 5 or more subject passes 98.4% 49.2%Students eligible for Junior Colleges 82.7% 16.9%Students eligible for Polytechnics 99.5% 75.4%

Our 4E students performed better than expectations (“value-added”) in terms of Mean L1B5 aggregate and Mean Subject Grade (MSG) compared to students of similar PSLE T-scores in the same national cohort while 5N students performed within expectations. % Distinctions obtained for ALL subjects were higher than national average except EL which was slightly lower

2016 GCE N Level Results Sec 4 Normal (A) Sec 4 Normal (T)Students with 5 or more subject passes 92.8% NA

% Pass in EL: 97.5 % ; Pass in Math: 85.4%Students eligible for promotion to 5NA 83.9% NAStudents eligible for Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) 8% NAStudents eligible for ITE NA 100%

N(A) Subjects with % Distinction above National Average: Chinese, Malay, Math, Science (Physics/Chemistry & Chemistry/Biology), Design & Technology, Food & Nutrition

Instructional Programmes

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Highlights of 2017 Academic Competitions

L-R: CPCLL/SPH National Create Your Own Newspaper Competition (Silver & Best Design Award (Upper Sec) and Commendation Award (Lower Sec); National Schools Literature Festival (1st Runner-Up - Book Trailer category); Dunman High Interschool CL Theatresports Competition (Team 4th, Most Creative Team & Most Popular Team Awards)

L-R: North Zone ML Scrabble Challenge (4th Placing); N3 Cluster ML Scrabble Competition (Team and Individual Champions for both Lower and Upper Sec); Berita Harian National Journalism Camp (2nd Placing)

L-R: East Zone A*Star Science Fair Competition (2 Bronze Awards - Investigation of the use of running water to generate electricity in urban pipe systems of high-rise buildings and investigation on the effectiveness of tiered filtration with fruit peels in removing anions from water samples)

L-R: Anderson JC Elementz Science Research Competition (1 Gold Award for investigation on how various abiotic factors affected the breakdown of styrofoam by mealworms , 1 Silver Award and Viewers’ Choice Award for investigation on the soundproofing properties of different recycled materials to reduce noise levels in housing estates); Singapore Philatelic Museum National Stamp Collecting Competition (1 Gold with Special Prize Award, 1 Silver with Special Prize Award, 1 Bronze Award)

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Aeronautics Applied Learning Programme Singapore’s aerospace industry has been growing at an average of 8.6% over the last 20 years with a current 10% share of the global aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul market. Our Aeronautics ALP provides a distinctive value proposition to our stakeholders in Sengkang/Punggol, especially with the nearby fast growing Seletar Aerospace Park.

STEM-in-Aeronautics Modules – All Sec 1 Exp/NA/NT students go through a 20-hour Basic STEM-in-Aeronautics (SiA) module conducted during curriculum time in Semester 2 and another 20-hour Intermediate SiA module in Semester 1 when they move on to Sec 2. Students learn about the science behind flight through videos and hands-on experiments, including building and flying their own gliders and drones. They will also receive the Singapore Polytechnic Bronze/Silver Young Engineers Award on completion of the basic/intermediate modules respectively.

Aeronautics in Instructional Programme – Students link the theories they learn in Physics and Design & Technology to real world applications in aeronautics and the aerospace industry. As part of the D&T Sec 2 modelling programme, students work around the theme of aeronautics and apply their design, sketching and prototyping skills to build models of aeroplanes and other aeronautics artefacts.

Aeronautics Co-Curricular Programme – Students have the opportunities to attend aeronautics-related Elective Modules and Advanced Elective Modules conducted by ITE/polytechnics and go on local and overseas learning journeys to aeronautics vocational institutions/industrial companies to explore possible career options in the aeronautical industry. Talented students can take part in aeronautics competitions such as the Singapore Amazing Flying Machine Competition jointly organised by the Singapore Science Centre and Defence Science Organisation and Republic Polytechnic’s annual Drone Fiesta Competition, and develop problem-solving and inventive thinking skills through authentic, challenging hands-on competition tasks. They can also develop their interests and aptitude further through our Aeronautics Club and learn about advanced aeronautical applications such as drone programming and aerial mapping. Our school is on board CAAS ‘Aviation in School’ initiatives and a partner of Rolls Royce, our STEM industrial partner. Students can look forward to many more exciting learning opportunities in aeronautics. The school also has NCC (Air) and cadets get to participate in activities such as NCC HQ Air Competition involving flying skills of remote controlled planes.

L-R, Top to Bottom: Students attending AEM in Aerospace at Singapore Polytechnic; Students trying out flight simulation while attending EM in Aeronautics at ITE; Students learning about Singapore Polytechnic’s A320 flight simulator as part of level-wide learning journeys to post-secondary educational institutions; Students building a 350mm drone at our level-wide drone workshop; Students navigating their drone through an obstacle course at Republic Polytechnic Drone Fiesta where our team emerged First Runners-Up among more than 20 teams; Students building their glider and preparing for theory of flight presentation against 400+ participating teams at the DSO/Science Centre Singapore Amazing Flying Machine Competition; Our winning team for the Theory of Flight Award with their presentation; Our winning team for the Precision Award with their glider

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Student Development ProgrammesSTAR Programme – School-wide signature programme for each level to “realise the star within” every student: • Seek out your strength for Sec 1 – Social-emotional competency profiling to understand oneself, activities-

based workshops to develop social-emotional competencies, The Leadership Challenge workshop to develop leadership skills

• Take responsibility for Sec 2 – Environmental Education (Green Compass Programme, adoption of Sengkang Floating Wetland, International Coastal Clean-Up), Citizenship Education learning journeys, Project Work: Promoting Biodiversity and Energy Sustainability

• Adopt an enterprising spirit for Sec 3 – Outdoor Adventure Camps, Outward Bound Singapore• Ready for the world for Sec 4/5 – Financial Literacy/Personalities Profiling/Life Skills and Personal Effectiveness

workshops/talks; Educational & Career Guidance seminars/learning journeys, Resume Writing & Interview Skills workshop/In Conversation with Alumni Professionals

Social Skills Training – Explicit skill teaching and reinforcement to develop pro-social and effective learning behaviours in students for all Sec 1 students and specific skills for selected classes in other levels

Peer Support & Relationships – Trained peer support leaders in every class to cultivate positive student-student relationships and strengthen our culture of care in the school

Practice-Oriented Curriculum – Elective Modules and Advanced Elective Modules for all Sec 3 students to explore post-secondary educational/career options. Students also have the opportunities to go on overseas learning journeys and visit overseas vocational schools and the industry.

Overseas Learning Journeys – Our school enjoys a long term partnership with SIP Xinggang School and Changshu Foreign Language Junior Middle School in Suzhou, China. Students also have ample opportunities to go on various overseas trips for academic field trips, leadership development, CCA enrichment and cultural immersion, etc.

L-R: Sec 1 students learn more about self and relating with others through the STAR Programme – ‘Seek out your strength’; Sec 3 students building resilience and teamwork through an outdoor experiential camp at MOE Outdoor Adventure Centre; Sec 1 students enjoying social skills training as part of CCE lessons

L-R: Students attending an Advanced Elective Module in Food Science and Culture at Nanyang Polytechnic; Students attending Advanced Elective Module in Healthcare at Nanyang Polytechnic; Students attending Elective Module in Digital Marketing at ITE; School exchange with Suzhou SIP Xinggang School and cultural immersion trip to China Hangzhou/Suzhou/Nanjing/Wuxi/Shanghai

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Learning for Life Programme – “Inspired North Stars Inspire Actions”

The programme aims to develop in our students effective community & youth leadership and inspire them into action to reach out to the community and create a positive impact through community service and environmental projects.

Student Leadership Development Programme• The programme enables every student to be an exemplary leader to self and others with a strong moral compass

in them and the vision of “Serve to Lead, Lead to Inspire”• Leadership training is based on The Leadership Challenge (TLC) model which provides the learning and practical

experiences for students to increase their self-awareness, strengthen their people skills, find the purpose and meaning in life, and develop leadership skills to make a difference to others

• Students develop and discover their leadership potential through various leadership roles and service in school (Class Leaders, CCA Leaders, Student Councillors, Peer Support Leaders, NE/Cyber Wellness Ambassadors, Environment/VIA Champions, etc) as well as services to the local and overseas communities.

Values-in-Action Programme – “CVSS CAReS” (Care in Action, Ready to Serve)All our students embark on various level-wide VIA projects every year to serve the community. These include environmental projects under the Green Compass Programme for all Sec 1 and 2 students, student-initiated/student-led service learning projects for all Sec 3 students through the adoption of Bright Hill Evergreen Home, Sunlove Home and Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN), and annual Overseas Service Learning Programme (OSLP) to neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam for student leaders, etc. The school also works closely with partners such as Sengkang Community Centre and North East Community Development Council (NECDC) in community events.

L-R: Our students interacting with residents at Bright Hill Evergreen Home and Sunlove Home and students at APSN Centre for Adults, Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Hub; Students manning a community toy library under Beacon Residents’ Committee and digitising records at Workspace@Sengkang CC as part of NECDC’s Community Employment Programme Learning Journey

L-R: Workshop on upcycling and creation of upcycled artefacts to improve class or school environment for all Sec 2 students under Green Compass Programme; Students manning recycled paper making interactive booths and showcasing their upcycled artefacts at NECDC/NEA’s G!innovation at Kovan Hub for the public and ‘Just One Earth Day’ at Serangoon CC for PCF Kindergarten pupils and their parents

OSLP 2017 - 5 days of service learning project with Tran Van On Primary School in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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Co-Curricular Activities (CCA)We offer a wide range of CCAs to develop the talents and interests of our students. These include: National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Air), National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC), Singapore Red Cross Youth, Boys’ Brigade, Girl Guides, Concert Band, Choir, Dance, Drama, Infocomm Club (PA/AVA/Robotics), Aeronautics Club, Environment Club, Media Resource Library Club, Photography Club, Videography Club, Softball (Boys and Girls), Badminton (Boys and Girls), Floorball (Boys and Girls), Basketball (Boys and Girls) and Netball.

L-R: Red Cross Youth: (Gold Excellent Unit Award 2017 for the 12th consecutive year); NCC (Air): (Gold Best Unit Award 2017)

L-R: Choir performing at 2016 SYF Celebrations @ Esplanade (Certificates of Distinction in 2015 and 2017 SYF Arts Presentation); Concert Band marching down Orchard Road at 2016 SYF Celebrations - Parade of Bands and performing at our annual Anniversary & Awards Day (Certificate of Distinction in 2017 SYF Arts Presentation)

L-R: NPCC: (Gold Unit Overall Proficiency Award 2017); Boys’ Brigade: (Silver National JM Fraser Award for Unit Excellence 2017); Girl Guides: (Bronze Puan Noor Aishah Award 2017)

L-R: Dance performing at 2016 SYF Celebrations @ Esplanade (Certificates of Distinction and Accomplishment in 2015 and 2017 SYF Arts Presentation respectively); Drama (Certificates of Distinction and Accomplishment in 2015 and 2017 SYF Arts Presentation respectively)

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PA/AVA/Robotics Club – ITE Robotics Challenge 2017 (First place and Merit for Line Tracing and 2nd Runners-up for Obstacle Challenge; Nullspace Science IDE LEGO Robotics Competition 2016 (2nd and 4th places); Republic Polytechnic Renesas Grand Prix Competition 2016 (2nd place)

Environment Club – Members help organise and take up leading roles in our annual participation of International Coastal Clean-Up Singapore by students from various CCAs. Members are also trained by NEA & PUB in conducting learning trails and outreach activities for the community such as learning journey to St John’s Island to learn about the natural flora and fauna. The school has achieved SEC School Green Awards (Lotus) - Sustained Achievement Award, NEA 3R Gold Sustained Achievement Award, PUB Watermark Award and Water Efficient Building Silver Award

L-R: Videography Club – Champions in 2016 Sengkang NPC Anti-Shop Theft Video Competition in partnership with National Crime Prevention Council. Media Resource Library Club – Student Librarians volunteer at a racial harmony activity at Serangoon Library, promoting good reads and racial harmony to the community. Two members’ short stories were selected for publication in the ‘Tales of S e-book competition’ in 2017

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Parent volunteers and alumni members at our annual Chinese New Year celebrations.

L-R: 2017 PSG CNY Welcome Brunch for Sec 1 parents; Parents distributing traditional snacks to students at 2017 Racial Harmony Carnival; 2017 Educational & Career Guidance Parents’ Forum

Alumni who have done well in their post-secondary studies or career are also invited regularly to speak to the current students, inspiring them to work hard and realise their aspirations.

Valued Partnerships“It takes a village to raise a child.” Driven by this belief, our School Advisory Committee, parents and alumni play an important supportive role in ‘realising the star within’ every North Star through their participation in various school events/programmes throughout the year. This provides opportunities for parents to be closely involved in their children’s education and for alumni to give back to their alma mater.

At our annual Chinese New Year celebrations, members of our Parents Support Group (PSG) helped host our elderly guests from the neighbourhood, including sponsoring, preparing and giving out generous gift hampers to all the guests. Alumni members put up engaging performances for the concert. SAC Chairman gave out personal hongbaos to all the elderly guests to make their day. Besides adding to the joyous atmosphere and festive mood, they act as good role models for our students and exemplify the spirit of giving and contributing to the school and society.

Parents actively attend PSG activities and various seminars/talks organised by the school such as Sec 1 Parents’ Talk on helping their child transit to secondary school life and Educational & Career Guidance Parents’ Forum to take an active role in their children’s education and keep themselves updated on the changing educational landscape.“My son has grown and become more mature in the four years he has been with the school. He has become more responsible and learnt to be appreciative of what he has, especially after an overseas service learning trip.” - Mdm Alice Wi, Chairperson of PSG.

“CVSS has taught me so much, be it academically or holistically. I should give back to the school for guiding me throughout my 4 years in school, helping me to realise my potential and my dream” - Teo Kai Ling, recipient of the Outstanding North Star Award 2015 and currently studying in Meridian Junior College.“CVSS’ well-planned leadership development programmes, accompanied by a supportive environment, have empowered me to become a more confident person. This has inspired me to become a teacher so that I can also impact other students in future.” - Jane Chua, Former Vice-Chairperson of the Alumni Executive Committee, graduated in 2011

The CVSS Alumni EXCO organised the school’s very first CVSS Alumni Homecoming Day – Reunite! in the school hall on 1 July 2017. The Homecoming received strong support with over 200 alumni attending the event. It was a heart-warming affair as alumni from all 16 batches reunited at the place where memories were created and friendships were forged. They also managed to catch up with teachers who have taught them over the years.

Germaine Chua, an all-round top performer in 2016 GCE O-Levels, returned to share words of advice with her juniors at morning assembly

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Words from our “North Stars”

Messages from our Alumni…

Nur Jasmine Bte Roslan, 4E5, Alumnus of North Spring Primary SchoolBeing a part of the Student Council has allowed me to hone my leadership skills as well as enhance my ability to work with others as a team. Through planning events such as Teachers’ Day and Graduation Night, I was exposed to a plethora of valuable learning experiences. The various academic and student development programmes, together with the guidance from my teachers, have certainly brought me a step closer to achieving the school’s vision of being a World Ready Youth!

Gui Ming Yi (Graduated in 2013)Diploma in International Business & Recipient of Ngee Ann Kongsi Gold Medal, Lien Ying Chow Gold Medal, Mapletree Gold Medal & Prize Diploma with Merit (2016), Ngee Ann PolytechnicThe strong emphasis on inculcating right values, character and attitude by CVSS contributed largely to my success today. Assuming roles as the President of the Student Council and Captain of Badminton enabled me to step out of my comfort zone and sharpen my leadership skills to be a role model for the student body. The teachers pushed the student leaders beyond our limits and helped shape us into mature, responsible, and all-rounded individuals, capable of achieving more than just academic excellence.

Kenneth Lou (Graduated in 2003) Bachelor of Business Administration, NUS; Co-founder & CEO of Seedly, a start-up which leverages technology to help people manage personal finances My teachers and the guidance I got outside the classroom led me to where I am today. I was in the Infocomm Club and did videography and web design. I was grateful to have been placed in a leadership position as Chairman, and had the fortune of directing 2 award-winning short films. Those years were the formative years which really got me thinking about how to lead a team and grow a creative mindset. It has served me very well in the long run.

Lim Jun Hao Jarius, 2E3, Alumnus of Mee Toh SchoolCVSS provides me several unique school experiences. The Green Compass Programme is an eye-opener - I was exposed to different insights regarding resource conservation and how to practise the 3Rs - reuse, reduce, recycle – in novel ways. This experience has also taught me to work with other people. The Aeronautics ALP lessons have also sparked my interest in STEM as we get to apply knowledge from different subjects, mainly Physics, Mathematics and Design & Technology, and build our own flying models.

Shabana D/O Mohamed Yusoff R N, 3T1, Alumnus of Rivervale Primary SchoolCVSS has given me the opportunity to experience a variety of learning experiences such as a cultural immersion trip to Desaru in Sec 2 and Service Learning projects in Sec 3 where I got to spend a day with the elderly residents in the homes. The exposure helped me learn more about the world, teamwork, leadership and, more importantly, myself.

Nur Ellyana Bte Roslan (Graduated in 2014)Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Social Sciences (majoring in Economics), NUS

CVSS has given me many precious memories and allowed me to gain various skills. I was lucky to be taught by teachers who never gave up on me. I was underperforming in some subjects, but with teachers’ continuous support, I was able to achieve good progress and realise my targets. I was inspired and motivated by my teachers’ determination and resilience, which I will never forget.

Jerron Chia Rong, 1N1, Alumnus of Anchor Green Primary SchoolIn CVSS, there are a lot of enjoyable and meaningful learning opportunities. One of which is the level-wide STAR Programme at the end of Term 1, through which I learnt important skills that we could apply on a daily basis, such as how to manage differences in opinions. I appreciate the regular Teacher-Student Conferences for us to talk to teachers and clarify our doubts. I am in Boys’ Brigade CCA which provides me many opportunities to learn about values and life skills. It has helped shape my character and attitude towards my future.

Compassvale Secondary School 康柏中学 51 Compassvale Crescent, Singapore 545083Tel: 6881 5047, Fax: 6881 5998Email: cvss@moe.edu.sgWebsite: http://www.compassvalesec.moe.edu.sg

a touche design production @ 6659 1876

Helping Every Student Realise

The Within