2021 Principal’s Dialogue with Sec 1 Parents

8 Jan 2021

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The 4 “Every”s of Fairfield

• Every Fairsian is precious

• Every Fairsian is unique

• Every Fairsian has different talents

• Every Fairsian can learn and change

Whole School Approach to Pastoral Care

School LeadersSpend time with individual classes

Year Heads & other key personnel

Oversee pastoral care of the level

Form TeachersGet to know students through 1 to 1 conferencing

Counsellors & Allied Educators

Provide support to students with greater needs

Peer Support Leaders

Look out for peers who may need support

PrincipalMs Audrey Chen

School Leaders

Vice-Principal 1Mr Lim Sin Heng

Vice-Principal 2Mr Alan Lim

Sec 1 Year HeadMr Eric Loh

Other Key PersonnelMr Chua Chang Fong, HOD AestheticsMrs Kwok Jiapei, HOD EnglishMs Lee Chee Peng, HOD MathMs Shamsiah Bte Zainalabidin, SH CCE

Support Team

Mr Larry LohSchool Counsellor

Ms Tan Xin RuSchool Counsellor

Support Team

Ms NoreffalizaAED Learning & Behaviour Support

Ms Eirena KhanAED Learning & Behaviour Support

Support Team

Ms Charlene KohChristian MinistryStaff

Mr Ingo HoffmanChristian MinistryStaff

Fairfield Education

Our MissionTo provide a holistic education in a Christian

environment so as to nurture leaders of good character, equipped to serve God, nation,

community and school

We share a common history

and ethos with other Methodist schools

Our VisionA Vibrant Community of Active Life-Long

Learners & Influential Leaders

Active Lifelong Learner and

Influential Leader

Personhood

Commitment to Community

Heart of Service

Wisdom

4 Fairsian Outcomes

Personhood

• I have a positive attitude toward my holistic development.

• I do not give up when I face challenges.

• I pursue excellence in my own learning and development.

• I conduct myself with good character in all situations.

Demonstrates strong self-mastery and good moral and performance character

2021 FocusGrowing in Personhood

100% Pure & Honest Fairsian1 Tim 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on

you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in

conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (NIV)

2021 FocusGrowing in Personhood

100% Pure & Honest Fairsian

1. What does it mean to be a 100% pure & honest Fairsian?

2. Why should we become 100% pure & honest Fairsian?

3. How can we become 100% pure & honest Fairsian?

School Website

School Website – Parents Page

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Guiding Principles for School-Home Partnership

1. Students succeed when schools and parents work hand in hand to support students in learning self-management skills, taking responsibility and building resilience.

2. Mutual respect and trust forms the strong foundation for positive engagement between schools and parents.

Making Learning Experiential

Creating a Culture of Thinking

• I am generally curious and eager to learn new things.

• I regularly spend time (beyond timetabled lessons) to pursue my intellectual interests (e.g. read up on topics I am interested in, attend enrichment programmes).

• I like to ask questions about the things I am learning.

• I often try to make connections between new things that I am learning and things that I already know.

• If I get stuck with a learning task, I will try to think of how to get round the problem.

Learning Dispositions for Active Lifelong Learners

Nurture a Growth Mindset

• Think of challenges not as roadblocks, but opportunities for growth

• Use the language of growth – e.g. “I’m not sure I can do it now, but I think I can learn with time and effort.”

Carol Dweck “Mindset:

The New Psychology of Success”

Encourage Joy of Learning!

Encourage Joy of Learning by

• not over-emphasising academic

performance

• focus on your child’s learning journey,

rather than compare them to others

Give our children the time and space to deepen learning

Learn for Life in Fairfield

• Focus on the learning every day, not assessments once a term

• No mid-year exams for Sec 1 and 3

• Only 1 weighted assessment (WA) per subject per term

Level WA1 WA2 WA3 End-of-YearExam

Sec 1 10% 15% 15% 60%

Ownership of Learning

• Make full use of curriculum time

• Practise “3Bs before me”: brain, book & buddy before asking teacher for help

• Record homework in student diary

• Take personal responsibility for prompt submission of homework and assignments

How to build self-efficacy

Self-efficacy:

The belief in one’s capabilities to organise and execute the courses of action to manage prospective situations (Albert Bandura, psychologist)

“I think I can” mindset

The belief that one’s own efforts lead to outcomes

• 1st we do it for you

• Then we do it with you

• Then we watch you do it

• Then you do it completely independently

Towards a Student-Led SchoolSophia Blackmore Leadership Programme

• Student Council

• Community Student Leaders

• Peer Support Board

• Class Committee

– Chairpersons

– Class Captains

• CCA Leaders

• Sports Leaders

Sophia Blackmore Leadership Programme

Personal Voice is the ability to…..

Articulate opinions with respect and

confidence

Form sound opinions through listening to

others and reflecting deeply

Exercise moral courage to stand up for one’s

belief

Bring About Positive Change

Voice of a Fairsian Programme [EL]

Sec 1 Imagining Personal Voice

(‘Growing Years’)

Students respond critically to personal recounts through an individually recorded

speech.

Sec 2 Exploring Personal Voice(‘The Great Exposition’)

Students engage in a comparative analysis and present their findings through a paired

presentation.

Sec 3Developing a Strong Personal Voice

(‘Community Problem Solving Project’)

Students advocate a solution to help a community through collaborative research.

Sec 4/5Exemplifying a Strong Personal Voice

(‘Genius Hour’)

Students express their personal views on a topic they are passionate about through

an individual presentation.

Voice of a Fairsian Programme MT

Sec 1

Explore through storytelling

(Heart of Gratitude)

Individual 2-3min Oral Presentation

on a significant person in your daily lives

Sec 2

Express through multimedia production

(Heart for the Community)

Group 1 min video, introducing a local

landmark

Sec 3

Enthuse through persuasive speech

(Finding your own voice)

3-5 mins news clip or talk show

to discuss local social issues.

Sec 4/5

Evaluate through effective conversation

(Expanding your voice)

Individual 5 min oral conversation

to present their views supported with

examples on social issues

Science Programme for Aspiring Researchers (SPEAR)

Programmes unique to each level:

Sec 1 River Studies Project

Programmes unique to each level:

Sec 1 Community Garden Project

Developmental Framework

Level Characteristic Character/Leadership Journey

Academic Journey

Sec 1 Transition from P6 to Sec 1

Self-Leadership Increase in number of subjects, new subjects

Sec 2 Physical and emotional growth

Peer Leadership Streaming examinations [placement]

Sec 3 Transition from junior to senior student

OrganisationalLeadership

Building foundations of two-year course leading to GCE exams

Sec 4/5 Preparing for the next challenge

Influential Leadership GCE examinations [placement]

Four-Year FLEX ProgrammeFairfield Learning Experience

Year Focus

Sec 1 Outdoor Adventure Camp

Sec 2 Empathy & Acceptance

Sec 3 Be a Blessing Project

Sec 4 / 5 Career Counselling

Sec 1 FLEX WeekOutdoor Adventure Camp

Students’ exposure to and use

of the Internet and devices...

In 2020

Concerns about

screen time and

self-

management

In 2021

Greater

incorporation of

ICT in teaching

and learning

In 2021

Students will

have their own

personal

devices

HBLBlended

Learning PDLP

Knowledge

Digital Literacy(new branch under Peer Support)

Developing

students’

understanding of IT-

related issues and

risks

Eg. evaluating

information sources,

using social media,

digital footprint,

digital addiction

Netiquette

Developing

students’ habits of

appropriate and

gracious use of the

Internet

Eg. in the use of

email, WhatsApp,

social media

Self-

Management

Developing

students’ ability to

use the Internet and

devices in a positive

and healthy way

Eg. identifying

digital addiction,

managing screen

time & digital

learning resources

Be a smart and gracious

user of technology!

Respect Others

• No vulgarities or

spam messages

in chats and other

platforms

• Not using phones

for other

purposes other

than instructed by

teachers

Be Considerate

• Refrain from

sending text

messages

beyond 6pm

Self-Management

• Refrain from

using devices at

least 1 hour

before bedtime

Discipline Team

Mr Vincent ChiaHOD Discipline

Ms Yen Ding YiSec 1 Level

Discipline Teacher

Ms Venetia ChongSec 1 Level

Discipline Teacher

Rules & Expectations• In enrolling in the school, students and

parents are accepting the standards expected of students of this school.

• Rules are aligned with values and part of character education

• Rules teach students the discipline of living within a community and submitting to authority

• Refer to school rules in student diary p37-50

Goal

• To grow in wisdom and maturity, not merely comply with rules

• Every student possesses the self-discipline to live out the values & bless the community

• Every student to lead & influence his/her peers

Expected Learning Culture• Safe and positive learning culture for

everyone• Respect for all => no bullying and use of

vulgarities• Punctuality and attendance to maximise

learning time– Parents should seek permission from school

leaders for absence within school term

• Reduction of distractions to maximise learning – Mobile phones are to be kept in the lockers and

not to be used during curriculum time including lunch breaks and free periods

Approach to Discipline • Balance between justice and restoration

• Form Teachers, Year Head and Discipline Team will partner parents in monitoring and changing students’ behaviour

• “Detention first” before other activities as “character first”

• Demerit points to signal consequences

• Students with conduct grade of “Fair” and below will not qualify for MOE or major school awards

• Students with major offences are not positive role models – may not be eligible for key leadership positions

School Hours

• Morning Assembly at 8:30am (COVID SMM)

• Dismissal times – please refer to timetable

• Students with free periods can only leave 1 hour before the end of the day

• CCAs to end by 6:00pm

• School will be locked at 6:30pm

• Contact teachers Mon-Fri 7:30am-6:00pm

Communication with Parents1. School website

2. Student diary

3. Parents Gateway app

4. Email

5. Hard copy letter

6. Phone calls

Feedback to Form Teacher or Subject Teacher Year Head/HOD P or VP

Follow us on Instagram@ ohitsfairfieldfor updates on school life posted by the Student Council

2021 FocusGrowing in Personhood