1. Achieving Academic Excellence
SEC 4NA MEET-PARENT-SESSION
18 February 2017

2. Agenda Introduction Post-secondary options MF programmes
Tips for parents
Meeting with form teachers

3. 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.

4. Normal (Academic) Options
After the release of the Sec 4 N-Level results students can:
“Choose to take the O-level exam one year later.”
“Enrol in a 2-year Higher Nitec course at ITE which leads me to the Polytechnic” (DES-to-Poly)
Normal (Academic) Journey
S4 NA
S5 NA
“Enrol in a 1-year Poly Foundation Program.”
The Polytechnic Foundation Programme is a one-year programme that will prepare top Secondary 4 N(A) students for entry into the
relevant diploma courses at the polytechnics. It will offer a practice-oriented curriculum taught by the polytechnic faculty. Students will gain admission into specific diploma courses upon entry to the Foundation Programme. At the end of the Foundation Programme, the polytechnics
will conduct assessment of the students’ performance to confirm their progression to the diploma course. The Foundation Programme will be available for polytechnic courses in various fields including engineering, applied sciences, design, digital media and nursing, among others.
The Polytechnic Foundation Programme will be offered in all five polytechnics starting from The polytechnics will offer about 1,000 places in the Polytechnic Foundation Programme in a range of diploma courses Upon the release of the 2012 GCE N-Level results, eligible Secondary 4 N(A) students will be invited to apply for the Polytechnic Diploma courses of their choice under the Polytechnic Foundation Programme. If students are eligible, you can opt for this pathway instead of taking O-levels in Secondary 5. If you are successful in your application, you will be posted to the corresponding Foundation Programme for the diploma course that you have been offered a provisional place in. The Polytechnic Foundation Programme will begin in April 2013.
2. Direct-Entry-Scheme-to-Polytechnic (DES-to-Poly) Programme.
For students who have performed well in the N-level examination and can benefit from a more hands-on preparation at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), you can take up a Higher Nitec programme at the ITE and subsequently be assured of either a first- or second-year place in a related polytechnic course, provided you achieve the qualifying GPA scores in your Higher Nitec programme. Eligible Secondary 4 N(A) students will enrol in ITE in January after the release of the N-Level results. You will take a 10-week preparatory course before joining the Higher Nitec programmes in April. This new option builds on the ITE Direct Entry Scheme (DES) which was introduced in 2008 as a pathway for students who do well in their N-Level examination to progress to ITE, instead of taking their O-Levels in Secondary 5. Upon the release of the 2012 GCE N-Level results, eligible Secondary 4 N(A) students will be invited to apply to the ITE under the DES-to- Poly Programme. If you are successful in your application, you will be posted to the Higher Nitec DES Programmes, which will begin in January In your final year in Higher Nitec, you will be invited to apply to the Polytechnic Diploma courses mapped to the relevant Higher Nitec programmes and be assured of a place in one of these Diploma courses, provided your final ITE raw Grade Point Average (GPA) meet the Qualifying GPA.
“Enter ITE to take Nitec courses, which lead to Higher Nitec.”

5. Using N(A) level results- Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)
Entry into Poly
Using N(A) level results- Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)
What is PFP?
One year practice-oriented curriculum to prepare polytechnic-bound N(A) students for entry into diploma courses.
Note: Pupils must pass all the modules in the Foundation Programme before being accepted in a 3-year Poly course.

6. Using N(A) level results- Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)
Entry into Poly
Using N(A) level results- Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)
Who should apply: Students who are amongst the top 10% of the Sec 4NA cohort and who wish to enter Polytechnic
Application: Eligible N(A) students will be invited to apply for the Polytechnic Diploma courses of their choice after the release of their N-Level results

7. Using N(A) level results- Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)
Entry into Poly
Using N(A) level results- Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)
To qualify:
ELMAB3 <= 11 at N-level (excluding CCA bonus points), AND
EL<= 3 AND MA <= 3
Note:
a) Some courses at poly require MA <= 3, while others may require EL <= 2
b) The subjects considered for calculation of ELMAB3 depends on the course applied for.
c) The FP courses may not apply to all courses offered at the Polytechnics

8. DES-to-Poly Programme
Entry into ITE
DES-to-Poly Programme
Allows direct entry to
Higher Nitec (normally only available for O-level holders)
DES – Direct Entry Scheme
Students who have done well for their ‘N’ Levels could choose to enrol in the Higher Nitec Programme, and bypass the Nitec programme.

9. DES-to-Poly Programme Typically the top 11 – 30% of Sec 4N(A)
Entry into ITE
DES-to-Poly Programme
Who should apply: N(A) students who do well in their N-Level.
Typically the top 11 – 30% of Sec 4N(A)
Application: After the release of their GCE N-Level results
Students who have done well for their ‘N’ Levels could choose to enrol in the Higher Nitec Programme, and bypass the Nitec programme.
Eligibility criteria:
ELMAB3≤19 and
EL≤4, MA≤4 [Applied Sciences, Engineering & ICT]
EL≤3, MA≤4 [Business & Services]

10. Entry into ITE Assured of a place in a related Polytechnic course
DES-to-Poly Programme
Assured of a place in a related Polytechnic course
DES graduates who achieve the qualifying ITE Grade Point Average (GPA) in their Higher Nitec programme will be assured of first or second year place in a related Polytechnic Diploma course
Achieve qualifying ITE Grade Point Average (GPA)
DES graduates

11. Overview of Pathways Pathways for Normal (Academic) Students
GCE N-Level Exam
4 years N(A) Course
2 years ITE Direct Entry Scheme (DES) to Higher Nitec
10 weeks
Prep Programme
Pathways for Normal (Academic) Students
GCE O-Level Exam
1 year Sec 5
Polytechnic (3 years)
2 years ITE Nitec
2 years ITE Higher Nitec
NAFA/ LaSalle
(3 years)
1 year Foundation Programme
Polytechnic (2 years)
Junior College (2 years) / Centralised Institute

12. Computation of ELMAB3 Combinations to compute ELMAB3:
GCE N(A)-level results only
Firm offer by end-December
GCE N(A)-level + Prelim O-level results
Conditional offer by end-December, firm offer after GCE “O” release
GCE N(A)-level + GCE O-level results
Firm offer after GCE “O” release (i.e. only invited after GCE “O”)
Students offering duplicate subjects at both N- & O-levels: ELMAB3 computation for PFP/DPP will take the better grade 12

13. Hands On Exercise

14. Student A ELMAB3? Subject O-level grade English Language 2
Combined Humanities (SS/Geog) 3
Mathematics
Chinese Language 5
Additional Mathematics
Science (Phy/Chem)
ELMAB3?
13 Higher Nitec

15. Student B ELMAB3? English Language 2 Science (Phy / Chem) 1
Subject
O-level grade
English Language 2
Science (Phy / Chem) 1
Mathematics
D&T
Chinese Lang
Combined Humanities (SS/Geog) 3
9 PFP
ELMAB3?

16. Setting your goals

17. Setting goals Where do you want to go?
Polytechnic/ITE – which one and which course?
ELMAB3. What is this?
Do you know the entry requirements?

18. Academic targets
4NA
ELMAB3
10 or less

19. 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

20. 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?

21. For more information, log on to ecareers.sg

22. Preparing to achieve your goals

23. Gearing up Dates Activities 2-7 Mar Common Test 1 9-10 Mar
Camp Challenge 1
11-19 Mar
Term Break
27 Apr - 15 May
N Level Prelim 1
31 May – 2 Jun
Camp Challenge 2
Jul/Aug
N Level EL/MTL Oral
11-24 Aug
N Level Prelim 2
11 Sep
N Level Written Exam commences

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

25. Parent support
Tips

26. 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

27. Supporting your child to achieve their goals
Hard work, hard work and more hard work!

28. Information on post-secondary options
Calculations of aggregates
Cut-off points for courses in Polytechnics and ITE
Worksheet on target setting with your child
Encouraging them to give effective effort

29. What does it mean to work hard?
Time
Focus
Resourcefulness
Use of feedback
Persistence
Commitment

30. 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.

31. 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.

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

33. Interaction with teachers