A STRONG FOUNDATION IN EDUCATION A good foundation in education is fundamental for future learning. At Beacon, we equip our students with the knowledge, skills, values and dispositions that are essential for the 21st Century. Our technology-enriched curriculum is developed to nurture our students holistically to be confident learners who are grounded in basics, rooted in values and global in outlook. We provide a learning environment that stimulates and nurtures students’ imagination and intellectual curiosity. This, together with innovative teaching pedagogies and a team of dedicated staff, creates a vibrant learning environment; one that fosters a gracious community of active and creative learners
with a passion to Envision for the Future, and contribute to make a difference to society. We believe in working closely with all our stakeholders to prepare our students for the future. We are delighted to share with you our beliefs and distinctive curriculum to provide our students with a rich Beacon Experience that prepares them for the digital and globalised age.
Lim Boon Cheng (Ms) Principal
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ABOUT THE SCHOOL Beacon Primary School is the first new primary school set up as part of the FutureSchools@Singapore (FS@ SG) programme. This programme is a collaboration between MOE and IDA (Infocomm Development Authority) to effectively harness technology for engaged learning. Beacon opened her doors to a new paradigm of learning with a pioneer cohort of 240 students on 2 January 2008. The name ‘Beacon’, 崇辉, was first made public on 21 May 2007 as part of the official announcement of the FS@SG programme. It was chosen to signify the school’s important role as a vanguard in charting new directions and providing possible models and approaches to engage students in learning by leveraging technology, thus preparing them for a complex and an ever-changing global environment.
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SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY We believe that to meet future challenges, both students and staff must extend their learning beyond knowledge, skills and values. Our philosophy reflects our aspiration for the Beacon Learning Community and commitment to the holistic development of the learners, namely in the cognitive, aesthetic, physical, social and moral, leadership and global domains. We aim for every Beacon to be a passionate and an independent lifelong learner who strives for excellence and contributes to make a difference.
OUR MISSION
OUR VISION
Our Mission is to nurture and
Our vision is to be a gracious
inspire
the
community of active and creative
best of their potential through
learners who are global in outlook,
innovative approaches in an
grounded in basics and rooted in
engaging environment, leveraging
values, with a passion to envision
technologies and research.
for the future.
our
learners
to
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CORE VALUES & DESIRED OUTCOMES We aim for every Beacon to exemplify the core values of ‘Serve with Compassion, Honour Relationships with Integrity, Innovate with Passion, Navigate with Resourcefulness and Excel through Ownership in Learning’. Our core values serve as a moral compass to guide the Beacon Learning Community, both staff and students, towards the attainment of our Desired Outcomes: A Contributor who Serves with compassion and is aware that he/she has a responsible part to play in society, and that every contribution is valued and needed to make a difference. A Connector who Honours relationships with integrity and builds positive relationships with peers and others, and values these bonds. A Constructor who Innovates with passion and makes meaning of his/ her learning with an inquiring mind, constructing knowledge from his/her learning experiences. A Conductor who Navigates with resourcefulness, role models positive behaviour and displays leadership qualities; respects and leverages the talents of others. A Confident Learner who Excels through ownership in learning and builds the foundation for him/her to be a passionate and an independent lifelong learner who strives for excellence. Our Motto SHINE (an acronym of the five core values) rallies the Beacon Learning Community to give its best for the common good, and Beacons SHINE by exemplifying the core values.
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GIVING EVERY CHILD THE BEACON EXPERIENCE In Beacon, we give every student a Beacon Experience that is unique and authentic. We strive to cater to the diverse interests and learning needs of our students through different approaches, modes of learning and learning support. By providing students with care and a balanced level of challenge and affirmation, we develop their confidence and ignite the joy of learning in them. We also focus on values and character development to enable students to develop holistically and provide them with a moral compass to allow them to navigate in the complex and connected world of tomorrow. The Beacon Experience is achieved through our forward-looking and balanced curriculum led by quality staff, supported by an engaging learning environment, with partners and stakeholders, including parents, working collaboratively with the school to guide students on this enriching learning journey. The BEACON EXPERIENCE is truly about igniting the joy and passion of learning in every child and this is AT THE HEART of what we do in Beacon.
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A FORWARD-LOOKING & BALANCED CURRICULUM Our curriculum is organised into 3 integrated channels, namely the Media and Arts Channel, Investigative Channel and Wellness Channel. The integration allows students to see greater interconnection between the different disciplines and make meaning of their learning.
Media & Arts Channel (MAC) MAC is an integration of the Languages, Social Studies, Art and Music. It focuses on the development of
language
abilities,
aesthetic
appreciation,
imagination, global and cultural awareness, and a sense of belonging to the community. Students develop skills to use digital media to express their ideas and share their creative vision. This channel prepares students to be confident and effective communicators in a media-rich environment.
Investigative Channel (INC) INC develops inquiry and reasoning skills through Mathematics and Science. The inquiry approach is used to foster deep understanding and help students apply their knowledge and skills in different contexts. Students use digital tools, such as digital manipulatives and games, to explore and understand abstract concepts. They conduct investigative tasks and apply their learning in Mathematics and Science in engaging and meaningful ways. In the process, students develop an appreciation for the subjects and world they live in, and envision how they can contribute to make a difference.
Wellness Channel (WNC) WNC caters to the students’ holistic wellbeing. It seeks to develop the skills, values and attitudes required for students to manage their own learning, emotional development, social interactions and physical well-being. Students learn to make choices to achieve a physically active and healthy lifestyle. 8
Curriculum Structure Our curriculum is delivered through 3 key components of the integrated channels - MAC, INC and WNC: The Standard component covers the core content, knowledge, skills and values. It ensures that our students are well grounded in the basic skills of literacy and numeracy expected of all primary school learners. The Modular component covers school-based programmes designed to make explicit the learning of specific skills through authentic contexts to deepen the understanding in the core subject areas. The Modular component is delivered through teacher-designed modules that aim to equip students with additional skill sets that will enhance their proficiency in the respective subject areas. The Extended component includes programmes and activities to enrich or extend students’ learning experiences and nurture the whole child. Through this component, students get the opportunity to participate in both local and overseas learning journeys, and enrichment modules focusing on building their confidence, and collaborative, communication and thinking skills.
Students’ Holistic Development We monitor our students’ learning and development using a range of assessment modes in both the academic and non-academic areas. Alternative and standard modes of assessment such as pen-and-paper assessments, online portfolios, oral presentations and projects using ICT reinforce the message that consistent and regular effort in learning and the attitude towards learning are as important as pen-and-paper examination scores. While providing a holistic picture of the students’ learning needs, abilities and progress,
the
assessment
modes
also allow students to monitor their own progress which is in line with our aim for every child to be an independent life long learner. 9
APPROACH TO THE USE OF ICT FOR LEARNING A Blended Approach ICT is a powerful enabler that facilitates and enhances students’ learning. At Beacon, ICT is used where it adds value to learning, for example, in providing a collaborative virtual environment for sharing and allowing students access to rich online resources. We recognise both the importance and relevance of effective classroom instruction as well as the strength of ICT.
Stage Model - Towards an Ethical, Responsible & Discerning User of Technology In this networked and globalised world, children are
exposed to digital media and devices from a young age. We recognise that it is important to infuse the right values in students when they are at an impressionable age and for teachers to hand-hold and guide them to learn the proper and effective use of ICT. In Beacon, we adopt a Stage Model to scaffold and guide students to be ethical, responsible and discerning users of ICT in a structured and progressive manner. With the Stage Model approach, students will first learn to use, and when they become adept at using ICT, they will use ICT to facilitate their learning and, eventually, use it to learn and construct knowledge to make meaning of their learning.
B121 Computer Ownership Programme The Beacon One-to-One (B121) Computer Ownership Programme aims to equip every student with a Personal Learning Device (PLD) and empower students to learn in meaningful, effective and engaging ways. Equipped with PLDs, students have greater access to digital learning resources and information, and take learning beyond the confines of the classroom. The B121 Computer Ownership Programme enables students’ learning to be more customised and personalised. It also gears students towards collaborative, self-directed and independent learning, and promotes the acquisition of 21st century competencies to prepare them for the interconnected world of the future. 10
GLOBAL IN OUTLOOK BEACONS TAKE FLIGHT PROGRAMME ‘Beacons Take Flight’ is a programme to provide every Beacon with an opportunity to take a flight overseas for a school immersion or learning journey. The objective of this programme is to develop global awareness, cross-cultural skills and sensitivities among students.
QUALITY STAFF Quality staff is a key enabler in realising our Vision and achieving the Desired Outcomes. We encourage lifelong learning and promote a sharing culture by providing various platforms and opportunities for staff professional development. We also leverage practitioner research as an approach for teachers to gain a deeper understanding of pedagogical approaches and to determine the impact of the school’s programmes. In addition to allowing teachers to gain a deeper understanding of pedagogical approaches, practitioner research also guides the school in the design and implementation of its programmes and activities so that they are grounded on sound theories and practices.
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ENGAGING ENVIRONMENT Our learning environment includes both physical and virtual spaces. These spaces have been designed and developed to
support
the
school’s
ICT-enriched
curriculum.
The
flexibility and interconnectedness of the physical spaces facilitate collaborative and independent learning, and support pedagogical change. Our physical learning space is further extended and enhanced by the Zhenghua Park, located right next to the school. The park offers a natural and an authentic outdoor ‘classroom’ and supports the school’s Outdoor Education under the Programme for Active Learning (PAL). The learning environment at Beacon also extends beyond the physical one to include the virtual space. Virtual learning spaces open up new opportunities for learning and offer rich learning resources and information, allowing students to learn beyond the confines of the classrooms and textbooks. In Beacon, our engaging environment encompasses our support for the students’ well-being so as to create a holistic and positive Beacon Experience.
STRONG PARTNERSHIP
During its inception, we worked closely with officers from MOE and IDA, established strategic partnerships with industry partners, and collaborated with Institutions of Higher Learning (IHLs). Since then, we have advanced to working closely with the Parent Support Group (PSG) and its Network of Parent Volunteers in supporting programmes and activities that complement existing school programmes to widen students’ perspectives and experiences. We also engage parents by organising parenting programmes to equip them with skills to better support the children in their development. By working in synergy with partners and stakeholders, we are able to offer more opportunities to enrich students’ learning. It also signifies our belief in shared responsibility for successful educational outcomes. 12
BEACON CULTURE We see the importance of having our own unique traditions and customs to create a
sense of identity and pride in Beacons and imbue them with the SHINE values. We believe that a strong and positive Beacon culture built on a shared understanding among staff, students, parents and stakeholders, adds to a richer learning environment. We will continue to grow the Beacon culture as we move through the different stages of our development.
BEACON ALUMNI & THEIR REFLECTIONS
The Beacon Experience is best described through the reflections of our students. Their reflections truly encapsulate the Beacon Experience, a positive and an enriching schooling experience that has empowered, motivated and inspired them as they journeyed with us through the 6 years of their primary education. To allow their stories to continue to inspire the generations of students to come, we established the Beacon Alumni in 2015. The Beacon Alumni will work in partnership with the school to contribute to both school and student development, building a strong school heritage and culture. 13
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Student’s Reflections Throughout these six years in Beacon, we have indeed grown a lot, both physically and mentally, changing from the mindset of a young child to young mature teenagers.... For me, this school is a place where we will always call our second home and where we learnt values that have and will continue to lead us in life. We would like to thank all our teachers, parents and caregivers for all the care and love that they have shown to us.”
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Rachel Ang and Hang Xiao En, Class 6/1 2015 I have learnt not just a handful of lessons, but a big shipment of them. I have learnt discipline, important values such as respect for all things and to be patient, humble and selfless from my friends and helpful Beacon staff.” Anellia Tham, Class 6/3 2015 We have learnt about gratitude and humility – that so many people have had a hand in our success; they guided, supported, encouraged and cared for us and we were taught to value everyone’s contribution and treat everyone with respect…” Lai Wei Chen, Class 6/3 2014 This school has made us feel part of a community that we belong to. We are fortunate to be in this school as it has taught us many important values. Reflecting on our experiences, we can all agree that we have made a great choice in coming to this school!” Kelyn Wong, Class 6/4 2014 Our teachers motivated us a lot and we are glad that we have finally completed our PSLE. However, studying in Beacon is not all about academics. We had wonderful opportunities to bond as a class during the Pri 5 camp, overseas learning journey to Sarawak and Pri 6 motivational camp…. I believe these magical experiences will be etched in our minds forever!” Goh Dai En Jovan, Class 6/5 2014 …we have overcome many challenging obstacles. We could not have gone through them without the guidance of our teachers, all of whom were patient and persevered with us to the very end.” Nurul Hazimah, Class 6/6 2014
GENERAL INFORMATION School Hours Reporting Time: 7.30 am Flag Raising Ceremony: 7.45 am Dismissal Time: 1.30 pm Monday, Wednesday to Friday 3.00 pm Tuesday Designated CCA Day Thursday* – For Pri 3 to Pri 6 Students (*Subject to adjustment) Directory Address: 36 Bukit Panjang Ring Road, Singapore 679944 Zhenghua Park
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Beacon Primary School Greenridge Secondary School
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ssw a h E x p re B u k it T im
Rd
Panjang Ring R d
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Bukit
FAJAR LRT STATION
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Getting to Beacon Primary by Public Transport Bus Services: 920, 922, 972 (Alight at bus stop next to Bangkit LRT Station) Light Rail: Alight at Bangkit LRT Our Contact Email: beaconprisch@moe.edu.sg Tel: +65 6769 7255 Fax: +65 6769 7244 For more information, please visit our website at www.beaconpri.moe.edu.sg
Address
36 Bukit Panjang Ring Road Singapore 679944
Contact
Email: beaconprisch@moe.edu.sg Tel: (65) 676972555 Fax: (65) 67697244