Welcome toPaya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary)

Full Subject-Based Banding (FSBB) BriefingBriefing for Sec 1 N(A)/N(T) ParentsDate: 23 Dec 2019 (Mon)Venue: PL AVA room Time: 9.30 – 10.30 a.m.

“Put to rest the mistaken notion that there is a single, dominant path to success that starts from a very young age. The school system will become far more flexible than today, so that we can customise learning to the student, to give them time to blossom at different points in their lives, while anchoring the belief that we can grow and get better.”

- Minister for Education, Ong Ye Kung, Committee of Supply 2019

What is Full SBB?

• In Secondary schools from 2024 onwards:

Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal(Technical) labels will be removed.

Students of different backgrounds and academic abilities will be organised in the same form class.

Suitable Sec 2 students may take Humanities subjects at a more demanding level, on top of English, Mathematics, Mother Tongue Language and Science.

PL - 2020

PL - 2021

All schools - 2024

• Full SBB will shift our education system to a more student-centric structure, with one secondary school education for all students.

• We want to:

Customise learning to your child’s strengths and interests.

Help your child build confidence and an intrinsic motivation to learn for life.

Guide your child to chart their varied development pathways.

Why Full SBB?

“I think the SBB subjects are a good way to prepare me for the (polytechnic) foundation year.”

< Krisha Janelle Gopu, a Swiss Cottage Secondary Normal (Academic) student

“It made me realise that I had the potential if I worked hard and thought positively.”

Keane Chua, who graduated from Unity Secondary School >

Why expand Subject-Based Banding?

Source: The Straits Times, 13 Feb 2019

Confident Learners“It was overwhelming initially due to the intensity of the lessons, it was much faster than what I expected. However, taking the subject at an advanced level motivated me to challenge myself and improved my attitude towards learning,”

Mohamad Rifa’i B Mohamed, a Secondary Three student at Queenstown Secondary School.

Passion for Learning “We see renewed passion in our students and it does not just apply to the subject itself, but also in the development in the students’ confidence level, self-esteem and attitude towards learning. More importantly, they worked towards being a role model to their friends,”

Mdm Vijayarani, who has been teaching a SBB class for Tamil language for the past four years.

Why expand Subject-Based Banding?

Our school is one of the 28 schools that will be piloting Full SBB from 2020 onwards.

Roll-out of Full

SBB

Year 2020 Year 2024

What is PLMGS(Sec) involvement in Full SBB pilot and how is your child impacted?

Eligibility Criteria and Opting into FSBB

• Eligible N(A) and N(T) students should have received an application form, based on the following criteria:

• Please complete the form to indicate the subjects your child wishes to take (or not to take) at a higher level. Submit the completed form to the General Office by 27 Dec 2019 (Fri).

Course PSLE Standard Grade PSLE Foundation Grade Option to offer subject atN(A) A*, A - Express

N(T)A*, A - Express/ N(A)B, C 1 N(A)

For students who are eligible:Purchase of Books Deadline for submission: 27 Dec 2019

Other Opportunities to Take Higher-Level Subjects • Beyond the start of Sec 1, students who do well in school-based

examinations may be considered to take higher-level subjects if found suitable to do so by our school.

• Eligible N(A) and N(T) students will receive an application form after the Sec 1 mid-year or year-end examinations, based on the following criteria:• 75% or higher in the subject; and • Positive learning attitude to cope with the higher academic demand

• Our school will provide support through bridging programmes for these new SBB students.

Offering Humanities at a More Demanding Level at Sec 2

• End year 2020, Sec 2 N(A)/N(T) students may offer Humanities subjects at a more demanding level, on top of English Language, Mathematics, Mother Tongue Languages and Science, if they meet subject-specific criteria.

• This will provide opportunities for these students to study subjects at a level better suited to their strengths and interests.

Subjects in Sec 2 Level offered

Literature in English Choice of Exp or N(A)

History Choice of Exp or N(A)

Geography Choice of Exp or N(A)

Jane2 N(A)

How is PL (Sec) Piloting Full SBB?

• Students who do well in school-based examinations may be considered to take higher-level subjects if found suitable to do so by our school.

• Eligible N(A)/N(T) will receive an application form after the Sec 1 year-end examinations, based on the following criteria:• 75% or higher in the subject and• Positive learning attitude to cope with the higher academic demand

• Our school will provide support through bridging programmes for these new SBB students.

15

Opportunities to take Huamanities Subjects

• Students are encouraged to continue with the higher-level subjects until the end of Sec 2, as students do need time to adjust to the higher academic demands.

• Our school will monitor students’ progress in the higher-level subjects as well as overall progress in all subjects.

• Our school is mindful of students’ socio-emotional and academic needs and will endeavour to provide the necessary support to students to help them cope.

What if my child struggles with the higher-level subject?

Your child will continue to sit for their corresponding national examinations at the end of secondary education based on the academic level of the subject taken.

Currently, admissions to PSEIs already recognise the efforts of students who take relevant subjects at a higher level. This will continue for all students who take higher level subjects, including students in the pilot schools.

Does my child still have to take GCE O/N Levels at Sec 4/5 respectively?

Post-secondary Educational Progression

for N(A) students

Progression opportunities for Sec 4 N(A)• Sec 4 N(A) students have the following progression opportunities:

• To apply for any of the programmes above, students must satisfy the minimum entry requirements.

• A strong literacy and numeracy foundation would ensure students are better prepared for these progression pathways. Therefore, students are encouraged to deepen their knowledge in English, Mathematics and Science.

Polytechnic Foundation

Programme (PFP)

Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic

Programme (DPP)

Nitec Programmes Secondary 5 N(A)

• The PFP is a one-year foundation programme for polytechnic-bound students offering a practice-oriented curriculum taught by polytechnic lecturers.

• PFP students are given provisional places in diploma programmes, subject to them passing all modules in the one-year PFP.

• Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)

• Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP)

• Students accepted into the DPP will enrol into Higher Nitec courses at ITE.

• These students are subsequently offered a place in a polytechnic diploma course mapped to their Higher Nitec, subject to them meeting the Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements.

For both programmes, posting is based on merit and subject to vacancies in open competition.

Applicants may combine their GCE ‘O’ and ‘N’ Level results to compute their aggregate score, for merit-based admission into PFP and DPP.

Examples of PFP Courses and RequirementsPlease refer to https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/index.html for full range of courses and subject-specific minimum entry requirements.

Course cluster Minimum entry requirements

• Applied Sciences • Business & Management• Built Environment • Engineering• Health Sciences• Information & Digital Technologies• Media & Design

• ELMAB3 ≤ 12• EL ≤ 3 • MA ≤ 3• Comb Sci / F&N / D&T ≤ 3• Any other two subjects ≤ 3• Meet subject-specific minimum entry requirements

• Business & Management• Humanities• Media & Design

• ELMAB3 ≤ 12• EL ≤ 3 • MA ≤ 3• POA / E Lit / Hist / Geog / Comb Humans / Art ≤ 3• Any other two subjects ≤ 3• Meet subject-specific minimum entry requirements

Examples of DPP Courses and RequirementsPlease refer to https://www.ite.edu.sg/wps/portal/definitely-des for full range of courses and subject-specific minimum entry requirements.

Course cluster Minimum entry requirements

• Applied Sciences • Engineering• Info-Communications Technology

• ELMAB3 ≤ 19• EL ≤ 4• MA ≤ 4• Any other three subjects ≤ 5• Meet subject-specific minimum entry requirements

• Business & Services • ELMAB3 ≤ 19• EL ≤ 3• MA ≤ 4• Any other three subjects ≤ 5• Meet subject-specific minimum entry requirements

Progression opportunities for Sec 4 N(T)• Sec 4 N(T) students have the following progression opportunities:

• To be eligible, students must satisfy the minimum entry requirements.

• A strong literacy and numeracy foundation would ensure students are better prepared for these progression pathways.

• Therefore, students are encouraged to deepen their knowledge in English, Mathematics and Science.

Nitec Programmes Transfer to Sec 4 N(A)

Posting of applicants to Nitec courses

• Posting is based on merit and subject to vacancies in open competition.

• Based on aggregate of the best 4 GCE ‘N’ Level subjects, including pre-requisite subjects and bonus points (where applicable); and

• Met course-specific entry requirements.

• Many Nitec courses require a pass in subjects such as English, Mathsand Science – good foundation in these subjects is critical to students performing well in the corresponding Nitec courses.

• Doing well in these subjects in secondary school, especially at the higher level, will position students better to perform well in ITE.

Examples of NITEC Courses and RequirementsPlease refer to https://www.ite.edu.sg/wps/portal/pts_nitecisc_course_catalogfor full range of courses and subject-specific minimum entry requirements.

Course Minimum Entry Requirement

• Aerospace Machining Technology• Electronics (Microelectronics) • Fashion Apparel Production & Design • Medical Manufacturing Technology • Opticianry • Rapid Transit Technology • Visual Effect

3 GCE ‘N’ Level Passes (Grade A-D or Grade 1-5) in ‘Maths or Science’, and two other subjects

OR

2 GCE ‘O’ Level Grades (Grade 1-8) in any two subjects

• Business Services • Finance Services • Fitness Training • Food & Beverage Operations • Travel & Tourism Services • Visual Communication • Western Culinary Arts

3 GCE ‘N’ Level Passes (Grade A-D or Grade 1-5) in English, and two other subjects

OR

2 GCE ‘O’ Level Grades (Grade 1-8) in any two subjects

Q&A session

Questions by parents

1. How will students benefit from taking subjects at a higher level in lower secondary?

• SBB (Sec) allows students greater flexibility in subject offerings at LS levels, catering to the different strengths of our N(A) and N(T) students. It allows them to stretch themselves and acquire deeper competencies in areas they are strong in. The learning of some of these selected SBB subjects are important to lay the strong foundation in their progression to these courses at higher institute.

Questions by parents

2. Does taking higher level subject means no more lateral transfer to a more demanding stream?

• No, lateral transfer to a more demanding stream will be available. Students may progress to a more academically demanding course based on their overall year’s performance and the assessments by the school

3. Will my child continue with the higher-level subjects all the way to Sec 4?

• Your child may continue with the corresponding higher-level subject at upper secondary if she meets our school’s criteria at the end of Sec 2.

Questions by parents

Questions by parents

4. What happens if my child did not perform well for the higher level subject?

• Students are encouraged to continue with the higher level subjects until the end of S2, as students do need time to adjust to the different demands in Secondary environment. They can consult their subject teachers for advice.

Questions by Parents

5. How do I decide which subject to choose?

• Interest in the subject • Aptitude in subject

Thank You