Secondary News

Celebrating our Learners

IB Diploma Learner Profile

We recognised some of our IBDP learners in assembly last week for demonstrating the IB Learner Profile attributes.

Caring - Mattia, Emma & Eleanor for caring for those around them and the wider community.

Balanced - Nicholas, Benya and Nils for effectively balancing their sporting commitments and academics.

Knowledgeable - Iona & Kapil for their impressive commitment to their academic studies.

Inquirers/Thinkers - Tanay, Lachlan & Ryan O for being inquisitive in their lessons and demonstrating a passion for learning.

Reflective - Manav & Nazneen for being able to effectively reflect on their learning and CAS experiences.

Principled - Seoyeon & Chris for never missing a day of school throughout Y12 and Y13. Victoria for commitment to studies. Shawn for his representation of learner concerns.

Communicators - Karry, Karthik, Riana for sharing their ideas so successfully in lessons and CAS experiences.

Assessment for learning

Many of you when younger will have been to school where all work was marked by teachers. Over the last 25 years research has shown that this method does not have the greatest impact on learning. At Nexus we use teacher marking, peer marking and self-marking as ways to engage learners in understanding assessment criteria and focusing on feedback. Many departments are using short progress checks that are self assessed or peer assessed as ways for learners to gain instant feedback and understand how to improve.

This OECD paper brings together some of the research and makes the case for why we should do this.

Year 8 Residential Trip, Telunas

Towards the end of this busy and exciting term, our Year 8 learners visited Telunas, Indonesia for their annual residential. They all disembarked the boat at the end of the trip feeling challenged, enthused and re-energised and proved to us all what amazing risk takers they were as well as demonstrating their empathy towards others.

There were many highlights of our trip but, perhaps surprisingly, the activity that seemed to engage the learners the most was our service element; building a concrete path to aid the local villagers in traversing the jungle. The learners really proved us proud here; they interacted with the local children with kindness and care and worked extremely hard in the intense heat to complete this very physical task.

Another example of our learners displaying resilience was through our camping activity. In small groups, learners were assigned roles such as catering, sanitation or pyro (fire building) and were responsible for everyone being able to consume an edible meal! We then engaged in camp songs and set up our own hammocks for the night which was a once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Overall, the trip was a wonderful mix of physical activity, cultural learning and adventure, in a truly beautiful setting and I know our learners have emerged with their horizons broadened.

Celebrating IGCSE Success

Last week gave us the opportunity to come together and celebrate the tremendous achievements of our Year 12 learners in their June 2023 IGCSE examinations. While globally IGCSE outcomes were cut back to pre-pandemic levels Nexus learners achieved some of the best results the school has ever seen. Half of all grades were A*/A (or equivalent) and on average learners scored 1/2 grade better per subject than predicted by standardised testing. We are exceptionally proud of what they have achieved and how they have started their study of the IBDP in Year 12. Their certificates should arrive from the IGCSE exam boards next term.

Curriculum Ambassadors: Centring Learner Voice

Learners focused on developing our curriculum here at Nexus have met Learning Area Leaders (LALs), Ms. Steph and Dr. Heather over the past couple of weeks with a view to developing the curriculum so it is more future-focused.

In their first meeting with LALs and Ms. Steph, the learners discussed how collaborative learning is being used across different subjects. Following this, tutor time provision was discussed in terms of how to make this more learner-led through sporting and debate activities. The discussion went onto CCAs and how learners are able to set up their own CCA with the EOTC team giving sound advice. Finally, the learners asked questions around technology use and how this can be implemented effectively.

Learners from Years 7, 10 and 12 met with Dr. Heather to discuss transition after gathering a wide range of responses from their respective year levels. They gave a wide variety of information and were able to come up with some transformative opportunities to push the school forward. These ranged from learner produced guidance videos on numerous topics to the sharing of good practice learners have experienced in the transition from primary to secondary, MYP to IGCSE, and IGCSE to IB.

We look forward to seeing the positive changes that come from learners centring their voice around the curriculum.

Careers & University: NEXt steps

🦁🎓 Lion City a rip-'roaring' success!

Last week, all of Year 12 and 13 attended the Lion City fair at Tanglin Trust School. They were greeted by over 170 university reps from all across the world. Our learners were fantastic in exploring every option, country and pathway available to them, asking probing questions and achieving greater clarity in thier NEXt steps. For our Year 13s it was a chance to consolidate choices and for our Year 12s , an opportunity to kickstart conversations and ideas about their future. Learners are encouraged to speak to Mr Will about any pathways they are considering.

Next term...

Deadline for all UCAS, US and Canada applications is on or before the 11th December 2023.

Pupil Attitudes to Self and School Survey (PASS)

All secondary learners will be taking the Pupil Attitudes to Self and School Survey (PASS) on Wednesday 25th October during morning registration. This survey gives us data that will help the school better support all learners. If you would like more information on this survey please read this letter to parents and guardians.

Examinations

Please make sure you check the examination schedules before booking travel. The IBDP examination schedule is already published for May 2024. The IGCSE schedule should be confirmed in January.

Please note external examinations may fall on public holidays or run in the evening and the school has no control over these dates. External examination dates cannot be rearranged by the school.

Internal trial examinations for Year 13 and Year 11 run between January 8th to January 19th.

Internal trial examinations for Year 12 run between 4th and 11th March.

Internal trial examinations for Year 10 run between 2nd and 12th April.

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