FAQ (Q&A)
FAQ (Q&A)
Academic-related Questions
Will there be a lot of homework as there are now more subjects to manage?
There is more homework compared to primary school. However, students should be able to adjust if they complete their work regularly and follow the teachers’ instructions in class. Usually, homework will be based on the day's lessons so there may be more homework on one day and lesser on another. However, the teachers will try to spread the assignment of homework out in order not to overload the students.
What does STEAM mean?
STEAM stands for Science/Technology/Engineering/Art/Mathematics. It is an enrichment programme for lower secondary students. You can find more information here:
https://outramsec.moe.edu.sg/school-programmes/instructional-programmes/science
Can my child take CLB if he is in the Express stream?
Based on their PSLE results, Sec 1 students in the Express and NA streams who are eligible for CLB would have received an offer letter from the school to take CLB.
For those who are not eligible, the subject teachers will monitor and coach the students, and offer them CLB if they are assessed to be suitable at the end of each semester.
Is there streaming in Sec 2? What subject combinations are offered in OSS?
At the end of Sec 2, students are able to select their upper secondary subject combinations.
Elective subjects include:
Pure Sciences (Chemistry and Physics or Biology)
Combined Sciences (Chemistry and Physics or Biology)
Combined Humanities (Literature/ Geography/ History)
Principles of Accounts (POA)
Business Studies
Design & Technology
Art
A Maths (for Exp stream only)
With no mid-year exam, how can parents know if the child needs additional support in any subjects?
There will still be weighted assessments every semester, which will be used to measure the student's performance. Additional support will be provided accordingly. Students may also approach their subject teachers after school whenever they need help.
What are the topics taught in each subject in each term?
Topics taught in each of the subjects follow the MOE Syllabus Guide. You may find more information at https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/courses.For topics taught in each term, subject teachers will provide more information to the students at the start of the terms.
When will swimming lessons begin? Are swimming lessons being replaced by other sports during PE?
Swimming lessons are part of PE. The swimming lessons start at different times for different classes. The PE teacher will inform your child the week before the swimming lessons start so he can prepare for it.
Is the swimming pool accessible to the students after school hours?
The pool is only accessible to students for swimming lessons during PE as CCA groups such as Water polo and Swimming use it for their training after school.
What type of swimming attire is appropriate for female students?
We would recommend a one-piece suit for the female students.
May I know when our child can buy / wear the school PE T-shirt?
In Term 1 Week 1, the PE attire is sold at the school hall after school hours. From Feb onwards, the vendor will sell the PE attire at the school canteen weekly. Your child may purchase the PE attire during recess or after school.
CCA-related Questions
Which CCA will proceed in light of COVID-19?
All the CCAs will proceed, taking into careful consideration the prevailing SMMs. Some CCAs may conduct e-CCA during their sessions.
How does the CCA selection work? Will there be a form to fill up?
Students will be given the CCA selection form on 6 Jan. They can browse the videos of the different CCAs on the e-CCA Orientation site: https://sites.google.com/moe.edu.sg/osss1register2021/sec-1-e-cca-orientation-parents-orientation. They should indicate their top 3 choices and submit the form to the form teacher by 11 Jan.
Can my child sign up for two CCAs to pick up different skills, for example a club and society and a sport CCA?
Although possible, it is usually not encouraged as most of the sports CCAs may train about 3 to 4 times a week, especially during competition seasons. Thus, students may face clashes in the CCA sessions and not be able to fulfil the demands of both CCAs. In addition, some students may be required to stay back for remedial lessons after school, resulting in more stress and time management difficulties. Over the years, we have observed that students flourish better in a single CCA.
Can my child drop out of a CCA if she cannot cope with it or have lost interest in it?
We allow the changing of CCA at the beginning of the year. Thereafter, it is not encouraged as the changing of CCA in the middle of the year will affect the student’s CCA attendance, which affects their LEAP points. CCA attendance between CCAs are not transferable. Hence, it is advisable to choose your CCA wisely and be committed for at least 1 year.
How many times can my child switch CCA?
Students may change CCA at the beginning of each year, subject to the availability of places in the CCA.
How would the school assist students to manage competitions (internal or external) during the exam periods?
Internal or external competitions organised by the school or MOE are usually not held during the exam periods. Please rest assured that there should be no overlap in the exam and competition schedules.
When will we know if our child is selected to be part of the school team? Will it take a year of training?
The CCA teachers and the coaches will work closely to select the school team. If the child is not selected this year, there is still opportunity for him to be selected in subsequent years.
Other Questions
Are the students allowed to wear the PE attire on some days or do they need to wear the school uniform daily?
Students are allowed to be attired in the full school uniform or the half-uniform due to the compulsory wearing of masks. The half-uniform attire consists of the PE T-shirt and the standard bottom (skirt/pants).
Students are to change into their PE attire before the PE lesson.
How do I help my child to manage stress and his overall well-being?
We have a dedicated team of teachers, year heads, school counsellors, AED (LBS) and a student welfare officer to support your child. Form teachers also conduct regular CCE lessons and teach students how to take care of themselves. We work hand-in-hand with parents to discuss how we can help the child.
Will there be any trips outside of school for excursion or educational learning journey this year?
Not at the moment because of the current Covid situation. However, the school may start to conduct learning trips should the SMMs allow.
Will there be any camps in Secondary One?
There will not be a level camp for Sec 1. However, there may be a day camp for CCA groups.
How do parents get in touch with our children's Form Teacher?
Parents can call the General Office to get in touch with the Form Teacher or obtain the Form Teacher’s email address and email enquiries regarding your child.
Your child’s Form Teacher will be introduced at the Parents’ Orientation: https://sites.google.com/moe.edu.sg/osss1register2021/sec-1-e-cca-orientation-parents-orientation/introduction-of-secondary-one-form-teachers and the list is also posted on the website: https://outramsec.moe.edu.sg/about-us/school-staff.
Is it mandatory for the students to carry a mobile phone?
It is not mandatory for students to have a mobile phone. It is up to parents to decide if their child needs to bring a mobile phone to school. Most parents would allow their child to carry a phone for communication purposes. However, it is also possible to reach your child through the school office. Your child will be getting a PLD later in the year and that will be used in class for lessons, reducing the need for the use of phones for learning.
Should your child bring a mobile phone to school, it is their responsibility to ensure that they look after it and the school shall not be liable for any damage or loss of the phone.
Are there lockers for students in school?
There are currently no lockers provided for student use in the school.
When will my child see the dentist?
The dentist will be attending to the Sec 3 students first. We will inform parents when it is time for Sec 1 students to see the dentist.
How do parents buy the personal learning device (PLD) if the child does not have an Edusave account?
Parents of students without Edusave accounts can purchase the PLD with cash through the school. For more information, please contact the school office at 6733 4077.
In the event my child broke/misplaced the laptop, how can we replace it?
Please read through the following steps or access our school website for more information:
Insurance Coverage:
The device insurance coverage includes:
Damage to or loss of device from the following which are non-manufacturer defects or internal mechanical faults:
a) Fire
b) Lightning
c) Power Surges
d) Accidental e.g water spillage, drop etc
e) Theft due to forcible entry
f) Robbery
Reporting of Lost Devices
i. Parents are to make a police report for the lost device.
ii. If the lost device is covered under the circumstances listed in the device’s insurance coverage, parents should contact and inform the device contractor via their helpdesk or service centre. They will need to furnish the contractor with the police report for insurance claim. (Applicable only if the device is still under insurance coverage period).
iii. The contractor’s helpdesk/service centre will advise parents on the insurance claim procedure.
iv. Parents should also inform school of the lost device. School’s DMA Administrator to remote lock the device.
v. School will loan a temporary device from the common pool to students.
vi. Contractor to send the new replacement device to school and school to pass to student if device is covered under insurance. Parents can opt for doorstep delivery but with delivery charges.
vii. If the device is without insurance coverage or the loss is due to clause(s) not covered under insurance, parents can seek school’s assistance to procure a replacement device.
Replacement/Change of Device
i. Students are to inform their school-based service desk whenever there is a replacement/change of device
ii. Replacement/change of devices can be under any of the circumstances listed below:
a. Replacement of device covered under insurance by contractor
b. Replacement of device by parents for device not covered under insurance or insurance period has ended
c. Students who are using their own devices, which were not procured from PDLP Device Bulk Tender changing to another device.
iii. This is to facilitate the installation of the DMA into the new device.
iv. School DMA administrator will enrol the new device to their school’s DMA.
v. For all new device DMA enrolment not done during the device handover exercise in school (including all devices collected from contractor’s service centres), the school DMA administrator will do a factory reset before enrolling the new device into the DMA.
Please refer to this document hosted on our school website for full details:
Thank you!