CCA Handbook For Secondary 1 students' Parents 2017

1. 1
DAMAI SECONDARY SCHOOL
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITES
CCA HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS
2017
Name of student:______________________ Class:________

2. 2
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITY(CCA) GUIDELINES
Introduction
Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) forms an integral part of the school’s co-curriculum and it is
compulsory for every secondary school student. CCA provides students the opportunities to
learn outside the classroom context, and is a platform for inculcating the school values (FAITH)
and encourages students to develop skills and competencies that would enable them to lead
a meaningful and purposeful school life. Students are developed through a student-centric
co-curricular experience, and CCA plays an important role in the holistic development of the
child.
A holistic education provides students with a broad and deep foundation for lifelong learning.
This includes learning not just in the academic areas. Equally important is the development
of values and life skills in each child. This will equip the child to handle the challenges in life
later on. The school offers a range of co-curricular programmes to help students achieve a
holistic education. Community service is also invaluable in helping students develop qualities
such as care, concern and respect for others in society.
A holistic education also supports students to discover their strengths, interests and talents.
Students tend to flourish in areas they are interested in. Thus, as far as possible, we should
allow them to pursue their areas of interest.
Aim
The aim of CCA is to teach students CCA-specific knowledge and skills, inculcate in them
correct values and desirable social attitudes through sustained participation in any of the CCA
groups, and provide for healthy recreation.
The CCA also offers excellent platforms for students to learn core values, social and
emotional competencies and the emerging 21st Century Competencies. All CCA emphasise
social interaction by providing a common space for friendships and social integration amongst
students of diverse backgrounds. Through CCA, students develop a sense of identity and
belonging to the school, and instil a sense of responsibility.
Participation in the CCA facilitates your child’s learning of values, skills and competencies for
life.

3. 3
Policy
CCA participation in school is compulsory for all students in secondary schools. Students
must have a main CCA each year from one of the 4 groups, namely, Physical Sports,
Uniformed Groups, the Visual and Performing Arts and Clubs and Societies.
Every student will take part in one core CCA only. Participation in a second CCA may be
allowed if it is at school representation level. This is to ensure that students do not have too
heavy a CCA load.
As part of the school’s Start Right programme for CCA, all students were informed on the
importance of regular attendance and active participation in CCA. The weekly schedule for
all the CCAs in the school is also uploaded on the school’s website for your reference. The
school seeks your assistance in monitoring your child/ward’s attendance in his/her CCA
throughout the year.
Please note that once the CCA is allocated to your child/ward, there should not be any
changes. CCA transfers are only allowed at the beginning of each year, and students are
expected to attain at least 75% attendance for the year, including holiday trainings, before
they are allowed to change to another CCA. Any discontinuity of the allocated CCA may lead
to the loss of accumulated CCA points. Repeated failures to attend CCA may lead to an
adverse Conduct Grade.
Students are encouraged to stay in the same CCA throughout his/her secondary years to
achieve the maximum possible CCA attainment at the end of Secondary 4 or 5, and this level
of attainment will be converted to a bonus point(s) which can be used for admission to Junior
Colleges/ Polytechnics/ Institutes of Education (JC/Poly/ITE).
Selection of Activities
Our CCA programme offers a range of activities and caters to the varied interest and
abilities of students. The core activities are as follows:
Sports &
Games
Uniformed Groups Visual &
Performing Arts
Clubs &
Societies
Canoeing
Dragon Boat
Handball
Netball
Rugby
Softball
Boys' Brigade
Girl Guides
National Cadet Corp
National Police Cadet Corp
St John’s Ambulance
Brigade
Art Club
Choir
Ethnic Dance
Gu-zheng
Modern Dance
Symphonic Band
Info-
Communication
Club

4. 4
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITYGRADING GUIDELINES – LEAPS 2.0
LEAPS 2.01
LEAPS 2.0 is a framework to recognise secondary school students’ holistic development.
Students will be recognised with levels of attainment in four domains: Participation,
Achievement, Leadership and Service.
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD
As parents, you play an important role in ensuring your child’s holistic and balanced
development. Your child benefits most when the emphasis on developing values, life skills
and your child/ward’s interests and strengths are reinforced at home.
You can discuss the following areas with your child when selecting his/her co-curricular
activities:
 Identifying interests and strengths
Example: What is your child interested in? What is your child good at?
 Setting objectives
Example: What kind of person does your child want to be? What kind of values and life
skills should your child be developed in?
 Encouraging self-directed learning
Example:How does your childwant to pursue this development?What are the possible
opportunities that can help support this development?
 Managing commitments
Example: Is your child able to cope? How can you help to support him/her in the
learning pursuits?
1 LEAPS stands for Leadership, Enrichment, Achievement, Participation and Service. LEAPS 2.0 builds on the
LEAPS system to better reflect MOE’s current emphasis on Student-Centric, Values-Driven education.

5. 5
LEAPS 2.0 DOMAINS
Participation
This domain recognises students’ participation in one school-based2 Co-Curricular Activity
(CCA). Recognition is based on the number of years of participation and exemplary conduct
and active contribution3 to the CCA. Sustained engagement in the same CCA allows for
progressive development of character, skills, knowledge and friendships, and will be accorded
higher recognition.
Service
This domain recognises students’ development as socially responsible citizens who
contribute meaningfully to the community. Every secondary school student will contribute at
least 6 hours per school year to the community. They can choose to embark on a Values-In-
Action project (VIA). Students will be recognised for the time they put into planning, service
and reflection, when participating in a VIA project.
Leadership
This domain recognises students’ leadership development. Recognition is accorded to
students’ ability to take charge of personal development, work in a team and assume
responsibilities in service of others. In addition to formal leadership appointments,
participation in student leadership modules/workshops, the National Youth Achievement
Award (NYAA) and leadership positions in the school, CCA or student-initiated/student-led
projects will also be recognised.
Achievement
This domain recognises students’ representation and accomplishment in co-curricular
involvements beyond the classroom. Opportunities for representation and accomplishment
present valuable learning experiences for students to learn discipline, resilience and develop
their character. Students may represent the school or organisations endorsed by the school.
Recognising external opportunities better caters to students’ diverse interests and talents. It
also recognises the community’s role in developing the child.
Representation refers to being selected and endorsed by the school or an organisation
endorsed by the school (e.g. the community club or national association) to contribute,
perform or compete. It need not be tied to his/her CCA in school.
Accomplishment refers to attaining accolades and awards at competitions, festivals,
performances, exhibitions, conferences and symposiums where the student represents the
school or other organisations endorsed by the school.
The details on the levels of attainment for each of the domains are attached at Annex A.
2
School-based CCA refers to CCA that are organised w ithin the schoolor have been endorsed by the school.
3
Schools have processes in place to determine ‘exemplary conduct and active contribution’ w ith respect to their school’s context.

6. 6
Recognition of Students’ Level of Attainment
At the end of the graduating year, students’ co-curricular attainment will be recognised
according to Excellent/Good/Fair. The level of attainment will be converted to a bonus point(s)
which can be used for admission to Junior Colleges/ Polytechnics/ Institutes of Education
(JC/Poly/ITE).
Co-Curricular
Attainment
Details
Excellent
(2 bonus points)
Student who attains a minimum Level 3 in all four domains with at
least a Level 4 in one domain.
Good
(1 bonus point)
Student who attains a minimum Level 1 in all four domains with any
one of the following:
i. At least Level 2 in three domains;
ii. At least Level 2 in one domain and at least Level 3 in
another domain; or
iii. At least Level 4 in one domain.
Fair Student’s attainment in co-curricular will not translate into any bonus
points.
Please refer to examples in Annex B.
For enquiries, please contact:
Name: Miss Lee Ley Har, HOD Aesthetics/CCA
Office Tel: 6442 2558
Email Address: lee_ley_har@moe.edu.sg
Name: Mrs Ng-Teo Swee Wah, SH PE/CCA
Office Tel: 6442 2558
Email Address: teo_swee_wah@moe.edu.sg

7. 7
CCA TIME-LINE 2017 FOR SECONDARY 1 AND NEW STUDENTS
Date / Activity Details of Activity
Term 1, Week 1
Friday, 6 January 2017
CCA Aptitude Trial
 Sec 1 students will undergo CCA aptitude trial for the
Performing Arts and Sports CCAs, conducted by CCA
instructors and teachers.
 Students with the required aptitude may be pre-selected
by the CCA instructors and teachers.
 No confirmation of acceptance into any CCA will be
made during this CCA Aptitude Trial.
Term 1, Week 1
Saturday, 7 January 2017
Sec 1 Meet-the-Parents
session cum CCA Fair
 Briefing to all parents on:
o Social Emotional Support for Sec 1 students
o CCA matters
 All CCAs will set-up exhibition booths in the school.
 Students and parents are strongly encouraged to visit
all the exhibition booths to learn what each CCA has to
offer
 Students will book your CCA try-out sessions (to be
conducted in week 2) at the respective CCA booths.
Term 1, Week 2
Monday, 9 January 2017
CCA Try-out for Uniformed
Group CCAs
 Students will attend try-out sessions for all the 5
Uniformed Group CCAs.
 Compulsory attendance for ALL Sec 1 students.
 Students to report in PE attire, 2.30pm at the atrium.
 Duration of try-out session:
o 2.30pm to 5pm
 Students to bring along his/her water-bottle for water
breaks & hydration.
Term 1, Week 2
Wednesday & Friday,
11 & 13 January 2017
CCA Try-out for all other
CCAs
 Students will attend try-out sessions for the rest of the
CCAs offered by the school.
 Students may select any 2 CCAs to try out on
Wednesday / Friday.
 Students should attend the CCA based on the booking
done at CCA Fair on Saturday, 7 January.
 Compulsory attendance for ALL Sec 1 students.
 Students to report in PE attire, at the respective CCA
venues.
 Students to find out the reporting venue during the
booking session at CCA Fair.
 Duration of try-out session:
o Wednesday – 2.45pm to 5pm
o Friday – 2.30pm to 4.30pm
 Students to bring along his/her water-bottle for water
breaks & hydration.
 No confirmation of acceptance into any CCA will be
made during these try-out sessions.

8. 8
Term 1, Weeks 2 & 3
Friday, 13 January 2017
to Monday, 16 January
2017
Submission of 3 CCA
choices via the school
website
 Students are take note of the CCA Policy and the
requirements for CCA participation.
 Students are to discuss their choices with their
parents/guardian and submit their top 3 choices
online via the school website.
School website: http://damaisec.moe.edu.sg OR
http://learnfusion.com/schools/damaisec
 Online registration begins on Friday (13 January), 6pm
onwards and ends on Monday (16 January), 6pm.
 Students without computer/printer access are required
to meet outside the school’s Computer Labs 2 and 3
(Level 3) on Monday (16 January) at 2.15pm to do
your submission.
 Students are to submit the signed acknowledgement
printout of your submission to your Class Mentors by
Thursday (19 January).
 Students will be allocated CCAs according to ANY of
their 3 choices.
 Students will be given priority for entry into the CCA
which they were pre-selected for during the aptitude
trials conducted on 06/01/17. However, they will not
be guaranteed of their first choice of CCA.
 Weekly CCA schedule will be uploaded on the
school’s website for parents’ and students’
reference.
Term 1, Week 3
Friday, 20 January 2017
Release of CCA allocation
results
 Results of CCA allocation will be released.
 Students may check their CCA allocation from their
class notice-board by 12.30pm (results release only
after recess).
 Students to check the respective CCA noticeboards or
school/CCA website for things to bring/reporting time &
venue for the first CCA session in week 4.
 Appeal for change of CCA will NOT be entertained.
 Change of CCA after the allocation is NOT allowed.
Term 1, Week 4
Monday, 23 January 2017
onwards
CCA commences for all
Sec 1 students
 Students will begin CCA as informed by the CCA
Teachers-in-charge/CCA student leaders or with
reference to the CCA noticeboards.
 Students are required to maintain at least 75% CCA
attendance for the year before a change of CCA is
allowed at the end of the year/beginning of the following
year (2018).
Term 2, Weeks 9 &10
Monday, 15 May 2017 to
Friday, 26 May 2017
 Parents will be notified if student fails to meet the
stipulated 75% attendance at the end of Semester 1.

9. A-1
ANNEX A
PARTICIPATION (Level of Attainment)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
 Participated in any CCA
for 2 years with at least
75% attendance for each
year
 Participated in any CCA
for 3 years with at least
75% attendance for each
year
 Participated in any CCA for 4
years with at least 75%
attendance for each year
 Participated in any CCA for 5
years with at least 75%
attendance for each year
 Participated in any CCA for 3
years with at least 75%
attendance for each year and
demonstrating exemplary
conduct and active
contribution
 Participated in any CCA for 4
years with at least 75%
attendance for each year and
demonstrating exemplary
conduct and active
contribution
 Participated in the same CCA
for 4 years with at least 75%
attendance for each year and
demonstrating exemplary
conduct and active contribution
 Participated in the same CCA
for 4 years with at least 75%
attendance for each year
 Participated in the same CCA
for 5 years with at least 75%
attendance for each year
SERVICE (Level of Attainment)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
 At least 24 to less than 30
hours of service
 At least 30 to less than 36
hours of service
 At least 36 hours of service
 Completed at least one
VIA project that impacts
the school or community
 Completed at least two VIA
projects that impact the school
or community
 Completed at least 24 hours of
service and at least one VIA
project that impacts the school
or community
 Completed at least 24
hours of service and at
least two VIA projects that
impact the school or
community
 Completed at least 24
hours of service and at
least one student-initiated
VIA project that impacts
the community beyond
the school and at least
one other VIA project
Note: One example of an approach to VIA is Service-Learning. Time spent on VIA projects, including the planning, service and reflection components, will count towards
the minimum hours of service stated in the above criterion.

10. A-2
LEADERSHIP (Level of Attainment)
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
School-based Leadership
Opportunities
 Completed 2
leadership modules
of at least 3 hours
each
 Class Committee
 Committee for
student-initiated or
student-led projects,
approved by school
(or equivalent)
 Class Chairperson
 Prefect
 Peer Support Leader
 Committee for school-
wide events4
 Chairperson/
Vice-Chairperson for
student-initiated or
student-led projects,
approved by school
(or equivalent)
 Senior Prefect
 Chairperson/Vice-
Chairperson for
school-wide events
(or equivalent)
 Executive Committee5
of Student Council /
Prefectorial Board
(or equivalent)
 Lower Sec CCA
Committee
(or equivalent)
 Lower Sec CCA
Executive Committee
 Upper Sec CCA
Committee
(or equivalent)
 Upper Sec CCA
Executive Committee
(or equivalent)
 CCA Captain/
Chairperson
(or equivalent)
National Youth
Achievement Award
 NYAA Bronze
 NYAA Silver
and above
Uniformed Groups (Rank)  Lance Corporal
(or equivalent)
 Corporal
 Patrol Second
 Assistant Patrol
Leader
(or equivalent)
 Sergeant
 Patrol Leader
(or equivalent)
 Staff Sergeant
 Assistant Company
Leader
 Senior Patrol Leader
(or equivalent)
 Warrant Officer
 Master Sergeant
 Station Inspector
 Troop/ Company
Leader
(or equivalent)
4
Examples of school-wide events are Open House, CCA exhibition/Fair, Speech Day, Founder’s Day and the four National Education (NE) commemorative days: Total Defence Day, International Friendship Day,
Racial Harmony Day and National Day.
5
Executive Committee (applies to all subsequent mentions) – may include Secretary, Treasurer and Heads of sub-committees

11. A-3
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
Representation6
 Represented class /
house / CCA at
intra-school event7
 Represented school /
external organisation
at local / international
event8 for 1 year
 Represented school /
external organisation at
local / international event
for 2 years
 Represented school /
external organisation at
local / international event
for 3 years or more
 Represented UG HQ at
international event9
 Represented Singapore
Schools at local /
international competition
 Represented Singapore at
international event
endorsed by national
bodies
 Represented National
Project of Excellence10 at
local / international
concert
 Represented MOE at local
/ international event
 Represented UG HQ at
international competition
Accomplishment6
 Represented school /
external organisation at
local / international event
and achieved the following
(for 1 year):
o Top 4 (or equivalent)
team placing
o Top 8 (or equivalent)
individual placing
o Gold/Silver/
Bronze/Merit award /
certification11 (or
equivalent)
 Represented school /
external organisation at
local / international event
and achieved the following
(for 2 years or more):
o Top 4 (or equivalent)
team placing
o Top 8 (or equivalent)
individual placing
o Gold/Silver/
Bronze/Merit award /
certification11 (or
equivalent)
 Represented Singapore
Schools/ National Project
of Excellence/MOE at
local / international
competition
OR
 Represented Singapore at
international event,
endorsed by national
bodies
AND achieved the following:
6
Self-representation or participation for personalenrichment w illnot be recognised. For representation of externalorganisations and accomplishments associated with such representation, schools’
approvalis required for recognition. Involvement in events w hereby participation is mass in nature and/or does not require training, preparation or selection w illalso not be recognised in this domain.
7
Intra-SchoolEvents refer to intra-schoolcompetitions, festivals, schoolperformances / concerts, exhibitions and conferences. These events primarily do not include student participation fromother schools
and/or members of the public.
8
Events refer to competitions, festivals, school performances / concerts, exhibitions, conferences and symposiums. Local refers to school cluster/zone-based and MOE-organised events (SYF Arts
Presentation, SYF Celebrations, SYFArt Exhibition, National Schools Games, etc.), as wellas community-organised eventswhich primarily involves student participation fromother schools and / or members
of the public.
9
UG HQ International Events refer to exchange programmes, performances, camps and other equivalent platforms w hich involve participants fromother countries. Competitions are excluded.
10
This refers to the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and Singapore Youth Chinese Orchestra.
11
This applies to events that present different levels of aw ard or certificate which extend beyond the top 4 participants. The Merit aw ard/certification constitutesthe fourth placing. It should only be given for
events w hereMerit is not accorded by default to all participants w ho did not receive Gold- Bronze aw ard/certification.
ACHIEVEMENT (Level of Attainment)

12. A-4
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5
o SYF Arts Presentation
Certificate of
Distinction
/Accomplishment
o SYF Art Exhibition
Certificate of
Recognition (Special
Mention) /Recognition
o Presented original
research paper /
project accepted at
the platform
o SYF Arts Presentation
Certificate of
Distinction
/Accomplishment
o SYF Art Exhibition
Certificate of
Recognition (Special
Mention) / Recognition
o Presented original
research paper /
project accepted at
the platform
o Top 4 (or equivalent)
team placing
o Top 8 (or equivalent)
individual placing
o Gold/Silver/
Bronze award /
certification (or
equivalent)
o Presented original
research paper /
project accepted at
the platform
Uniformed
Groups
Achievement
Badges
 Bronze Badge (or
equivalent)
 Silver Badge (or
equivalent)
 Gold Badge (or
equivalent)
 Best Unit Cadet /
Outstanding Cadet Award
by UG HQ (or equivalent)
 Top Award for each UG
(e.g. Camp Pinnacle
Badge, President’s Guide
Award, Chief
Commissioner’s Award)
ACHIEVEMENT (Level of Attainment)

13. B-1
Annex B
LEVELS OF ATTAINMENT – EXAMPLES
Example A: Student has attained a minimum Level 3 in all four domains and at least Level 4 in one
domain (Participation). Hence, the student’s co-curricular attainment is recognised as Excellent.
Domain Description of Attainment Level
Participation Participated in the same CCA for 4 years with at least 75%
attendance for each year
4
Achievement Represented school at local competition / conference / festival /
exhibition for 2 years
3
Leadership Committee for school-wide events 3
Service Completed at least 24 hours of service and at least one VIA project
that impacts the school or community
3
Example B: The student has attained a minimum of Level 1 in all domains with at least Level 2 in
three domains. Hence, the student’s co-curricular attainment is recognised as Good.
Domain Description of Attainment Level
Participation Participated in any CCA for 3 years with at least 75% attendance
for each year
2
Achievement Represented class / house / CCA at intra-school event 1
Leadership Class Committee 2
Service Completed at least one VIA project that impacts the school or
community
2
Example C: The student has attained a minimum of Level 1 in all domains, with at least Level 2 in
one domain (Achievement) and Level 3 for another domain (Participation). Hence, the student’s co-
curricular attainment is recognised as Good.
Domain Description of Attainment Level
Participation Participated in any CCA for 4 years with at least 75% attendance
for each year
3
Achievement Represented school at local competition / conference / festival /
exhibition for 1 year
2
Leadership Lance Corporal (NCC) 1
Service Completed at least 24 to less than 30 hours of service 1
Example D: The student has not met the criteria for a Good co-curricular attainment. Hence, the
student’s co-curricular attainment is recognised as Fair.
Domain Description of Attainment Level
Participation Participated in any CCA for 4 years with at least 75% attendance
for each year
3
Achievement Did not represent class / house / CCA / school in any event 0
Leadership Completed 2 modules on leadership 1
Service Completed at least 24 to less than 30 hours of service 1