Methodist Girls' School, Singapore

Methodist Girls' School (MGS) is a girls' independent school, consisting of two sections – the Primary School and Secondary School, located in Bukit Timah, Singapore.

Methodist Girls' School
美以美女校
Sekolah Perempuan Methodist
Address
11 Blackmore Drive, Singapore 599986
Coordinates1°19′58.62″N 103°46′57.25″E
Information
TypeIndependent
MottoTo Master, To Grow, To Serve
Religious affiliation(s)Methodist
Established1887
SessionSingle (day)
School code7030 (Secondary)
5027 (Primary)
PrincipalMiss Grace Ng Wun Har
GradesPrimary to secondary
GenderGirls
Age7 to 16
EnrolmentApprox. 2,500
Colour(s) Blue   Gold 
AffiliationsAnglo-Chinese Junior College)
Websitewww.mgs.sch.edu.sg

Its secondary section runs a joint Integrated Programme (IP) with Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) ("ACS(I)"). Methodist Girls' School has had a history of academic, music and sport and is one of the secondary schools in Singapore.

History
One of the buildings of the former Methodist Girls' School at 11 Mount Sophia

Methodist Girls' School was founded on 25 July 1887 by Sophia Blackmore, an Australian missionary sent by the Women's Foreign Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of America. The school started with 9 Tamil girls in a small shophouse on Short Street. At that time, girls were expected to stay at home and do household chores, meaning that most girls didn't get any sort of education at all. By 1925 the school was overcrowded, which precipitated a move to Mount Sophia, where it remained there until 1992 before being moved to its current location at Blackmore Drive.

The secondary school section of Methodist Girls' School became an independent school in January 1989. In 1992, MGS moved to a new site at 11 Blackmore Drive. The road was named after the school's founder at the request of the school.

Methodist Girls' School is a well-known institution in the region with a history of academic and sporting excellence. The school was routinely placed in the top ten schools of Singapore in the rankings by the Ministry of Education before the rankings were disabled. In the current ranking system, the school consistently places in the Band 1 category, the highest achievable category.

The school has also produced national top scorers in key examinations as well as academic competitions, in both the Primary and Secondary school divisions.

In September 2010, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced that Methodist Girls' School will partner Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), which currently offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), in its new scheme to introduce the Integrated Programme to seven more schools. [1]

School identity and culture

House system

Upon admission, pupils are placed into one of the four houses in Methodist Girls' School. The selection is random, unless the student currently has any siblings or relatives attending the school.

The four houses are Blackmore, Jackson, Lee and Olson. [2]

Uniform

Pupils are easily recognized by the unique uniform of the school, which has not changed since 1922. The uniform resembles a sailor's suit, consisting of a pinafore with an upper section in white and lower section in navy blue skirt; and a white blouse with a sailor collar, which is to be worn over and covers 60% of the pinafore. Under the pinafore, single-colored undergarments (with the choice of white, grey, beige, navy blue or black) and shorts may be worn. [3]

Pastoral

As a Methodist school, devotions are read and prayers are said every morning. Weekly chapel services are also held. Annually, a Discover Jesus Week (DJW) is organised, where daily chapel services are held. The Primary section also has a Christian Fellowship society and the Secondary section has a Servants At the Lord's Task (SALT) club. Meetings are held after school.

Affiliation and admission

The Secondary section is affiliated to Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and runs a joint Integrated Programme from 2012. The secondary school is also affiliated to Anglo-Chinese Junior College. [1]

The Secondary section admits pupils from the Primary section if they obtain a minimum of 220 points, after sitting for the Primary School Leaving Examination. Students from other schools wishing to enter Methodist Girls' School are subject to a higher cut-off point determined by the quality of applicants' PSLE scores for that year (for the 2018 intake, a score of 260). Students may also apply through the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise, in which students may be offered a place based on academic, music or sporting achievements.

Academic information

Methodist Girls' School is a well-known institution in the region with a history of academic, music and sporting excellence. The school was routinely placed in the top ten schools of Singapore in the rankings by the Ministry of Education before the rankings were disabled. The school currently offers both the four-year GCE Ordinary Level (O Level) Express Course and the Integrated Programme.

Integrated Programme
Main article: Integrated Programme

Methodist Girls' School is a partner school with Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), and jointly offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) to its high-performing students. Under the Integrated Programme, students will bypass the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level examination at Year 4, and join the cohort of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) in Years 5 and 6, and eventually sit the International Baccalaureate examination at the end of Year 6. [1]

O Level Express Course

The Express Course is a nationwide four-year programme that leads up to the Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level examination. [4]

Academic subjects

The examinable academic subjects for Singapore-Cambridge GCE Ordinary Level offered by Methodist Girls' School for upper secondary level (via. streaming in secondary 2 level), as of 2017, are listed below.[5]

Notes:

  1. Subjects indicated with ' * ' are mandatory subjects.
  2. All students in Singapore are required to undertake a Mother Tongue Language as an examinable subject, as indicated by ' ^ '.
  3. "SPA" in Pure Science subjects refers to the incorporation of School-based Science Practical Assessment, which 20% of the subject result in the national examination are determined by school-based practical examinations, supervised by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board. The SPA Assessment has been replaced by one Practical Assessment in the 2018 O Levels.[6]
Sciences Language & Hunanities Arts & Aesthetics
  • Additional Mathematics*
  • Mathematics*
  • Physics (SPA)
  • Chemistry (SPA)*
  • Biology (SPA)
  • Science (Pure )
  • English Language*
  • English Literature
  • Mother Tongue Language* ^
  • Higher Mother Tongue Language
  • Geography
  • History
  • Combined Humanities (Social Studies & another Humanities subject at elective level)*
  • Art
  • Music

Sophia Blackmore Academy

In 2005, the Sophia Blackmore Class (SBC) was started for Upper Primary and Secondary pupils with stronger academic abilities. The Sophia Blackmore Class was the school's answer to the Ministry of Education's Gifted Education Programme. The SBC seeks to address the needs of a group of pupils who have a different pace and learning profile. The SBC curriculum is modelled after the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) in consultation with renowned educators, like Sandra Kaplan, in the field of gifted and talented education. The name was later changed to Sophia Blackmore Academy (SBA). [7]

Music Elective Programme

The Music Elective Programme (MEP) is a special 4-year programme, leading to the GCE O-Level Music as well as Higher Music, offered by the Ministry of Education. Its objective is to provide opportunities for academically able students with an aptitude for music to take up the serious study of music and develop their skills of listening and music making.

The MEP curriculum helps students to acquire a better sense of aural skills to appraise and analyse music of Western tradition as well as music from other cultures, such as Japanese Music and Indonesian Gamelan. It gives students a stronger foundation in music theory, a deeper understanding of music history and the ability to compose music. It provides opportunities to interact with MEP peers through camps, enrichment activities, concerts and overseas trips.[8]

One of the few schools in Singapore offering the Music Elective Programme(MEP), Methodist Girls' School has gained recognition, both before and after starting, for producing musicians such as pianist Abigail Sin and violinist Kam Ning, amongst others. Many pupils are also members of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.

Godliness, Excellence, Love

Godliness, Excellence, Love (GEL) periods are held weekly in the Secondary section. There are currently three divisions - Character and Leadership, Pastoral Care and Career Guidance, and Sense and Sexuality Programme.[9]

The Character and Leadership section aims to equip students with skills and knowledge, and empower them to enrich the lives of others. Framework is based on the Transformational Leadership Model by Bernard Bass and Bruce Avolio – a model that looks at the developmental progress of a student’s leadership capabilities. Structured Leadership Training is conducted for three groups - Student population (Level leadership training), Prefects, and Student Leaders (composed of CCA leaders and class leaders).[10]

The Pastoral Care and Career Guidance section aims to provide a holistic and integrated programme which will enhance the social, emotional, intellectual, moral and spiritual growth for all MGS pupils. The values are Responsibility, Respect, Resilience and Reflection. There are three main developmental areas in this section - Affective (bonding and finding a sense of belonging), Intellectual (life skills and career guidance) and Moral & Spiritual (imbued sound values and provide a Christian environment).[11]

The Sense and Sexuality Programme is based on the Ministry of Education's Sexuality Education Programme. The programme in MGS is targeted at Secondary 2 and Secondary 3 pupils, and aims to equip pupils with the relevant knowledge and skills to make responsible choices on sexuality matters. It is guided by Christian principles, and adapted from MOE materials to make it relevant to the students. Abstinence from pre-marital sex, building healthy relationships and making responsible choices are the key concepts.[12]

Co-curricular activities (CCAs)

Prefectorial board and student leaders

Primary

Pupils have the opportunity to serve in the Prefectorial Board or as Student Leaders. As Student Leaders, pupils discharge their responsibilities in one of two groups : Junior Leaders (JL) and CCA Leaders.

Prefects (pupils from Primary Four to Primary Six) are selected by teachers of the school. Primary Six pupils nominated for the positions of Head Prefect and Vice-Head Prefect undergo an interview with the Discipline Mistress and, in cases, the Principal or Vice-Principal of the school.

Four Junior Leaders are selected from each class in Primary Four; each JL represents a House - Blackmore, Jackson, Lee, Olson.

The JLs help the PE department look after the PE stores, organise games for other girls during recess. The JSLs also work closely with the PE department in the organisation of sports events, special projects and in handling matters related to the PE stores.

Pupils (from Primary Five and Primary Six) who are actively involved in their respective CCAs and display leadership qualities are assigned by their CCA teachers to lead a team or a group or to serve as Captain, Chairperson etc. These students are classified as CCA leaders. They provide assistance to the teachers in their CCAs.

All Student Leaders attend training sessions, whether in-house or conducted by a vendor. They also given on-the-job training when they help teachers and students and when they handle the planning of special projects. These activities allow them to display leadership skills and capabilities.

Secondary

The Central Committee of the Prefectorial Board consists of the Head Prefect, the Vice-Head Prefect, and the Heads (and several Assistants) of the four internal departments - Discipline, Student Affairs, Internal Affairs and Student Welfare.

Like the Primary section, potential prefects from Secondary 1 and 2 are nominated by their classmates and teachers, undergo a mentorship programme, go through an interview with senior prefects and teachers, then a level vote is taken.

Secondary 2 students who sign up for Student Leader (SL) Training Camp are assigned tasks and evaluated. Student Leaders are then handpicked from the selection, based on both teachers' recommendation and peer evaluation. They officially become Student Leaders in Secondary 3.

Notable alumni

The school has produced many notable alumni in various fields including but not limited to law, business and politics.

Politics and government

Arts and entertainment
  • Ning Cai: Singapore's first professional female magician
  • Kam Ning: Violinist; Second prize winner of the prestigious Queen Elisabeth Music Competition, 2001
  • Abigail Sin: Award-winning pianist
  • Ovidia Yu: Writer

Education

Sports
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References
  1. "Seven new schools join the Integrated Programme". Channel News Asia Singapore. 2010. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
  2. "House". Methodist Girls’ School. Archived from the original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  3. "School Rules". Archived from the original on 21 August 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  4. "Express Course Curriculum". www.moe.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 4 July 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  5. "School Information Service". Ministry of Education, Singapore. Ministry of Education, Singapore. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  6. "GCE O-Level Syllabuses Examined in 2018". Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB). Archived from the original on 28 April 2017. Retrieved 16 April 2017.
  7. "Sophia Blackmore Class Curriculum". Methodist Girls’ School. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  8. "Music Elective Programme". Methodist Girls’ School. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  9. "Godliness, Excellence, Love". Methodist Girls’ School. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  10. "Character and Leadership". Methodist Girls’ School. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  11. "Pastoral Care and Career Guidance". Methodist Girls’ School. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.
  12. "Sense and Sexuality Programme". Methodist Girls’ School. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2010.

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