More Academic-related Information

1. What subjects does CTSS offer for its Upper Secondary students in the Express stream?

English Language
Mathematics, Additional Mathematics
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science (Chemistry, Biology), Science (Physics, Chemistry)
Higher Chinese, Chinese, Chinese (Special Programme), Basic Chinese
Higher Malay, Malay, Basic Malay
Higher Tamil, Tamil, Basic Tamil
Geography, History, Humanities (Social Studies, Geography), Humanities (Social Studies, History)
Art, Computing, Literature (E), Physical Education, Principles of Accounts

2. How are students supported academically if they fall behind in terms of their academic achievements? Are remedial / supplementary lessons provided for these students?

CTSS academic curriculum is pitched at the appropriate pace for the students. For students who need additional support, they will attend scheduled remedial classes to help them bridge the gap academically. In addition, for laterally transferred students or students inserted into the Subject-Based Banding programme, the school will provide bridging programmes to facilitate their transition from one stream to another as well.

3. How are students selected to take up Computing as a subject at O-Levels? My child is interested in Computing at O levels. What is the criteria to be chosen for Computing at the end of Sec 2? Do those who entered via Direct School Admission (CODE) have the priority to take up Computing in Secondary 3?

Computing is offered by MOE as an O Level subject for Express stream students. At the end of Sec 2, interested Express course students may opt for the subject. Placement in the subject is based on academic merit and available vacancies. Those who enter by DSA does not have priority.

4. What are the opportunities available for higher ability students who take up Maths and Science subjects?

For Science, the school identifies students with talent in Science and provides them with the opportunities to be further developed in the following 4 domains:

Academic-Focused Programme e.g. Olympiad Trainings;
Research-Focused Programme e.g. Science-in-Action which leads to Singapore Science & Engineering Fair;
Communication-Focused Programme e.g. Science Busking; and
Innovation-Focussed Programme e.g. Unity Science Challenge.

For Math, the school identifies students who are talented in Math and provides them with out-of-curriculum exposures. They are also given the opportunities to participate in competitions to further develop their interests and skills. Competitions include Singapore Math Olympiad, Singapore Math Society Project Festival and Essay Writing, and All Secondary School Math Competition for Normal Course students.

5. CTSS’s Applied Learning Programme is Coding. Do all Secondary 1 and 2 students take any modules related to coding?

All Lower Secondary students will learn Python programming, as well as Thinking, Computational Thinking, Creative Problem Solving, Collaboration and Communications Skills.

6. How many Express classes does CTSS offer? How many triple / double Pure Science classes does CTSS offer for Upper Secondary Express?

The school’s intake of Express classes has remained stable over the years with four Express classes for each cohort. The number of students offering triple and double Pure Science classes varies each year depending on the subject combination choices of the students of that cohort. Generally, the school offers one class of triple Science and two Classes of double Pure Science class.

7. What is the promotion criteria for Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary? What are the criteria for transferring (from Sec 1) NA to Express in Secondary 2?

The school adheres to MOE’s guidelines on the promotion of students to the next level of study. The promotion criteria is customised for each academic stream. For example, Lower Secondary Express students should pass English and the overall percentage for all subjects. Normal Academic students should pass English and two other subjects.

Upper Secondary Express and Normal Academic students should pass English and two other subjects. More information is provided to the students and parents through the Student Handbook when your child is enrolled with us.

8. What were the estimated percentage of students who are transferred from the Normal Academic stream to the Express stream for the past 2 years?

Lateral transfer to a more demanding course is subjected to the student meeting the criteria. Over the years, there are about 3 to 5 students who qualify for transfer to a more demanding course, e.g. NT to NA; NA to Express, each year.

9. Can I know what are the electives/subjects offered in Secondary 3 after streaming in Secondary 2?

The school offers a myriad of Subject Combinations at Upper Secondary. All students are offered a number of compulsory common subjects and one or two elective subjects. For example, Express students are offered A Math as one of the compulsory common subjects. Elective subjects that are offered to Express students are Pure Sciences, Humanities, English Literature, Art, Computing, and Principles Of Accounts (POA). Elective subjects that are offered to Normal (Academic) students are POA, English Literature, Coursework Subjects such as Design & Technology (D&T), Nutrition and Food Science (NFS), Art and A-Math. Electives subjects that are offered to Normal (Technical) students are Art, Music, Elements to Business Skills and D&T.

10. Where on CTSS website can we view the electives/subjects that are offered in CTSS for Upper Secondary students?

The subject listings are currently not uploaded on the school website or Open House microsite. As the subject combinations for each cohort take into consideration the needs of the students based on our mid-year Pre-Streaming Exercise, the list of combination of subjects will be updated yearly. The school will also brief the Secondary 2 parents during the Parent-Staff Interaction (PSI) in January every year.

11. Does CTSS offer Art or Higher Art as an O-level subject?

The school offers Art as an O-Level subject. The students can also be offered Higher Art as an O-level subject but they will have to take the subject at an Art Elective Programme centre which is located at another school.

12. Does CTSS offer CLB? If CTSS does not, where do the students go to attend CLB lessons?

CTSS offers CLB to Secondary 2, Secondary 3 Normal Academic and Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students. For Upper Secondary Express students who wish to take up CLB, they will be referred to other CLB centres for their lessons.

13. What is the minimal score for Mother Tongue Language (MTL) for Secondary 3 students who like to continue with Higher Mother Tongue Language (HMTL) in Secondary 4?

Students are required to score at least a B3 in the O Level MTL exam in order to continue with HMTL in Secondary 4.

14. What is the arrangement for students who are exempted from MTL when the rest of the class is having MTL lessons during formal curriculum?

Students who are exempted from MTL will be doing their own self-study at the study areas during their MTL lessons.

15. What are the 6 common subjects for mixed stream classes?

They are Music, Art, Physical Education, Design & Technology, Food & Consumer Education, and Character & Citizenship Education.

Personalised Digital Learning Programme

When will the students receive the laptop programme announced by MOE?

MOE is launching the Personalised Digital Learning Programme in phases. CTSS is in Phase 2 whereby it is estimated that our students will progressively receive their personal digital devices between May and July 2021. More information will be shared with parents in 2021.

Applied Learning Programme

As coding is a key focus in CTSS, what happens if the child dislikes the subject (coding)? Should this be a key consideration for enrolment into CTSS?

Coding is part of the school’s Applied Learning Programme (ALP). We believe that coding and computational thinking is important for all our students thus we introduce all our students to some aspects of coding and computational thinking as part of developing their digital literacy and helping them to be future-ready. Learning experiences in the ALP are non-examinable. They are also designed to spark students’ curiosity, help them explore further interests beyond the school subjects.

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