English

Vision, Mission & Overview

Vision

Every Qihuaian a confident and competent communicator with a passion for the English Language.

Mission

To foster a joyful community of learners and confident communicators who own their growth through the authentic use of language and reflective assessment.

Overview

At Qihua, we implement the National Curriculum, STELLAR 2.0, which seeks to develop students into empathetic communicators, discerning readers, and creative inquirers.

STELLAR 2.0 aims to strengthen students’ foundation in both receptive and productive skills and knowledge of the language through:

•       explicit teaching of grammar, oracy as well as critical and close reading skills

•       strengthening the reading-writing connection

•       extensive reading and differentiated focused lessons

•       strategies including the Shared Book Approach, supported reading, KWL and retelling

Together with the department’s key programme, Qihua’s English curriculum aims to empower students to use the English language with impact and to express themselves competently and confidently.

Key Programmes

Engaging the mass

1) Fostering a Culture of Reading

Our school actively promotes reading through book promotion initiatives and participation in National Library Board (NLB) programmes, such as the Book Bug Challenge, to spark students' interest in books. School library visits and engaging reading-related activities seek to cultivate lifelong reading habits.

2) Enhancing Reading Through MyON

To nurture a love for reading and support independent learning, our Primary 1 to 3 students have access to myON, an interactive online reading platform. Myon enables students to receive personalised recommendations for eBooks based on their reading proficiency. With engaging features such as audio narration, an integrated dictionary, and quizzes, myON empowers students to read with confidence, and develop an interest in reading.

3) Developing Critical Thinkers Through WhatsUp

Our Primary 4 to 6 students subscribe to WhatsUp, a student newspaper that enriches their English learning by providing real-world contexts for meaningful discussions on contemporary issues. Through exposure to current affairs, they expand their vocabulary while developing civic, global, and cultural literacy. Our Qihuaians have taken their learning further by actively responding to articles, with selected pieces published by the editor.

4) Celebrating the Joy of Language

The English Fiesta is an exciting annual event held over two weeks in Term 2, designed to ignite students' love for the English language. Through exposure to diverse genres, such as poetry, biographies, and more, as well as thrilling English games, students experience the richness of language in a fun and engaging way. The excitement builds as they participate in quizzes and celebrate their peers' literary creations, fostering a vibrant reading and writing culture in our school.

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Enabling Budding Learners

1) Targeted Literacy Support at Qihua

Qihua supports Ministry of Education's literacy intervention programmes—Learning Support Programme (LSP) for Primary 1 and 2, Reading Remediation Programme (RRP) for Primary 3 to 5, and School-based Dyslexia Remediation (SDR) for Primary 3 and 4. In addition, Qihua provides targeted after-school literacy support for identified students from Primary 2 to 5 through our Mastery-Based Learning Programme.

2) Morning Buddy Reading Programme

Lower primary students are paired with peers to improve their reading skills. Through this guided peer interaction, students enhance their oral reading fluency while gaining confidence in their reading abilities.

3) Kidsread Programme

Selected Primary 2 students develop a love of reading and establish good reading habits through engaging interactions with their reading buddies from Riverside Secondary School.

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Enriching Learning Experiences

1) Enhancing Communication Through Enrichment Programmes

Selected Primary 3 to 5 students participate in enrichment programmes such as Speech and Drama, Debate, and Public Speaking. These programmes, carefully designed to align with the English curriculum, extend learning beyond the classroom while honing students’ communication and public speaking skills. Through these experiences, students with high readiness develop confidence and express themselves more effectively in various settings.

2) Broadening Perspectives Through Literature

At Qihua, we cultivate critical and creative thinking through literature. Selected Primary 3 and 4 classes explore rich texts, literary devices, and character analysis during literature lessons. At Primary 5, advanced readers engage in Reading Circles, a Gifted Education Branch initiative, deepening their understanding through structured discussions.

3) Nurturing Talented Communicators

Selected students across levels represent our school in external competitions such as the Plain English Speaking Awards (PESA) and National Writing Competition. Proficient writers are also invited to join the Primary 5 Creative Writing Programme by the Gifted Education Branch, where they refine their skills under the guidance of teacher mentors, learning to craft compelling and engaging stories.

4) Budding Authors Programme

The Budding Authors Programme aims to provide an avenue for proficient writers to explore and express their abilities in a collaborative and creative setting. Since 2021, Qihua has embarked on 3 projects. Our young writers co-authored 2 series of books with their peers from Xingnan Primary School. The budding authors went through authentic learning experiences such as learning journeys. The latest project involved interviewing Mdm Halimah Yacob and writing books about her childhood!