Briefing for Sec 3 Methodist Girls' School

Briefing for Sec 3
Methodist Girls’ School

Methodist Girls’ School
Heads of Department
Language Arts
Humanities
Mathematics
Mother Tongue
Science
Sophia Blackmore Class
Information Technology
Aesthetics
Pupil Development
Int’l Relations & Communication
Physical Education and CCA
Ms Monica Bong
Mrs Janet Ng
Mrs Janice Gan
Ms Goh Seck Hoon
Mr Liu Heok Hing
Mrs Beatrice Leong
Mr Heng Jee Sin
Ms Tsien Jiuan Jiuan
Mrs Catherine Cheong
Mrs Joyce Ang
Mr Ling Beng Huat

Communication platforms with
parents/guardians
Letters
Emails and phone calls
Announcements through MGS website
http://www.mgs.sch.edu.sg
Newsletters
School sms
Progress reports at T2W1, after Mid-Year Assessments
and after Prelims
Parents Level Briefing
Meetings with class, subject & CCA teachers
(27 March 2010, Saturday)
ParentLink

Communication platforms with
students
Letters
Emails and phone calls
Announcements through MGS website
http://www.mgs.sch.edu.sg
Newsletters
Progress reports at T2W1, after Mid-Year Assessments
and after Prelims
Morning announcements
Broadcast
Public Address system
Noticeboards & posters
Level briefings, Chapel, Assembly …

Curriculum hours
Sec 3 non-SBC 0720 – 1400 Mon to Fri
Sec 3 SBC 0720 – 1400 Mon, Wed, Fri
0720 – 1420 Tue, Thu
HMT extra on Mon 1400 – 1440

Afternoon classes
Art lessons: Thu 3 – 6 pm
MEP Music lessons: Tue or Thu
2.45 – 3.30 pm 2-part writing
3.30 – 5.30 pm Composition
Non-MEP Music lessons: Fri 3.00 – 6.45 pm
3 rd Language classes at MOE LCs
Takes priority over all other afternoon activities except
- Approved competitions
- Compulsory school events

2010 Afternoon Remedials
Sec 1 Sec 2 Sec 3 Sec 4
Tue
2.40-3.30pm
EL/MT
BioSc/
PhySc
EMaths/AMaths
Geog/Hist/Lit/Clit
(full/half)
Tue
3.30-4.20pm
BioSc/
PhySc
EL/MT
Geog/Hist/Lit/Clit
(full/half)
EMaths/AMaths
Thu
2.40-3.30pm
Maths
Geog/Hist/
Lit
EL/MT/SS
Bio/Chem/Phy
Thu
3.30-4.20pm
Geog/Hist/
Lit
Maths
Bio/Chem/Phy
EL/MT/SS
Assessments
Comprehension Tests for EL and MT/HMT
Revision & mock tests for other subjects

Afternoon co-curricular
schedule
CCA days
Wed:
Mon & Fri:
Tue & Thu:
starts at 2.30 pm
starts at 3 pm
starts at 4.30 pm
Stand down periods
- On the days of Common Tests
- 2 weeks before exams
- Last day of CCA for Sec 3s is 3 Sep 2010
*Good attendance and active participation

Higher Mother Tongue
Girls taking Higher Mother Tongue will
o
sit for the GCE ‘O’ Level Mother Tongue paper in
November 2010.
o
If MT results are B3 or better, she will prepare for the
GCE ‘O’ Level Higher Mother Tongue paper in
November 2011.
o
If MT results are B4 or lower, she will not move on with
HMT in Sec 4 but instead try to improve her MT scores
at June or Nov 2011 exams.

Girls who are taking 10
subjects in Secondary 3
To continue in Sec 4, students need to
score distinctions for all 10 subjects at
the end of Sec 3.

Appeal for special arrangements
at GCE ‘O’ levels for candidates
with disabilities
o
o
o
Applications need to be submitted by
next week with documents
Learning disabilities (e.g. Dyslexia,
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyspraxia ..)
Permanent physical disabilities (e.g
hearing impairment, visual impairment,
physical impairment,…)

o
Appeal for special arrangements
at GCE ‘O’ levels for candidates
with disabilities
special arrangements made for candidates
during GCE examinations will be annotated
in the certificates:
• Extra-time allowance;
• Use of word processor facilities and other computer aids;
• Modification of examination papers;
• Exemption from satisfying the full range of assessment
objectives in a subject (e.g. exemption from oral, listening
comprehension etc.);
• Use of Readers or Amanuenses/Scribes;
• Special consideration in assessing the performance of the
candidates;
• invigilatory assistance, e.g. use of practical assistant in
reading instrument with fine readings during practical
examination.

Absence from tests & Exams
Valid Reasons for absence
1. Unwell and covered with Medical Certificate
valid for test day (copies of mc to be
promptly given to FT & to respective
teachers)
2. Test falls on the same day of an approved
competition (interschool, international)
(Teacher i/c of competition will inform staff,
students to also take responsibility to alert
respective teachers)

June Holiday classes
Week 1
31 May – 4 June 2010
remedial, competitions etc
Week 4
21 – 25 Jun 2010 Formal lessons
Lessons will cover content, answering
techniques and practical sessions

November schedule
Term 4 Week 8 (1 st week November)
Formal lessons
Term 4 Week 9-10
GCE O-level MT exams
ROCs 3

Conversational Malay (CM)/
Conversational Chinese (CC)
Another Language Learning Opportunities
~ Conversational Language competency and cultural
awareness
~ Curriculum focus on listening, speaking and
recognising simple words/characters
~ 40 hour module covering Elementary I & II
(weekly 3-hr afternoon lessons in school including
March holiday, starting from mid-Feb to end May)
Wednesdays 2.30 – 5.30 pm (CM)
Thursdays 2.30 – 5.30 pm (CM,CC)

Curriculum Enrichment
Poetry Appreciation, poetry slam,
Magazine Reading Prog: Newsweek, Broader
perspectives
Financial Literacy Programme
Leadership Training Programme, Student/Youth
Leadership Conferences
DISC & Learning keys workshop
SophiaBlackmoreLectures@MGS
Regional Youth Conference

Curriculum Enrichment
Heritage Tours
Future Problem Solving
IT enrichment – Podcast, Roving DV
MEP – Piano Master Class, Indian Music
workshop, MEP camp
Maths competitions, olympiads, festivals
Science competitions e.g. CHAOS, D.A.R.T, Youth
Science Festival
Creative Arts Programme by GEB
Novel Reading Prog, Mrs May Oh Debate
Challenge
Humanities competitions

Secondary 3 Assessments
Continual Assessment 1
CA1 (10%) Progress report issued in T2W1
Continual Assessment 2
CA2 (15%) Progress report issued in T2W10
Continual Assessment 3
CA3 (15%) Progress report issued in T4W1
End-of-Year Examinations
EOY (60%) Year-end report issued in T4W7

Assessment schedule
Class-based tests/assignments
- 3 subjects per week in the earlier half of
term
Common tests
- All subjects over 5 days in the latter half
of term
CA marks: Common Tests + Class-based
tests/assignments + daily work etc

Secondary 3 Curriculum
Continual Assessments comprises
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Tests
Assignments
Reports
Presentations
Practicals
Orals
Aurals

Demands of Upper Sec
curriculum
O Level syllabus is covered in Sec 3 & 4.
Sec 3 Sec 4
Content: breadth & depth
Quality of thinking & answers

Promotion Criteria for Sec 3
o
To be promoted to Secondary 4, a pupil
must pass English Language and four
other examination subjects.
o The composite mark for each subject is
based on
o CA1 (10%) + CA2 (15%) + CA3 (15%)
+ EOY (60%).

Promotion Criteria for Sec 3
Results Action Alternative action Implications
Failed English
but passed in 5
Other subjects
Passed English
and 3 other
subjects
Advanced to
Sec 4
Advanced to Sec
4, AND focus on
a maximum of 7
subjects
Pupil may opt to
repeat Sec 3 if she
wants to study 8
subjects instead of 7.
- Highest
standard
passed is
Sec 2
Highest
standard
passed is
Sec 2
Passed English
and 2 other
subjects
Advanced to Sec
4, AND focus on
a maximum of 6
subjects
Pupil may opt to
repeat Sec 3 if she
wants to study 7 or 8
subjects instead of 6.
Highest
standard
passed is
Sec 2
Passed English
and 1 other
subject OR
passed English
only
Repeat Sec 3
Pupil may opt for the
Normal (Academic)
course in another
school.
-

School-based
Science Practical Assessment
SPA
for GCE ‘O’ Level Examination

Methodist Girls’ School
Objective of School-based SPA
To assess candidate’s competence in
practical skills over a period of 2 years
from Secondary 3 to 4.
Weightage of School-based SPA
20% of the overall marks towards a ‘O’
Level grade (Theory – 80%).

Methodist Girls’ School
SPA skills assessed
follow a sequence of instructions;
use techniques, apparatus and materials;
make and record observations,
measurements and estimates;
interpret and evaluate observations and
experimental results;
plan investigations, select techniques,
apparatus and materials;
evaluate methods and suggest possible
improvements

Methodist Girls’ School
Schedule of Assessments
Semester 2 (2010) 1st set of Skill Set 1 and 2
Semester 1 (2011) 2nd set of Skill Set 1 and 2
Semester 1 (2011) Final set of Skill Set 3

Methodist Girls’ School
Portfolio requirement
All candidates must keep a portfolio of all
practical assignments for validation by
personnel from SEAB.
Portfolio = evidence of learning of practical
skills + prescribed range of competencies and
topics have been covered.
Candidates must hand in their class
assignments on time for marking by their
subject teachers and must not lose their
portfolio.

Methodist Girls’ School
Further information on Syllabus
For more details on syllabus requirements in
general, visit the SEAB web-site:
www.seab.gov.sg
Subject codes are:
Biology (5094)
Chemistry (5072)
Physics (5058)

MILESTONE
PROGRAMMES FOR
SEC 3 LEVEL…

Main Highlights of the
Year…
• GEL Sessions: Leadership Works,
Life Works, Sexuality Education,
ROCs preparation
• Learning Journey to Marina Barrage
• CIP
• Reality Outside Classrooms (ROCs) 3
Programme – Overseas trips and
Work attachment (June or December)
• OBS Camp

Calendar of Events – Semester 1
24 Feb – 2 Mar Term 1 Common Tests
24 Mar/ 7 Apr/
9 Apr
Learning Journey to Marina
Barrage
27 Mar Parent-Teacher Meeting
ROCs Fair
5 – 12 May Term 2 Common Tests
18 May NRIC Registration
24 – 28 May OBS
21 – 25 Jun Regular lessons begin for
Upper Sec Students
Once an MGS girl, Always an MGS girl

Calendar of Events – Semester 2
9 – 10 Jul MGS 4 th Regional Youth
Conference (All Sec 3s involved)
19 – 20 Jul E – Learning Days
23 Jul 123 rd Founder’s Day Service
4-5 and 11- Term 3 Common Tests
13 Aug

Calendar of Events – Semester 2
13 Sept CL Oral Exam
13-17 Sept Chemistry SPA
14 – 16 Sep EL Oral Exam
17 Sept EL Paper 1 & MT Exam Paper 2
20-24 Sep Biology and Physics SPA
30 Sept SS and EL Paper 2
4– 13 Oct End of Year Examination

Community Involvement Programme
2010
The MGS girl manifests LOVE in service. She serves
selflessly as a member of her community, as a citizen of
the nation and the world.
Thematic Approach
Secondary One - Caring for the Community
Secondary Two - Caring for the Environment
Secondary Three - Caring for Children
Secondary Four - Caring for the Elderly

Service projects
Service projects
With children
With children
Blending Service and Learning…
Action Action
Discussion
Reflection Reflection

CIP 2010
• 2 hrs
Assembly period for NCCS talk on Childrens’ cancers and how to
interact with Children with cancer
• 4 hrs
Any children organizations – once off visit / long term tuition or
befriending project. (Propose & discuss with form teacher)
• Flag Day (Extra Hours or make up session only)
– Selected organizations (max. 3 hours)
• Any other personal CIP
– To be accompanied by letter from organization

Framework for MGS ROCs
The MGS ROCs Circles of
Experiential Learning
The World
The Region
Singapore

Objectives
To provide authentic contexts and experiences for learning.
Experiential Learning beyond the classroom
To integrate learning
Across disciplines to see inter-connectedness of bodies of
knowledge.
To broaden perspectives
Global in perspective, rooted in heritage
To provide opportunities for service to the community/ society

Overview
• Pre-ROCs Preparation/ Training
• ROCs Fair for fundraising (Level Effort on
Parent’s Teachers’ Meeting Day)
• ROCs Programme/ Tasks
• Post-ROCs Presentation to level and
exhibition to school

Interdisciplinary (Subject- Based Trips)
Authentic
contexts to
learn Science,
Mathematics,
Humanities
etc
New Zealand, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Eastern
Europe, Japan

Twinning Programme
Mt. Carmel
School, New
Delhi
Vidya Mandir
School,
Chennai

CIP based trips to bless the less fortunate…in
Cambodia and Yunnan
Service
Learning trips
(CIP)

Work Experience
Learn New Skills by volunteering in various industries in Singapore

Adventure Learning, Sabah OBYP

Sec 3 Level Teachers 2010
3M
3E
3T
3H
3O
3D
3I
3S
3G
3R
Mrs Carol Lau, Ms Ho Wai Mun/ Ms Chen Li Juan
Mrs Tong Mei Jit, Mr Tan Wee Boon
Ms Samantha Tan, Mrs Janice Gan
Mrs Lim Siew Khiuk, Mr Francis Soo
Ms Emily Wee, Ms Su Pei Luan
Ms Tan Choon Gan, Ms Angela Ng
Ms Chuah Cheng Kim, Mr Ling Beng Huat
Mrs Anna Lim, Ms Monica Bong
Mrs Clarissa Soo, Mr David Loh
Mrs Daphne Chow, Mr Lim Lee
Mr Ong Kim Fong