Individualised Research Study (IRS)

Children are naturally curious about the things around them. Some like to break things apart to explore what is inside while some like to wonder how things will be different if one aspect has been changed or altered and there are others who find thrills in arriving at solutions to their problems they posed. The interests and sense of curiosity of our pupils have sparked them to work on studies such as coming up with various solutions to a problem or in-depth study or investigating a topic. Many of them work on topics of their interest and subsequently these grew into projects that could add value to the knowledge community. Many of the GEP pupils who won prestigious international project competitions began working on these projects or related ones as their Individualised Research Study (IRS). Hence IRS is a platform for talent development.The Individualised Research Study (IRS) is a curriculum that aims to ignite Gifted Education Programme (GEP) pupils’ enthusiasm and passion about things around them. In Primary 4, GEP pupils are taught basic research skills that train them to strive for accuracy, precision and clarity in thinking. In Primary 5, GEP pupils who choose to complete a self-selected research project will have the opportunity to apply what they have learnt in Primary 4. When completing the self-selected project of their interest, pupils learn to pose questions about their topic of interest and to determine the kinds of information or data that they need to gather to find answers to the questions they pose. Pupils learn the importance of gathering relevant and valid information and data through a variety of sources and reliable methods that will address their questions. Pupils also learn how to analyse and draw conclusions from the information and data gathered.

Staff Games 2009

Luncheon

P4 Level Teachers

Ms Loo Poh Keng

Ms Euodia Tay
Ms Ho Siew Hoon
Ms Chong Shing Yu
Ms Mok Sze Hui
Mr Raymond Weng
Ms Yap Kwee San
Ms Cindy Guo
Ms Zhang Jing
Mr Kelvin Tan

P5 Level Teachers
Ms Tan Ley Hoon
Ms Cynthia Chan
Ms Jaclyn Zeng
Ms Sylvia Tay

P6 Level Teachers
Ms Sharon Nathan
Ms Mok Pei Terk
Ms Serene Yeo
Ms Cheng May Ling
Ms Chua Hock Yen

Chinese Intermingling

Two High Ability classes and four GEP classes with a total of 186 pupils form the GEP CL Intermingling programme. Each intermingling class has about 32 pupils. There are a total of 6 intermingling classes.

The teaching pedagogies used in the intermingling CL classes is different from that of the mainstream classes. They follow the GEP pedagogies. GEP pupils are also taking part in the relevant mainstream activities that have been designed for P4 pupils.

Since the main objective of the Intermingling Programme is to build a communication and interaction platform for the gifted and mainstream pupils and to create opportunities for them to learn from one another, intermingling opportunities are also available during their co-curricular activities and level common activities like the camp etc. CCA activities also provide many opportunities for pupils to make friends, to solve problems together and enhance their relationship.

Chinese Language Learning

This year, there is a total of 8 teachers teaching Chinese language in the GE programme in the school. We have a different teaching focus for each of the three levels. For P4, our main focus is to motivate pupils’ learning in Chinese, as well as promoting intermingling amongst GE and mainstream pupils. For P5, we aim to sustain pupils’ interest in learning as well as building their foundation for PSLE since P6 is a crucial year as they are taking their PSLE,our main focus is to prepare them well for the PSLE.

Below is list of programmes specially organized for our GE pupils.

P4 teachers-in charge : Miss Yap Kwee San, Miss Chong Shing Yee, Miss Zhang Jing
1.P4 Language Camp to be held in Catholic High School on 19 March 2009
2.Tea Art Camp

P5 teachers-in charge: Mdm Tan Ley Hoon, Mdm Tay Wan Cheng, Mrs Tan-Chow Ying Fong*
1.Chinese Speech Training held every Tuesday and Wednesday 6.45am - 7.30am
2.P5 Cultural activity drama watching at Victoria Theatre on 7 March 2009
3.P5 Language Camp to be held in Nanhua Pri School on 18 March 2009

P6 teachers-in charge: Miss Chua Hock Yen, Mdm Ng Bee Lian, Mrs Tan-Chow Ying Fong*
1.P6 Cultural activity drama watching at Victoria Theatre on 7 March 2009

* At the beginning of the year, we identified pupils who are weaker in Chinese to do parallel teaching by Mrs Tan-Chow Ying Fong.

Social Studies Curriculum

The GEP Social Studies curriculum extends beyond the mainstream syllabus in depth and breadth. It makes interdisciplinary connections right from the start with the Primary 4 Family Tree Project and progressively caters more to individual needs and interests by allowing the pupils to choose the topics for their portfolio projects. This also helps to hone their decision-making skills. The curriculum does not focus only on the study of History but also Geography, Political Science, Economics and Sociology. The pupils are also encouraged to investigate real-life problems such as climate change and pollution. There are also opportunities for experiential learning through fieldtrips to heritage places such as Kampong Glam, Chinatown and Little India, understanding the different cultures better.

Science

The GEP Science programme starts in Primary 4 and is a three-year programme. It has a curriculum filled with creative and dynamic process of learning, investigating and interpreting observations of the natural and physical world. The enriched curriculum emphasises a hands-on, inquiry-based approach that is problem-centered and focused on the fundamental concepts of science. By being exposed to the processes of problem-solving, exploration and guided discovery, it is hoped that our pupils will develop the innovative skills and intellectual curiosity that will stimulate them to evaluate, challenge and create knowledge.

The aims of the enriched curriculum are aligned with those of the mainstream syllabus but are differentiated to reflect the needs and the ability of the Gifted. The differentiated objectives involve enriched breadth and greater depth of content. It aims to provide a firm foundation of scientific concepts and thinking skills to develop the scientific talents of gifted learners. The GEP course aims to:

provide experiences to develop pupils’ aptitude for science, to help them acquire skills, processes and attitudes for self-directed life-long learning;
provide opportunities for pupils to acquire in-depth understanding of scientific concepts, skills and processes, and apply them to everyday experiences;
nurture pupils’ ability to reason and communicate understanding of scientific concepts and principles, and develop skills for conducting independent scientific investigations and projects;
nurture pupils’ critical and creative thinking skills, to enable them to seek solutions to problems relevant to the pupils and to the community
nurture pupils’ appreciation of the use of science to solve technical, environmental and social problems, and cultivate awareness of the ethical and moral implication of scientific advancements, and
provide opportunities to develop qualities for responsible leadership

We provide a learning environment that is highly pupil-centred, stimulating and challenging. Our teachers are trained to create a non-threatening environment, acting as a facilitator by providing appropriate resources, and opportunities for intellectual stimulation. Pupils are also encouraged to problem-find and take risks.