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Welcome to Meridian Secondary School

Welcome to Meridian Secondary School. Committee on the Future Economy Recommendations.

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Welcome to Meridian Secondary School

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  1. Welcome to Meridian Secondary School

  2. Committee on the Future Economy Recommendations

  3. The tone is quite clear: The world is going to be fundamentally different – we need to understand, and more importantly, need to be able to respond to these trends.”-Minister Ong Ye Kung, Singapore Summit 2018-

  4. ALP&LLP How has our education responded to meet future needs and challenges? TLLM SBB PERI, PAL, PAM, HA Applied subjects, EM, AEM Engaged Learning, JoL, Learn for Life CCE, VIA, CCA, Outdoor Education

  5. Changes at a Glance LEARN FOR LIFE A) Changes to School-Based Assessments - to reduce over-inflation of effort and help our students build intrinsic motivation to learn. 4

  6. LEARN FOR LIFE B) Refreshing the Holistic Development Profile - to reduce over-emphasis on academic results, and shift focus to holistic development. 5

  7. The changes to SBA will free up curriculum time that would otherwise be required for the examinations. These changes help our children develop intrinsic motivation and joy of learning, for life. RESTRICTED FOR SCHOOLS’ USE ONLY

  8. 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

  9. 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.

  10. School Motto Unite to Reach New Heights!

  11. What is the Joy of Learning?

  12. Joy of Learning where Students • are involved in active construction of learning and enjoy the process • are intrinsically motivated to learn, find learning meaningful and desire to explore and discover more • are able to accomplish tasks and attain a sense of deep learning and satisfaction • show sustained and persistent effort, resilience, leading to lasting growth and mastery • take ownership of their learning and are involved in meaningful decision-making

  13. Cultural Shifts Needed Focus less on academic performance, more on students’ interests and strengths Balanced holistic development We place great emphasis on academic results We decide everything for students Time and space for students to explore and direct their own learning in studies, CCA or in service to the community Opportunities for students to find their passion and purpose

  14. Key Drivers of Joy of Learning Sense of purposewhen students understand why they are learning something and can relate it to real life Student ownership when students are involved in decision-making, take intellectual risks to explore, discover and create, and view mistakes as learning opportunities Experience of accomplishment & success arising from learning that has the right balance of challenge and ability Balance of activities e.g. between academic and non-academic, in the classroom and outside, structured and unstructured activities, physical and cerebral, work and rest

  15. Sec 2 Express Streaming Refinements in 2018 • Are students able to cope well with the 8-subject combination? • How can we bring about deeper learning, mastery and learning for life? • Can we provide students with a wider range of subject combinations to support their interests and strengths? • Can these changes still ensure students can pursue post-secondary courses of their choice?

  16. Singapore students suffer from high levels of anxiety: Study (Straits Times, Aug 20, 2017) In Singapore, the students’ anxiety levels were significantly higher than the OECD average: Worried about poor grades at school: 86% (66%) Feeling very anxious for a test even if they were well prepared: 76% (55%) Wanted to be top of their class: 82% (60%)

  17. ‘Playing it safe’? Agood number of secondary school students take 2 or 3 subjects over the minimum needed for progression. Many students complain of heavy workload or lack of a balanced life. JC admission requires 6 subjects. Poly admission requires 5. Should we reduce academic load by having students take 7 subjects?

  18. Number of Sec 4 Express students who dropped subjects in 2018

  19. Examples of Subjects students dropped in 2018 • Initiated by student and supported by parent • Counselling by Subject and Form Teachers, Key Personnel and School Leaders • Students are encouraged to persevere until Sec 4 and discouraged from dropping subjects

  20. MOE Guidelines for Upper Secondary Curriculum (Express) • Range of core subjects is narrowed to provide more time and greater depth of learning of each subject, in preparation for the next key stage of education, be it JC, polytechnic or ITE. • Students have a choice of elective subjects based on their preferred articulation pathways and their individual interests and strengths. At Secondary 3 and 4 of the Express course, there are 5 core examinable subjects and 3 core non-examinable subjects (e.g. CCE, PE and PW if PW has not been completed in Sec 1 and/ or 2).

  21. MOE Guidelines for Upper Secondary Curriculum (Express) • Academically-able students may offer more subjects based on their interests, strengths and career goals. The number of subjects should preferably not exceed 8 for Express to allow time for students to develop themselves holistically beyond the cognitive domain. • With a larger number of subjects offered, less curriculum time is allocated per subject so that the total curriculum time and load for students will not become excessive.

  22. MOE Existing Guidelines for Sec 3 Express Subject Combinations

  23. Meridian Sec Previous Allocation of Subject Periods (2-week cycle)

  24. What are the benefits of offering 7 subjects?

  25. Benefits of offering 7 subjects Better able to cope with 7 instead of 8 subjects More curriculum time for instruction, deep learning and mastery Less need for additional support and less likely to give up Reduce assessment stress and examination load, enjoy better mental health Free up time to pursue other interests or develop talents

  26. Low sense of control (Straits Times, Jul 16, 2018) Rising levels of anxiety, depression and other mental-health issues in our students point to the damage that an overemphasis on academic performance has wrought When parents foist unnecessary tuition and enrichment classes on children and dictate their every activity, they are essentially denying the children the opportunity to do what they find meaningful, as well as to succeed and fail on their own. Research on motivation has suggested that a strong sense of autonomy is key to developing the self-motivationthat allows students to pursue their goals with passion and enjoy their achievements. When children feel controlled, their motivation drops or becomes fear-based, which is detrimental to them developing the independence and self-motivation essential to eventual success in life.

  27. How can we give greater consideration to student interests and strengths? • Offer a wide range of subjects and combinations • Criteria set to give priority to students who already show aptitude based on current performance • After the streaming process, students who pass but do not meet criteria can be offered their choices subject to vacancies and manpower. • Small teaching groups may be opened if there are at least 10 students opting for the subject.

  28. Sec 3 Express Subject Combinations 2020 (proposed)

  29. Sec 3 NA Subject Combinations 2020 (proposed)

  30. Sec 3 NT Subject Combinations 2020 (proposed)

  31. What are the benefits of allowing students to choose subjects by interests and strengths?

  32. Benefits of offering of more subject combination choices Greater control and ownership in decision making Greater motivation towards learning of subjects Able to pursue interests or develop talents Better prepare students for post-secondary courses of their choice Less need for additional support and less likely to give up

  33. GCE ‘A’ Level Curriculum

  34. Normal Combination of JC Subjects (3H2+1H1 Content Subjects)

  35. TJC Subject Combinations • There is no Triple Science Subject Combination offered • Only 2 SCI + MA or 1 SCI + 2 MA • PA+CA+MA • BI+CA+MA • PA+MA+FM • CA+MA+FM

  36. Admission Requirements to NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine

  37. Admission Requirements to NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine

  38. In Summary • We strongly recommend the 7-subject combinations for Express students to benefit students in their learning. • However, if at least 10 students are very keen to pursue the 8-subject combination (and must qualify), we may open a class with extended curriculum hours. Students in such a class will not be allowed to ‘drop’ subjects thereafter. • A wide range of elective subjects and combinations can better cater to students’ interests and strengths. • Students will be well prepared for post-secondary courses of their choice.

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

  40. Positive School and Classroom Culture • Set High Expectations for attitude and behaviour • Emphasis on Positive Education • Build Strong Teacher-Student Rapport • Culture of Trust, Care and Support for Every Child • Firm and Nurturing Tone for Good Discipline • Restorative Practice to improve relationships

  41. What’s Your Mindset?

  42. Positive Education Classroom Protocols, CCA Appreciation Cards, Gratitude Project, Gratitude Wall, CMDG Orientation Camp, FT/ KP Interaction, Brunch, MLP, CCA Termly Academic Awards, Merit Cards, CCA Growing Leaders, VIA, Reflection e-journals

  43. Greetings and Manners • Smile and Greet all Meridians (staff and students) and visitors • Carry out Acts of Kindness every day • Respect yourself, others, others’ time and space • Everyone is unique and deserves respect • No bullying • Be Punctual to all classes • Knock before you enter, always through the front door only • If you’re late, wait for permission to enter

  44. School Campus Improvements • The Meridian Story Phase 2 – Heritage Gallery opened on 24 Nov 2018 • Applied Learning Programme Studio (completed) • Hall Murals (completed) • Meridian Pillars • Learning and Behavioural Support Intervention Room • Innovations in Library upgrading – EL Team working with NLB • Art Gallery

  45. Theme for 2019 Unite to Reach New Heights as Joyful Learners Theme to be used throughout the year for all school events and programmes

  46. Every Meridian an Academic Achiever!

  47. Leaders of Self Awards

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