WELCOME TO

LADIES & LEADERS OF TOMORROW

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 AGENDA

1. Form Teacher Interaction 2. Post-Secondary Education • Pathways & Institutions • The revised A-level Curriculum • The International Baccalaureate Programme • JC/Polytechnic Admission 3. O-level Preparations 4. Support for our students : Preparing them for life beyond

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 POST-SECONDARY PATHWAYS

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 What are the various Post-Secondary School tracks available? 4 MAIN TYPES OF TRACKS

1. Junior Colleges (JCs) 4. Private Schools & or Institutions (LaSalle/NAFA etc) Prepares students for the GCE Curriculum is determined by the ‘A’ level examination or school and alternative options are International Baccalaureate provided for students Diploma Programme 2. Polytechnics 3. Institute of Technical Trains students with relevant skills for the workplace in a knowledge- Education (ITE) based economy. Equips students with technical knowledge and skills relevant to the industry. Aggregate Computations

• JC: L1R5 • MI: L1R4 • Polytechnic: ELR2B2 • ITE: ELB4, ELR1B3 or ELR2B2 Legend: L1 = English or Higher Mother Tongue R = Relevant subjects EL = English Language B = Best subjects 5 Bonus Points for Computation of Net Aggregate Scores Type of Bonus Points No. of Maximum Bonus Points Bonus Points Allowable CCA Attainment • A1 or A2 • 2 points • B3 – C6 • 1 point Limited to a max of 4 bonus Limited to a Pass (A1 – C6) in both 2 points points for max of 6 bonus EL and HMTL these sections points for these Pass (A1 – C6) in MSP/CSP/Bahasa sections 2 points Indonesia Selected for CLEP/MLEP 2 points Junior Colleges (JCs) & Millennia Institute Junior Colleges (JCs) & Millennia Institute Prepares students for the GCE ‘A’ Level or International Baccalaureate examination Length of Cut-off Points: study: JCs – 2 years To enter a JC: L1R5 must be <= 20 MI – 3 years To enter MI: L1R4 must be <= 20 Junior Colleges (JCs) & Millennia Institute

The A-Level Programme The International Baccalaureate (IB)Diploma Programme Junior Colleges (JCs) & Millennia Institute

The A-Level Programme What does one study at the ‘A’ Levels? Select content subjects from three levels of study: H1 H2 H3 Half of H2 in terms Equivalent to ‘A’ Subjects with opportunity for of curriculum time Level subjects in-depth study (e.g. advanced prior to 2006. content, research paper, university module). Usual subject combination: three H2s + one H1 content subjects (one which must be contrasting) + General Paper* + Project Work* * Offered at H1 level Minimum Subject Combination for all students • General Paper, Project Work and Mother Tongue at H1 level • At least 4 content-based subjects (Three H2, One H1) • At least one of the content-based subjects (H1 or H2) must be a contrasting subject e.g. all Science/Math not allowed • Total no. of subjects: 7 (3 H2, 4 H1) Mathematics & Humanities & Arts Sciences Economics • Physics History (EL/CL) Geography • Chemistry Literature • Biology contrasting Music • Mathematics Art • Computing Theatre Studies & Drama English Lang & Linguistics CL/ML/TL Lang & Lit NB: not all subjects offered in all JCs China Studies (EL/CL) A Level subject combinations - Examples • Science student: – General Paper, Project Work, MT (H1) – Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics (H2) – Economics (H1) • Arts student: – General Paper, Project Work, MT (H1) – Literature, Geography, Mathematics (H2) – Art (H1) Capable students who want to do more • Take all 4 content subjects at H2 level • Take an additional H1 or H2 subject E.g. H2: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics H1: Economics, GP, PW, MT Total of 8 subjects (4 H2, 4 H1) E.g. H2: Literature, Economics, History H1: Mathematics, Geography, GP, PW, MT Total of 8 subjects (3 H2, 5 H1) • Take up to 2 H3 subjects Junior Colleges (JCs)

The International Baccalaureate (IB)Diploma Programme International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme • 6 subjects, one from each group : – English Language/Literature – Mother Tongue – Economics/Geography/History/Business – Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Environment – Mathematics/Computer Science – Music/Art/Another subject from above International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme • Core Requirements –Extended Essay (a 4000-word research paper) –Theory of Knowledge –Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) : experiential learning outside the classroom International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme • Assessment – Internal Assessment • Assignments assessed by teachers and checked by external examiners – External Assessment • Final IB Examinations • Assignments completed over a period of time under teacher supervision and marked by external examiners (eg Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge essay etc) International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme • Assessment : IB Point System – Each IB Subject graded on a 7-point scale from 1 (lowest) to 7 (highest) – Students can be awarded up to 3 additional points for combined attainment in TOK and EE – Highest total score : 45 point – Diploma will be awarded to students who gain at least 24 points Junior Colleges (JCs) & Millennia Institute

The A-Level Programme The International Baccalaureate (IB)Diploma Programme Entry into JC or MI 2 possible ways

O-Level results meet the Direct School Admission school’s cut-off point (DSA-JC) - JCs recognise To enter a JC: special talents and aptitudes L1R5 must be <= 20 through discretionary To enter MI: admission L1R4 must be <= 20 ENTRY INTO JUNIOR COLLEGE : 2016 numbers 23 COP Junior College / Institution COP (Arts) (Sc/IB) ANDERSON JUNIOR COLLEGE 9 8 ANGLO-CHINESE JUNIOR COLLEGE 7 7 ANGLO-CHINESE SCHOOL (IND) NA 5 10 10 4 4 INNOVA JUNIOR COLLEGE 20 20 JURONG JUNIOR COLLEGE 15 15 10 10 7 6 6 5

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 ENTRY INTO JUNIOR COLLEGE : 2016 numbers 24

Junior College / Institution COP (Arts) COP (Sc/IB) PIONEER JUNIOR COLLEGE 13 12 4 3 SERANGOON JUNIOR COLLEGE 11 11 ST. ANDREW'S JUNIOR COLLEGE 9 9 ST. JOSEPH'S INSTITUTION NA 6 JUNIOR COLLEGE 13 13 9 9 6 5 YISHUN JUNIOR COLLEGE 17 16

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 Polytechnics Polytechnics Courses focus on the development of Polytechnic industry-relevant competencies

Ngee Ann Polytechnic Curriculum is practice-oriented and allow the building of a strong theoretical foundation and enable direct application of knowledge and skills to real work

Republic Polytechnic Students graduate with a Diploma Entry into Poly

1. Through the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE)

ELR2B2 (‘O’ Level results) is used for admissions into the polytechnics. qEnglish Language q2 RELEVANT subjects for the course applied for q2 other best subjects

Students must also qualify for the minimum entry requirements for the course they want to pursue Direct School Admission (DSA) to JC/Poly • Middle of Sec 4 year • Results known before O Levels • But O Level results still need to meet minimum admission requirements • JC: talents & achievements • Poly: show talent and interest in specific course GCE O-LEVEL SUBJECTS & SYLLABI

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 GCE O-LEVEL SUBJECTS & SYLLABI 30

Languages Mathematics Humanities Sciences

•English •Additional • Combined •Chemistry Language* Mathematics Humanities* •Biology •Mother •Elementary • Social Studies • Elective •Physics Tongue Mathematics History/ Language Geography/ Literature • Core

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 ENGLISH LANGUAGE 31

Paper Details Weightage 1 Editing, Situational Writing, 35% Continuous Writing 2 Visual Text, Narrative Text, Expository Text, 35% Summary on Expository Text 3 Listening Comprehension 10% 4 Oral (Reading Aloud, Spoken Interaction) 20%

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 ENGLISH LANGUAGE 32 PAPER 1 : Continuous Writing • Almost all the essay questions require students to form their own opinions. • There is a need to read widely to be aware of social issues happening around us and to be able to provide insightful views. • Students are also required to expand their thematic vocabulary on various topics.

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 ENGLISH LANGUAGE 33 PAPER 2 (different from old format) • Visual Text – students must note the target audience, purpose and how language is used for impact • Narrative Text – students must be sensitive to the language used in the text and explain how it is used to achieve impact / explain the writer’s intent. E.g. 1. Explain why “…” is effective and unusual to describe … E.g. 2. Why does the writer use the word ‘…’ to describe how ABC appears to him? E.g. 3. What effect does the writer create when he uses … • Expository Text – students need to read the text closely for details, arguments and evidence

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 MOTHER TONGUE LANGUAGE 34 Oral format • Reading passage (10 marks) • Conversation – Converse with the oral examiner after viewing a 1 min video (40 marks ) Paper 2 • With the change in the syllabus, more skills-based questions will be asked.

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HIGHER MOTHER TONGUE LANGUAGE 35 ADDITIONAL COMPONENT • There will be oral examination for HMTL students in the GCE O-Level examination

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 GCE O-LEVEL SUBJECTS & SYLLABI 36

Languages Mathematics Humanities Sciences

•English •Additional • Combined •Chemistry Language* Mathematics Humanities* •Biology •Mother •Elementary • Social Studies • Elective •Physics Tongue Mathematics History/ Language Geography/ Literature • Core

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS 37 • Emphasis on mathematical processes : Øreasoning, Øconnections and communications, and Øapplications and modelling.

• Evident in the questions requiring explicit explanation/reasoning. In these questions, students are required to 'prove', 'determine with explanation', explain', 'justify' and 'deduce'.

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 ELEMENTARY MATHEMATICS 38

• Minimal content changes • Emphasis on process skills Øreasoning, Øconnections and communications, and Øapplications and modelling. • Questions require students to ØWrite concise mathematical explanation (communicate reasoning) ØUse mathematics critically to solve real-world problems (applications and modelling) ØDraw upon more than one idea and result to solve problems (making connections)

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 SCIENCES : CHEMISTRY.BIOLOGY.PHYSICS 39

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 SCIENCES : CHEMISTRY.BIOLOGY.PHYSICS 40

• Less recall questions but more questions that requires students to be able to handle and solve problems

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? 41 • Teachers will be using various questioning strategies in class, getting students to think about questions and to articulate their thinking either verbally or through writing • Please encourage your daughter to 'think' in class and not just sit there and wait to copy down the answers.

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? 42 • In their homework, students tend to not attempt the higher order thinking questions which expose them to handling data to solve questions • Please encourage your daughter to attempt and try these questions and not just leave them blank, because these questions are now becoming a norm in O level papers.

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 GCE O-LEVEL SUBJECTS & SYLLABI 43

Languages Mathematics Humanities Sciences

•English •Additional • Combined •Chemistry Language* Mathematics Humanities* •Biology •Mother •Elementary • Social Studies • Elective •Physics Tongue Mathematics History/ Language Geography/ Literature • Core

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 SOCIAL STUDIES 44 • Emphasis on source-based questions (35%) over structured essay questions (15%) • Implication: • Memorization is not the solution for a distinction • Students will need to learn to critique and analyse policies • All parts of the paper are compulsory

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HISTORY 45 • Greater emphasis on source-based questions (30%) over structured essay questions (20%) • Implication: • Memorization is not the solution for a distinction

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 GEOGRAPHY 46 • Changes in topics • Introduction of Fieldwork (Geographical Investigation) • Implication: • Fieldwork understanding requires practical / pragmatic thinking • Memorization will not lead to a distinction

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 ENGLISH LITERATURE 47 • Slight changes in the question types • Greater emphasis on personal response • Implications: • Students are to critically and independently read, analyse and appreciate texts; • Students are to develop and effectively communicate personal and critical responses to literary texts and the views of others.

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? FOR LITERATURE 48 • Encourage your child to read the texts thoroughly • Have a discussion with her on her views about the different characters in the texts and why she feels that way • Get her to discuss the main themes explored in the texts and share about the relevance of such issues to her life and the world around us

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? FOR SS & HISTORY 49 • Model and encourage the reading of newspapers (especially on Citizenship and Governance, Managing Diversity, Globalisation) • Ask her questions: • Why do you think this article was published? • How would the person’s identity or position affects his/her perspective? • What makes this source trustworthy? • How useful is this information to a Singaporean?

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? FOR SS & HISTORY 50 • Is this reliable? • Why? • Whose perspective is this? • Why is the source portrayed this way?

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? FOR SS & HISTORY 51

• Why was this source drawn by a Kuwaiti student? • About being specific in their answers. Not merely stating ‘to portray Saddam Hussein as the next Hitler’

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? FOR GEOGRAPHY 52 • Encourage her to explain herself “Why did you choose this restaurant?” û “I like.” ü“Food is tasty. It’s also close to home. So I can reach home earlier to complete my work.” “Why did you buy this dress?” û “I dunno.” ü “It’s cheap. It’s pretty. But probably because it fits my budget.”

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? FOR GEOGRAPHY 53 • Encourage her to read the newspapers • Many of the geography topics are related to things in the news • Ask her what she learnt in Geography that is related to the article (e.g. Causes, consequences, management strategies) • Ask her why this is happening in this part of the world (e.g tropical climatic zone, near tectonic plate boundaries, it is a less developed country etc)

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? FOR GEOGRAPHY 54 Weather & Climate

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? FOR GEOGRAPHY 55 Plate Tectonics

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? FOR GEOGRAPHY 56

Health & Disease

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 HOW CAN YOU HELP? 57 • The key behind the questions is not a matter of correct or incorrect answers. • Students should not expect model answers. • It is to stimulate thinking. Many of the new syllabus questions focus on practical, common sense knowledge and understanding

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 GCE O-LEVEL SUBJECTS & SYLLABI 58

Languages Mathematics Humanities Sciences

•English •Additional • Combined •Chemistry Language* Mathematics Humanities* •Biology •Mother •Elementary • Social Studies • Elective •Physics Tongue Mathematics History/ Language Geography/ Literature • Core

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 KEY DATES TO NOTE 59

• 29 April - 13 May – School Mid-year Exam • 16 May- 27 May – Mother Tongue Intensive • 30 May – O Level Mother Tongue Written Exam • 30 May - 3 Jun – Extra lessons • 1 – 18 Jul – O Level Mother Tongue Oral Exam • 19 Jul – O Level Mother Tongue Listening Comprehension Exam • 25 Jul – 2 Aug - O Level Higher Mother Tongue Oral Exam • 15 – 29 Aug – O Level English Oral Exam • 15 – 29 Aug – School Prelim Exams • 20 Oct – 18 Nov – O Level Written Exams

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 SUCCESS BEYOND MEASURE BEYOND THE O-LEVELS

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60 2016 & beyond becoming extraordinary DECEMBER

ACADEMIC SUPPORT ? BEYOND

JANUARY

2016 & beyond becoming extraordinary DECEMBER

ACADEMIC SOCIO-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SUPPORT ? BEYOND

JANUARY The Crescent Goodie Bag 2016 & beyond becoming extraordinary DECEMBER

ACADEMIC SOCIO-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT SUPPORT ? IMPARTING LIFE DEVELOPING CHARACTER BEYOND Resilience SKILLS Responsibility Self-Awareness Other-centredness Self-Management Social Awareness Relationship Management Responsible Decision Making JANUARY Let’s Build CHARACTER SUCCESS FAILURE Falling only makes us STRONGER CRESCENT GIRLS’ SCHOOL

WWW.CRESCENT.EDU.SG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CGS.CG60 WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/CG.60