Welcome to Meridian Secondary School PrincipalMeetsParents Session 9

Welcome to Meridian Secondary School Principal-Meets-Parents Session 9 March 2018

Agenda • Vice-Principal’s address • Holistic Education • Home-School Partnership • Managing Stress & Distractions • Streaming Matters • Q&A

Minister spoke of the need for our students to have Joy of Learning, Entrepreneurial Dare and the Singapore Spirit • Our students should have the opportunities to explore and develop their interests and strengths, engage in deep learning and apply their learning in real-world contexts to make a difference in their areas of passion • Need cultural shift to change the school experience and the conversations within and beyond the school Play video of Opening Address

What do we understand by: Joy of Learning, Entrepreneurial Dare & School-Community Engagement

What is the Joy of Learning?

How can teachers bring about Joy of Learning? The Singapore Teaching Practice Singapore Curriculum Philosophy We believe in holistic education. We believe that every child wants to and can learn. We focus on children’s learning needs when designing learning experiences. We believe that learning flourishes • in caring and safe learning environments, • when children construct knowledge actively, • through the development of thinking skills and dispositions, and • when assessment is used to address children’s learning gaps.

What is Entrepreneurial Dare? STRONG START Creating Value FOR OUR CHILDREN Understanding others’ needs Identifying opportunities Generating innovative solutions Sharing a common experience Pushing boundaries Building confidence Managing risk Daring to Try Learning from Setbacks Developing resilience Adaptability

Stages in development of Entrepreneurial Dare Purpose Passion Play • Opportunities to explore, experiment and discover through trial and error • Seeded in children through formative experiences in school and at home • Intellectual or artistic passion • Nurtured as children grow through learning experiences, exploration • A desire to make a difference or impact in the world • Develops as young people delve deeper into their passion and connect it to the world Reference: Creating Innovators (Tony Wagner)

What is School-Community Engagement? • School-Community Engagement: • Draws on the expertise and resources of the community • external to the school; and Forms sustainable partnerships in different areas to: Support students’ holistic development and learning Deepen sense of belonging in the community

What is School-Community Engagement? The Singapore Spirit

Cultural Shifts Needed We place great emphasis on academic results Balanced holistic development We decide everything for students Opportunities for students to find their passion and purpose We try to solve everything ourselves Call on the village

• Changing Demographics • It is important as a nation to work towards Character and Citizenship Education Why is it important? building and articulating a shared understanding of our values and norms. • Changing Socio-political Climate • There is a need to equip our young with the requisite knowledge, skills and dispositions to be active, informed and future-ready citizens in our nation’s evolving sociopolitical climate. • Quicker Occurrence of Disruptions • There is a need for us to find strength in our identity as a united Singapore committed to the continued survival and thriving of our nation-state.

There is a need to pay more attention to these issues. Persistent Challenges Of concern is the rising data trends in the past 3 years. Position of these issues are ranked based on 2016 CSM data Primary Secondary JC/CI Peer Relationship Issues Family Relationship Issues Academic Stress Anger Management Issues Anxiety Issues (Non-Academic) Motivation Issues Disruptive Behaviour Self-harm/ Self-mutilation Family Relationship Issues Anxiety Issues (Non-Academic) Academic Stress Anxiety Issues (Non-Academic)

School Vision and Mission School Vision Joyful Learners, Creative Thinkers, Compassionate Leaders School Mission To nurture in Meridians inquiring minds and caring hearts for their pursuit of excellence

School Vision Joyful Learners , Creative Thinkers , Compassionate Leaders We want to nurture Meridians to become : Joyful Learners who are self-motivated, have a strong sense of curiosity, take delight in learning and strive for excellence. Creative Thinkers who are imaginative, inquiring, analytical and innovative. Compassionate Leaders who can empathise with others, and take the initiative to lead changes.

School Mission To nurture in Meridians inquiring minds and caring hearts for their pursuit of excellence Inquiring minds ask questions and seek answers constantly (JL, CT) Caring hearts empathise and take actions to improve the lives of others (CL) Pursuit of Excellence refers to continuous efforts towards attaining one’s best.

School Values – RICH Resilience Integrity Compassion Humility

School Values – RICH Resilience – A person who is resilient has emotional strength and perseveres in the face of challenges. He manifests courage, optimism, adaptability and resourcefulness. Integrity – A person of integrity upholds ethical principles and has the moral courage to stand up for what is right. Compassion – A person who is compassionate acts with care and kindness. He contributes to the betterment of the community and the world. Humility – A person who is humble demonstrates respect and the willingness to learn and serve others.

School Motto Unite to Reach New Heights!

Strategic Thrusts ST 1: Provide quality teaching for engaged learning ST 2: Develop a creative thinking culture ST 3: Nurture leaders of sound character who demonstrate care for others ST 4: Enhance staff capacity and engagement ST 5: Manage resources and partnerships effectively

Sec 1 Expectations Self Mastery and Care for Others • Believing in self and acting responsibly • Showing respect and practising kindness towards others

Sec 2 Expectations Building Confidence and Working with Others • Having courage to voice opinions and challenging self • Being proactive and contributing actively in teams

Sec 3 Expectations Pursuing Passion and Serving Others • Deepening learning and persevering towards goals • Self-directed in actively seeking ways to serve and improve things around us

Sec 4&5 Expectations Realising Full Potential and Leading Others • Becoming one’s best • Inspiring others to bring about positive changes

Growth Mindset

Two Mindsets Fixed Mindset Growth Mindset Intelligence is static and tendency to … Intelligence can be developed and tendency to … … embrace challenges Challenges … avoid challenges Obstacles Effort Criticism . . . persist in the face of setbacks … see effort as fruitless … see effort as the path to or worse mastery … give up easily … ignore useful negative feedback … learn from criticism Success of … feel threatened by the others success of others … find lessons and inspiration in the success of others Result They reach ever-higher levels of achievement. They plateau early and achieve less than their full potential

Every Meridian an Academic Achiever!

Leaders of Self Awards

Theme for 2018 Unite to Reach New Heights as Compassionate Leaders !

SHARING - PART 2 • Holistic Education • Home-School Partnership

HOLISTIC EDUCATION Curriculum Co-Curriculum JOYFUL LEARNERS CREATIVE THINKERS COMPASSIONATE LEADERS Bite-sized lessons ALP – Design Thinking approach VIA Bite-sized assessment EAP / MAP Authentic Learning D&T and F&N Experiential learning CCE /LIFESKILLS CCA CAMPS / ENRICHMENT LLP- STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Holistic Education Co-Curricular Activities • Supporting the holistic development of the student – Provides multiple avenues to nurture students to prepare them for their future work and life Interests & Talents Character & Values Social-Emotional Competencies 21 st Century Competencies

Holistic Education RECOGNITION (LEAPS 2. 0) Co-Curricular Activities Participation Achievement At least 75% attendance each year Represent Class – intra school Represent School – zonal, Represent Nation Leadership Role in CCA NYAA: Bronze, Silver Gold Service Number of hours of service Number of VIA projects Student Initiated

Holistic Education VIA theme/focus Motto/Theme: Unite to Reach New Heights as Compassionate Leaders Sec 1 Cyber wellness: “Do what’s right online. ” -Contribute meaningfully to the school (self and peers too) - Aligned to MSS Leadership Model “Self Leadership” - To take ownership of their own use/ addiction to internet and handphones Sec 2 Sec 3 “Stay healthy. “Kindness begins with me. ” Stay smokefree. ” -Contribute meaningfully to the school/community - Aligned to MSS Leadership Model “Peer Leadership” - To be a role model to their peers and address smokingrelated issues as this is the age where teenagers are curious and may succumbed to peer pressure -Contribute meaningfully to the community - Aligned to MSS Leadership Model “People Leadership” -To do their part for the community and hopefully, will continue to do so even beyond sec sch life Sec 4 E 1 & 4 E 2 Sec 4 E 34 E 6, 4 NA, 4 NT & 5 N Mentoring “Running Hour” -Contribute meaningfully to the nation and beyond - Aligned to MSS Leadership Model “Mentorship” - To promote integration and nurture an inclusive Singapore for the people with special needs.

Home-School Partnership • Maintains scholarly image • Attends school regularly and punctually • Is engaged meaningfully after school hours Encourage students to study in school Home away from home and use school facilities No loitering in public in school uniform

Common Distractions Boy-Girl Relationships Excessive outings with friends Addiction to Internet and Handphones Performance = Potential - Interference

Connecting through Website, Facebook and Instagram

Home-School Partnership • Support school programmes as this is a part of holistic development of students. E. g. : • post exams programmes, • CCA • VIA activities • Monitor your child’s movements • Communicate with your child – find out what’s happening in school • Create a conducive learning environment • Help your child with time management • Do not molly-coddle.

Managing Stress & Distractions Tips for to help your child • Help your child set a schedule and have specific goals that are achievable and realistic. • Avoid procrastination. Putting off assignments or responsibilities until the last minute can create more mental and physical stress. • Encourage your child to exercise regularly. Physical activity can help you burn off the energy generated by stress. • Ensure your child practice good sleep habits. Sleep deprivation cause many physical and mental problems and can increase stress.

Managing Stress & Distractions Tips for students • Find the cause of distractions: - Restrict the usage of TV, Mobile phones and other gadgets - Prioritise activities • Help your child to come up with a system to organize homework assignments.

Communication • School Termly Letter • Mass SMS • School Website / Facebook / Instagram • Principal Meet Parents (Term 1) • Parent-Teacher Conference (May/Oct) • Email to School Leaders / Year Heads / Key Personnel / Home Teachers / Subject Teachers • Call the school number 65831387 • Parent Support Group Meetings

Towards a Great 2018! • Happy, caring school – One Big Meridian Family • Work with synergy, enjoy and reap satisfaction from what we do • Maintain Worklife Balance, ensure sufficient time with family and loved ones Wishing Team Meridian a very Happy and Fruitful 2018!