Sec 1 Welcome Talk

Sec 1 Webinar FAQ

Category	Question	Answer
Academic	Strategy for Post Secondary JC Admissions	Focus on consistent study habits, time management, and seeking help early for subjects your child struggles with.
Academic	"Sharing of school's previous years' performances - Academic results; and - Percentage of students who have moved on to JC / Polytechnic"	For the 2023 O-level cohort, 95.2% qualify for Polytechnic, 68% qualify for junior college and 85% qualify for pre-U.
Academic	What to look out for to prepare my son for his O level exam or ITE if he can't make it for O level ?	To prepare your son for the O-Level exams, focus on consistent study habits, time management, and seeking help early for subjects he struggles with. If O-Levels are challenging, explore ITE options that align with his interests and strengths, as they provide hands-on learning and clear pathways for future education and careers. Staying open to both pathways ensures he’s prepared for success regardless of the outcome.
Academic	Is passing Chinese compulsory to progress from sec 1 to sec 2, then to sec 3 etc ? My child is in G3 Chinese. Can she opt to do chinese at a lower level ?	It is not compulsory to pass Chinese for progression from one level to the next. However, students are offered the option to take Mother Tongue at a less demanding level only if they score an E8 or below in their end-of-year examinations. We encourage your child to give their best effort before deciding whether to move to a less demanding level, as developing academic resilience is an important value we aim to instill in our students.
Academic	My kid doesnt take Higher Chinese. On days when Higher Chinese is the last period, does she get to go home earlier ?	Yes, then your child will end that day earlier. However, your child may have CCA on that day.
Academic	May I ask during the O level exams are the students taking different papers basesd on their level ie G3 to G1., Or is the same papers for all ?	Students will sit for the paper based on their level.
Academic	What are the subjects combinatiom choices during Sec 3.	For 2024, we offered G3 students two options for subject combinations: an 8-subject combination or a 7-subject combination. 8-Subject Combination: This option includes Pure Sciences and Additional Mathematics. Students can choose to take either Pure Humanities, Computing, or Triple Science as part of this combination. 7-Subject Combination: This option includes Combined Science. Students have the flexibility to select from Additional Mathematics, or coursework-based subjects. Please note that subject combinations are subject to change based on school policies and resource availability.
Academic	If my child in G3 doesn't do well in Sec 1, will she go to G2? On what basis? Is it recommended by teachers and can parents have a say?	Your child's progression will depend on her academic performance and overall readiness. Generally, we encourage students to continue at the G3 level. However, in some cases, we may recommend that a student either repeat the year or drop to the G2 level for certain subjects. These decisions are made based on teachers' recommendations and aligned with MOE guidelines, ensuring that the best interests of the student are considered. Each case is carefully assessed on an individual basis. Parents will be consulted during this process and will have an opportunity to discuss the recommendation and provide input.
Academic	What is the percentage of students scoring less than 10 points for O levels ?	We do not specifically track the percentage of students scoring below 10 points for the O Levels, as our focus is on fostering holistic learning and personal growth. We believe in helping every student achieve their full potential rather than emphasizing numerical outcomes.
CCAs	What does it mean for NPCC, NCC and Band to be “mandatory CCAs”?	The term “Mandatory CCA,” as used by MOE, refers to CCAs that school must offer. Hence, students are only allowed to switch to a different CCA once, either at the end of Secondary 1 or Secondary 2.
CCAs	What other CCA are available for consideration	All the CCAs mentioned in the slides are those offered at Peirce Secondary School.
CCAs	My child has Higher Mother Tongue lessons on Tuesday afternoons. Does it mean he cannot select a CCA that falls on Tuesday afternoons?	He can still choose that CCA, the teacher will dismiss class at 3.45pm.
CCAs	Are students required to return to school for CCA on HBL days?	Students are generally not required to return to school for CCA on HBL days. However, exceptions may be made if there is an upcoming performance or competition that necessitates additional preparation.
CCAs	Can our kid go to other school for other CCA?	Generally we do not allow that. For more information, please email HOD CCA, Mdm Foong Sau Wan.
School Policies and Procedures	Will muslim girls be allowed to wear long black slacks instead of shorts during PE sessions?	Currently, our school follows the standard school uniform policy, which includes wearing the prescribed PE attire during physical education sessions. While we understand and respect individual cultural and religious practices, the policy is designed to ensure consistency, practicality, and safety for all students during PE activities.
School Policies and Procedures	Will the school be able to share a price list of the food sold at the school canteen?	The prices of food and drinks at the school canteen vary depending on the items. Drinks typically range from $0.80 to $1.50. Snacks, such as waffles and chicken wraps, cost between $1.30 and $2.20. Noodles are priced from $2.50 to $4.00, and rice dishes also range from $2.50 to $4.00.
School Policies and Procedures	Why is there a need to bring a set of PE attire when there is PE lesson rather than allowing student to just wear PE attire to attend school?	The school requires students to wear their full uniform on Mondays and Tuesdays to maintain a professional and disciplined appearance, fostering a sense of pride and identity. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, students have the flexibility to wear the school polo tee with school shorts or skirts, and on Fridays, they can wear the PE shirt with school shorts or skirts. Changing into PE attire for lessons helps ensure comfort and hygiene, as physical activities can leave students sweaty and uncomfortable. We appreciate your understanding and support in upholding these standards.
School Policies and Procedures	students are only given the PLD on 28 feb. if we do not have any suitable device to support HBL, can the school advise further	Please get in touch with the school through your child's form teacher (by email), as the school may be able to loan a device to your child.
School Policies and Procedures	What’s the opening hours of the school canteen?	Some stalls open as early as 6.30am while others may open only at 7.30am.
School Policies and Procedures	The canteen accept wat kind of payment	Cash payment
School Policies and Procedures	Will the school calendar be provided?	Currently, we do not provide a full-year school calendar to parents. However, we keep parents informed of upcoming events in a timely manner through the Parents Gateway platform.
School Policies and Procedures	How the school will support and nurture our children's interests and passion in specific areas, so that they will in turn contribute to the school in these areas.	Starting in Term 2, our school will introduce the Student-Initiated Learning (SIL) programme during the fortnightly Home-Based Learning (HBL) sessions. This initiative provides students with dedicated time and opportunities to explore their interests and passions beyond the classroom. For example, last year, a student who self-taught video editing created a beautiful video montage for Deepavali, which was featured on our school’s Instagram account. Through such experiences, we aim to nurture students’ talents and encourage them to contribute meaningfully to the school community in their areas of passion. Additionally, we encourage students to participate in internal and external competitions, which provide valuable platforms to showcase their skills and further develop their interests.
Special Programme	Hybrid learning, oversea study trip	For the year 2025, our school plans to organize two overseas trips: one to Bali and another to Cambodia. These trips are designed for selected students, primarily from Secondary Three, to provide them with meaningful learning experiences beyond the classroom. However, please note that overseas trips are not guaranteed to take place every year, as they depend on various factors such as available opportunities and resources.
Special Programme	We would like more information about the Art Elective Programme (AEP) and the support provided by the school for students enrolled in the programme. Thank you.	For more information about the Art Elective Programme (AEP), you can refer to the details available on the Ministry of Education's website here. Additionally, our school’s AEP coordinator is available to support students by reviewing their portfolios and providing guidance as they prepare for the application process.
Special Programme	If we apply for Art Elective Program, (every tues 3 to 6pm at NJC), how said the school adjust the student's timetable to accomodate this AEP ?	Unfortunately, the school is unable to adjust the student's timetable to accommodate the AEP sessions at NJC. As a result, your child may need to leave before the last period to reach NJC on time. In such cases, we encourage students to take initiative by seeking guidance from their subject teachers and ensuring they catch up on any missed lessons or work.
Special Programme	Does the school organise any overseas learning trip during sec 1 /2?	Overseas learning trips are primarily organized for our Secondary 3 students. However, there are occasional opportunities where certain trips may also be open to Secondary 2 students.
Special Programme	if my child takes Art Elective Program, can she be excused from D&T, F&C & Art classes ? what will she do during these classes? eg, go home earlier or ?	If your child is accepted into the Art Elective Program (AEP), they will be excused from D&T, F&N, and Art classes. During these periods, your child will engage in self-directed learning activities.
Student Development and Well-being	Is there a helpline for all students?	When students encounter challenges in school, they can reach out to their form teachers, subject teachers, or year head, who are all available to provide guidance and support. For more specialized assistance, such as emotional or mental health support, students can be referred to the school counsellors, who are trained to help them navigate personal difficulties in a safe and confidential environment. Our goal is to ensure that every student feels supported and has access to the help they need.
Student Development and Well-being	Special education needs support	Our school’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) officer will engage with students with SEN early in the year to better understand their unique needs and identify the most appropriate forms of support. This process ensures that we can work collaboratively with students, parents, and teachers to create a supportive environment that enables the student to thrive both academically and socially.
Student Development and Well-being	Hope there is a talk for new comers with some encouragement and support from the above level of students	While we did not arrange a formal talk by seniors for the Secondary 1 students, the orientation programme was led by our dedicated student leaders from Secondary 2 to 4. Throughout the programme, these leaders engaged with the Secondary 1 students, sharing valuable tips and advice on how to adapt to and thrive in secondary school life. Their guidance and support were integral to helping our newcomers feel welcomed and prepared for this new chapter.
Student Development and Well-being	Bully in sch	While incidents of bullying can occur, our school takes a firm and proactive stance against such behavior. We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment where every student feels respected and supported. Any cases of bullying are addressed promptly and seriously, with measures in place to support affected students and educate those involved to prevent recurrence. We also encourage open communication, so students and parents can feel confident in reporting concerns to ensure timely intervention.
Student Development and Well-being	What will be the help given to a special needs student?	Our SEN (Special Educational Needs) Officer works closely with students to identify the support and assistance they need. The officer will also update and collaborate with relevant teachers to ensure the student’s needs are addressed effectively. At the same time, we focus on helping students develop independence and essential life skills to prepare them for life beyond school.
Student Development and Well-being	Are students allowed to use phones in class? Will this distract them from paying attention to the teachers? Thanks to clarify if there is a system on this.	Students are not allowed to use their handphones during lessons. Each morning, they are required to securely store their handphones in lockers before lessons begin. They may retrieve their handphones during recess and after school. Starting from Term 2, we aim to encourage students to minimize handphone usage during recess to promote meaningful interactions and other activities.
Student Development and Well-being	Can the class chat grp be moderated by the form teacher or the class monitor so that only official class matters are discussed?	If the class chat group is created by the form teacher, the teacher will typically moderate the content to ensure discussions are focused on official class matters. However, if students create their own chat groups, the school will not be able to regulate their contents. We generally discourage students from forming unofficial chat groups in order to minimise occurrence of misunderstandings and potential conflict.