FAQs
Questions asked during Principal's Engagement at the 2023 Open House:
1. The school’s indicative AL range for Express in 2023 is 11 – 18. If my child scored 18 this year, will he be able to join the school as a student offering most subjects at the G3 level?
The Cut-Off-Point (COP) varies from year to year as it is a result of the cohort’s overall performance and their school choices in that year’s S1 Posting Exercise. MOE advises parents and students to place their preferred school at a higher rank and include 2 – 3 schools where the child’s PSLE score is better than the COP. For more information on Secondary 1 posting issues (including the use of tie-breakers and computerised balloting), please visit MOE’s dedicated sub-site.
2. What is the criteria for lateral transfer for students to take subjects at a more demanding level beyond Secondary 1?
The primary consideration for students to offer subjects at a more demanding level is academic performance. This is to ensure that students are able to cope with the specific demands on the subject. Teachers' feedback, performance and learning attitudes in class will also be considered.
3. What is the frequency and number of learning journeys during a school year? Are there overseas immersion programmes?
Learning journeys (LJs) are an etssential part of learning as they allow students to go beyond the classroom to gain knowledge and skills. The exact number of LJs a student will take part in each year depends on their level, subjects offered, CCAs and special programmes (such as Talent Development Programmes) that they are part of. The school will also be sending Sec 2 – Sec 3 students overseas as part of the Trips for International Experience (TIE) programme.
4. What leadership opportunities does QSS offer?
QSS has a robust student leadership development programme that is guided by the belief that every student has the potential to become a leader. Secondary 1 students will have the opportunity to serve in their Class Committee or as Student Leaders (Prefects, Peer Support Leaders) or CCA Leaders. The various leadership groups will be given developmental opportunities such as workshops, camps and community service projects to further hone their leadership skills.
5. How many classes of Pure Science and Biology are there at Upper Secondary? Is Additional Mathematics offered to all students?
There are currently two Express classes at each Upper Secondary level that offer Pure Science, with one class taking a Triple Science combination of Physics, Chemistry and Biology. However, this number may change depending on student performance, demand and other factors such as resourcing. Additional Mathematics is offered to select classes at Express and Normal (Academic) level. To offer Additional Mathematics, a student needs to demonstrate that he or she has adequately mastered the foundational knowledge and skills taught in Lower Secondary Mathematics in order to cope with the demands of the subject.
Other Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the school hours?
Students are expected to report for morning assembly before 0800. Morning assembly takes place in the Hall on Mon and Wed; on other days, students will have assembly in their classrooms. Lessons will begin at 0820 and last until 1440 (1240 on Fridays). Remedial lessons, CCAs and special programmes (e.g. Talent Development) take place in the afternoon.
2. What is the aggregate range of PSLE score for the last batch of Sec 1 students?
The Achievement Levels of the 2023 Secondary 1 cohort were 12 - 18 for Express; 21 - 24 for Normal Academic and 25 - 27 for Normal Technical.
3. Who is the school Principal?
The current Principal is Mr Peter Tan who will be retiring at the end of 2023. He will be succeeded by Ms Audrey Chen, former Principal of Fairfield Methodist School (Secondary). The Principal is assisted by two Vice-Principals as well as a total of about 90 teachers.
4. What subjects does Queensway offer?
At Lower Secondary, the school offers a comprehensive and broad-based curriculum in line with the school’s mission of providing a holistic education to nurture caring, responsible citizens and confident, life-long learners in a changing world.
At Upper Secondary levels, subjects are offered based on students’ merit and ability. The following subject options are currently available in 2024. From 2026, subjects will be available based on Posting Group 1/ 2/ 3 rather than streams.
Express
8 Subjects - English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Pure Physics, Pure Chemistry, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Combined Humanities (SS/Hist or SS/Geog) and a choice of Biology OR Literature OR Design & Technology
7 Subjects (Pure Science) - English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Pure Physics or Biology, Pure Chemistry, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics and Combined Humanities (SS/Hist or SS/Geog)
7 Subjects (Combined Science) - English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Combined Science (Phy/Chem or Chem/Bio), Mathematics, Additional Mathematics OR Principles of Accounts, Combined Humanities (SS/Hist or SS/Geog) and 1 Elective Subject (Literature OR Design & Technology OR Additional Mathematics OR Principles of Accounts)
Normal (Academic)
6 Subjects: English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Combined Science (Phy/Chem or Chem/Bio), Mathematics, Combined Humanities (SS/Hist or SS/Geog) and 1 Elective Subject (Literature OR Design & Technology OR Additional Mathematics OR Principles of Accounts)
Normal (Technical)
6 Subjects: English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Science, Mathematics, and 2 Elective Subjects (Elements of Business Studies OR Design & Technology OR Nutrition and Food Science)
5. What are Queensway’s signature programmes?
Queensway’s Applied Learning Programme, “Promoting a Sustainable Environment”, offers our students the opportunity to develop science and engineering skills through interesting and authentic tasks while learning about sustainable efforts in the areas of water and food. In Water Sustainability, the Secondary 1 students learn about the various techniques of water treatment, and construction of a sea perch for application in navigation and water testing. In Food Sustainability, the Secondary 2 students learn about the fundamentals of nutrition and are exposed to the technological advancements in food production, innovation and waste management to ensure food security.
We also offer an exciting Learning for Life Programme, “Sports for Life and Outdoor Education”, where all students undergo varied experiential learning opportunities in sports, physical and outdoor activities. In Lower Secondary, students will complete a 1-star basic kayaking course and go through a series of exposure courses in sports such as fencing, golf, archery, ibounce, darts and K Kardio. At Upper Secondary, students are certified in the emergency first response course in CPR and AED. They also experience a competitive environment through intra- and inter- class badminton, basketball, football, floorball games.
6. What is Blended Learning? How is it carried out at Queensway?
Blended Learning allows students to learn through a mix of home-based and in-school activities, leveraging both online and offline approaches to learning. During Home-Based Learning (HBL) days, students will be able to learn content that is within and outside of the curriculum. They will also be given opportunities to plan their own learning for the day.
For 2024, HBL will take place once every fortnight, with the HBL day being rotated throughout the term.
7. Does Queensway offer Talent Development opportunities for high-performing students?
Yes. Talent Development programmes are available for English, Mother Tongue, Mathematics, Science and Aesthetics (Art and Music). They allow students to explore their interests and talents in the specific subject area by giving them exposure beyond the curriculum through workshops and competition opportunities. More information about the Talent Development programmes is available on the school website.
8. Does Queensway have Full Subject-Based Banding?
Queensway has implemented Full Subject-Based Banding (FSBB) since 2023. The school implements FSBB in 2 aspects namely:
(A) Mixed Form Classes with the provision of a common curriculum at lower secondary (Art, D&T, FCE, CCE, Music & PE)
(B) Offering eligible students from G2 and G1 courses to study Humanities subjects (Geography, History & Literature) at a more demanding level from Sec 2;
Selected G2 and G1 students will also be given the opportunity to take the following subjects at a more demanding level: English Language, Mathematics, Science and Mother Tongue. Students will be given an option letter for their respective subjects during Secondary 1 registration based on their performance at PSLE.
Students who are not offered SBB subjects during Secondary 1 posting but perform well in specific subjects subsequently may be offered to take the subject at a more demanding level at the middle or end of the same academic year.
More information about Full Subject-Based Banding can be found on MOE’s microsite: https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/full-subject-based-banding/secondary-school-experience.html
9. What Mother Tongue subjects does Queensway offer?
Queensway currently offers the following Mother Tongue subjects: Chinese Language, Malay Language, Tamil Language, Chinese Language ‘B’ and Higher Chinese Language (from Secondary One onwards). Students who wish to offer other Mother Tongue subjects (e.g. Non-Tamil Indian Languages) will have classes at external venues.
10. Is Queensway on the Personalised Digital Learning Programme (PDLP)?
Yes. All Queensway students receive a Chromebook to allow them to take part in technology-enabled lessons. The cost of this will be co-paid by the school and the student, with funds taken from Edusave accounts. Financial assistance schemes are available.
11. What is the progression of Queensway students to post-secondary institutions?
For the 2022 cohort of ‘O’-Level students, 75% of Secondary Four Queensway students were eligible for Junior College admission. More than 99% of students were eligible for polytechnic admission.
12. What CCAs does the school offer?
The school offers the following CCAs:
Sports: Basketball (Boys), Hockey (Boys & Girls), Soccer (Boys & Girls), Volleyball (Boys & Girls), Badminton (Girls)
Aesthetics Groups: Concert Band, Choir, Chinese Dance, Modern Dance, English Language Drama & Debate Society (ELDDS)
Uniformed Groups: Boys' Brigade, Girl Guides, National Cadet Corps (Land), National Police Cadet Corps
Clubs & Societies: Media Club
13. When are CCA days?
CCAs will meet twice a week, although training frequency may increase during competition periods. CCAs do not meet on Saturdays (with the exception of Boys’ Brigade). The CCA schedule will be published on the school’s website.
14. What type of food is available in the canteen?
The school offers a variety of food for the students such as Western, Japanese and Asian cuisines. There are 2 Muslim food stalls in the school canteen.