Mr. Ong Kong Hong, Principal of TeckWhye Secondary School, discusses preparing for secondary school. He outlines the different secondary school pathways and programs in Singapore including the GCE O-Level, N-Level, and International Baccalaureate exams. He then describes TeckWhye Secondary School's mission, signature programs in English, design and technology, and science talent development. Finally, he highlights the school's academic achievements and outcomes in the 2010 GCE O-Level exam.

1. Preparing for Secondary School Mr Ong Kong Hong, Principal, TeckWhye Secondary School

2. Self Introduction Education BA, MA – University of Cambridge, UK Master of Education – University of Melbourne, Australia Mr. Zach Ong Principal TeckWhye Secondary School Previous work experience Teacher, Victoria Junior College Assistant Director, MICA and MOE Vice Principal, Bedok Green Secondary School

4. Autonomous

5. Niche Programme

6. Independent / Integrated ProgSpecialised Independent Schools e.g. Sports School, SOTA, SST, NUS High Privately-Funded Schools e.g. ACS (International) http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/dsa-sec/ Direct School Admission Direct School Admission S1 Posting PSLE at P6

7. Secondary Education Landscape e.g. Bukit PanjangGov’t High (Science, ML) e.g. Methodist Girls’ School e.g. West Spring Sec (Shooting/Air Pistol) e.g. Catholic High School

8. Secondary Education Landscape Integrated Programme (IP) Provides a seamless education for students who are clearly bound for university Leads to A-Level Exam / IB Diploma IP Schools RI, RGS, HCI, NYGH, ACS(I), RVHS, Dunman High NJC, TJC, VJC NUS High School of Maths & Science School of the Arts (SOTA) http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/secondary/other/integrated-programme/

9. Secondary Education Landscape Specialised Independent Schools For students with a special talent, e.g. sports, maths & science, arts Singapore Sports School (www.sportsschool.edu.sg) NUS High School of Maths & Science (www.highsch.nus.edu.sg) School for the Arts (SOTA) (www.sota.edu.sg) School of Science & Technology (SST) (www.sst.edu.sg)

10. Secondary Education Landscape Other Programmes Bicultural Studies Programme (Chinese) (BSP/C) & Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Scholarship SAP: Top 10% cohort with CL or top 11-30% cohort who meet the following criteria: CL-A* or HCL-≥ Merit Elective Programme in Malay Language for Secondary Schools (EMAs) Malay (Special Programme) [M(SP)]/ Chinese (Special Programme) [C(SP)] Art/Music Elective Programme (AEP/MEP) http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/secondary/other/

11. The Secondary School Curriculum N(A) course Express course N(T) course

12. Sec 1 Express & Normal (Academic) Examinable subjects Subjects with * may be offered on a modular basis, e.g. History in Semester 1 and Geography in Semester 2, in order to ease the transition from P6 to S1 Non-examinable subjects Pastoral Care / Civics and Moral Education, Physical Education, Project Work, Music

13. Normal (Technical) Examinable subjects Non-examinable subjects Pastoral Care / Civics and Moral Education, Physical Education, Project Work, Social Studies, Music

14. Flexibility and Choice Opportunities since 2006 Recognising student talents and strengths N(A) students strong in certain subjects may offer up to 2 O-level subjects at Sec 4 (e.g. MTL, Maths) N(T) students may offer 1 – 2 N(A) subjects in which they show a strength or talent Recognising differences in learning styles Introduction of Elective Modules and Advanced Elective Modules Revised N(T) curriculum with focus on practice-oriented learning New pathways Top 4N(A) students may progress to Secondary 5 N(A) directly without taking the ‘N’ Level examinations Top N(T) students may be laterally transfered to N(A) course

15. Flexibility and Choice Students are given opportunities for lateral transfer across courses based on good results

16. Post-secondary Education Landscape University  Degree Institute of Technical Education (1 - 2 yrs)  Nitec/Higher Nitec Junior College (2 yrs) or Centralised Institute (3 yrs)  GCE A-Levels Polytechnic (3 yrs)  Diploma (DSA) (DSA) GCE O-Level Examination Sec 5N GCE N-Level Examination Normal (Academic) / Normal (Technical) Course (Sec 1 – 4) Special/Express Course (Sec 1 – 4)

17. Flexibility and Choice New pathways to polytechnic

18. Sec 1 Posting Process Pupils are posted to secondary schools based on merit first according to their PSLE aggregate scores rounded to the nearest whole number A pupil with better rounded aggregate score will be considered for admission first, subject to the availability of vacancies in the selected school If there is no more vacancy, then the pupil will be considered for his/her next choice school(s) http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/secondary-one-posting/school-posting-phase/

19. Choosing a Secondary School Academic considerations Previous year’s Sec 1 posting aggregate ranges of the schools Academic performance of your child School considerations Programmes offered including subjects, CCAs Fits child’s talents , e.g. niche and strengths of school Fits child’s learning style Accessibility: distance, bus/MRT services Single-sex vs co-ed schools Choose 6 schools of slightly different entry points http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/secondary-one-posting/

20. Quite a few studies done overseas show that children may actually perform better in a less popular, or what researchers term a “less selective” school… The research suggests that parents should instead focus on getting their child into a school that will boost his confidence in his academic ability, … Children are likely to accomplish more, be more persistent and have higher aspirations if they feel competent in what they do, are confident and feel positively about themselves.

21. The TWSS Experience

22. TWSS: Our History Established in 1966; moved to TeckWhye Crescent in 2001 A tradition of excellence in sports and performing arts

23. TWSS Today Mission: Empowering Lives, Transforming our Future ST1: STAFF THE KEY ST2: LEARNING OUR FOCUS ST3: STUDENTS OUR FUTURE ST4: PARTNERS OUR SUPPORT ST1: Developing a dynamic and professional staff ST2: Providing a connected and forward-looking curriculum ST3: Nurturing morally upright and socially responsible students ST4: Nurturing synergistic partnerships Vision: A Community of Future-ready Learners who Lead, Serve and Achieve Core Values

24. Learning & Teaching: Fostering lifelong habits TODAY (Feb 10) featuring our morning reading programme English & Mother Tongue Weeks

25. Learning & Teaching: Signature Programmes English Language MultiliteraciesProgramme Integrates technology (video cameras, iMacs) and story-telling (writing narratives, constructing story-boards) to enhance the learning of English language Develops students’ capacity to produce, read, and interpret spoken language, print, online and multimedia texts

26. Students’ articles published in Asian Geographic They must miss their families and loved ones. There was an emptiness in their eyes as if their bodies are here but their souls are far away in a distant country, in a small village where they call home. … Their sun-beaten faces, weathered and lined seem to suggest they are trapped in perpetual tiredness. They sit slouching against the fence, as if the burden on their shoulders was pushing them down. … After our interaction with them, we realised that they have a tough life in Singapore, toiling daily so that their families can have a chance of a better future. As we watched them playing a game of cricket, their faces seemed to glow in the setting sun. Then it struck us that they are no different from us, they have dream and hopes and aspirations just like us. Except, we are more fortunate because we are born in Singapore.

27. Students’ articles published in Asian Geographic I did not know the meaning of biodiversity initially. I thought it was a very difficult word. But, while doing my research for this topic, I have learned that biodiversity is about the interconnectedness of all forms of life around us. It means a wide variety of animals, unique plants and micro-organisms building a community. The ecosystem is a creation of nature …

28. Learning & Teaching: Signature Programmes Design & Technology Programme Comprehensive CREATE Framework along 6 key domains of Creative spark, Risk Management, Environmentally-active, Aesthetically-inclined, Tinker of things, Engineering Logic Working with professional designers Mac Lab for Computer-Aided Design lessons

29. Learning through Design Our students’ winning designs at the Many Ways of Seeing III programme organised by the Design Singapore Council held at Republic Polytechnic Art & Design Mentoring Programme + Art & Design Alumni sharing Our D&T staff conducting Design Thinking workshops for primary school children

30. Learning & Teaching: Talent Development Science Talent Development Programmes Eco-farming prototype for Sec 2 students Biotechnology of the Aquarium & Fish Breeding : top Sec 1 & 2 Science students Promoting Skyrise Greenery @ TWSS: Top Sec 3 Science students Eco-Pond for Learning @ TWSS : Sec 3 students

31. Learning & Teaching: engaging students with technology Learning music with the i-Pad The New Paper (Jul 25) featuring our i-Pad Music programme

32. Learning & Teaching: Elective Modules Animated TV Commercial Digital Music Production Café Patisserie Sports & Fitness Management Project makeover

33. Learning & Teaching: Achievements & Outcomes 2010 GCE O-Level Examination 4 Express top students Kang Wei Hoon (4A): 7 Distinctions Tan JiaHuan (4A): 7 Distinctions Lee Li Yee Wendy (4A): 6 Distinctions Goh Jin Yang (4A ): 6 Distinctions 5 N(A) students Thien Yu Meng (5A): 4 Distinctions Hidayatullah Bin Semaon (5A): 4 Distinctions

34. Learning & Teaching: Achievements & Outcomes 2010 GCE O-Level Examination: % 4Exp Passes Achievement Award (Academic Value-added) for Special/Express % distinctions: 5 subjects better/equal National Average

35. Learning & Teaching: Achievements & Outcomes 2010 GCE O-Level Examination: % 5N(A) Passes Achievement Award (Academic Value-added) for Normal % distinctions: 6 subjects better/equal National Average

37. MohamadSyamirul B Arshad: Top NT student with 5 ‘A’s and 1 N(A) Grade 1

39. Learning & Teaching: Achievements & Outcomes 2010 GCE N-Level Examination: % N(T) Passes % distinctions: 6 subjects better/equal National Average

40. Co-Curricular Activities CCAs are an integral part of our students’ holistic, well-rounded education. They help nurture qualities such as resilience, tenacity, confidence and perseverance, which prepare them to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world Every secondary school student must participate in at least one CCA from the following options: Sports and Games Uniformed Groups Performing Arts Groups Clubs and Societies CCA grade (based on LEAPS scoring system) may be considered for JC/CI/poly admission http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2003/pr20030111a.htm

41. Co-Curricular Activities @ TWSS Uniformed Group Organisations Boys Brigade, Girl Guides, NCC, NPCC, St John’s Ambulance Brigade Sports & Games Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Floorball, Hockey, Taekwondo

42. Co-Curricular Activities @ TWSS Performing Arts Groups Chinese Dance, Concert Band, Drama Club, Guitar Ensemble, Modern Dance Clubs & Societies Art Club, Infocomm Club, Environment Club, Library, Robotics Club

43. Sustained Achievement Award (Sports) 2nd award for outstanding achievements in Hockey and Floorball from 2007 - 2011 The New Paper Schools Sports Star Award 2011 – SyasyaRifqah Co-Curricular Activities: Our strengths

44. Developing future leaders Greater student involvement & ownership Flexibility & choice in community service Enhanced student leadership development Building confidence through school experiences (e.g. Sec 3 camp, NT programme)

45. Developing future leaders Zaobao & Straits Times (Aug 3) Southwest Mural of Love project Youths For Religious Harmony @ Southwest LianheWanbao & BeritaHarian (Feb 2, 21) Chinese New Year “Love with a Hamper” CIP activity Green Schools@ Southwest

46. Inspiring Teacher of English 2011 – Mrs Shirley Teo (HOD English) TWSS Caring Teachers Award Winners 2011 Caring & Dynamic Staff

47. Engaging students and parents with new media

48. Excellence our Goal Inspiring students to excel TWSS Sports Scholarship (new!) TWSS Excellence and Resilience Awards

49. Empowering lives to transform our future For more details, visit www.teckwhyesec.sg