21 October 2014 Newsletter to Parents – The October Edition Dear Parent/Guardians We are almost reaching the end of the academic year. There have been many programmes and activities carried out this year, and we hope they have helped your child/ward develop life skills, leadership skills and a caring heart for the community, thereby embracing the school vision “Leading Hearts, Leading Minds”. We appreciate the hard work that many students have put in to balance their academic and cocurricular commitments. It is the sum of these experiences that provides a holistic education for them. We are thus also very appreciative of the trust that many of you have given to the school, and I sincerely hope that the fruitful partnerships we have forged will continue to benefit your child/ward in his/her learning. Here is a recap of the recent events that have happened in school, and an overview of the upcoming year-end activities for your reference. RECENT EVENTS 1. Student Achievements A. Commonwealth Essay-Writing Competition The Commonwealth Essay-writing Competition, one of the longest-running English essaywriting competitions in the world, is open to youths in 44 Commonwealth countries annually. This year’s theme was “Team Commonwealth”, meant to commemorate the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Our school has done very well, with a total of 17 winners in the junior and senior sections! My heartiest congratulations to the following students who did a great job in making the school proud! Senior Section Gold: Ayush Chattoraj (401) Silver: Eunise Ng (302), Jiselle Lim (304), Sally Yeo (203) Bronze: Amanda Lee (303), Darreen Teo (202), Teng Wei Wen (401) Junior Section Gold: Athena Tan (103), Sherryl Ng Lei (202) Silver: Ang Cai Ting (103), Cassandra Yeo (201) Bronze: Arielle Tan (203) , Joshua Lee (105), Sharmaine Cheong (103), Sharon- Anne Tan (204), Yeong Su Wen (203), Lam Ting Kang (203), Page 1 B. International Competitions and Assessment for Schools (ICAS) In the ICAS competition organised by UNSW Global, our students have also done very well. Over one million student entries are accepted from more than 20 countries in the world each year. For the Writing paper, students are required to write an extended response to a given task, and the results provide great insights into their writing skills The English Comprehension paper assesses language skills in a range of contexts and the questions require students to locate, identify, interpret, infer and synthesise information in and about texts. Here is the list of students who have been awarded Credit, Distinction and Higher Distinction in the Writing and English Comprehension papers. WRITING PAPER Class Name 101 Loke Yen Ming 103 Fong Eu Jin 103 Ang Yu Ning, Flora 103 Loh Jia Ning Amanda 106 Mardiana Bte Mohamed Fariq 203 Tan Hui En, Arielle 105 Fiona Lim Yue Ting 203 Yeong Su Wen 205 Seow Hui Qin 103 Athena Tan Jiaxin 302 Poe Nadi Hline Award Credit Credit Credit Credit Credit Credit Distinction (top 10%) Distinction Distinction High Distinction (top 5%) High Distinction (top 5%) ENGLISH PAPER (Comprehension) Class Name 103 Soon Kai En Victoria 103 Keith Ang Wee Hian 105 Lee Lemuel John Censon 105 Fiona Lim Yue Ting 201 Ong Li Jin 201 Chester Koh Wei Mun 203 Tan Hui En, Arielle 205 Seow Hui Qin 103 Athena Tan Jiaxin 105 Pandora Tan 201 Lim Xin Ying 201 Kwek Hsiang Ching Lois 302 Poe Nadi Hline Award Credit (top 25%) Credit Credit Credit Credit Credit Credit Credit Distinction (top 10%) Distinction Distinction Distinction Distinction UPCOMING EVENTS 1. Release of GCE ‘N’-Level Results and Application for PFP and DPP The ‘N’-Level results will be released tentatively in mid-Dec 2014. Page 2 Applying for the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) The Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) is a one-year programme that offers a practiceoriented curriculum taught by polytechnic lecturers to better prepare polytechnic-bound N(A) students for entry into relevant Polytechnic Diploma courses. This is an alternative academic pathway to the Sec 5 year. Students interested in applying for the PFP should first progress to Sec 5 on 2 Jan 2015. Upon the release of the 2014 GCE ‘O’-level results in Jan 2015, eligible N(A) students will be invited to apply for the Polytechnic Diploma courses of their choice under the PFP, at the same time as the annual Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE). Application results will be released by end-Jan 2015. Students should only withdraw from Sec 5 after they have accepted a PFP offer. Applying for the Direct Entry Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP) The Direct Entry Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP) is a through-train pathway for N(A) students who do well in their GCE ‘N’-levels, and who will benefit from hands-on and experiential learning at the ITE by enrolling in a Higher Nitec programme immediately after Sec 4. Upon the release of the 2014 GCE ‘N’-level results in Dec 2014, eligible Sec 4N(A) students will be invited to apply for the DPP. Application results will be released by end-December 2014, and successful applicants will commence their Higher Nitec DPP programmes in Jan 2015. There will be a second round of DPP applications after the release of the GCE O-level results in Jan 2015. 2. Upcoming Year-end Trips Science Learning Journey to Curtin University To provide a more broad-based Science education, a group of 28 Sec 1 and 2 students will be embarking on a learning journey to Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia, from 27 Oct to 2 Nov 2014. Planned and led by three of our Science teachers (Mrs Kwek Yin Sy, Mr Lin Shunyi and Mrs Grace Ng), this programme aims to develop in our students global perspectives for them to be future leaders in diverse fields of scientific research. At the same time, this trip seeks to provide students with opportunities to gain insights into emerging industry technologies in fields such as renewable energy, computer programming and astronomy. Bicultural Immersion Programme A group of 21 students, led by 3 teachers, will be heading to Shanghai, Hangzhou and Suzhou, People’s Republic of China, from 1 to 9 Nov, for a Bicultural Immersion programme. This programme aims to develop in students a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture and values, as well as some of the country’s historical and geographical features. The interaction between our students and those from the local schools will also allow for cultural exchange and learning. Service Learning Trip to Chiangmai As part of the school’s programme to instil school values and cultivate life skills in students, 20 students and 5 teachers will participate in a service learning trip to Chiangmai, Thailand, from 13 to 22 Nov. They will take part in activities such as waste management, infrastructural improvements and agriculture, and engage with the village children through sports, games and the teaching of English. These will definitely broaden their world view and enable them to experience the true spirit of service learning. Page 3 CCA Trips The Rock-climbing Club would be embarking on a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 10 to 13 Nov 2014, while the Symphonic Band would be heading to Hong Kong for a musical exchange with international bands from 25 to 29 Nov 2014. 3. XMS Open House 2014 The school’s Open House 2014 will be held on 22 Nov (Sat) from 9:00am to 3:00pm. It will comprise talks, exhibitions and hands-on activities for visitors. Your child/ward may be involved in the planning and execution of some of the programme items due to his/her CCA or other duties. 4. Administrative Matters Last Day of School for 2014 For Sec 1s and 2s, the last day of school is 24 Oct (Friday). For Sec 3s, the compulsory Bridging Programme will take place from 27 Oct (Mon) – 7 Nov (Fri). Their last day of school is hence 7 Nov. During this period, CCAs will commence after 1:40 pm. Please note that selected CCAs, overseas trips and enrichment programmes may continue for some students even after the last day of school. Please check with your child on his or her year-end after-school programme schedule. First Day of School for 2015 School will reopen on 2 Jan 2015 (Fri) for the new academic year. If your child will be travelling to areas possibly infected by various influenza strains or other viruses, please be vigilant and ensure that your child observes proper personal hygiene at all times. Upon returning from such areas, should your child develop flu-like symptoms, please inform the school immediately, consult a doctor, and refrain from coming back to school until your child is fully recovered. Year-end Travel Declaration For parents of Sec 1 to 3 students, a travel declaration form was given to your child/ward last week and the deadline for submission is 21 Oct (Tue). If you have not submitted, please complete, sign and return it to your child/ward’s Form Teacher as soon as possible. You may also retrieve a copy of the form from our website. A NIL reply is required. 5. Healthy Eating in Xinmin As part of the school’s approach to encourage healthy eating and living among staff and students, the school’s canteen will promote healthier eating choices by incorporating more greens and including more whole-grains gradually in the meals. In addition, all preserved food such as luncheon meat will not be sold in the canteen. These measures will be implemented in 2015 on top of the school’s current polices on limited deep fried food choices, as well as the use of low-fat alternatives, among others. In advocating healthier food choices, the school is mindful of the need to contain the increase in food prices. While staple food prices have increased over the past few years, our canteen prices have stayed stagnant. To adjust for the inflation and the use of healthier alternatives, we have Page 4 allowed for price increases of between 10 and 20 cents for some items next year. We hope to have your understanding and support in the school’s initiative. You may wish to contact the school’s Vice-Principal (Admin), Mr Fong Kim Wah, to find out more about the school’s policies on healthy eating. 6. Upgrading and renovations works Due to the ongoing construction of the school’s Creative Arts Complex, there will be some disruption to the access routes into the school during the year-end school holidays. The car park in the school’s premises will be closed from 01 Nov to 31 Dec 2014. The only parking space available will be in the parade square. In addition, there will be heavy vehicles moving in and out of the school compound due to renovation works in the Hall, Band Room and the car park. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. As this is the last newsletter for the year, on behalf of all staff at Xinmin Secondary School, I would like to wish all parents and students a fruitful year-end holiday. We thank all parents for your continued support of the school and our programmes. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need further clarifications. We can be reached via email at [email protected] or you can call us at 6288 9382. Yours faithfully Mrs Ong Hong Peng Principal Page 5