From the Learning Resource Hub

Some of our learners have recently begun a literature study in reading groups during their weekly English library lesson. Learners were grouped accordingly, given a novel to read along with a weekly set of tasks. Each member in the group completes some literary style analysis such as summarizing, making predictions, researching content or creating discussion questions. Several books are being studied at the moment, depending on year level. These ranges from Skellig, Hoot, Paper Planes, Face, The Boy in the Striped Pajama's, The Book Thief, Refuge Boy and Touching the Void. So far it's going well as the learners are directing the discussion and learning how to communicate and share ideas.

Another Initiative in the Library was our Book Review Activity. Most year 7, 8 and 9 English classes have written a book review and turned them into a QR code. COVID-19 has brought QR codes to center stage of life in Singapore and what better way to understand how they work then to create one. The learners had to choose a book to read, most choose from our 'diverse' or 'realistic fiction' book lists and wrote a book review using a specific template and guide. They used a QR code generator to make the code which are currently on display. More classes have yet to finish the activity. More information can be found on our Secondary Library website. https://sites.google.com/nexus.edu.sg/secondary-library/home?authuser=0

Finally, our learners were in for a treat during Halloween week. There were several activities that took place, all focused on literacy and literature. Several classes in years 7-11 took part in some Horror, Mystery and Thriller 'book tastings'. Books were scattered throughout the LRH and they were tasked with ‘tasting’ one or two books for 5 or 6 minutes, then invited to talk to their peers about the book. The goal was twofold; to generate interest in fresh and unfamiliar literature and get them talking about it. It was a pleasure to see many learners checking out new genres of texts. Most of the year 7 classes were treated to a documentary on the children’s classic fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel.” They were quite interested to learn the cultural and historical influences of the tale, many of which were dark and terrifying, perfect for Halloween! A mini-quiz followed. The activity linked nicely to their current English unit on Fairy Tales. Lastly, in PSHE time, the learners had the opportunity to watch some educational videos about the history of Halloween, the literacy creation of Dracula, and listen to some poetry from Edgar Allen Poe.

Ms. L

Secondary Teacher Librarian

News From the Year Groups; Year 7

Our Year 7 learners have continued to transition smoothly into their roles as Secondary Learners and are settling in with both ease and enthusiasm. Over Terms 1 & 2, we have welcomed six new families into our community, and have been impressed with how learners have demonstrated the core values of our ‘Nexus Recipe’ in ensuring that new friends are warmly welcomed.

The character values of ‘Respect’ & ‘Balance’ have underpinned our wellbeing and behaviours in assemblies and tutor led PSHE lessons. Learners have been inquiring about finding a balance between online and offline behaviours, focusing on the ideas of developing appropriate digital citizenship and etiquette. They have been reflecting on their own online behaviours and suggesting different ways in which they could address their personal need for a healthy digital ‘balance’.

Respect - As well as respecting the members of our own Nexus community, in their Humanities lessons Year 7 have been learning about how they can care for and respect their environment. With a focus on ‘Oceans & Rainforests’, learners have been investigating the natural cycles and characteristics of each biome, along with the human impacts on these fragile ecosystems. Learners have enjoyed mapping the features of our oceans, creating ‘Biome Backpacks’ for survival and investigating the properties of different plastics and their potential to be reused and recycled.

Enjoyment - The focus in HPE lessons this term has been on Track & Field sports. Learners have been enjoying learning new skills as they participate in shot putt, high jump, sprinting and water polo. Teaching the character of ‘Respect’ through sport is helping our learners build enjoyable team performances on the field and in the water and is encouraging each individual to take what they have learned through team participation and use it to succeed in other aspects of their life.

Communication - In their English lessons Year 7 have been exploring the concept of ‘parody’ in the context of Fairy Tales with an aim to develop vocabulary and persuasive language techniques in speech writing. Amongst this exciting work, there is also a daily emphasis on taking notes, good handwriting & presentation skills as well as organising information in their exercise books.

Integrity - We are excited to announce the launch of our very first Year 7 ‘Take Action’ group, which currently consists of 16 learner volunteers who will work together to seek out opportunities for making positive change within our community. They began their work during our Deepavali celebrations last Wednesday when they produced over 100 bags of individually wrapped sweets and treats for the essential workers who are homed at our old Ulu Pandan site. Today, they began working on their ‘Christmas Kindness’ Project in conjunction with a local charity . . . watch this space for more news soon!!

Passionate - Opportunities to find personal ‘Balance’ between school work and family life have been seized by those Year 7’s who have wanted an outlet for their creativity and passion in areas outside the curriculum and classroom walls. We witnessed an amazing ‘Thriller’ dance routine as part of our Halloween celebrations, creative costumes and henna designs during Deepavali and musical performances in our ‘Lessons Without Walls’ performances..

Excellence - In Art lessons, Year 7 have produced some truly exemplary pieces of work as they explored their personal experiences of Singapore in an inquiry into how artists develop a Sense of Place. Learners responded to the artwork of the local artists group 'Urban Sketchers of Singapore' to gain inspiration for their own creations.'