P5 PARENTS BRIEFING 25 Jan 2019

WELCOME & INTRODUCTION

• P5 Year Head - Mr Jack Ong

• Programme Brief

• Email: ong_shu_chieh@schools.gov.sg

PRESENTATION BY SCHOOL LEADER

KEY FOCUS

Preparing your child for P5 and beyond

• Holistic Education

• Subject-Based Banding

• Home-School Partnership

• Direct School Admission (DSA)

VUCA WORLD

THREE KEY FUNDAMENTALS

1. The need to develop our students holistically

2. The need to cater to the diverse needs of students

i.e. different pathways

(with bridges and ladders for each, with no dead ends).

3. The need to always preserve rigour and high standards.

TOWARDS STUDENT-CENTRIC, VALUES-DRIVEN EDUCATION

Valuing our Learners and Learning Values

21st Century Competencies

Social Emotional Learning

Competencies

MOE Desired Learning Outomes

PPS HEARTBEAT

Motto: Pride in Performance

Vision A Gracious Community of Confident and

Innovative Life-long Learners

ValuesSelf-Discipline

Teamwork

Affection

Responsibility

PHILOSOPHY

Every Individual Matters

Mission Igniting the Joy of Learning,

Inspiring All to Care and Share

Life-Long

Learners

Gracious

Citizens

Pupil Outcomes

Confident

Leaders

Innovative

Teamplayers

HOLISTIC EDUCATION

Cognitive

Physical

Aesthetics

Social

Moral

Leadership

SUBJECT-BASED BANDING (SBB)- NURTURING EVERY CHILD

BACKGROUND

Prior to 2008, schools recommend pupils for 2 streams at the end of P4 - the merged and EM3 streams. This provides opportunities for educational advancement to all students according to their aptitudes and abilities.

To further refine the way we deliver ability-driven education, Subject-Based Banding (SBB) was implemented from the 2008 P5 cohort of students in all Primary Schools, thereby replacing the merged and EM3 stream.

WHAT SBB MEANS FOR YOUR CHILD

Every child will be encouraged to do the subjects at the levels that best meet his aptitudes and abilities.

Modular programme of studies consisting of combination of standard and/or foundation subjects in place of Merged and EM3 streams at P5 and 6.

WHY INTRODUCE SUBJECT-BASED BANDING?

Students with uneven abilities may be allowed the option to offer their stronger subjects at standard level, or, the option to offer weak subjects at foundation level.

SUBJECTS OFFERED UNDER SBB

Standard (S) subjects : English, Math, Science and Mother Tongue

Foundation (F) subjects : F English, F Math, F Science,

F Mother Tongue

Higher Mother Tongue (H): H Mother Tongue

PPS SBB COMBINATION

• 4 Standard + 1 HMT

• 4 Standard

• 3 Standard, 1 Foundation (MT)

• 1 Standard (EL/MT), 3 Foundation

HOW DOES SBB WORK?

HOW DOES SUBJECT-BASED BANDING (PRI) WORK?

@ PRIMARY 4 @ PRIMARY 5 @ PRIMARY 6

Student sits for school-

based examinations

School recommends a

subject combination

based on the student’s

results.

Parents fill up an option

form indicating the

preferred combination.

(No switching of

combination for the

year)

Student takes subject

combination chosen by

parents

School assesses

student’s ability to cope

with the current subject

combination at the end

of the year. Adjustments

to the number of

standard and foundation

subjects can be made, if

necessary.

Student takes subject

combination decided by

his/her school and sits

for the Primary School

Leaving Examination

(PSLE) at the end of

Primary 6.

ACHIEVEMENT BANDS AT P4

Achievement

Band

Mark

Range

Brief Description

1 85-100 Is very good in the subject

2 70-84 Is good in the subject

3 50-69 Has adequate grasp of the subject

4 21-49 Has elementary grasp of the subject

U (Ungraded) 20 and

below

Yet to have elementary grasp of the

subject

GRADING SYSTEM FOR P5/P6

Grade Mark Range Brief Description

*A 91 and above Has very good understanding of the subject

A 75-90 Has good understanding of the subject

B 60-74

C 50-59 Has adequate understanding of the subject

D 35-49 Has fair understanding of the subject

E 20-34 Has elementary understanding of the subject

U

(Ungraded)

0-19 Has not met the requirements of the minimum

grade

GRADING SYSTEM FOR P5/P6 (FOUNDATION)

Grade Mark

Range

Brief Description

G1 85 and above Is very good in the subject at the foundation

level

G2 70-84 Is good in the subject at the foundation

level

G3 50-69 Has an adequate grasp of the subject at the

foundation level

G4 30-49 Has an elementary grasp of the subject at

the foundation level

U

(Ungraded)

0-29 Has not met the requirement at the

foundation level for the minimum grade

More info on subjects at PTM

MANAGEMENT OF EXPECTATIONS Results generally will dip from P4 to P5

-Demands of P5 curriculum

-Examination Format

HOW CAN I HELP MY CHILD?

C

H

Challenge yourselfHave a constant drive to be better than what you are now

A

MAmbitionAspire to achieve defined goals

P Positive ThinkingHave faith in yourself and be confident that you CAN succeed

I

O

N

ConvictionPick yourself up from failures and persevere

CHAMPION

MINDSET

PROFESSOR CAROL DWECK ON GROWTH MINDSET

Ask your child…

What did you do today that made you think hard?

What new strategies did you try?

What mistakes did you make that taught you something?

What did you try hard at today?

Recognise your own

mindset!

How YOU can help develop “Growth Mindset” in

your child

Help your child set Learning Goals

Those with FIXED mindset tend to create PERFORMANCE goals.

Those with a Growth Mindset tend to create LEARNING goals.

Help your child focus on and value the process of learning. Without

this emphasis on learning, students will often base self perceptions of

intelligence and worth to grades received, promoting a fixed mindset.

While grades are important, the value of learning should be

prioritized.

THE POWER OF

“YET”Praise For:

•effort

•strategies

•progress

•hard work

•persistence

•rising to a challenge

•learning from a mistake

Failures & mistakes

= Learning

FIXED MINDSET

Failure has been transformed from an action (I failed) to an identity (I am a failure).

HOME-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP:

34

Parents are important partners in education

Nurturing the Socially and Emotionally Competent Child

PARTNERING THE SCHOOL

1 Knowing

your child

2 Developing

your child3 Keeping in

touch with the

school

KNOWING YOUR CHILD

E.g. Ask your child’s teacher about his/her behaviour inschool, what he/she enjoys doing, how he/she interactswith peers, and overcomes challenges

• Work with your child’s teachers to understand

his/her strengths, interests and development in

academic and non-academic areas.

DEVELOPING YOUR CHILD

• Partner the school in the holistic development of

your child.

E.g.

- Encourage your child to approach the teacher if he/she needs

help with homework

- Recognise your child’s small successes beyond academic

results

- Praise your child for his/her efforts, without focusing only on the

outcome

KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE SCHOOL

• Maintain regular communication through official

school channels.

- Teachers are not obliged to share their personal phone numbers

with parents. Discuss with your child’s teacher what his/her

preferred mode of communication is.

- Contact teachers during school operating hours only, unless it is an

emergency.

- Please do not expect an immediate response to any message you

send to teachers. They will, of course, respond to you when they

are able.

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

School /

Teachers

Stakeholders

Parents

(Supporting own child to supporting

school as a community)

Pupils

(Individual vs Collective)

PRINCIPLES OF ENGAGEMENT

• Listen to understand

• Seek common ground

• Work together on issues that affect the child’s learning & holistic well-being

• Show mutual respect

• Trust the foundation

BRINGING OUTTHE BEST IN

OUR CHILDREN, TOGETHER

Let us continue our good work towards a student-centric,

values-driven education for our children, live the pioneering

spirit and co-create a better future together!

Direct School Admission for Secondary Schools (DSA-Sec)

ENTERING A SECONDARY SCHOOL

43

PSLE/S1 Posting Process DSA-Sec

• Based on a student’s PSLE score

• Most students enter secondary

schools this way

• Based on a diverse range of talents and

achievements in specific academic

subjects or non-academic areas, beyond

what the PSLE recognises

• Allows students to access school

programmes to develop their talents

HOW DSA-SEC WORKS?

WHO CAN APPLY?

CHANGES TO THE DSA-SEC

46

All schools allowed to take

in up to 20% of S1 non-IP

intake through DSA-Sec

All schools to stop using

general academic ability

tests to select students

Schools may offer DSA-Sec in

more areas

Schools may stop using general

academic ability tests to select

students

Online portal for

DSA-Sec

application

Students can

apply online,

through a single

form

2018 DSA-Sec

(2018 P6

Cohort)

2019 DSA-Sec

(2019 P6 Cohort)

Moving to an improved

DSAMore choices and opportunities for students

2017 DSA-Sec

(2017 P6 Cohort)

IS THE DSA-SEC RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?

47

If your child has specific talents

which a school offers the DSA-

Sec inAnd is passionate about and

committed to developing

his/her strengths and interests

Talent

PassionCommit-

ment DSA-Sec can support his/her

development in that talent

area.

WHICH SCHOOL SHOULD MY CHILD APPLY TO? Look for a school with programmes that match your child’s strengths and interests Schools are looking out for students whose interests and talents they can

develop further.

Learn more about the secondary school’s pace of learning and overall range of programmes

Get the latest information about what each school offers by: Visiting schools’ websites

Attending schools’ Open Houses to also experience their environments and cultures

Visiting the MOE’s DSA-Sec website (will be updated around April 2019)

48

DSA-SEC

APPLICATION

49

A new DSA-Sec Application Portal

• To encourage students to tap on the expanded DSA opportunities, the DSA-Sec application process will be simplified

• From the 2019 DSA-Sec, students will be able to apply for DSA through a centralised DSA-Sec Application Portal, using a common application form.

• The portal will simplify and streamline the DSA application process, making it convenient for all students.

• You do not need to submit testimonials or hardcopy documents to the secondary school during application.

NEW – DSA-SEC

APPLICATION PORTAL

EXAMPLES OF POSSIBLE CHOICE COMBINATIONS

50

Your child can apply to

up to three different

schools, with no

restrictions on the

talent areas.

If your child chooses

two areas in one

school, he/she can

apply to two different

schools only.

Your child cannot use

all three choices on one

school. He/she can

leave the third choice

blank or choose

another school.

NEW – DSA-SEC

APPLICATION PORTAL

EXAMPLE 1

Talent(s) School(s)

Choir School A

Choir School B

Choir School C

EXAMPLE 2

Talent(s) School(s)

Choir School A

String Orchestra School A

Choir School B

EXAMPLE 3

(Not allowed)

Talent(s) School(s)

Choir School A

String Orchestra School A

Mathematics School A

WHAT ARE SCHOOLS LOOKING FOR?

51

DSA-SEC

SELECTION

Talent, passion, commitment

• Schools may look at achievements and participation (e.g. in Junior Sports Academy).

• Schools may also conduct tests, trials or selection camps to identify students with strengths, or sound fundamentals and potential, in particular areas.

Strong personal qualities

• Schools may look at CCA records and VIA participation.

• Schools may also conduct interviews.

Good academic fit

• Schools may look at primary school results to ensure students can benefit from the school’s pace of learning.

Students, be sincere, be genuine, and be yourself –

if you are a good fit for the school, it will show.

• The selection process differs across schools, and across different DSA-

Sec categories.

• Generally, schools are looking for candidates with:

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE DSA-SEC OUTCOMES? Confirmed Offer (CO) Your child has a place reserved in the school, as

long as his/her PSLE results qualify him/her for a course the school offers (i.e. Express, Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical)).

Wait List (WL) Your child will be given a place in the school if other students with Confirmed Offers do not take up those offers, and if his/her PSLE results qualify him/her for a course the school offers. Allocation will be based on students’ rank on the school’s Wait List.

Unsuccessful Your child has not been given a place in the school. If your child still wishes to enter the schools he/she applied for, he/she can apply through the S1 Posting process using his/her PSLE results.

52

SELECTION OUTCOME

IF MY CHILD HAVE A DSA-SEC CONFIRMED OFFER, DOES IT MEAN THAT HIS/HER PSLE RESULTS WILL NOT MATTER?

Your child’s PSLE results will still be used to determine the secondary school course he/she is eligible for (i.e. Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical))

Even if he/she has a Confirmed Offer, he/she must qualify for a course offered by the school to be admitted to the DSA-Sec school.

53

SELECTION OUTCOME

Example: Leo has a Confirmed Offer from Courage Secondary, which offers

the Express Course only. However, Leo’s PSLE results qualify him for the

Normal (Academic) course. Hence, Leo will not be able to go to Courage

Secondary through DSA-Sec. If he is not allocated a place in another DSA-Sec

school whose CO/WL offer he had accepted at the School Preference stage, he

will participate in the S1 Posting.

INVITATION TO ONBOARDPARENTS GATEWAY

THANK YOU