2018 Principal’s Dialogue with

Sec 1 Parents

5 Jan 2018

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 LeadersSpending time with individual classes

Year Heads & other key personnel

Oversee pastoral care of the level

Form TeachersGet to know individual pupils through 1 to 1 conferencing

Discipline Teachers,

Counsellors

Provide support to students with greater needs

PrincipalMs Audrey Chen

School Leaders

Vice-Principal 1Mr Lim Sin Heng

Vice-Principal 2Mr Alan Lim

Sec 1 Year HeadMs Brenda Nio

Other Key PersonnelMs Lee Chee Peng, HOD Math (SBB Co-ordinator)Mr Keith Liew, HOD ICTMr Vincent Chia, HOD DisciplineMrs Terri Teo, LH Science

Support Team

Ms Amenda CheongAED Learning & Behaviour Support

Mr Mark LeongSchool Counsellor

Mr Ingo HoffmanChristian MinistryStaff

Fairfield EducationAn Excellent 10-Year 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

The Fairfield Curriculum

4 Fairsian Outcomes

Wisdom

• I am curious and enjoy learning new things.

• I ask questions to gain deeper understanding.

• I make sound judgements.

• I persevere in learning.

Able to operate in and interpret the world and its influences, thereby making sound decisions for self and the team

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

• I am kind and gracious to others. • I serve to uphold the school’s and

nation’s core values.• I seek to serve others and not to be

served. • I serve without expecting anything in

return.

Heart of ServiceExhibits graciousness and compassion with care and empathy. Serves the school, local and global community.

Commitment to Community

• I lead by example by respecting authority and following the school rules.

• I respect those from different backgrounds, cultures and races.

• I listen when others are speaking.

• I present my views effectively and with empathy.

Works humbly and in a way that seeks the interest of others. Treats others within the team as family.

2018 Focus

Commitment to Community

Stronger Together

Romans 12:3-8

Romans 12:3-8 3 For by the grace given to me I say to every one

among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober

judgement, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so

we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in

his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (ESV)

2018 Focus

Commitment to Community

Stronger Together

1. How do I see myself?

2. Where do I fit?

3. How can I be useful?

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”

Learning Dispositions for Active

Lifelong Learners

• 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.

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 other modes of assessment (OMA)

– Zero marks for OMA submitted more than a week late

Assessment Matters

• Focus on the learning, not assessments

• Common tests are not exams – ongoing assessments like class tests

• Assessment Schedule on school website

• Common Test 1 – Term 1 Week 8

• Mid-Year Exam – Term 2 Week 6-8

• Other Modes of Assessment – Term 3

• End-of-Year Exam – Term 4 Weeks 4-5

Creating a Culture of Thinking

Towards a Student-Led School

• Student Council

• Community Student Leaders

• Peer Support Leaders

• Sports Leaders

• CCA Leaders

• Class Committee– Chairman & Deputy Chairman

– Class Captains

Sophia Blackmore Leadership Programme

To develop a strong

PersonalVoice

in all students

Ability to form opinions through

thorough analysis & deep

introspection

Voice of a Fairsian Programme [EL]

Sec 1 Explore through storytelling

(Imagining Personhood)

Group 6 min Oral Presentation of Unsung Hero with qualities that are worth

emulating after research

Sec 2 Express through debate & drama

(Investigating Personhood)

Paired 2 min ‘The Great Face-Off’ Oral Presentation:

Mini-Debate on topics e.g. Apple Vs Samsung

Sec 3Enthuse through persuasive speech

(Expanding Personhood)

Individual 3 min Speech Presentation to recommend a place that their peers should

visit.

Sec 4/5Empower through testimony giving

(Exemplifying Personhood)

Individual 2 min Speech PresentationWhich aspect of Singapore are you most

grateful for? What are the changes you want to see in the

future and how can you contribute to it?

Voice of a Fairsian Programme MT

Sec 1

Explore through storytelling

(Heart of Gratitude)

Individual 2-3min Oral Presentation

on Unsung Heroes in your daily lives

Sec 2

Express through multimedia production

(Heart for the Community)

Group 1 min video, introducing the Treasures

in our Homeland

(i.e. Diverse culture, traditional industries in

Chinatown)

Sec 3

Enthuse through persuasive speech

(Finding your own voice)

Paired 4 min debate

to present their stand and discuss

controversies in Life

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

Voice of a Fairsian Programme

PESA (Plain English Speaking Awards) /

National Speech Competition

Training

Training for Emcees and

student guides at Open House

- external audience

Training for Student Leaders - internal audience

Training for

Competitions

Science Programme for Education

of Aspiring Researchers (SPEAR)

Eugene Lek (2E) at the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair

Programmes unique to each level:

Sec 1 River Studies Project

Programmes unique to each level:

Sec 1 Community Garden Project

Art and Music Elective Programme Centres

Centres Lesson Timings

AEP National Junior College

37 Hillcrest Road S 288913

Tuesdays

3 – 6 pm

MEP Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

121 Dover Road S 139650

Thursdays

3.30 – 5.30 pm

Dunman High School

10 Tanjong Rhu Road S 436895

Thursdays

3.30 – 5.30 pm

Weekly AEP/MEP lessons for Express students in non-AEP/MEP schools

Apply online by 15 Jan 2018For more information, refer to school website or approach HOD Aesthetics, Mr Chua Chang Fong (MEP) and Ms Jocelyn Yeow (AEP)

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

Cultural Leadership GCE examinations [placement]

Four-Year FLEX ProgrammeFairfield Learning Experience

Year Focus

Sec 1 Empathy & Social Awareness

Sec 2 Outdoor Adventure Camp

Sec 3 Be a Blessing Project

Sec 4 / 5 Career Counselling

How to Raise an Adult

• Give them unstructured time

• Teach Life Skills

• Teach them how to think

• Prepare them for hard work

• Let them chart their path

• Normalise struggle

• Have a wider mindset about colleges

• Listen to them

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

Discipline Team

Mr Vincent ChiaHOD Discipline

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

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

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” 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 7:30am, except 8:30am

on Wed

• Dismissal generally at 2:30pm on Mon-Wed, 2:50pm on Thur & 1:30pm on Fri (some exceptions)

• Students with free periods can only leave two periods 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

Snack & Lunch Breaks• Snack break at 9:30am in class during the

lesson– Only the following snacks are permitted:

• Fruit

• Museli bars

• Sandwiches

• Buns

– Packed in a lunchbox

– All rubbish goes back into the lunchbox

• Lunch break at 11:10am– 40 minute break – can choose to play or eat first

Carnival@Fairfield

Date 7 April 2018 (Saturday)

Time 9am-4pm (Carnival time); 8:30am-5:00pm (for students)

Venue FMS(S) and FMS(P)

How you can support us• Purchase tickets and come to the Carnival OR buy tickets

to bless community beneficiaries• Sponsor a stall or lend your expertise• Help your child raise capital for the class’ food and

games stalls• Contribute items (e.g. food and bevarages) for the

supermarket• Donate funds for school improvement

Communication with Parents1. School website

2. Student diary

3. Smartphone app SNAC or sms

4. Email

5. Hard copy letter

6. Phone calls

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

School Website – Parents Page

• What is SNAC™?SNAC™ is a communication solution that uses smartphone (iPhone & Android) 3G/4G/WIFI network to receive notification send by the school.Parents will receive an alert tone on their smartphone when a new notification is sent and received on your smartphone.

• Benefits of using SNAC™ Communication• Receive real-time notifications and circulars from school• Grant real-time digital acknowledgement to e-consent

forms regarding your child/ward activities• Receive notifications on child’s attendance in school, and• Kept updated on school’s events and activities

Introduction to SNAC

• Email helpdesk support on Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm.

(Except Sat, Sun, PH eve and PH)

snac.support@apptitude.sg

• *Do leave your contact number in your email if you wish to be telephoned for technical matters*

SNAC™ Technical Support