This document summarizes a talk given at Damai Secondary School about promotion criteria, the Secondary 2 streaming process, and expectations for students and parents. It outlines the criteria for promotion to Secondary 3 from Express, Normal Academic, and Normal Technical streams. It then explains the Secondary 2 streaming exercise timeline and process, including subject options, mock and actual streaming, and criteria considered. Finally, it highlights school and parent responsibilities to support students' academic progress and preparation for post-secondary options.

1. Welcome to Damai Secondary School Talk on Secondary 2 Promotion and Streaming Exercise 2010

2. Objectives of Talk To communicate school promotion criteria. To explain Secondary 2 streaming process and criteria. To harness support from parents to work hand-in-hand with school. To highlight to pupils the urgency of starting preparation early.

3. Outline of Briefing Introduction Criteria for Promotion (Sec 1 & 2) Sec 2 Streaming exercise. School Programmes Question and Answer

4. “ The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” Lao Tzu

5. Begin with the end in mind Secondary 2 JC, Poly, ITE. ? “ Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals.”

6. Criteria for Promotion to Secondary 3

7. Express Stream Secondary 2E to 3E: Pass in EL and an overall pass percentage in the average of all subjects. If not, laterally transferred to Sec 3NA in 2011. No retention in Express course.

8. Normal Academic Stream Secondary 2NA to 3NA : Grade 5 or better in EL and 2 other subjects OR 4 subjects If not, retain at Sec 2NA in 2011 If obtain 70% or higher in the average in all subjects May laterally transfer to Sec 3E in 2011 (Pending recommendations)

9. Normal Technical Stream Secondary 2: Grade 5 or better in 2 subjects, one of which should be EL or Mathematics -- If not, retain at Sec 2NT in 2011 If obtain 75% or higher in the average of all subjects. -- Option to laterally transfer to sec 2NA in 2011 ( Pending teacher / school recommendations )

10. Secondary 2 Streaming Exercise

11. Importance of Secondary 2 Streaming Exercise Choice of subjects for secondary 3 has bearings on potential higher institutional learning of child. Hence, it would be beneficial for parents to be aware of processes and criteria, right from beginning of 2010.

12. Briefing to parents – Term 1 Briefing to pupils (instructions and subject options) -- Term 2 Tentative subject Combination given to pupils – Term 2 Mock streaming (Practice) – After mid year HODs briefing on subjects – Term 3 Briefing to pupils on Actual Streaming – Term 4, before End of Year Exams Actual Streaming submission – Term 4, after Exams Schedule for Secondary 2 Streaming Exercise

13. Events to be carried out in Term 1 26 February 2010 , Friday Secondary 2 Talk on Promotion Criteria and Streaming Exercise. - To create awareness

14. Events to be carried out in Term 2 a. Mock Streaming Using Mid Year Exam Results b. 2 July 2010 – Results of mock streaming released -- to allow for benchmark against cohort / Trial

15. Events to be carried out in Terms 3 & 4 After End of Year Exams, pupils officially submit Options for Sec 3 Subjects Online 5 & 8 November 2010 – Release of Sec 2 Streaming Results -- Actual Streaming Exercise

16. Process of Secondary 2 Streaming - Subjects All pupils MUST offer the following core subjects: 2E/NA - English ; MT ; E. Maths ; Sci (Phy & Chem) ; PE 2NT - English ; MT ; Maths ; Computer Applications ; Elements of Business Studies ; PE

17. Process of Secondary 2 Streaming - Subjects All pupils are to choose : 1) 2E/NA – any 2 of the following subjects Biology (Exp); Art ; Design & Technology ; Additional Maths ; Food & Nutrition ; Principles of Account ; Pure Geography (Exp) AND Combined Humanities - Either Social Studies with Geography (Elective) OR History (Elective)

18. Process of Secondary 2 Streaming - Subjects All pupils are to choose : 2) 2NT – Either Science OR Design & Technology Take note : Only ONE Sec 3 Express class will offer triple sciences (Pure Biology, Chemistry and Physics)

19. Process of Secondary 2 Mock Streaming All pupils will be: Briefed on the expectations of each Secondary 3 subject by various HODs in Term 3 . Taught how to input subject combinations online. Given opportunity to trial the online system after the mid year exams, during Mock Streaming Exercise. Parents will be able to use results of mid year mock streaming as benchmark. Mock Streaming DOES NOT guarantee child will be given the same class in 2011.

20. Process of Actual Secondary 2 Streaming Actual Streaming Exercise : Pupils will make decision after checking of end of year exam scripts Parents will need to verify decision of child. (Sign on printed forms) No changes to options allowed when signed forms are submitted. Onus is on parents to discuss and confirm choices with child.

21. Process of Secondary 2 Streaming Streaming Criteria is based on : a) Choice of pupil i) Pupil will probably get at least 1 subject of choice. *However, in event of over demand for a subject, selection will be based on merit as well.

22. Process of Secondary 2 Streaming Streaming Criteria is based on : b) Merit (Performance) According to subject chosen and depending on vacancies available, a cut-off will be implemented. *But cut-off is dependent on average marks of cohort. i) To offer Triple / Double Science – high B3 in Sci (at least) ii) To offer A.Maths – B3 in Maths (at least) iii) To offer D&T or F&N – high B3 in Home Econs / D&T

23. Process of Secondary 2 Streaming Streaming Criteria is based on : c) Overall results of pupil – i) It is important for parents to constantly monitor child’s academic progress* over 2010. ii) Not the improvement made from SA1 to SA2. 1 st CA (15%) 1 st SA (25%) = 40% 2 nd CA (15%) 2 nd SA (45%) = 60%

24. Changes in Promotion Criteria for Sec 4N to Sec 5N from 2009

25. Changes in Promotion Criteria for Sec 4N to Sec 5N New (from 2009): a) EL less than or equal to Grade 5 b) Aggregate score of English, Maths and Best 3 subjects less than or equal 19 c) Affects Sec 4N pupils from 2009

26. Choices for Further Studies after Secondary 4 or 5

27. Choices for Further Education (after Sec 4 /5) a) Junior College b) Polytechnic c) Institute of Technical Education “ It pays to be prepared and to be aware of admission requirements of Post Secondary institutions… right from Day 1”

28. Admission Requirements to JCs Aggregate of 20 points or below for L1R5: L1 English / Higher Mother Tongue R2 Mathematics / Science R3 Humanities/ Mathematics / Science R4 Humanities / Maths / Science R5 Any other O Level subject (Art, D&T, F&N, Music etc) R6 Any other O Level subject ** A1 in CCA – 2 bonus points (if meet L1R5)

29. Polytechnics

30. Requirements for Admission to Polytechnics (L1R2B2) L1 English Language/ Higher MT 1st Group of Relevant Subjects (R1) Maths or A Maths 2nd Group of Relevant Subjects (R2) Architectural Technology (at least C6 for relevant subjects) Science subjects, Art, D & T Business-Related Courses Humanities subjects, POA Science-Based Courses Science subjects, F & N Technology Courses Science subjects, D & T Best 2 Subjects (B2) Best 2 other subjects ** CCA can be considered as R3 or R4 subjects

31. CUT OFF POINTS (COP) COP indicates the ELR2B2 aggregate score of the last student posted to the course under the latest JAE. COP will depend on: 1) number of applicants 2) vacancies available

32. School Expectations

33. School Expectations Pupils are advised to : Build your ground work. Be present for remedials and extra classes organised by teachers. Have a study schedule planned. “ Be Prepared, Not Sorry!”

34. Responsibility of School To ensure that: Attendance and work progress of students are monitored Students attend remedial / supplementary lessons Parents / Guardians are kept informed of child/ward’s progress -- Updates of school events and matters on school website, as well as portal for parents : a) http://www.damaisec.moe.edu.sg/ b) e-learning portal -- http://d amaisec.asknlearn.com

35. Responsibility of Parents/Guardians To assist school in: ensuring that child attends school and the various school programmes ensuring that child revises his/her work ensuring that child does not stay out late contacting teachers when need arises work in support of the school

36. School Programmes & Events

37. March 2010 1) Language Week (EL & MT) 2) Cyberwellness Mural Painting (Selected Sec 2NA/NT pupils) 3) Sec 2 Level Camp (overseas) 4) Issue of Term 1 progress slips 5) Sports Day 6) Sec 2 EL/MT Oral Exams Check Pupil’s handbook for exact dates.

38. 1) Sec 1 Maths Olympiad Training (Selected pupils) 2) NSW Computer Skills (Sec 2 NT and selected pupils) 3) Speech Day 4) Sec 2 EL/MT Oral Exams 5) International Friendship Day Celebrations 6) NAPFA Test 7) CCA Stand Down 8) Mid Year Exams (EL & MT Paper 1) April 2010

39. May 2010 1) Mid Year Exams 2) Learning Week 3) Sec 2 Mock Streaming 4) Form Class Day 5) Meet the Parents Day (Release of Mid Year Result slips)

40. June 2010 1) Science Enrichment Prog (selected pupils) 2) Talentime

41. July 2010 1) E-learning for all Sec 1 and 2 classes (pupils learn via e-portal from home) 2) Humanities Week 3) Experience ITE Programme (Sec 2 & 3 NT)

42. August 2010 1) National Day Celebrations 2) Racial Harmony Day Celebrations 3) EL/MT Oral Exams

43. September 2010 1) Sec 2 Geography & History EOY Exams 2) Release of Term 3 Progress Slips

44. October 2010 1) End of Year Exams 2) Sec 2 Streaming options submission 3) MT Reading Fiesta 4) Learning Week 5) Craft/Technology/Aesthetics Exhibition 6) Meet the Parents Session – EOY Results

45. Journey towards a Common Goal GCE 'O' & 'N' Levels

46. Thank You Any Areas for Further Clarification ?