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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/

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Education and Career Guidance (ECG) https://ecareers.sg/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45Ry8h4fp

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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%

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.)

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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

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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

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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.

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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