METHODIST GIRLS’ SCHOOL2018 Sec 2 Level Parents’ Briefing

Secondary 2O Level Track

LEVEL THEME

LEVEL PROGRAMMES

ROCs 2- The Road Less Travelled

Overnight outdoor camping experience and culture & heritage learning journeys

LEVEL PROGRAMMES

Level VIA

Cohort-wide effort to make a difference to our community

LEVEL PROGRAMMES

Level bonding activities

○ Streaming year/ academics○ Relationship issues (Peer/ BGR/ Family)○ Internet addiction○ Self Management concerns:

■ anxiety issues■ body image

POSSIBLE STRUGGLES

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

GEL CURRICULUM

POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAMME

In partnership with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) for the

Family Matters@Schools programme at MGS.

Parents are invited to participate in the Positive Parenting Programme (Triple P).

Brochure and invitation letter will be distributed through students to parents on

5 February 2018The following free seminars are held in MGS from 4 to 6 pm for parents who register for the programme:

10 May 2018 Thu Seminar 1 on Raising Resilient Teenagers24 May 2018 Thu Seminar 2 on Raising Competent Teenagers07 Jun 2018 Thu Seminar 3 on Getting Teenagers Connected

More information and a registration link will be sent to parents at a later date.

Framework to recognise students’ holistic development over four domains: Participation, Achievement, Leadership and Service. Students are awarded across 5 levels of attainment per domain.

Recognition in each domain is based on:Participation: Number of years of participation and exemplary conduct and active contribution to the CCA.Service: Time students put into planning, service and reflection, when participating in a VIA projectLeadership: Formal leadership appointments, participation in leadership workshops, NYAA, leadership positions in the school, CCA or student-initiated projectsAchievement: Representation and Accomplishment in co-curricular involvements beyond the classroom

LEAPS 2.0

Secondary 2/Year 2ACADEMIC MATTERS

O-LEVEL TRACK / IP TRACK

SCHOOL TERMS IN 2018

Semester 1Term 1: 2 Jan – 9 MarMar hols 10 - 18 Mar

Term 2: 19 Mar – 25 MayJun hols 26 May - 23 Jun

Semester 2Term 3: 25 Jun – 31 AugSep hols 1 - 9 Sep

Term 4: 10 Sep – 26 Oct (Sec 1&2)Dec hols 17 Nov - 1 Jan

TIMETABLE STRUCTURE

• Lessons are in 60 min or 90 min blocks • 2 half-hourly break times every day except Wed. • The timetable will be structured in a 2-week (odd & even)

cycle.

Semestral Modules•Lower Sec Sciences: Bio/STEM, Phy/Chem•General Music•Home Econs•PTK for Sec 1 – 2 SBA

Curriculum Day StructureDay Flag

raising

Dismissal time

Planned afternoon lessons

Scheduled remedial Slot 1: 2.30 – 3.30 pmSlot 2: 3.30 – 4.30 pm

& Wow!Space

Other activities

Mon 7.30 am

2.30 pm

2.30 - 3.30pmS3 HMT & S4 HMT/MT

CCA starts at 4 pm

Tue 7.30 am

2.30 pm

1:30-2:30 pm Assembly (odd week)

2:45 - 4.15 pmS1 MEP2:45 - 4.15 pmS2 MEP

3 – 6 pm S4 Art

Sec 1&2: Hum & SciSec 3&4: Sci & Hum

CCA starts at 4 pm

Wed 8.30 am

2.30 pm

8:30-9:10 am Chapel

9:10-9:30 am TPC

CCA starts 3 pm

Thu 7.30 am

2.30 pm

3 – 6 pm S3 Art2.45 -6.30pm S4 MEP

(IP)2:45-4 pm S4 CLB

Sec 1&2: Lang & MathsSec 3&4: Maths & Lang

CCA starts at 4 pm

Fri 7.30 am

2.30 pm

1:30- 2:30 pmGEL

2.45 – 5:30 pm S3 nMEP2.45-6.15 pm S4 nMEP

CCA starts 3 pm

School Attendance during curriculum time and School events

Categories of Absence from School

Categories Actual attendance recorded

Effect on Attendance % Examples

Absent with Official Reasons- approved competitions repr school or Singapore

Considered "PRESENT"

Not affected

- child sent to activities by school or nation- students not taking subjects on day of exam

Absent with medical certificate/ hospitalisation

Considered "ABSENT"

Decrease - short term mc or long term hospitalisation

Absent for all other reasons covered parents' letter

Considered "ABSENT"

Decrease - letter from parents,

Absent for all other reasons without parents' letter

Considered "ABSENT" & "TRUANCY"

Decrease& booked with9 DEMERIT

POINTS

The following are the consequences if a student accumulates or receives outright 9 or more demerit points:

▪ Detention Class▪ ‘Fair’ or ‘Poor’ conduct rating in student’s

Semestral Report▪ Possible disqualification from school and other

awards

DEMERIT POINTS & CONSEQUENCES

❖ Letters❖ Emails and phone calls❖ Announcements through MGS website❖ Newsletters❖ Termly Progress Reports❖ Parents’ Level Briefing❖ Parent-Teacher Meeting with class, subject &

CCA teachers (24 Mar 2018, Saturday)❖ ParentLink

COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS WITH PARENTS/GUARDIANS

● Letters● Emails via MGS gmail addresses● Announcements through MGS website● Newsletters● Termly Progress Reports● Morning announcements● Broadcast ● Public Address system● Noticeboards & posters● Level briefings, Chapel, Assembly …

COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS WITH STUDENTS

Broad-based, content and skills leading up to the rigour and demands of the O-levels, A-levels/ IB

Diploma and beyond.

Transition from Primary curriculum to O-levels & pre-IB curriculum

LOWER SEC O-LEVEL & IP CURRICULUM

SEC 2 & YEAR 2 CURRICULUM EXAMINABLE SUBJECTS

O-track enriched

Sec 2D, 2H, 2M

O-track Sophia Blackmore Academy

Sec 2E, 2I, 2O

Integrated Programme

Year 2G, 2S, 2TLanguage Arts Language Arts Language Arts

Mother Tongue Mother Tongue Mother Tongue

Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics

Sciences Bio, Chem, Phy

Sciences Bio, Chem, Phy

Sciences Bio, Chem, Phy

Geography Geography Geography

History History History

MEP@ MEP@ MEP@

Third Lang# Third Lang# Third Lang#

# Third Language lessons in MOE LC@ S2 MEP lessons (for SBA & IP students) on Tuesday afternoons 2:45- 4.15 pm.

SEC 2 & YEAR 2 CURRICULUM NON-EXAMINABLE SUBJECTS

O-track enrichedSec 2D, 2H, 2M

O-track SBASec 2E, 2I, 2O

Integrated ProgrammeYear 2G, 2S, 2T

STEM STEM STEM

Global Studies

PTK PTK

IPW IPW Indep Studies

Home Econs (nonMEP)

Home Econs (nonMEP)

Home Econs (nonMEP)

General Music General Music General Music

Art Art Art

Code4Life Code4Life Code4Life

PE PE PE

CCE CCE CCE

Offering Higher Mother Tongue to Pupils

Target Groups Criteria for eligibility to do HCL Remarks

P6 to S1 1. Top 10% in PSLE (~250 pts & above) & took CL, ML, TLOR2. 11-30% in PSLE & A* in CL, ML, TL &/or Merit/Dist in HCL, HML, HMT

Offer letter given by MOEat Sec 1 Posting

S1 to S2

S2 to S31. Min 75% in CL, ML, TL & min 75% for overall %OR2. Min 80% in CL, ML, TL & Min 70% for overall %

Offer letter given by schoolafter EOY exams

CONVERSATIONAL MALAY PROGRAMME

Another Language Learning Opportunities for all levels

● Conversational Language competency and cultural awareness

● Curriculum focus on listening, speaking and recognising simple words/characters

● 5 weeks Elementary module○ 2 hr (3:00 pm - 5:00 pm)○ Every Thursday○ T1 Week 8 (22 Feb) to T2 Week 2 (29 Mar)

■ No lesson during the March holidays

● Registration forms are available from any of the Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) teachers.

AFTERNOON CO-CURRICULAR SCHEDULE

MEP lessons, Art lessons, CLB classes, 3rd Language classes & remedial lessons take priority over all other afternoon activities (school or

personal) except when there are compulsory school events or participation in approved competitions

Note on 3rd Language:1.Be committed for the whole year. Marks will be captured from Mid-Year report and are included in overall percentage for the year.2.Withdrawal process is via the school by submitting the withdrawal form( available on MOELC website) to the General Office for Principal’s endorsement. 3.Students shall leave promptly after school lessons are over and be on time for their L3 lessons. She should give herself 30 - 45 min to travel by train from MGS to language Centres. Train ride durations:

KAP to Newton: ~ 13 mins KAP to Bishan: ~ 22 mins

STEM Enrichments for 2018❖ STEM module for Sec/Yr 1 & 2 Science and STEM workshops @ SCS (integrated to STEM module)

• Sec/ Yr 2 : Forensic Science

CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT

STEM Enrichments for 2018 (ContinuedSTEM Enrichments for 2018 (Continued)

❖ Robotics (Sec 1); Code4Life (Sec 2)❖ STEM Week❖ STEM field trips & talks (sign up basis)

CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT

CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT

STEM Enrichments for 2018 (Continued)

❖ Girls2Pioneers Camp by UN Women - Sec/Yr 1: (tog ROCs 1) - Sec/Yr 3: (post MYE)❖ STEM Career talks (parents & students) ❖ Pi Celebrations!

CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT

Each subject will set approx.

1 – 1.5 hr of homework per week

Average time spent on homework in a week = 6 - 10 hours

Students need to exercise good time management, discipline

HOMEWORK POLICY

SECONDARY 2 ASSESSMENTS

O-track Mid-Year

Report (T2)Progress

Report (T3)Year-end

Report (T4)

Assessment type

Mid-Year Exam

Assignments & class tests for

Term 1 – 3

End-of-Year Exam

LA, Maths 30% 20% 50%

MT 20% 30% 50%

Geog, Hist 25% 40% 35%

Sciences 25%(Chem exam) 25% 50%

(Bio & Phy exam)

Promotion to Secondary 3 is based on Overall performance at CAs and Year-End Examinations.▪Attain 50% overall marks▪Attain 50% Language Arts marks

Streaming is based on▪Overall percentage▪Rank Average

An information session on streaming and post-secondary pathways will be organised on Sat, 24 Mar 2018.

SECONDARY 2 PROMOTIONS

O-Track

Valid Reasons for absence1. Unwell and covered with Medical Certificate valid for test day (copies of mc to be given to FT & to respective subject teachers)

2. Test falls on the same day of an approved competition (interschool, international). The teacher i/c of competition will inform the staff BUT students should also take responsibility to alert their respective teachers.

For other extenuating reasons, parents are to write to the Principal (cc Form Teachers) for consideration.

ABSENCE FROM TESTS & EXAMS

All girls who are absent for any Mid-Year & End-of_Year Exam papers are expected to sit for these papers under timed conditions as TIMED PRACTICE Papers

- these papers will be scheduled during the marking days & days for review of exam papers

- the papers will be marked to give students feedback

The purpose of girls needing to sit for the TIMED PRACTICE is for all girls to consolidate and have feedback on their learning through these critical exam platforms.

ABSENCE FROM Mid-Year & End-of-Year EXAMS

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIES

(internal exams & O-levels)

❑ Applications need to be submitted by end of Term 1 with documents. Parents will need to request for the 'Application for AA Form' from the Form Teacher

❑ Learning disabilities (e.g. Dyslexia, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyspraxia ..)

❑ Permanent physical disabilities (e.g hearing impairment, visual impairment, physical impairment,…)❑Medical or psychologist reports will have up to 3 year

validity.❑Note: Special arrangements granted for school

internal exams do not translate to automatic approval by SEAB for GCE O-levels.

o approved special arrangements will be annotated in the certificates/reports

Extra-time allowance;

Use of word processor facilities and other computer aids;

Modification of examination papers;

For O-levels only:

Exemption from satisfying the full range of assessment objectives in a subject (e.g. exemption from oral, listening comprehension etc.);

Use of Readers or Amanuenses/Scribes;

invigilatory assistance, e.g. use of practical assistant in reading instrument with fine readings during practical examination.

APPEAL FOR SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR CANDIDATES WITH DISABILITIES (internal exams & O-levels)

OVERALL AVERAGE FOR SEC 2

Language Arts

Mother Tongue or HMT

Mathematics

Science

Geography

History

Third Language

MEP/ AEP

Rank Average = (LA + Ma + S + Hu) / 4

WHAT IS RANK AVERAGE?

LA = Language Arts

Ma = Mathematics

Sc = Science

Hu = Humanities average

PATHWAYS BEYOND ‘O’ LEVELS

New ‘A’ Levels

IB Diploma

Polytechnic Diploma

Subject choices for GCE ‘O’ Levels

An Information Session on this topic will be conducted at our PTM on 24 Mar 2018

Subject Combination groups Remarks

2 Languages + 2 Mathematics + 2 Sciences + 2 Humanities*

Most flexible for post-secondary pathways

2 Languages + 2 Mathematics + 3 Sciences + Combined Humanities

Not for MEP students

2 Languages + 1 Mathematics + 1 Science + Combined Humanities + 2 other subjects

7 subject combination

SEC 3 O-LEVEL OPTIONS

3 broad combination groups will be offered

Only students who have excelled with a consistent academic record (overall % >75% ) may request to do an additional subject scheduled in the afternoon.

50% 80%60% 70%

7-subjcombi

8-subject combination

Ret

ain

ed

in S

ec 2

Secondary 3 pathways To ‘O’ Level Track To MGS-Integrated Programme

MGS-INTEGRATED PROGRAMME

Year 3 intake in 2019 for additional 10 students

For who?• Sec 2 MGS students

• Sec 2 Non-MGS students

Application process will open end of May.Forms and Information will be on the school

website.19 May 2018 (Yr 3 IP Information Session)

MGS-INTEGRATED PROGRAMME

YEAR 3 IP

Criteria for Selection 1. Selection Tests results 2. School results for Sec 1 & Sec 23. Other Achievements4. Performance at Interview 5. Viewpoint Essay

Results of application will be released after the End-of-Year Examination.

YOUR FEEDBACK

FEEDBACK

In order to make our sessions with parents more meaningful, we seek your valuable feedback.

Please follow the tinyurl or QR code below to give us your feedback.

https://tinyurl.com/y799n7gx

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIMEand

Have a Blessed Evening