27 May 2016 (Friday) Sec 4/5 Meet-the-Parents

Greendale Secondary School Nurturing Talents, Developing Character, Inspiring Lives Greendale turns 10!

Greendale Secondary School Nurturing Talents, Developing Character, Inspiring Lives Celebrating 10 with 10! Objectives – Celebrate Success – Build positive Culture of Care, Learning & Excellence – Involve stakeholders and community – Build foundation for next chapter of Excellence

Greendale Secondary School Nurturing Talents, Developing Character, Inspiring Lives Save the Date! Greendale Concert Friday, 1 Jul

School Leaders

Key Personnel Academic Excellence Team Mr Ghazali HOD EL Ms Vani HOD Math Mr Chen Poh Keong HOD Science Mrs Elsa Khoo HOD Humanities Mr Soh Chung Wei HOD/MTL(Ag) Mr Chang Man Ho HOD/D&T

Key Personnel Academic Excellence Team Miss Yue Yoke Har HOD/ICT Mr Colin Phee HOD/PE Mdm Siti Zaleha SH/EL Ms Tan Jie Qi LH/EL Mr Jacky Tan SH/Science Mr Darius Tan SH/Maths

Mdm Halimah SH/Malay Language Mr Jason Lian SH/Normal Technical Miss Lee Pei Ni SH/Data Management

Key Personnel Character Excellence Team Mrs Tan Li May HOD/CCE Mr Zaini SH/Discipline Ms Adeline Liew SH/Student Leadership Mr Abdul Halim SH/OAE

Key Personnel Year Heads Miss Kerry Lim Year Head/ Sec 1 Mrs Serene Ang Year Head/Sec 2 Miss Tng Wee Li Year Head/Sec 3 Mrs Koh Hui Leng Year Head/Sec 4

Key Personnel Administration Team Mr Tama Operation Manager Mr Ariff Operation Manager Ms Khairunnisha Administration Manager

Secondary 4E/5N FTs ClassFT (s) 4E1 Ms Tan Khia Yee, Ms Fang Su Xian 4E2 Mr Ernest Lin, Ms Karishma 4E3 Ms Cheung Kayan, Mr Zhuo Jian Xiang 4E4 Mr Kelvin Chan, Mrs Chia Hui Hong 4E5 Mr Arman, Mdm Goh Sim Choo 5A1 Ms Gayathri, Ms Adeline Loo 5A2 Mr Shahmir, Miss Elizabeth Ong

nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES Information that parents need to know

Post-sec Institution Posting based on Junior College L1 R5 Centralised Institute L1 R4 Polytechnic EL R2 B2 ITE EL B4 / EL R1 B3 / EL R2 B3 L1–First Language; R–Relevant subjects; B–Best subjects Joint Admission Exercise nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES

Ministry of Education, Singapore Early Admissions Exercise All you need to know about the

Mr Ong Ye Kung Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education & Skills) Committee of Supply Debates We must make a greater effort to help students discover their interests and passions, through education and career guidance... We then match student interests with their course of study as much as possible d uring the admissions process… As Confucius says, 知之者不如好之者，好 之者不如乐之者 : somebody who knows cannot match someone who wants to know, and somebody who wants to know cannot match somebody who loves to know. “ ”

Polytechnics can each admit up to 12.5% of their Academic Year intake through EAE as compared to 2.5% previously. An increase of 10% Polytechnics can each admit up to 12.5% of their Academic Year intake through EAE as compared to 2.5% previously. An increase of 10%

Polytechnic courses where up to 50% of students can be admitted via EAE 18

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It’s for those who have aptitudes and interests in specific fields of study 21 Focus on course-specific aptitudes and interests But, non-course-specific achievements, e.g. sports, leadership, also considered 1 You’ll be assessed through different modes E.g. interviews, aptitude tests, showcasing your portfolio, depending on the course you apply for 2 All this will take place before your O- Level exams If your application is successful, the polytechnics will give you a conditional offer before you take the O-Level exams 3

You’ll still have to meet the polytechnic admissions criteria 22 Net ELR2B2 score of 26 points or better at O-Levels Minimum entry requirements for the polytechnic course 4 But you won’t have to compete for admission to polytechnic strictly on the basis of how well you do academically compared to everyone else 5 (…or your offer will be revoked)

23 Important Dates to Remember

22 June – 29 June Application Stage 24 4 July – 17 August Selection Stage 23 August – 26 August Offer & Acceptance Stage 27 August – 7 October Withdrawal Stage Apply online at the EAE portal Three choices in order of preference, one write-up for each course Shortlisted students will be contacted for interviews, aptitude tests etc. at the polytechnics Check results online Successful students can choose to accept or reject offer If you had earlier accepted a DSA- JC offer but wish to take up EAE offer instead, you will need to withdraw from DSA-JC Students who want to cancel their acceptance must withdraw during this period. They will then be able to take part in the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) after the O-Level exams.

25 Things You Could Do Before You Apply

Explore your interests and develop your strengths 26 Advanced Elective Modules; Applied Subjects; Applied Learning Programme Work attachments; community / volunteer work Course-related school / personal activities, course-related achievements and projects, CCAs Step 1

27 Research on the polytechnic courses you are interested in and related careers in the sector Attend EAE talks and workshops at the polytechnics Conduct online research, e.g. polytechnic websites Visit course counselling booths at the polytechnics during Application Stage Talk to your teachers, ECG Counsellors, family/relatives Step 2

28 Prepare for your application Prepare your write-ups Short-write-up on why you want to enter the course Clear and concise descriptions of your interests, passion and relevant skills, experiences and activities participated in Prepare relevant documents Portfolios (where relevant), e.g. samples of creative work done for design courses Other examples include evidence of experiences / involvement in course-related activities, CCA records, course-related certificates / awards, latest school-based examination results Prepa re for interviews Step 3

More information on Early Admission Exercise is made available at admissions/eae

nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES Academic Studies Program

School Targets StreamCriterionTarget ExpressL1 B520 5 Normal Academic L1 B421

Our Level Outcomes nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES A confident and values- driven youth who excels and contributes to society.

nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES

MOST IMPROVED STUDENTS NAMECLASS Nur Farah Nadiah Bte K4E3 Bryan Lim Ding Fong4E1 Zhuang Xinyi4E1

nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES MOST IMPROVED STUDENTS NAMECLASS Darrell Tan Hong Jun5A1 Chau Pei Ying5A2 Lee Yan Peng5A1

What the school is doing to help your child succeed – Overall Scheduling for Graduating Cohort

nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES ACADEMIC CALENDAR – ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMME MonthProgrammeTarget Audience 31 May – 7 JunIntensive LessonsEx, NA classes 8 Jun – 17 JunSelf Study ProgrammeSelected students from Ex and NA classes 11 Jul – 22 JulExtended Academic Programme All classes 15 Aug – 31 Aug 13 Sept – 29 Sept Sept term breakSept academic programme All classes During O/N level Exam period Consultation SessionsAll classes

nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES ADDITIONAL SUPPORT TO THE O LEVEL COHORT DateSubjectProgrammeTimeVenue 8 JunEnglishOral Communication Skills Workshop MorningRespective Classroom Mock Exam (Paper 1)1.30 – 3.20pm School Hall Mock Exam (Paper 2)4 – 5.50pmSchool Hall 23 JunMathsMock Exam (Paper 1)8 – 10amSchool Hall Mock Exam (Paper 2)10.30am - 1pm School Hall

nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES MonthAssessmentStream JulyOral ExaminationsAll Streams, except NT 2 Aug – 12 Aug Preliminary Examination All streams 22 AugSubmission of GCE ‘O’ Level Coursework (Internal) Express classes ACADEMIC CALENDAR – ASSESSMENT

Subject Specific Matters English Students need to be immersed in the subject everyday. This can be done through: - Reading the newspaper for current affairs and language features. -Practise writing skills by using ten-year series topics. -Brush up on their grammar by studying the grammar reference book. -Improve their vocabulary by collecting useful new words when reading novels. -Getting a comprehension assessment book to practise regularly.

Subject Specific Matters Mother Tongue Important to pass & obtain a good MTL grade score at 1 st sitting for 4E5N in June. Reason: it is only opportunity where students can concentrate on only 1 subject. For those students taking 2 nd sitting, they have to manage at 5-6 other subjects in Nov. Very important to do well for oral and listening component (35%) for 4E5N; (40%) for 4NA. In 2016 there will be O level HMTL oral exam (20%). Students will need to prepare their script. MTL teachers will help students to prepare well for the exams. Students will need to focus, hand up work on time and do self revision and preparation (doing past years papers and other school's exam question papers).

Subject Specific Matters Mathematics Students are expected to (1) understand and apply maths concepts and skills in a variety of context. (2) organised and analyse data and information. (3) Solve problems including those in real-world context by using appropriate techniques. (4) Interpret maths results. (5) solve high order thinking problems. (6) write mathematical explanation For national examinations, the phrasing of questions is different from previous years, especially for Paper 1. Students must have good conceptual understanding of the topics to perform well in these questions. The last question in the O level paper 2 is focused on applying mathematics to a real-world scenario. (1) Revision schedule will be given to the students focusing on sec 1 to 3 topics (2) Stretch and expose students to higher order thinking questions and varied phrasing of questions for the same topic. (Pass with Distinction Book) (3) Students will do Weekly Self-assessment to check for understanding of the topics learnt 42

Subject Specific Matters Science Knowledge from 2 to 3 topics is required to answer a question. Students must learn to see the inter-relatedness of the science concepts from different topics. Doing a concept map across related science topics will help. We see a trend towards more “explanation” questions. Students must explain with examples to elaborate their points. Students must have sufficient content knowledge and apply to relevant situation to explain scientific fact. Example: “Metals are extracted in many different ways. Use the reactivity series, with examples, to explain the fact that some metals can occur in the ground as the un-combined metal.” Students must be able to justify scientific facts, not simple memorising. Example: “Iron and calcium require different conditions to react with water. By referring to these conditions, justify the relative positions of iron and calcium in the reactivity series.” 43

Subject Specific Matters Social Studies / Elective History Areas of focus for the subject? 1.Source-based skills – inferring, comparison, reliability, utility and purpose 2.Structured essay questions – explanation and judgment How parents can help in your subject areas?  Read up prior to lesson and revise conscientiously  Help to monitor your child to do constant revision and to submit work on time. What are the study skills required? 1.Critical thinking - questioning and weighing up evidence as they learn 2.Condensing information, summarizing and the use of keywords (graphic organizers, mindmaps)

Subject Specific Matters Elective Geography Areas of focus for the subject? 1.Geographical Inquiry Skills – Interpret and analyze geographical data, present findings and analysis, evaluate reliability of data and improve data collection and analysis 2.Open-ended questions – Interpret data, describe (demonstrate knowledge), constructing explanation and iscuss issues (Giving judgment) How parents can help in your subject areas?  Read up prior to lesson and revise conscientiously  Help to monitor your child to do constant revision and to submit work on time. What are the study skills required? 1.Critical thinking - questioning and weighing up evidence as they learn 2.Condensing information, summarizing and the use of keywords (graphic organizers, mindmaps)

Subject Specific Matters POA The revised POA syllabus has more focus on thinking questions that test the students’ ability to apply their conceptual knowledge. To score a distinction grade, rote learning is insufficient. Students should revise all syllabus content from Sec 3 to 4 and attempt all questions in their POA workbook to build a strong foundation in basic concepts. We would expose students to as many types of questions through revision compilation. Coursework subjects (D&T, Art, CPA, EBS) Time consuming thus time-management is crucial. Students are aware of the expected schedule Do consistent work so that other subjects are not neglected. 46

nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing LEADERS of CHARACTER nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES Partnerships Parental Involvement Provide a conducive learning environment Provide a pair of listening ears Be supportive Be understanding Be present! Collaborate with the school

nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing LEADERS of CHARACTER nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES Let us work together to help our students BELIEVE & ACHIEVE!

nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing LEADERS of CHARACTER nurturing TALENTS ▪ developing CHARACTER ▪ inspiring LIVES