Dear Parents/Guardians,

A Note of Thanks

Term 3 has been eventful with the school celebrating Singapore’s 54^th National Day by setting a new Singapore record for the most number of squats done by a group in 5 minutes. GESS received a certificate for this feat from the Singapore Book Of Records. As part of the Singapore Bicentennial commemoration, all our staff and students were also given the opportunity to go through the Bicentennial Experience at the Fort Canning Centre. There were many more events such as the music exchange programme with Brigidine College, St Ives, Sydney and the annual Sports Fiesta. The successful completion of these events was only possible with the unwavering support of our parents/guardians.

Pilot School For Full Subject-Based Banding

We are pleased to inform you that our school has been selected as one of the 28 pilot schools for Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB). This pilot will only involve current Sec 1 N(A) cohort and the future Sec 1 cohorts from 2020 onwards. For more information, please refer to the letter sent on 3 September 2019 or visit our website at: /school-information/gess-full-subject-based-banding-sbb/

School Emergency Preparedness Exercise

There will be an emergency preparedness exercise on 26 September 2019 (Thursday, 0745h – 1230h) in school. This emergency exercise aims to train our students and staff to be prepared for any emergency in the school premises and to be familiar with the safety and evacuation procedures. Kindly take note that during the exercise, the school’s main gate will be closed. If the PSI level for the morning of the exercise is at the unhealthy level (above 100), the school will cancel the exercise. For further information, please contact Mr Phoon (Admin Manager) at 64745594.

Haze Management

We have put in place measures to ensure the well-being of your child during a haze situation. To enable our teachers to continue to safeguard the well-being of your child while in school, please keep us updated on your child’s health status. They should also have their necessary medication, such as their inhalers, with them at all times, and be encouraged to drink lots of water. We will continue to monitor the PSI level and adjust our activities corresponding to MOH’s health advisory. As part of our haze management measures developed over the years, we would like to reassure parents that our school is equipped with air purifiers and sufficient enclosed spaces to cater to our students.

National and End-Of-Year Examinations

Term 4 is a crucial period for all students as they will be taking their National or end-of-year examinations. The Sec 1-3 examination will commence on 30 September and end on 10 Oct 2019. Students have already received their exam timetable and a copy of it can be found on the school website. CCAs will stand down from 16 September to 11 October 2019 for students to focus on their academic work. Let us work together to provide emotional and academic support so as to bring out the best in each of our students.

Our Proud Moments

We congratulate Mr Hsu Chuan Jimmy (Education Workshop Instructor) for receiving the 2019 National Day Efficiency Award. We also congratulate Ms Tan Geck Hua, Dolley (SH/History) and Mr Tan Kay Chuan (Teacher/Art) for receiving the 2019 National Day Long Service Medals. These awards serve to affirm their dedicated service to the school and MOE.

In Term 3, we were invited to participate in the National SG Cares exhibition. It is notable that our school was the only school selected to share our legacy and community outreach programme. This, indeed, affirms the good work of our staff and students who go the extra mile in supporting the needy in our community, hence, continuing the work that our Founder, Mr Gan Eng Seng, started in the 1880s.

Term 4 Key Events

Kindly refer to Annex A for information on the key events for Term 4. We will also be uploading on the school website the CCA schedules for the Nov-Dec holidays by 26 Oct 2019. Please note that our school will keep Nov 24 to Dec 22 free from school activities, including CCA training, so that our Gessians may enjoy a well-deserved holiday break with their family and friends. We look forward to your continued partnership to realise our vision of Gessians of Excellence, Standing and Significance.

 

Onward!

Yours sincerely,

Mdm Jenny Tan

Principal

 

Annex A

Term 4 Key Events

Dates	Event	Remark (if any)
16 Sep-11 Oct	CCA stand-down
16-25 Sep/7-18 Oct	GCE N(T) & GCE N(A) Written Exams	4A students: Normal curriculum lessons for 4A from 26 Sep to 27 Sep. Last School Day for Sec 4A is 27 Sep (Fri). 4B and 4C students: Normal curriculum lessons for 4B and 4C from 24 Sep to 27 Sep. Last School Day for 4B and 4C is 27 Sep (Fri).
18-25 Sep	GCE N-Level Listening Comprehension Exam 18 Sep: English Lang Syllabus T (NT) 20 Sep: English Lang Syllabus A (NA) 23 Sep: Mother Tongue languages (NA) 25 Sep: Basic Mother Tongue Languages (NT)	Students will be dismissed at 1.25 pm on 18 Sep, 23 Sep and 25 Sep to prepare the school for the national Listening Comprehension exam. Note: On 20 Sep, students will be dismissed as usual at 12.55 pm.
23 – 27 Sep	Oral Exams for Sec 1 – 3 Sec 1 MT Oral: 24 Sep- 27 Sep (PM) Sec 3 EL Oral: 23 Sep, 24 Sep and 27 Sep (PM)
23 Sep (Mon)	GCE O Level Oral Exam –CLB/MLB/TLB
27 Sep (Fri)	Graduation Day for 4Exp, 5NA, 4NT and 4NA	All Sec 4 & 5 students will attend the Graduation Day programme. They are to report for flag raising at 7.15am.
30 Sep -10 Oct	End -of -Year Exams – Sec 1 to Sec 3 (all streams)	Students may leave school at the end of their last paper for each day. Students who do NOT have a paper on any particular day will not need to be present in school for that day.
3 Oct-15 Oct	GCE O-Level Science Practical Exam 3 Oct : Sc (Phy/Chem, Bio/Chem) Practical Exam 7 Oct : Physics Practical Exam 10 Oct : Chemistry Practical Exam 15 Oct : Biology Practical Exam
30 Sep (Mon)	Last day of school for 4H and 5NA
4 Oct (Fri)	Last Day of school for all other 4 Express classes
11 Oct (Fri)	Marking Day	Students do not need to attend school.
18 Oct (Fri)	Promotion Meeting	Students do not need to attend school.
21 Oct – 15  Nov	GCE O-Level Written Exams
21 – 24 Oct	Sec 1 – 3 Post-Exam Activities	Last School Day for Sec 1 – 3 classes is 24 Oct 2019 (Thursday).

 

Dates	Event	Remark (if any)
		More information regarding the Post-Exam Activities will be given to students in Term 4.
24 Oct (Thu)	GCE O-Level EL Listening Comprehension Exam	Students will be dismissed at 1.25 pm for the school to prepare for the national Listening Comprehension exam.
25 Oct ( Fri)	FA Cup Parent-Teacher Conference	Only invited students and parents will attend the FA Cup Parent-Teacher Conference.
29 Oct – 1 Nov	Bridging Lessons for selected students	Sec 3EX/NA classes and selected students who qualify for lateral transfer to a more demanding stream will attend. Sec 1 N(A) students who are eligible and who choose to take Geography/Literature at the Express level will also attend these lessons.
5 Nov (Tue)	Sec 2 Streaming Announcement Sec 2NT: 8 – 9am Sec 2NA: 8 – 9am Sec 2EX: 8 – 9.30am	Results of Sec 2 streaming exercise will be released. All Sec 2 students will report to school at 8 am to receive their streaming results.
16 Nov (Sat)	GESS Open House (9am -12.30pm)	All parents and students are invited. All are encouraged to bring interested Primary Six students and their parents to this event.
20 Nov (Wed)	Graduation Nite for Sec 4 & 5 Students