Achieving Academic Excellence SEC 4NT PARENTS SEMINAR 18 February 2017

AGENDA Objectives 2016 GCE ‘N’ Level Results Post-Secondary Options Setting Your Goals Preparing to Achieve Your Goals Parents Support C2HAMPS Parents Guide

OBJECTIVES Provide parents with information and guidance on Post-Secondary Education Equip parents with knowledge and strategies to help their child succeed in their education journey

GCE ‘N’ Level Results 2016

TREND DATA 2016 2015 2014 2013 4NT GCE N Level Mean EMB2 = 9 9.5 9.6 10.1 Nil 4NT GCE N Level Mean EMB1 = 7 7.4 7.9 8.2

2016 N Level Subjects with Improved Performance (Sch vs Nat) – N(T)   2016 Subject School Grades National Grades A to D (%) BASIC ML 100.0 99.2 D & T 92.5 EBS 87.4 EL 83.8 CPA 96.9 89.9 SCIENCE 87.5 85.9 MATH 78.6

2016 N Level Subjects with Improved Performance IN DISTINCTION (Sch vs Nat) – N(T)   2016 Subject School Grades National Grades A (%) D & T 75.0 24.2 BASIC CL 40.9 27.7 CPA 40.6 27.0 SCIENCE 31.3 18.0 EBS 22.2 18.5 MATH 21.9 12.6 ART 12.5 4.1 EL 6.3 5.3

Post-Secondary Options

What are the various Post-Secondary School options available? Talking points: Help our students understand that no matter what situation they are currently in, there are many options available for them. As educators, our role is to help our students realize that there are multiple bridges and ladders at any given point of their life which can help them move closer towards achieving their goals. Hence, before going into the specific details of what the various PSEI tracks entail, let’s take a few minutes to recall some of the options available to our pupils. Do remember that each option caters to the aptitudes and needs of different types of learners. Remind your student to consider which environment will help them optimize their potential Note: The use of ‘our students’ can be replaced with ‘your child’ when addressing parents.

ITE’s Technical Diploma GENERAL OVERVIEW ITE’s Technical Diploma Nitec Higher Nitec Polytechnic Diploma GCE N(T)-Levels Students may wish to enter the Working World at any point on this Education Map GCE N(A)-Levels

The Straits Times, 26 Feb 2015 ITE, poly grads get a chance to learn, earn and work New initiative to match them with companies also offers a $5,000 bonus

Source: The Straits Times, 3 Dec 2013

Employment and Gross Monthly Starting Salary of ITE Graduates in Full-Time Permanent Employment by Course Source: Singapore Yearbook of Manpower Statistics 2016

CONSIDER THE 3‘P’S WHEN SELECTING A COURSE OF STUDY Personal Characteristics How does the course of study play up to your strengths, interests, learning styles and passion? Will the course you have selected help you to achieve your career aspirations? Which type of learning environment (eg. applied learning) will be more suited for your learning style, strengths? Be open to explore the many pathways available

CONSIDER THE 3‘P’S WHEN SELECTING A COURSE OF STUDY Practicalities What are the academic and non-academic entry requirements of the school/course you are applying for? Does your aggregate score meet the minimum entry requirement for your desired course? Progression Opportunities What will your qualification allow you to do after graduation? What further education opportunities are available? What is the industry outlook for the course of your choice?

Institute of Technical Education (ITE)

INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION (ITE) Numerous partnerships with key industry players Courses that meet economic demands An education in ITE offers a multitude of opportunities. New technology and teaching methods ensure that courses meet economic and global demands. The numerous partnerships that ITE has with key industry players also enable one to get a taste of what working life is like. ITE is all about skills development and preparing one for a promising career in our workforce. Preparing you for a fulfilling career

INSTITUTE OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION (ITE) For students with an aptitude for hands-on learning Graduates attain a Nitec or Higher Nitec certification and leave equipped with the technical skills and knowledge to meet the workforce needs of various industry sectors National ITE Certification (Nitec) Higher National ITE Certification (Higher Nitec)

Refer to ITE Admission Booklet for detailed information. ADMISSION TO ITE Refer to ITE Admission Booklet for detailed information. Tip for students: Look out for additional course requirements, eg. Interviews to be held in Dec for shortlisted applicants.

Note that there are certain courses in ITE require Science and/or Mathematics at the N-levels

ITE COURSES OVERVIEW Four categories of NITEC (National ITE Certificate) courses Business and Services Nitec Cat A Technical Nitec Cat S Technical Nitec Cat B Technical Nitec Pass in EL Pass in MA or Sci Pass MA and Sci Complete NT course (Sci background knowledge needed) Pass 2 other subjects Pass 1 other subject Examples: Beauty Therapy Service Skills (Office) Service Skills (Retail) Service Skills (Tourism) Community Care and Social Services F&B Operations Hair Services Pastry and Baking Fitness Training Aerospace Technology Electrical Technology Multi-media Technology Electronics (Computer and Networking) Electronics (Instrumentation) Electronics (Mobile Devices) Space Design ICT Interactive Media Design Applied Science Chemical Process Technology (Biologics) CPT (Pharmaceuticals) CPT (Petrochemicals) CPT (Process Instrumentation) *Nursing requires pass in EL, MA and Sc Automotive Technology Facility Technology Mechatronics Security Technology Digital Animation This slide is from the ITE website, and it shows the 4 categories of courses offered by ITE currently. We can already see how the courses are changing to reflect the manpower needs of our population and economy – for example, the increasing number of courses that require passes in EL, MA and Science, coupled with a decrease in the courses that do not require any perquisite skills (the Cat B courses).

Entry Requirement for Nitec Courses Course title Minimum Entry Requirement Applied Food Science 3 GCE N level passes in Math, Science and one other subject Chemical Process technology Nursing GCE N level passes in EL, Math, Science and one other subject Aerospace Machining Technology Electronics Info- communications Technology Interactive media Design Mechatronics Medical manufacturing technology GCE N level passes in Math, Science and two other subjects

Entry Requirement for Nitec Courses Course title Minimum Entry Requirement Aerospace Avionics Aerospace technology Digital Audio & video production Electrical technology Multimedia technology Space Design Visual Effects 3 GCE N level passes in Math and two other subjects. Asian Culinary arts Community care and social services Fitness training Food and beverages operation Hair services Pastry and baking 3 GCE N level passes in EL and two other subjects.

Entry Requirement for Nitec Courses Course title Minimum Entry Requirement Automotive technology Digital animation Facility technology Laser and tooling technology Machine technology Mechatronics Security Technology Product Design Completed GCE N level Beauty Therapy Service Skills (office) Service skills (Retail) Service skills ( Tourism ) 3 GCE N level passes in EL and two other subjects

Minimum Entry Requirement vs ITE Cut-Off Points

Cut-off Points: Varies from course to course and can range Different Minimum Requirements: PASS English + 2 Other Subjects PASS English + Mathematics + Science PASS Mathematics + 2 PASS Mathematics or Science + 2 Other Subjects Complete N Levels Cut-off Points: Varies from course to course and can range from 4 (e.g. Score A’s for all 4 subjects required) up to 18

CUT-OFF POINTS Aggregate points for Nitec courses are calculated based on the best 4 GCE 'N' Level subjects (including pre-requisites and bonus points). Selected courses will require applicants to attend an admission interview, medical examination or drawing test.

Student A EL+CPA+MT+Art = 12 What course can this student do? Subject Grades English Language A (1) Mathematics U (6) CPA B (2) Mother Tongue C (3) Art EL+CPA+MT+Art = 12 What course can this student do?

What is this student’s aggregate score? Student B Subject Grades English Language U (6) Mathematics U(6) CPA A (1) Chinese Language B(2) Science What is this student’s aggregate score?

Name one course this child can do? Student C Subject Grades English Language B (2) Mathematics A(1) CPA A (1) Chinese Language B(2) Science Name one course this child can do?

GENERAL OVERVIEW: E-NFP

Institute of Technical Education (ITE) SOME FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION... Institute of Technical Education (ITE) All Higher Nitec courses have prerequisites, e.g. selected Nitec. Please find out more if you wish to pursue specific Higher Nitec courses. Note: Encourage students to find out as much information about their possible options to make informed decisions. Some Nitec courses allow students to choose from a broader array of Higher Nitec courses as opposed to others. For example, there is only 1 Higher Nitec course related to Hospitality as opposed to 13 Higher Nitec courses related to Engineering. There are always progression options for different industries, via Higher Nitec or WSQ courses. Remind students to find the best-suited courses for themselves based on their interests, strengths and work values.

AVAILABLE RESOURCES Education and Career Guidance (ECG) Portal Provides information about Polytechnics and ITE insight into a variety of occupations and their entry level requirements www.ecareers.sg Post Secondary School Education Booklet Provides information about a range of education institutions. Financial information and an overview of the possible education pathways is also provided. http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/post-secondary/files/post-secondary-brochure.pdf Extended Nitec Foundation Program (E-NFP) for N(T) students Extended Nitec Foundation Programme http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2013/03/helping-every-student-succeed.php

2017 GCE N Level Examination Setting Your Goals 2017 GCE N Level Examination

English, Math, 2 other subjects (Include Science for wider options) ACADEMIC TARGETS EMB2 8 points English, Math, 2 other subjects (Include Science for wider options) Minimum B for 4 subjects

ACADEMIC TARGETS EL Math A (Minimum B) (Minimum B )

OTHER REQUIREMENTS CCA Interview skills Aim to score a distinction Develop your ability to communicate in English well

Preparing to Achieve Your Goals

IMPORTANT DATES Date Activity May Art coursework submission EBS coursework submission July EL and MT oral examinations start 11-21 Sept Start of written papers (I) 2 Oct – 13 Oct Start of written papers (II)

SCHOOL PROGRAMMES Term Key Programmes Two Camp Challenge I Complete the teaching of syllabus CCA stand-down by end April Supplementary programme for Sec 4 students Preliminary Examination 1 (28 April – 15 May) June Camp Challenge II

SCHOOL PROGRAMMES Term Key Programmes Three Remedial / Supplementary lessons Afternoon consultations Night Study Preliminary Examination 2 (11 Aug – 24 Aug) Sept N Level written papers Four Mock examinations Graduation Ceremony 29 Sep

Wednesday Coursework Sessions in the afternoons June holiday coursework completion (2nd week of June holidays)

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WORK HARD? Resourcefulness Commitment Focus Time Use of Feedback

EFFECTIVE EFFORT Time: A willingness to spend the hours needed to finish the job well Focus: Concentrating only on the work, no hand phone, no computer game, no TV or other distractions. Resourcefulness: Knowing where to go and whom to ask for help when I am really stuck.

EFFECTIVE EFFORT Use of Feedback: Looking carefully at responses to my work so I know exactly what to fix Commitment: Being determined to finish and do my very best work Persistence: If one strategy isn’t working, trying different ones until I find one that works.

“Important achievements require a clear focus, all out effort, and a bottomless trunk full of strategies. Plus allies in learning.” Carol S. Dweck

Parent Support Some Tips

TIPS FOR PARENTS Preparation for N-level examinations Regular attendance in school Regular attendance at remedial or supplementary programmes Physical well-being Adequate rest Peak performance and alertness at the right time Nutrition and supplements

C2HAMPS Parents Guide

C2HAMPS Mobile Apps Search for C2HAMPS on Apple’s App Store or Google Play iOS App https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/c2hamps/id1031536075?mt=8 Android App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.elchemi.c2hamps&hl=en

Configure the app When the app is first launched after being installed, you may be prompted if you wish to receive notifications. Please select OK to allow the app to receive notifications from the school. You will first need to search for your child’s school. Type in the first few letters of your school name and tap on the search button on your on-screen keyboard Select your school name from the list of results. This will save your school name in the app’s settings.

Logging On Type in your user ID and password which is provided by the school and tap on the “Login” button Userid is with a ‘P’ appended in front of your child’s birth cert/NRIC no. i.e. ‘PTXXXXXXXA’ Default password is ‘Passw0rd’. You will be prompted to change your password at the 1st log-on Subsequently, if you had forgotten your password, your can do a self-reset and the new password will be sent to your email account Note: if you had chosen the wrong school in the previous step, you can tap on the “Cancel” button to go back and re-select your school

Menu To access a module within C2HAMPS, simply tap on the name of the module you wish to access.

View Notifications When the school sends a message to you, you will receive a notification on your device. As the notification message may not be displayed in full, you would need to log on to the app to view the full message Tap on the message in the message list to view the whole message Envelope icon indicates new unread message Tap close to close the message box Tap delete to remove the message from your list of messages

CCA Attendance Tap on CCA name to view attendance records Tap to go back to select another CCA You can view your child’s CCA attendance records for the year If your child is in more than 1 CCA, you can choose which CCA attendance records to view List of CCAs Only shown if your child is taking more than 1 CCA CCA Attendance Summary

My Child’s Calendar Tap on down arrow to expand and choose calendars You can view your child’s school schedule including school events, homework information and CCA schedules Tap on event item to view pop up of event details Switch the view of the calendar

THANK YOU!

Interaction With Teachers