Welcome to Meridian Secondary School PrincipalMeetsParents Session Sec

Welcome to Meridian Secondary School Principal-Meets-Parents Session – Sec 3 (9 March 2018)

Agenda • MOE Directions • School Strategic Direction • Theme for 2018

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. Primary 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 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 Pursuit of Excellence 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 !

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!

Overview of sharing • Pathways available • Academic Support • Co-curricular Support • Home-school Support Begin with the end in mind - Stephen R. Covey - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Promotion Criteria Sec 3 E Promotion Criteria - Pass EL and 2 other subjects - Pass 5 subjects to be advanced (if fail EL) Sec 3 NA Promotion Criteria - Pass EL and 2 other subjects - Pass 4 subjects to be advanced (if fail EL) Sec 3 NT Promotion Criteria - Pass in 2 subjects (one of which should be EL or Math) ** It is not difficult to be promoted to Sec 4 but is it enough?

Many Educational Pathways 1) 4 E/5 NA 3) 4 NT - Junior College (JC) - Millenia Institute (MI) - Polytechnic (Poly) - Institute of Technical Education (ITE) - Institute of Technical Education (ITE) - Sec 4 NA 2) 4 NA - Sec 5 NA - Poly Foundation Programme (PFP) - Direct Entry Scheme to Poly through ITE (DPP) - Institute of Education

Admission Criteria for the various pathways Website: https: //www. moe. gov. sg/post-sec • Generally, need to do well in 5 -6 subjects • Many courses require: - English Language - Mathematics - Science - Combined Humanities (considering JC)

https: //www. moe. gov. sg/post-sec

What can parents do? • Have regular conversations with your child regarding his goals • Explore the website • Start early, eg, in Sec 3, after CT 1 (Sec 3 is not a honeymoon year. ) • Affirm his effort • Remind him of his goal • Encourage him to be resilient and persevere ** Demonstrate this with an example

Early Admission Exercise (EAE) to polys/ITEs Direct Admission Exercise (DAE) to JCs Aptitude-based admissions exercise that allows students to apply for and receive conditional offers for admission prior to receiving their final grades - submit portfolios and undergo interviews and aptitude tests - areas/talents: leadership, community service, sports and arts ** Benefits - secure a place early and - portfolios can be built up slowly eg CCA achievements, academic achievements, courses attended….

What can parents do? 2. Which course? 1. Eligibility ≠ Guaranteed Admission 3. 5. 4. 2.

Academic Support in MSS (1) Teaching and Learning focus since 2017 (a) Bite-Sized Learning & Assessment - content is sliced into manageable chunks, e. g. 1 or 2 key learning points with learning “assessed/quizzed” at the end of each chunk (b) Termly recognition of student progress - to motivate and encourage effort (to meet their personal target) - to develop in them the joy of learning ** Pay attention in class, complete your homework/assignments, revise regularly and clarify as soon as possible.

Academic Support in MSS (2) Remedial lessons (small group) (3) Step-Up Programme - at the end of the year for subject teachers to cover 2019 Sec 4 topics or reinforce 2018 Sec 3 topics Intent: Students have a head-start going into Sec 4 in 2019 when they sit for the national exams. * Pl give your child a chance to learn and excel by ensuring he attends.

Co-curricular Support in MSS (1) Co-Curricular Activities (CCA) support the holistic development of your child - Provides multiple avenues to nurture them and prepare them for future work and life Interests & Talents Character & Values Social-Emotional Competencies 21 st Century Competencies • CCA can be considered for admission as bonus points • CCA can help to build up their portfolios for EAE and DAE

Co-curricular Support in MSS (2) Overseas Learning Journey (17 -21 Oct) for ALL Sec 3 Intent: To provide a holistic education for your child beyond the classroom

There will be 7 trips organised for the Sec 3 cohort, Art Elective students and Student Leaders. Shanghai, China (for EAP students) Taiwan (for Sec 3 student leaders only) Chiang Mai (1), Thailand Hanoi, Vietnam Penang, Malaysia Chiang Mai (2), Thailand Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Benefits of Overseas Learning Journey • Powerful learning experience - confidence, independence and responsibility through immersion in a different environment. • Broaden their world’s view - better understanding of another country’s culture, history and development • Opportunities to develop important life skills - interact with Meridian schoolmates and overseas friends ** Appreciate parents’ support of school’s effort

Co-curricular Support in MSS (3) Values in Action (VIA) 2018 Intent: VIA are learning experiences that - instil values, knowledge and skills in students. - teach students the importance of empathy and being a socially responsible citizen.

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) - Due to transition between pri to sec sch, may have difficulties regulating the use of HPs and social media - Increasing addiction to internet and handphones Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4 Stay healthy. Stay smokefree. Kindness begins with me. Running Hour and Mentoring - Contribute meaningfully to the school/community - To address smoking-related 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 - Contribute meaningfully to the nation and beyond - To promote integration and nurture an inclusive Singapore for the people with special needs.

Co-curricular Support in MSS (4) ECG Learning attachment@Work Key Intent - To provide a platform for students to experience the world of work by direct participation and observation ** Education and Career Guidance (ECG) Counsellor attached to MSS

ECG Learning@Work (Tentative*) Name/ Address of organisation Job scope Office Administration (e. g. assisting the Administration Manager/ Office Manager in updating of school records, development of teaching materials or general administrative duties) Early Childhood Education (e. g. assisting preschool teachers in classroom activities such as reading, conducting games etc) Dates 1 APSN Katong School 900 New Upper Changi Road Singapore 467354 3 days In the week starting from 28 May and ending 1 June. Working hours, 9 a. m. to 5. 30 p. m. 2 My First Skool i) Blk 568 Pasir Ris St 51 #01 -82 ii) Blk 637 Pasir Ris Drive 1 #01 -567 3 Anytime Fitness@Kallang Wave Office Administration 3 days 1 Stadium Place, #02 -08 Kallang Wave (e. g. publicity and marketing activities, customer 28 May to 1 June Mall, Kallang Wave Mall, 397628 enquiry, general office administrative duties) Working hours 12 p. m. to 8 p. m. 4 Caribbean SPA@Capri Office Administration 3 days 3 Changi Business Park Central 1 Capri (e. g. publicity and marketing activities, customer 28 May to 1 June by Fraser, 486037 enquiry, general office administrative duties) Working hours 12 p. m. to 8 p. m. 5 Eversheds Harry Elias LLP 3 days In the week starting from 28 May and ending 1 June. Working hours, 9 a. m. to 2 p. m. Office Administration & Law-related matters e. g. 2 weeks attending court sessions Start of 2019. Only for Sec 4 students.

Home-School Partnership • Upholding the school reputation and 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

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 Wishing ALL a very Happy and Fruitful 2018!