HOLY INNOCENTS’ HIGH SCHOOL A Community with Courage to Lead, Compassion to Serve Reference No: Sec 2/01B/2017 3 January 2017 Dear Parent/Guardian of Secondary 2 Students Welcome Back On behalf of all staff, I would like to welcome your child/ward and you as we begin a new academic year. We hope 2016 was a year blessed with peace and joy for your family. 2017 is also a special year as we will be celebrating the school’s 125 years of establishment. We have planned for a series of celebratory events, which we will inform you over the year. We would like to inform you of some upcoming programmes in this letter. (1)

Briefing on Sec 2 Streaming for Parents and Students (13 Jan 2017) A briefing on the expectations for streaming of subject combinations at the end of Sec 2 is scheduled for 13 Jan, Fri, from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. We would like to have you and your child/ward attend this briefing to understand what the school takes into consideration for the streaming exercise at the end of the year. The briefing is held at this time so that you can take the time to plan with your child/ward on his/her academic studies for the year.

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Educational and Career Guidance (ECG) Opportunities i.

Open House to Temasek Polytechnic (6 Jan)

Sec 2 Express students will be attending Temasek Polytechnic’s Open House event on 6 Jan, Fri. This visit is to expose our students to the various course options available in a polytechnic. Through school tours, project exhibitions and course counselling during the Open House, students will learn to make responsible decisions with regard to course options. Students will also have the opportunity to gain a first-hand experience of what polytechnic life entails. ii.

ECG Fair (24 and 25 Mar)

Targeted at Sec 2 students, the ECG Fair aims to bring the world of work through selected industry sectors and related education and career pathways to students. Held at Temasek Polytechnic on the 24 Mar for students, and 25 Mar for parents of secondary school students, the fair will focus on the following sectors: Early Childhood, Social Services, Power Engineering and Energy. Students may sign up for the fair at a later time. (3)

School Programmes i.

Sec 2 Day Camp (18–20 Jan)

We will be conducting a Sec 2 level camp between 18 and 20 Jan. This is a day camp with a series of activities lined up to help our students think about their future. The camp will focus on two aspects:

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a. Study Skills Workshop We will be conducting a Sec 2 study skills workshop, and it aims to equip our students with study and exam skills (e.g. note-taking techniques and time management) that will allow them to be more effective learners in the classrooms and on their own. At the end of this workshop, we hope that students will be able to apply the skills that they have learnt to chart their own revision schedule, and use them to further develop their potential in both the academic and personal areas. b. Interactions with Industry Practitioners for ECG Learning We will broaden students’ perspectives on various career and educational pathways during the day camp, and help them develop an understanding of what various professions entail through interactions with practitioners in different professional fields. Through this, we hope students will make informed choices during the year-end subject streaming exercise as they consider what they have heard in the various industry talks. ii.

Language Literacy Development Programme

As part of the school’s language literacy development programme, all students will spend time during curriculum hours in reading newspapers, magazines or short stories extracted from various sources. The programme aims to:    

cultivate an interest for reading, enhance their general knowledge, keep abreast of latest developments in the local and global contexts, and improve their command of the languages.

All students will read The Straits Times IN pullout segment, and Higher Chinese Language and Chinese Language students (Express and Normal (Academic)) will read Lianhe Zaobao ‘Comma’ 《联合早报—逗号》. Higher Malay Language and Malay Language students will read Berita Harian. Students will be directed to read specific articles of special interest, followed by questions for reflection on these articles in class. As part of the programme, students will also subscribe to English magazines for the year. iii.

Project Work (Sec 2 Exp & 2 NA)

Project Work (PW) is an academic programme the school plans for Lower Secondary classes to provide opportunities for our students to synthesise knowledge from various areas of learning, and critically and creatively apply it to authentic, real life situations. Our PW curriculum at Sec 2 centers on the theme of Forensic Investigation and is designed to develop lifeskills in collaboration, communication, critical thinking and science investigative process skills in our students. iv.

Catholic Activities

As part of the school’s Catholic Programme, we have planned for monthly masses and masses on Days of Obligation for Catholic students throughout the year. We have also planned to conduct RME lessons at certain times of the year. We encourage students who would like to

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deepen their faith to join the Young Christian Student (YCS) movement, where they will spend time with like-minded youths to explore faith and contemporary issues. v.

Chinese New Year Celebrations (27 Jan)

The school will celebrate Chinese New Year on 27 Jan, Fri. This is a normal school day, but no lessons will be conducted on that day. There will not be any CCA or enrichment programmes planned for that day. Dismissal time will be conveyed to parents at a later date. vi.

Common Test for Term 1

The Common Tests for Term 1 will be held tentatively on Weeks 7 and 8 (16 Feb to 24 Feb). The schedule for the classes will be distributed to students once confirmed. (4)

School Events i.

125th Anniversary Celebration Road Run – 9 Mar

We will have our annual Road Run at the Singapore Sports Hub on 9 Mar, Thu, from 7.30 am to 11 am. Students will report directly to the Sports Hub at 7:30 am sharp in their PE attire for attendance taking. Students should have adequate rest and hydration before the Road Run. If your child/ward is not feeling well, please advise him/her to see a doctor. We will also conduct a check on the students’ well-being before starting the Run. In the event of inclement weather, an announcement will be posted online on our school Facebook page by 7 am. The school will also inform all our students via the class networks and SMS to inform them about the cancellation of the Road Run. Students will be allowed to stay at home and need not report to Sports Hub or school. ii.

PSG Movie Screening – 24 Feb

The Parent Support Group is organising a movie screening in the school hall on 24 Feb, Fri. The movie is Long Long Time Ago, directed by Jack Neo. A bento dinner is included with each ticket purchase. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults, and $5 for seniors above 60 years old and children below 6 years old. If you are interested to purchase tickets for this evening, please email [email protected]. (5)

Administrative Matters i.

Home-School Collaboration Protocol

The school has a Home-School Collaboration Protocol introduced in 2015, which outlines the various roles and responsibilities for the school and parents in relation to student matters. For example, the school will contact parents to discuss issues and update on the child’s/ward’s general progress, through PTM, SNAAPP and/or calls; if parents wish to contact teachers, they can choose to contact through various means outlined in the Protocol. An updated version of the Protocol is available on our school website. ii.

Financial Assistance for Needy Students

Parents who have yet to apply for the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) for their child/ward can do so by obtaining an application form from the General Office. Eligible students will receive textbooks, uniform and shoes under the scheme. In addition, students

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who take public transport to school will also be provided with a transport subsidy. FAS students will be given additional subsidies for selected enrichment programmes via the Opportunity Fund, and pocket money to spend in the school canteen. Students who are not eligible for the MOE FAS can also apply for the school-based FAS, where students may be provided with pocket money for their meals in school, and/or tap on the Opportunity Fund for additional subsidies for selected enrichment programmes and overseas trips. All students given approval for the MOE or school-based FAS may be eligible to purchase computers at subsidised prices under the NEU PC Plus Programme. iii.

Taking Student Daily Attendance

The school uses a mobile app (SNAAPP) to mark student attendance, and sends alerts to parents if their child/ward is absent from school. We also tap on the app to communicate with parents on certain occasions. Please download the app on your smartphone. (6)

School/Public Holidays Please note the following school and public holidays: Sat, 28 Jan – Chinese Lunar New Year Day 1 Sun, 29 Jan – Chinese Lunar New Year Day 2 Mon, 30 Jan – Public Holiday In-lieu of Chinese New Year Tue, 31 Jan – School Holiday In-lieu of Chinese New Year

Thank you for your strong support. We wish you a very pleasant and fruitful year ahead.

Mr Yap Wai Meng Principal

Cyberwellness Parenting Tip #1 Discuss with your child/ward the appropriate rules to set for his/her mobile phone usage, whether at home or outside. This will be a good chance for him/her to practice accountability.