Woodlands Ring Secondary School
Motivating
Our Students through
Building Resiliency
Sharing at APS Global Education Conference 2012
12 July 2012
“Purpose and Meaning are
essential to build a community
of mind.”
Thomas Sergiovanni
Through the gates of Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Walk the BEST!
Scope
•
•
•
•
Who do we serve
What Guides Us
How Do We Build Resiliency
What Are Some Observable Outcomes
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Who Do We Serve
Families with
low income
Low in
selfefficacy
Low in selfconfidence
Secondary 4NT & 5 students make up
11 - 12% of student population
Through the gates of Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Walk the BEST!
What Guides Us
Our Belief
“Our students are Capable,
Teachable and Lovable.”
Create Culture of Care
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What Guides Us
School Philosophy
“Every child is unique,
whose potential can be maximized
so as to
contribute selflessly to society.”
Teachers’ Pledge:
We will … bring out the best in our students
We will guide our … useful and good citizens of Singap
Through the gates of Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Walk the BEST!
What Guides Us
Vision, Mission, Motto & Values
Work
Rise
Responsibility
Respect
Serve
Resilience
Mental Model:
increase resiliency  increase motivation 
Successful Learners!
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How Do We
Build Resiliency
Emphases in the
WRS Curriculum
Culture of
Learning
People
Our Focus
Students’
Voice
Quality
Relationships
Through the gates of Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Walk the BEST!
Character &
Citizenship
Education
Framework
Provide
Opportunities
for Meaningful
Participation
Set and
Communicate
High
Expectations
Active
Citizens
Increase
Prosocial
Bonding
Responsibility
Respect
Resilience
Provide
Care &
Support
adapted from Henderson & Milstein’s Resiliency Wheel
Set Clear,
Consistent
Boundaries
Teach Lifeskills,
Social &
Emotional
Competencies
Vibrant
Leaders
Culture of
Learning
How Do We
Build Resiliency
Teaching of values and Social
Emotional competencies
– Creating “Motivation Mondays” &
“Celebration Fridays”
– displaying quotations around the school
and using them frequently
– Role-modelling by School Leaders
– Practising language patterns of influence
Through the gates of Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Walk the BEST!
Building
Quality
Relationships
How Do We
Build Resiliency
Increasing pro-social bonding
–
–
–
–
Matching teachers to class profile
Introducing “Teach the Child” Programme
Celebrating Blessings Day
On-going class visits to give pep
talks (visibility of School Leaders)
– Learning at Week ‘X’
– Recognition: priority seating at Quadrangle
for morning assembly
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Students’
Voice
How Do We
Build Resiliency
Providing opportunities for
meaningful participation
– Showcasing talents and success stories
– Participating in Students’ Forum
– Planning of school events:
“Technically Normal” Day
– Naming of Class and Classroom
Decoration
– Appointing Student Canteen Managers
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Partnership
How Do We
Build Resiliency
Setting and communicating high
expectations with strong support
– Parents
(especially for Secondary 5 students)
– Higher Institutes of Education
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What Are Some
Observable
Outcomes
Quantitative data
• Attendance: consistently ~98%
• Punctuality: consistently ~98%
• Progression rate:
– 100% for 4NT
– 77% in 2009 to 82% in 2011 for S5
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What Are Some
Observable
Outcomes
Percentage of 4NT & S5 Students
Achieving Distinctions in CCA Grade
80
70
60
50
4NT
40
S5
30
20
10
0
2009
2010
2011
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What Are Some
Observable
Outcomes
Quality of School Experience Survey Mean Response Index
from 2007 to 2011 for 4NA
Through the gates of Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Walk the BEST!
What Are Some
Observable
Outcomes
Quality of School Experience Survey Mean Response Index
from 2007 to 2011 for 4NT
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Special Mention
What Are Some
Observable
Outcomes
• 4NT students from Robotics Club
coached ITE & JC students
• 4NT students selected as Chairpersons
of CCAs
• S5 student achieved the NCC
Outstanding Cadet Award 2012
• 4NT & S5 students shortlisted for the Lee Kuan
Yew All-round Student Award interview in 2010
& 2012, respectively
Through the gates of Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Walk the BEST!
What’s Next
• Deepening teachers’ professional
practice in developing students’ 21st
century competencies
• Increasing teachers’ competencies in
reflective practice
• Enhancing engagement with parents and
external stakeholders as partners in
education
Through the gates of Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Walk the BEST!
•
For further correspondence and
collaboration, email:
chong_jack_sheng@moe.gov.sg
•
To download slides, visit:
http://www.woodlandsringsec.moe.edu.sg/
Through the gates of Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Walk the BEST!
“Purpose and Meaning are
essential to build a community
of mind.”
Thomas Sergiovanni
Singapore Teachers’ Vision: Lead . Care . Inspire
Through the gates of Woodlands Ring Secondary School, Walk the BEST!