Welcome to Shuqun Primary School

Briefing for P6 Parents on PSLE and DSA

31 January 2020 AGENDA  Principal’s Segment  Important Information about PSLE  School’s plans and strategies for your child  Post-Primary Education Pathways  Direct School Admission  How Parents can support your child  Curriculum Sharing by various Subject HODs Principal’s Segment Mrs Sara de Souza Purpose of PSLE ▪ Placement exam ▪ Reflects the relative achievement level of students for that year ▪ Places students into the respective courses according to their academic ability: Express, Normal Academic or Normal Technical courses ▪ Enables posting to a secondary school by merit as far as possible into a school of student’s choice PSLE Aggregate Score

▪ Reflected in the PSLE certificate ▪ Overall performance in PSLE ( EL, MT ,Math, Science or the Foundation version of the above subjects) ▪ Does not include HMT ▪ Allows students to be fairly ranked Use of T-score

▪ Raw mark – how good the student is in that subject ▪ T-score – how good the student is in that subject compared to other students T-Score Calculation  FORMULA T=50 +10 (X-Y) ------Z  X is student’s mark for subject  Y is average mark (mean) scored by all students  Z is spread of marks around the average mark (standard deviation) Example  Average mark (Y) scored by all students is 68.0 Spread of marks around the average mark (Z) is 14.0

Subject Student A Student B

Mark in exam 80% 50%

T-Score 50+10(80-68.0) 50+10(50-68.0) ------14.0 14.0 = 58.57 = 37.14 Aggregate T-Score  Addition of the T-scores for the 4 subjects ( equal weighting for each subject) = Aggregate T-score

 There is no double weighting for the languages T-Scores & Grades Is it possible for a student with 3A* and 1A to be ranked lower than another student who has only 1A* and 3As?

Yes, it is possible Subj Mary’s Jane’s Mark T- Mark T- (Grade) Score (Grade) Score EL 182 60 190 68 A A* MT 185 70 180 68 A* A MA 91 60 80 58 A* A SC 92 56 86 55 A* A

Agg. T-Score: 246 249 Points to take note of  PSLE is a placement examination  All students sitting for PSLE ( standard, merged and foundation) will be ranked according to T-scores  T-score computation is based on content and rigour for the subject (i.e. a student scoring 60 marks for 4 standard subjects will have a higher score than one who scores 70 marks for all 4 foundation subjects) 2020 PSLE EXAMINATION CALENDAR (Tentative)

Registration Mon 9 March – Mon 23 March

Oral Examination Thu 13 August & Fri 14 August

Listening Fri 18 September Comprehension Written Thu 1 October – Wed 07 October Examination Our Plans & Strategies Our Plan & Strategies  Extended curriculum time - supplementary classes on every Wed & Thu  Supplementary classes during holidays  June holidays: 1 – 5 June (First week of holidays)  September holidays: 10 & 11 September  Practice Papers from various schools and past year papers  Pull out parallel lessons for students who need focussed coaching  Focussed teaching on how to tackle process skills questions Our Plan & Strategies

 Subject specific enrichment lessons  Participation in National/external competitions (eg Maths & Sc Olympiad)  Target setting with the students  Recognition of good progress made  Parent-Teacher conferences to address concerns for under-performing students or students with difficulties  Monitoring and expecting every student to participate actively in lessons Educational Pathways after Primary School Primary Secondary Post-Secondary 6 years 4-5 years 3-6 years

Integrated Programme 6 years Alternative Qualifications Universities 3-5 years

Shuqun PSLE Primary Secondary Schools School Express Junior Colleges/ 4 years Centralised Institute Work ‘A’ Level ‘O’ Level 2-3 years

Sec 5N(A) 1 year Polytechnic Normal(Acad) 3-4 years 4 years Diploma ‘N(A)’ Level

Normal(Tech) ITE 4 years ‘N(T)’ Level 1-2 years Progression to Secondary School

• (IP) Course: 6-year programme leading to the GCE A-Level Examination • Express Course: 4-year programme leading to the GCE O-Level Examination Schools Offering Integrated Programme The IP leads to the ‘A’ Level examinations or other Diplomas. The 6-year IP is offered at the following schools:

School Prog Length of Prog JC Partner Offered 4 years + 2 years at JC Eunoia JC Catholic High ‘A’ Levels Partner 4 years + 2 years at JC CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ ‘A’ Levels Eunoia JC Partner 4 years + 2 years at JC ‘A’ Levels Eunoia JC Chinese Girls’ Partner

‘A’ Levels Dunman High 6 years -

Nanyang Girls’ High ‘A’ Levels 6 years - Hwa Chong Instituition ‘A’ Levels 4 years + 2 years at Hwa Chong Instituition (Sec) JC Partner National Junior College - ‘A’ Levels 6 years

River Valley High ‘A’ Levels 6 years - School Prog Length of Prog JC Partner Offered 4 years + 2 years at JC Raffles Raffles Girls’ School ‘A’ Levels Partner Instituition(JC) 4 years + 2 years at JC Raffles Instituition Raffles Instituition (Sec) ‘A’ Levels Partner (JC) ‘A’ Levels Temasek JC 6 years -

‘A’ Levels 4 years + 2 years at JC Victoria Junior College Victoria JC Partner Cedar Girls’ Sec ‘A’ Levels 4 years + 2 years at JC Victoria JC Partner

International ACS(Independent) 6 years - Baccalaureate International Methodist Girls’ 4 years +2 years at JC ACS(Independent) Baccalaureate Partner International St Joseph’s Instituition 6 years - Baccalaureate NUS High NUS High School 6 years - School Diploma School of the Arts ‘International 6 years Baccalaureate Entrance Scholarships for Independent Schools (EESIS)

▪ Top 1/3 of total number of Sec 1 students posted to all Independent Schools will be awarded Edusave Entrance Scholarship ( – refer to FAQs) ▪ Selected students will receive notification Progression to Secondary School

• Normal (Academic) Course: 4-year programme leading to the GCE N-Level Examination; A 5th year leading to the GCE O-Level examination made available to N(A) students who perform well in their GCE N-Levels • Normal (Technical) Course: 4-year programme leading to the GCE N-Level Examination; programme prepares students for a technical-vocational education at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) • Please understand that the outcome of the PSLE is final i.e. should your child qualify for Normal(Technical) or Normal(Academic) and you were hoping for Express, there is no possibility of re-sitting the PSLE. Sec School Posting Trend

SCHOOL (Top 20) No. of Shuqunites posted FUHUA SECONDARY SCHOOL 30 HUA YI SECONDARY SCHOOL 28 YUHUA SECONDARY SCHOOL 24 YUAN CHING SECONDARY SCHOOL 23 JURONGVILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL 21 JURONG SECONDARY SCHOOL 17 NAN HUA HIGH SCHOOL 16 JURONG WEST SECONDARY SCHOOL 14 JUYING SECONDARY SCHOOL 12 WESTWOOD SECONDARY SCHOOL 11 Sec School Posting Trend

SCHOOL (Top 20) No. of Shuqunites posted RIVER VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL 8 COMMONWEALTH SECONDARY SCHOOL 7 RAFFLES INSTITUTION 7 BOON LAY SECONDARY SCHOOL 6 BUKIT PANJANG GOVT. HIGH SCHOOL 5 CREST SECONDARY SCHOOL 4 HWA CHONG INSTITUTION 4 SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, SINGAPORE 4 BUKIT VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL 3 DUNEARN SECONDARY SCHOOL 3 Sec 1 Posting Exercise  Based on Merit  All students taking PSLE will be ranked according to their Aggregate T-score  Each student in the rank order will be placed in a secondary school according to choice and availability of places Points to take note of Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise  Certain Secondary schools may have other criteria for admission to their schools. These criteria are based on the respective schools’ niche area, now known as ALP (Applied Learning Programme) or LLP (Lifelong Learning Programme) Higher Mother Tongue (HMT)  Higher Mother Tongue score is not included for calculation of T-score  Higher Chinese Bonus Points are only applicable if a student is considering applying to a (SAP) school Distinction for HMT – add 3 points to T-score Merit for HMT - add 2 points to T-score Pass for HMT - add 1 point to T-score List of SAP Sec Schools 1. Anglican High School 2. Chung Cheng High School (Main) 3. Nan Hua High School 4. Nanyang Girls’ High School 5. Catholic High School 6. CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School 7. Maris Stella High School 8. Dunman High School 9. Hwa Chong Institution 10. River Valley High School 11. Nan Chiau High School Things to Consider when Selecting a Secondary School

 Distance from home  Offering of Mother Tongue languages  Official Address registered is crucial (In case of Manual Posting)  Students with outstanding results will be invited to apply for Edusave Entrance Scholarships for Independent Schools and SAP Schools Information Booklet  Students will receive Secondary School Posting Information book in Term 4  Familiarise yourself with the schools and procedure  Shortlist schools of choice for easier selection when results are out Exercising Option for Secondary School posting  Ensure that you are available around PSLE results release period  If necessary officially assign someone to make the options

Direct School Admission for Secondary Schools (DSA-Sec) Entering a secondary school

PSLE/S1 Posting Process DSA-Sec • Based on a student’s PSLE score • Based on a diverse range of talents and • Most students enter secondary achievements in specific academic schools this way subjects or non-academic areas, beyond what the PSLE recognises • Allows students to access school programmes to develop their talents

35 What is DSA-Sec?

• Direct School Admission for secondary schools (DSA-Sec) allows students to apply to some schools before taking the PSLE. • Students apply based on their talent in sports, CCAs and specific academic areas. • If your child is admitted to a secondary school through DSA-Sec, they are not allowed to: • Submit school choices during the Secondary 1 (S1) posting process. • Transfer to another school. They must commit to their chosen school for the duration of the programme.

36 Is the DSA-Sec right for my child?

If your child has specific talents which a school offers the DSA- Sec in Talent And is passionate about and committed to developing his/her Commit- Passion strengths and interests ment DSA-Sec can support his/her development in that talent area.

37 Primary 6 students can apply for DSA-Sec based on a wide-range of talents, including:

• Sports and games • Visual, literary and performing arts • Debate and public speaking • Science, mathematics and engineering • Languages and humanities • Uniformed groups • Leadership (for example councilors & ambassadors)

38 DSA-SEC APPLICATION Which school should my child apply to? • Look for a school with programmes that match your child’s strengths and interests • Schools are looking out for students whose interests and talents they can develop further. • Learn more about the secondary school’s pace of learning and overall range of programmes

• Get the latest information about what each school offers by: • Visiting schools’ websites • Attending schools’ Open Houses to also experience their environments and cultures • Visiting the MOE’s DSA-Sec website

39 NEW – DSA-SEC APPLICATION PORTAL DSA-Sec Application Portal

• To encourage students to tap on the expanded DSA opportunities, the DSA-Sec application process will be simplified

• From the 2019 DSA-Sec, students will be able to apply for DSA through a centralised DSA- Sec Application Portal, using a common application form.

• The portal will simplify and streamline the DSA application process, making it convenient for all students.

40 What is the timeline for 2020 DSA-Sec?

Apply for DSA-Sec Rank your offers, if you through DSA-Sec receive offers from Application Portal. multiple schools

June to August Late-November

May Late-October (4 weeks)

Shortlisting and selection by You will know whether secondary schools. Each secondary you have been school has different selection allocated to a school criteria for its categories and through the DSA-Sec, programmes. Schools will inform you at the same time you of the selection outcome by Aug. receive your PSLE results.

41 NEW – DSA-SEC APPLICATION PORTAL Features of the DSA-Sec Portal 1. Centralised online applications • Applications will be centralised across all participating secondary schools • The form will be easy to fill – you only have to key in contact details and your school and talent choices Optional: The portal will also allow you to indicate any non-school-based achievements and activities related to the talent areas you applied for. • You do not need to submit testimonials or hardcopy documents to the secondary school during application. 42 NEW – DSA-SEC APPLICATION PORTAL Features of the DSA-Sec Portal 2. Application using Singpass • Parents can access the Portal via their SingPass login. Only one parent’s SingPass login is required. • Parents who are unable to access their SingPass can approach the primary school for assistance.

3. No application fees • No fees charged for DSA-Sec application and selection. • We encourage all students who are passionate about and committed to developing particular talents to apply, regardless of family backgrounds.

43 NEW – DSA-SEC APPLICATION PORTAL Features of the DSA-Sec Portal 4.Making choices in the DSA-Sec portal • Through the portal, you can easily identify schools that offer programmes for your child’s talent area. • You can indicate up to three choices. For each choice, you will need to choose a secondary school and a talent area from that school. • The order of the choices does not matter during application.

44 NEW – DSA-SEC APPLICATION PORTAL Features of the DSA-Sec Portal

4. Making choices in the DSA-Sec portal (cont’d) • Of the three choices, up to two choices may be used to apply to the same school, for two different talent areas of that school. This is to cater to your child’s multiple interests, and allow your child to choose different schools which can develop his/her strengths and interests. • You and your child are encouraged to consider your choices carefully, and manage the time and effort participating in multiple trials and interviews.

Note. Students can apply separately to School of the Arts and Singapore Sports School, on top of the DSA-Sec choices made through the DSA-Sec Portal. 45 NEW – DSA-SEC APPLICATION PORTAL Examples of Possible Choice Combinations

Talent(s) School(s) Your child can apply to Choir School A up to three different EXAMPLE 1 schools, with no Choir School B restrictions on the Choir School C talent areas. Talent(s) School(s) If your child chooses Choir School A two areas in one school, he/she can EXAMPLE 2 String Orchestra School A apply to two different Choir School B schools only,

Talent(s) School(s) Your child cannot use all three choices on one EXAMPLE 3 Choir School A school. He/she can (Not String Orchestra School A leave the third choice allowed) Mathematics School A blank or choose another school. 46 DSA-SEC SELECTION

What are schools looking for?

• Schools have updated their selection practices, which are based on a common set of student-centric principles, with more emphasis on looking for sound fundamentals and potential in particular talent areas.

• The DSA-Sec selection process remains objective and talent-specific.

47 DSA-SEC SELECTION What are schools looking for? • The selection process differs across schools, and across different DSA-Sec categories. • Generally, schools are looking for candidates with:

Strong Talent, passion, personal Good commitment qualities academic fit • Schools may look at • Schools may look at • Schools may look at achievements and CCA records and VIA primary school participation (e.g. in Junior participation. results to ensure Sports Academy). • Schools may also students can • Schools may also conduct conduct interviews. benefit from the tests, trials or selection school’s pace of camps to identify students learning. with strengths, or sound fundamentals and potential, in particular areas.

Students, be sincere, be genuine, and be yourself – if you are a good fit for the school, it will show. 48 SELECTION OUTCOME

What are the possible DSA-Sec outcomes?

• Confirmed Offer (CO) → Your child has a place reserved in the school, as long as his/her PSLE results qualify him/her for a course the school offers (i.e. Express, Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical)). • Wait List (WL) → Your child will be given a place in the school if other students with Confirmed Offers do not take up those offers, and if his/her PSLE results qualify him/her for a course the school offers. Allocation will be based on students’ rank on the school’s Wait List.

• Unsuccessful → Your child has not been given a place in the school. If your child still wishes to enter the schools he/she applied for, he/she can apply through the S1 Posting process using his/her PSLE results.

49 SELECTION OUTCOME

How are DSA-Sec places allocated?

Example: Confirmed Offer vs Wait List

Hani is given Confirmed Offer by Courage Secondary. Hani selected Courage Secondary as her 2nd choice.

Victor is offered a Wait List by Courage Secondary. Victor selected Courage Secondary as his 1st choice.

Who will be considered for a place in Courage Secondary first? Hani will be considered for a DSA-Sec place in Courage Secondary before Victor, as she has a Confirmed Offer.

50 SELECTION OUTCOME If my child have a DSA-Sec Confirmed Offer, does it mean that his/her PSLE results will not matter? • Your child’s PSLE results will still be used to determine the secondary school course he/she is eligible for (i.e. Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical)) • Even if he/she has a Confirmed Offer, he/she must qualify for a course offered by the school to be admitted to the DSA-Sec school.

Example: Leo has a Confirmed Offer from Courage Secondary, which offers the Express Course only. However, Leo’s PSLE results qualify him for the Normal (Academic) course. Hence, Leo will not be able to go to Courage Secondary through DSA-Sec. If he is not allocated a place in another DSA-Sec school whose CO/WL offer he had accepted at the School Preference stage, he will

participate in the S1 Posting. 51 MORE INFORMATION

Where can I find more information on the 2020 DSA-Sec?

• Check the MOE DSA-Sec website for important dates and timelines, and for information on how DSA-Sec will be conducted. • The MOE DSA-Sec website also contains information on DSA categories and secondary schools offering them.

52 2019 26 Successful DSA Applicants

Schools Talent Areas Bukit Batok Secondary School Leadership Bukit Panjang Govt High Netball Bukit View Secondary School Environmental Education CHIJ St Theresa’s Convent Netball Clementi Town Secondary School Netball Commonwealth Secondary School Basketball, Netball, Leadership Hua Yi Secondary School Choir, Badminton, Basketball, Leadership Jurongville Secondary School Football Jurong Secondary School Basketball, Community Leadership Nan Hua High School Netball, Boys’ Brigade, Girl Guides Outram Secondary School Rock Climbing River Valley High School Leadership School of Science and Technology Academic 53 The Road Ahead

How parents can work with their children… How parents can work with their children •Consistent

BEING •Engaged •Supportive

•Present How parents can work with their children Being consistent

• Provide as much stability as you can – including ensuring that your child has a proper breakfast

• Signalling the right expectations to your child in terms of homework to be completed

• Signalling the right attitude to approaching school-based assessments How parents can work with their children Being engaged

• Spend at least 5 – 10 minutes a day talking to your child about other matters • Monitoring handphone usage • Monitoring on-line behaviour • Responding appropriately when you receive feedback from the school – responding only after you receive the Prelim results may provide your child too short a runway to make up for lost time Supporting your child in the cyber world Promote & Role Model Safe Online Habits

Set House Rules on Internet Use

Have More Tech-free Time Teach Your Child to Protect his / her Personal Information Online How parents can work with their children Being supportive

• Role model good habits • Take an interest in the whole child from your child’s studies to his / her interests to his / her concerns – know your child so that you can set realistic targets • Avoid comparing your child to others • Supportive does not mean arranging for tuition sessions every day How parents can work with their children Being present  for formal occasions: • @ PTC • If and when your child receives an award from school • On PSLE Results Day • When he / she reports to secondary school

 as much as you can How parents can work with their children

Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. To help boost students’ development in these areas, they are strongly encouraged to continue to attend CCA sessions in Semester 2. Especially for students who intend to apply for DSA through their CCA talent. What students can look forward to after PSLE?

Stardust Coding School Talks BizKids Camp Q & A