VISION
Wholesome individuals willing to serve school, society and country
AIM
The Character Development Department aims to nurture pupils into well-balanced individuals who will not only be effective learners but good, responsible citizens who care for their families, school and country.
I) FORMAL CURRICULUM: ACQUIRING SKILLS & VALUES
Values & Character Education (VCE)
VCE lessons are fortnightly one- hour sessions. During these sessions, form teachers follow a syllabus based on acquiring life skill competencies. These competencies can be divided into five main areas:
• Personal Effectiveness
• Interpersonal Effectiveness
• Effective Learning
• Transition To Work and
• Fostering a Caring Community
Lessons on Anger Management, Sexuality Education, Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Managing Emotions are incorporated into the Life Skills Programme.
Complementary enrichment lessons are also organised for pupils. These lessons include time management, motivation and study skills.
EDUCATION AND CAREER GUIDANCE (ECG)
Pupils of graduating classes visit various Polytechnic Open Houses, ITEs and the annual Career Exhibition to make them more aware of the numerous avenues available to them after obtaining their “O” or “N” Level certificates. The Polytechnics and ITEs give talks to pupils to enlighten them further about what their respective institutions can offer.
All pupils also undergo the E-Careers programme where they identify their interests and match career options with their personalities.
Work experience is also arranged for interested Secondary 3 pupils.
II) INFORMAL CURRICULUM: PUPIL WELFARE
TEACHER-PUPIL CONFERENCING
The objective of this programme is to strengthen the teacher – pupil relationship so that teachers will be better equipped to help the pupils develop emotionally and socially. Form teachers have a one – to – one conversation with a pupil or a group during the morning reading periods.
COUNSELLING
We believe that emotional needs have to be addressed before any learning can take place. To help pupils who are emotionally troubled, we have a Full-Time School Counsellor (FTSC), Part-Time Counsellor and teacher counsellors to provide counselling services to help our pupils work out solutions to their problems. Through daily interaction and conference sessions, our teachers are able to quickly identify pupils who require counselling.
We engage external vendors to help conduct the Step-Up and Time-Out Programmes. Together with the FTSC & HOD/PCCG, they plan workshops for “at risk” pupils.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEMES
The PCCG department also looks into the needs of pupils who come from families within the lower income bracket. Needy pupils are encouraged to apply for the MOE and Serangoon Garden School Financial Assistance Schemes through their form teachers.
Needy pupils can also apply for other bursaries/awards offered by external organisations. These bursaries/awards will be made known to the form teachers who will in turn encourage the pupils to apply for them.
FORM TEACHERS’ PERIOD
Conducted once a week by form teachers, these half-hour sessions teach pupils school values and equip pupils with skills to manage stress, set academic targets, be aware of road and lightning safety and learn the dangers of smoking and drug abuse.
PUPIL LEADERSHIP
To build class spirit and teamwork, class committee members are selected by form teachers to perform different duties. Duties include helping to maintain discipline and ensuring the cleanliness of the classroom, as well as to help organize class activities.
II) INFORMAL CURRICULUM: BUILDING HOME – SCHOOL LINKS
MEET-THE-PARENTS SESSIONS
These sessions are aimed at building better rapport with parents so that both parents and teachers can contribute to help the children grow intellectually, socially and emotionally. Parents are encouraged to communicate with their children’s teachers as much as possible.
PARENT SUPPORT GROUP (PSG)
We hope to establish closer links with parents so that together we can help children become more successful academically as well as become wholesome individuals and citizens of our country. Besides the Meet-the-Parents Sessions, parents are also encouraged to attend and help out at special school functions and school programmes. They also attend talks organised by the school. They are encouraged to support their children in their schoolwork.