INTERNATIONAL MALAYSIA

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Catherine Bishop
7 years ago
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1 ST. JOSEPH S INSTITUTION INTERNATIONAL MALAYSIA

2 Dear Parents/Carers, Middle School Years Welcome to the first batch of Middle School students at St. Joseph s Institution International Malaysia. I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Middle School Coordinator. I will take the lead on all aspects of student life for the Middle School years. The Middle School years mark the end of Elementary School (Key Stages 1 and 2) and the progression though Foundation IGCSE and IGCSE (Key Stages 3 and 4, respectively). This Curriculum Booklet is a preliminary overview of the academic programmes for the Middle School at St. Joseph s Institution International Malaysia. A series of more in-depth booklets will be available in August Each year group in Middle School has distinct aims and processes. Here at St. Joseph s Institution International Malaysia the academic programmes are carefully designed to suit each year group of students. In addition to their academic pursuits all our students will be involved in the extra-curricular life of the school. Year 7 students will be guided through the transition from Elementary School to Middle School. Daily school routines will be introduced to support the settling-in process. Our students will maintain the highest possible standards of uniform, behaviour, attendance and punctuality. The Year 7 PSHCE programme will include activities and projects to allow the development of confidence and self-awareness. Year 8 students will be expected to be more independent and selfsufficient than they were in Year 7. They will be role models for the younger students and will actively participate in all aspects of school life. Academic progress will be closely monitored and the students will focus on continued improvement and achievement. The Year 8 PSHCE programme will include activities and projects to allow the development of mindfulness and support for the local community. Year 9 students will be approaching the end of Foundation IGCSE and the beginning of IGSCE courses. They will be expected to have focus

3 and determination in their approach to school work. It is during this year, more than any other, that the skills to succeed in the later years become vitally important. The students will choose their intended IGCSE subjects in Term 2. To aid the decision-making process, parents/carers and students will be invited to information sessions during this crucial time. The Year 9 PSHCE programme will include activities and projects to support students in the development of social responsibility and career preferences. Year 10 students will be at the beginning of a new and challenging phase in their education. Students will find that IGCSE study places greater demands on them than Foundation IGCSE study did. They will be expected to show a consistent commitment to their studies, as well as to maintain the highest possible standards of conduct and behaviour. The Y10 PSHCE programme will include activities and projects to support students in the development of global awareness and a sense of personal responsibility. Year 11 students are at the beginning of a very important year. Mock Examinations will take place in Term 2. The mock examinations enable teachers and students to measure the progress that has been made and to identify areas that need further work. The mock examinations also engage students in the process of revision and provide the experience of a formal examination process. The Year 11 PSHCE programme will include activities to aid revision and organisation, as well as sessions to advise students coping with the pressure this year can bring. St. Joseph s Institution International Malaysia will strive to provide an informative, challenging and supportive environment in which parents and carers can involve themselves in the learning of their children. I look forward to working in partnership with you in supporting your child. Dr Nicola Brown Middle School Coordinator

4 The Foundation IGCSE The SJII Malaysia Foundation IGCSE covers the age range termed Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9) in the UK National Curriculum. SJII Malaysia will follow the guidelines from the National Curriculum within an international context. Students will study a range of compulsory and optional subjects (please see table below). Compulsory Foundation Course Subjects: Optional Foundation Course Subjects: Note: ICT teaching takes place within subject lessons English (with Drama) Mathematics Bahasa Malaysia Mandarin Science Geography History Art Music Physical Education Values and Morals Mandarin (in additional to the compulsory content) Spanish

5 How do we monitor student progress? SJII Malaysia places great importance on monitoring student progress. There are two methods of monitoring in place throughout the Foundation IGCSE. SJII Malaysia has its own academic tracking system based on teacher assessment. This assessment is based on evidence gathered through class tests, assignments and other tasks. This form of tracking provides us with a strategic tool for identifying students who need extra support in any area. The data is generated frequently and any interventions are modified accordingly. SJII Malaysia tests each student at the beginning of each year of the Foundation IGCSE using an external baseline testing service. The data produced is framed within the context of students taking the test around the world in previous years. The grades generated are used as a basis for comparison with the grades from the previous year/s for each student to ensure consistent progress for each individual.

6 The IGCSE Course The SJII Malaysia IGCSE (International General Certificate of Education) course covers the age range termed Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) in the UK National Curriculum. SJII Malaysia will follow the Cambridge International Examinations program. Experience over many years has shown that IGCSE is a solid preparation for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). Students will study a range of compulsory and optional subjects (please see table below). Compulsory IGCSE Course Subjects: English Mathematics Science* Bahasa Malaysia (for Malaysian citizens only) Optional IGCSE Course Subjects: Spanish Mandarin Bahasa Malaysia Economics Geography History Art Music ICT * There are options within the course but all students will study for some form of Science IGCSE

7 Why choose Cambridge International Examinations? Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) prepare school students for life, helping them develop an informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. CIE are part of Cambridge Assessment, a department of the University of Cambridge. Cambridge IGCSE is the world s most popular international qualification for year olds. It is available in 70 subjects, including over 30 languages. The Cambridge IGCSE examination program is tried, tested and trusted around the world. Cambridge International qualifications are recognised by the world s best universities and employers, giving students a wide range of options in their education and career. As a not-for-profit organisation, Cambridge devote its resources to delivering high-quality educational programmes that can unlock learners potential. Every year, nearly a million Cambridge learners from 10, 000 schools in 160 countries prepare for their future with an international education from Cambridge. How do we monitor student progress? SJII Malaysia places great importance on monitoring student progress. There are two methods of monitoring in place throughout the IGCSE Course. SJII Malaysia has its own academic tracking system based on teacher assessment. This assessment is based on evidence gathered through class tests, assignments and other tasks. This

8 form of tracking provides us with a strategic tool for identifying students who need extra support in any area. The data is generated frequently and any interventions are modified accordingly. SJII Malaysia tests each student at the beginning of the IGCSE course using an external baseline testing service. The data produced is framed within the context of students taking the test around the world in previous years. The grade generated is used as a basis for the production of a target grade for each student. The target grade will vary from subject to subject to reflect the different rates at which learning and progress are made for individual students within different subjects. How is the final IGCSE assessed? IGCSE examinations are externally produced and marked by trained specialists at CIE. The timetable for examinations is published in advance and SJII Malaysia administers the examinations under strict controls. Upon completion the examination scripts are securely sealed and stored before being sent to CIE. Results are published several weeks later. Examinations are taken in each subject area at the end of two academic years of study. The range of grades awarded to students in each subject is: A*, A, B, C, D, E, F, G and U (where U means ungraded). The highest grade, A*, denotes exceptional performance. There is no pass grade, but many subjects will require a student to have reached at east C standard if they wish to pursue the subject at IBDP level.

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