Secondary School
In Singapore
Nexus aims to help learners develop the skills and attributes to be successful in a rapidly changing world. Universities and employers want affective skills in addition to academic qualifications. They want people who are problem solvers, who can collaborate and are excellent communicators who can use and apply information in novel situations. The curriculum and teaching at Nexus supports learners to gain both the qualifications and skills needed to be successful.
Nexus learners are taught by subject specialists in state of the art facilities. As an Apple Distinguished School, technology is used to enhance learning in all curriculum as we empower our learners to become digital citizens. As an empowering, learning focused community, Nexus teachers take professional learning seriously and are proactive in ensuring they are well trained to teach the programmes on offer. Many teachers act as examiners or team leaders for the awarding bodies we use and there are robust quality assurance processes in place.
Nexus learners are supported throughout their journey by excellent pastoral care and careers guidance counselling. A restorative culture of respect and high expectations drives all that we do. Education for our learners extends beyond class time with over 90 co-curricular activities, from Robotics to Junior Achievement Award. Our teenagers have a wide range of activities to explore and encourage their passions as they learn to take their productive place as leaders in the global community.
Learners study the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP)* for three years. In Nexus this will be Y7 to Y9^. The MYP* builds upon the knowledge, skills and attitudes developed in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and prepares learners to meet future academic challenges, including IGCSE and the IB Diploma Programme (DP). Through the MYP* learners engage in purposeful inquiry in a robust academic setting.
Teaching and learning in the MYP* is framed by inquiry, action and reflection. Or more simply asking, doing and thinking. Learners are taught by subject specialists in modern facilities across eight subject groups. Each topic is concept driven and set within a global context. Conceptual learning focuses on organizing ideas that have relevance within and across subject groups. Concepts help to integrate learning; they deepen disciplinary understanding, while building capacity to engage with complex ideas and apply them in new situations. Global contexts in planning and teaching helps learners engage in purposeful learning by providing relevance and meaning of how their learning fits into the world.
The MYP* framework has 8 equally weighted subject groups and learners are expected to study from each of the groups.
|
Subject group |
Subjects taught at Nexus |
|
Arts |
Visual Art, Drama, Music |
|
Design |
Design and Technology |
|
Individuals and Societies |
History and Geography |
|
Language Acquisition |
French or Mandarin |
|
Language and Literature |
English or Mandarin |
|
Mathematics |
Mathematics |
|
Physical and Health Education |
Physical and Health Education |
|
Sciences |
Science |
All learners enrolled in year 3 of the MYP* are expected to complete the Community Project. The Community Project is completed over an extended period of time and is a significant piece of self-directed inquiry, driven by the learners’ own interests and creativity. It is an opportunity to consolidate and celebrate learning. During the project, learners are expected to demonstrate learning by:
Investigating
Planning
Taking action
Reflecting
The project should be a sustained inquiry into a need within the community. Learners will need to communicate effectively in a variety of situations and demonstrate responsible action. The final outcome will be in the form of a presentation and exhibition. The Community Project is assessed using criteria prescribed by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO). These criteria cover Investigating, Planning, Taking Action and Reflecting. Each criterion is marked out of 8, with 8 showing the student has achieved the highest level. A supervising teacher is appointed to each learner completing the Community Project. The supervising teacher provides guidance and feedback on the process and completion of the project and ensures the project is safe to carry out. Supervising teachers will carry out standardisation exercises to ensure projects and learners are assessed fairly. Marks will be shared with learners.
Our interactive and collaborative approach to teaching allows our learners to become intellectually curious and fulfil the IBO Learner Profile in an academically rigorous context.
For more information on the MYP
MYP for parents
http://www.ibo.org/information-for-parents/myp-for-parents/
MYP programmes
http://www.ibo.org/en/programmes/middle-years-programme/
* Nexus International School (Singapore) is a candidate school to offer the MYP Curriculum
^ IB MYP Year 7 will be introduced in Academic Year 2021-22 and Year 8 & 9 in subsequent years (IB MYP Year 8 in Academic Year 2022-23 and IB MYP Year 9 in Academic Year 2023-24). Until the transition, students will continue to follow the English National Curriculum
Year 10 &11 learners study a two year programme to gain level 2 qualifications called International General Certificates in Secondary Education (IGCSE). IGCSE programmes are externally assessed at the end of the two years and lead to qualifications in individual subjects. Final exams are taken in May or June of Year 11 and any coursework components are usually submitted by March of the examination year. Nexus offers IGCSEs through Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and Edexcel.
A good set of IGCSE qualifications support learners going to University or Colleges as they provide evidence of academic performance that has been externally validated. Nexus has a flexible approach to the number of IGCSEs taken. It is far better to take less and achieve good grades than to do many and achieve average grades.
Nexus recommends most learners take five core subjects and three electives. However, we recognise our learners as individuals and are always willing to work with learners and families to offer the most suitable programme for the individual. We will support elite athletes by matching their curriculum needs to their training needs.
|
Core subjects |
||||
|
Mathematics |
English |
Science |
Language Acquisition |
Global Perspectives |
The Language Acquisition programmes offered at IGCSE are:
French
Spanish
Chinese First Language
Chinese Second Language
Chinese as a foreign language
In addition to the core subjects, learners can select three further subjects from Art, Business Studies, Computer Science, Economics, Geography, History, Drama, Music, Physical Education and Triple Science. Learners will also have non-examined lessons to support their physical and social and emotional wellbeing. Learners are taught by subject specialists in small classes in modern facilities. Where possible the curriculum is enriched by involving external speakers and off-campus visits.
In addition to this we offer selected learners space in our Bi and Multi-Lilingual programme to support their academic English skills.
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is one of the world’s leading pre-university programmes. It is recognised by top universities around the world for its academic rigour and its development of the competencies and mindsets needed to be successful. It is an excellent preparation for university entrance anywhere in the world.
Over two years, IBDP learners study six subjects from different subject groups, with the following core components:
THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE (TOK)
Through an exhibition and essay learners are tested on their critical thinking; learners must support, analyse and critique a theory, discussing how it translates to the real world.
THE EXTENDED ESSAY (EE)
Learners produce a 4,000 word independent research piece on a topic of their choice; preparing them well for practical undergraduate research. Each Nexus learner is supported by an individual supervisor throughout the process with regular reflection points being a mandatory part of the process.
CREATIVITY, ACTIVITY, SERVICE (CAS)
Learners go beyond the classroom to grow mentally, socially, and creatively. CAS aims to encourage learners to show initiative, demonstrate skills such as collaboration, problem solving and decision making, preparing them for life beyond education. At Nexus we have a dedicated overseas CAS trip in Year 12 to kick-start the IB journey.
Nexus Learners study towards either the full International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) or take parts of the programme as Diploma Courses. Learners are taught by subject specialists and IBDP classes are capped at 16. These small classes enable learners to achieve academic success in a supportive and nurturing learning environment. Teachers are experienced professionals who participate in IBO training and in some cases examine and lead teams in their subjects. Nexus graduates have been supported to achieve the maximum 45 points and to gain places in Ivy League or equivalent universities.
We are always willing to work with learners and families to offer the most suitable programme for the individual. We support elite athletes by matching their curriculum needs to their training needs and can offer a three year Diploma Programme to those who need it.
Nexus offers a comprehensive University Guidance Programme. Learners and families receive 1:1 support from our careers counsellor to explore a range of university options across the globe. Using the latest software we use learners' skill sets, ambitions and academic profiles to match them with courses. We have a proven track record of helping learners achieve offers in their country of choice and are able to support learners with their personal statements and entire application process.
The IB Diploma consists of six optional subjects and three core subjects (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity, Service). The optional subjects are split into six groups – in general terms learners must take one subject from each of the first five groups and one additional subject from group six or elsewhere. There are some exceptions to this and these are shown below. Most subjects are offered at Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL). Learners must choose three HL and three SL subjects. All learners take the three core subjects
|
Group 1 |
Group 2 |
Group 3 |
|
Chinese A Language & Literature HL / SL |
Chinese B HL / SL |
Business management HL / SL |
|
Group 4 |
Group 5 |
Group 6 |
|
Biology HL / SL |
Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL / SL |
Music HL / SL |
*Environmental Systems and Societies is a cross disciplinary subject which means if you choose this subject it meets the requirements of both a Group three and a Group four subject in one choice.
For more information on IBDP
http://www.ibo.org/information-for-parents/dp-for-parents/
For more information on the options for year 12 and 13 learners
https://sites.google.com/nexus.edu.sg/nexusibdiplomaprogrammeexplain
In Years 8 to 9 we use an enhanced English National Curriculum Framework to suit our international context. This curriculum is designed to build upon skills taught in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) and prepare children for the examined programmes offered in Years 10 and 11.The Years 8 to 9 curriculum uses inquiry based learning, helping children to become creative, self-reflective, collaborative and critical thinkers.
In Secondary School, our indoor learning pods are designed to have flexible spaces that can be adapted to the lesson at hand. This gives children the opportunity to learn in collaboratively with their peers or as individuals. For our Secondary learners, access to areas such as our Makerspace enhances their education. For example, our Science learners can print 3D models of molecules or animal parts to consider their function more deeply. Green screens are numerous and enable learners to make creative and engaging videos to showcase and demonstrate their learning.
Overseas trips in the Secondary School are carefully designed to take our students out of their comfort zone, provide them with opportunities to take risks and engage in life-changing experiences. This allows them to demonstrate what they have learned in practical and authentic situations. All our trips provide elements of cultural enrichment, community service and outward-bound challenges.
