S E C 4 & 5 P A R E N T S S E M I N A R2 2 F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

ACHIEVING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

AGENDA

1. Introduction 2. Achieving academic excellence

a) Post-secondary optionsb) MF programmesc) Tips for parents

3. Meeting with form teachers

MAYFLOWER PROMISE

Every Mayflowerian has a zest for life, a curious mind and a

generous spirit

MAYFLOWER OUTCOMESZest for Life

•Driven by a strong sense of purpose, Mayflowerians possess a passion for knowledge, holistic health and the arts.

•Mayflowerians are leaders who are effective communicators with good interpersonal skills.

•Mayflowerians believe in excellence with humility (moral courage, responsibility, optimism and commitment).

MAYFLOWER OUTCOMESCurious Mind

• Mayflowerians are driven to use technology responsibly and keep abreast of current affairs.

• Mayflowerians are self-directed learners who apply critical and creative thinking in real-life situations.

• Mayflowerians are discerning and open-minded in the pursuit of lifelong learning.

MAYFLOWER OUTCOMESGenerous Spirit

• Mayflowerians understand the needs of others and the importance of contributing back to society.

• Mayflowerians recognise, respect and celebrate differences in others.

• Mayflowerians are responsible citizens who demonstrate respect, empathy and integrity.

MAYFLOWER MISSION

Every Mayflowerian - Mighty in Thought and Deed

MAYFLOWER CORE VALUES

IntegrityCommitment

RespectCompassion

What are the various Post‐Secondary School options available?

Post O‐level Options Based on a student’s O-Level exam he/she could…

enrol in a Junior College or 

Millennia Institute(A‐Level)

enrol in ITE (Higher Nitec). Possibility of entering Poly if he/she does well 

enough

enrol in a Polytechnic (diploma)

enrol in NAFA or LaSalle (unique arts programmes)

Junior Colleges (JCs) & 

Millennia Institute

Junior Colleges (JCs) & Millennia Institute

Length of study:JCs – 2 yearsMI – 3 years

Prepares students for ‘A’ levels and tertiary 

education 

What does one study at the A‐Level?

H1 H2 H3Half of H2 in terms of curriculum time  

Equivalent to ‘A’ level subjects prior to 2006.

Subjects  with opportunity for in‐depth study (e.g. advanced content, research paper, university module). 

Select subjects from three levels of study:

Usual subject combination: 3H2s + 1H1

Entry into JC or MI2 possible ways

O-Level results meet the school’s cut-off point

Direct School Admission (DSA-JC) - JCs recognise special talents and aptitudes through discretionary admission

To enter a JC:L1R5 must be <= 20

To enter MI:L1R4 must be <= 20 

Admission Criteria for Junior College

Aggregate of English & 5 Relevant subjects(L1R5) ≤ 20 pointsL1R5 for top 5 JCs < 10 points

L1 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5A1 ⏐

C6

Humanities Math or Science

Humanities or Math or Science

Best other subject

Best other subject

Student ASubject O-level grade Subject O-level gradeEnglish Language

A2 Biology A1

Mathematics B3 Chemistry C5AdditionalMathematics

B3 Combined Humanities (SS/Geog)

A2

Chinese Language

A1 CCA A1

L1R5?L1 R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

A1 ⏐

C6

Humanities Math or Science

Humanities or Math or Science

Best other subject

Best other subject

12 points

MI Admission Requirements3-Year Course

(Millenia Institute)

L1R4 aggregate English Language/

Higher Mother Tongue

Mother Tongue

Language (CL/ ML/ TL)

Mathematics/ Additional

Mathematics

Points/ Grade 5 to 20 points A1 to C6 A1 to D7 A1 to D7

Your CCA grade could be considered if you are enrolling into Millenia Institute.

Typical L1R4 calculation = English + 2 (Combined

Humanities/Science/Math ) + 2 Best subjects including CCA

Sources of Bonus Points to offset L1R5 or L1R4

CCA Grades 

Pass in English and Higher Mother 

Tongue 

Affiliation to the school 

Pass in a 3rdLanguage 

Students who apply for and are accepted into 

CLEP and MLEP

Polytechnics

Polytechnics

Courses are market driven and career oriented

Students graduate with a Diploma

Ready to enter the workforce 

Entry into Poly

3 possible ways

Using O-Level results – Joint Admissions

Exercise (JAE)

Through the Direct Polytechnic Admission (DPA)

Exercise

Through the Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise

(JPSAE)

Entry into PolyUsing O-Level results – Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE)

Students must also qualify for the Min Entry Requirements for the course they want to pursue

ELR2B2 is used for admissions into the Polytechnics. 

English Language2 RELEVANT subjects for the course applied for2 other best subjects

Student BSubject O-level grade Subject O-level gradeEnglish Language

B3 Science (Phy / Chem)

A1

Mathematics A2 D&T A2Literature B3 Combined

Humanities (SS/Geog)

C5

Chinese Language

B3 CCA A1

L1R2B2 for Business Course?EL + Math + Literature + 2 Best Subjects

11 points

Entry into PolyThrough the Direct Polytechnic Admission (DPA) Exercise

Benefits of DPA?

Confirm a place in a particular course before 

your O‐level examination.

Entry into PolyThrough the Direct Polytechnic

Admission (DPA) Exercise

Who should apply:Individuals who have aninterest and aptitude forpolytechnic educatione.g. “I am good at filmingand video production,hence I want to apply toMedia Studies”.

DPA Application Process and Timeline (2012’s dates have been provided as a reference) 

1. Application (8‐10 July 2012)

Students can apply for DSA (max 3 courses) viawww.polytechnic.edu.sg

2.  Selection & Interviews (12 July – 13 Aug 2012)

Interviews will be conducted for the shortlisted DPA applicants

3.    Offer and Acceptance (17‐23 Aug 2012)

Offers will be made to successful applications 

DPA Application Process and Timeline (2012’s dates have been provided as a reference) 4.   Withdrawal (by 5 October 2012)

If a student would like to withdraw from the DPA Exercise 2012 to participate in JAE and JPSAE, he must submit his withdrawal before the deadline.

5.   Jumpstart your life in 8 weeks of Fun!(*February – April 2013)

Polytechnic Preparatory Program (PPP)

* Date are subject to changes 

Entry into PolyThrough the Joint Polytechnic Special

Admissions Exercise (JPSAE)

Requirements: Demonstration of strong passion and/or aptitude for a particular 

course

Outstanding  talents/achievements in leadership, community service, entrepreneurship, sports, artistic and creative areas

Entry into PolyThrough the Joint Polytechnic Special

Admissions Exercise (JPSAE)

Who should apply: Students with special aptitude andtalents, strong CCA records or who are outstanding insports or community service contributionApplication: after the release of the O‐level results.

The SIT was set upprimarily to enable Polygraduates to upgradethemselves and obtainan university degree.

Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) 

JCs/MI vs Polytechnic Questions for students to consider when 

making a decision

JCs/MI vs Polytechnic – Questions for students to consider

1. Would you prefer to delve deeper intoacademia (e.g. Math, Science, Humanities) ordo you prefer learning that is tied to specificindustries and work‐ready qualification?

2. Would you prefer sitting for a summativeexamination (JC) or would you thrive betterin a modular assessment setting (Poly)?

3. Are you considering working before pursingfurther qualifications?

JCs/MI vs Polytechnic – Questions for students to consider

4. Do you have a specific job which you areinterested in?

5. Are you more of a conceptual learner or doyou prefer a more hands‐on learningenvironment?

JCs/MI vs Polytechnic – Questions for students to consider

MF PROGRAMMESGEARING UP FOR EXCELLENCE

GEARING UP

Term Key ProgrammesTwo • Complete the teaching of syllabus

• CCA stand-down by end April• Bridging programme for Sec 5 students• Supplementary programme for Sec 4 students• MT Intensive lessons

June (1st week) • MT examination• Remedial lessons

GEARING UP

Term Key ProgrammesThree • Preliminary Examination 1 (30 June – 9 July)

• Remedial / Supplementary lessons• Afternoon consultations• Night Study

Sept • Remedial lessonsFour • Preliminary Examination 2 (1 – 23 Sep)

• Remedial / Supplementary lessons• Afternoon consultations• Night Study• Mock examinations

PARENT SUPPORTT IPS

TIPS FOR PARENTS

Preparation for O-level examinations• Regular attendance in school• Regular attendance at remedial or supplementary

programmes• Physical well-being

• Adequate rest• Peak performance and alertness at the right time• Nutrition and supplements

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS

HARD WORK, HARD WORK AND MORE HARD WORK!

INFORMATION ON POST-SECONDARY OPTIONS

• Calculations of aggregates• Cut-off points for Junior Colleges and

courses in Polytechnics• Worksheet on target setting with your child• Encouraging them to give effective effort

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WORK HARD?

Time

Focus

ResourcefulnessUse of

feedback

Persistence

Commitment

EFFECTIVE EFFORT

• Time: A willingness to spend the hours needed to finish the job well

• Focus: Concentrating only on the work, no hand phone, no computer game, no TV or other distractions.

• Resourcefulness: Knowing where to go and whom to ask for help when I am really stuck.

EFFECTIVE EFFORT

• Use of Feedback: Looking carefully at responses to my work so I know exactly what to fix

• Commitment: Being determined to finish and do my very best work

• Persistence: If one strategy isn’t working, trying different ones until I find one that works.

“Important achievements require a clear focus, all out effort, and a

bottomless trunk full of strategies. Plus allies in learning.”

INTERACTION WITH TEACHERS