Primary Section

The school’s Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) programme aim to nurture Marists into Gentlemen of Faith, Vision and Service. Our flagship programme, The Marcellin Way, is a 10-year programme that serves to provide a holistic education for the Marists. The Marcellin Way embodies the meaningful programmes and students outcomes we seek to achieve through the school-wide CCE. These outcomes are derived from the Marist Values of Presence, Simplicity, Family Spirit, Love of Work and In the Way of Mary. These values were distilled in the life and experiences of Saint Marcellin Champagnat, who founded the Marist Brothers in 1817. As Marists, our young gentlemen are nurtured to live by the principle of upholding the Marist Values and school motto,  勤   勉   忠   勇.

To achieve these goals, the following programmes are offered:

• Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) Curriculum – STAR

• National Education

• Sexuality Education

• Values in Action – Caritas Programme

• Student Leadership

• Education and Career Guidance

• Social Studies Curriculum

• Inter-Cultural Experiences – ICE Programme

• P3 Discovery Camp

• P4 Explorers Camp

• P5 Outdoor Adventure Camp

The Learning Support Intervention Programme aims to:

• Provide learning support to pupils who enter Primary 1 with weak English language and literacy skills; and

• Provide additional support to pupils who do not have foundational numeracy skills and knowledge to access the Primary 1 Maths curriculum.

To achieve these goals, the following programmes are offered:

• Learning Support Programme (LSP)

• Learning Support for Maths (LSM)

On 8 November 2017, as part of the Project CARE programme, 34 of us, P6 Marists, visited the Saint Theresa’s Home, a Nursing Home for the elderly, established in 1935 by the Little Sisters of the Poor.

Before the visit, we had to learn some Cantonese so that we would be able to converse with the elderly folks at the home. We also had to learn how to hold a decent conversation with a stranger. We met and discussed as a team on what activities we could possibly conduct for the elderly. So how did our visit go?

Our mission that day was to bring joy to the elderly, through love and service. Firstly, we played Bingo with the elderly. The elderly found it challenging to spot the numbers because of their failing eyesight and we had to help them with this. The winners were REALLY happy.

It was very humbling to see such a BRIGHT smile on the crinkly face of an elderly when they got hold of a packet drink and biscuit. It made me think how simple their lives were and how complicated I had made my life to be. Our team of Marists made sure all the elderly were winners eventually! We really wanted everyone in the room to be happy. 

We then served the elderly ice-cream, bananas and grapes. Many of the elderly were delighted with the ice cream. This was no expensive ice cream, just the usual POTONG stick ice-cream from NTUC. Once again, I was humbled by how the little things in life could make them so happy.

After eating, we played more games with the elderly. Now, this was challenging. Despite our efforts, we did struggle in keeping the elderly engaged as they were very tired and sleepy in the humid afternoon. They could not completely understand us despite our best efforts to speak Cantonese. We persevered though, trying our best to make the elderly smile.

At this point in time, my friends who had volunteered to clean the wheelchairs were back in the activity room. Their PE T-shirts were plastered to their bodies, and they were drenched in sweat as they had been working really hard under the hot sun to wash and dry the wheelchairs for the elderly. I was impressed by their determination. They did not utter a single word of complaint. Instead, they kept asking me if they could also help out.

I got to push some of the elderly on their wheelchairs, around the home, for some fresh air. I was surprised that the elderly, though not in the pink of health, were actively involved in growing the vegetables they consumed in the Home’s garden. I was inspired by their fierce commitment and independence.

It was indeed an afternoon well spent. I could have just simply stayed at home and play games on my mobile phone or watch television, but I am glad I did not.

Many of the elderly are ill and lonely. They needed their wheelchairs to move about. They did not seem to get many visitors and were visibly happy to see young people like us visiting them. The visit to the Home has helped me appreciate what I have. I should not take my health and the people around me for granted. I am more determined to lead a healthy life in order to stay healthy and I will appreciate my family. I think we should never ever put our parents in an elderly home.

It was unfortunate that we could only spend 2 hours at the Home. If it had been longer, I am sure we would all benefit even more from the collective wisdom of the elderly. They have a wealth of real-life experiences to share with us.

I would like to end my sharing by encouraging all of you to participate actively whenever you are invited by your teachers to volunteer your time and service to help the less fortunate around us. I am happy that I had the chance to live out the Marist Creed, by giving love and service to others. I hope you will get a chance to do so too. 

Tan Jing De (6D) – 2017

To achieve these goals, the following programmes are offered:

STAR Programme

1. STAR Lessons

It is a Form Teacher Guided Period which includes customized Character Education packages that nurture Social Emotional (SE) Competencies within the Marist Gentleman, anchored on the 5 Marist Values. The SE domains are:

• Self-Awareness

• Self-Management

• Social Awareness

• Relationship Management

• Responsible Decision Making

2.  STAR Time

Enriched student-teacher activities to build positive relationships within the class.

CCE CL (CME)

The curriculum entails character education lessons conducted in Chinese Language to impart the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes, to support the STAR lessons. As an SAP school, the CCE CL lessons integrate elements of Chinese culture to further develop the identity of a bi-cultural Marist.

Social Studies

1. Curriculum

Spiral curriculum which builds upon nurturing:

• Informed citizen

• Concerned citizen

• Participative citizen

2. Experiences – Field-based learning

• Lower Primary – Collaboration with PAL

• Middle Primary – Kampong Glam, Little India, P4 Explorers Camp

• Upper Primary – Maritime Museum

Education and Career Guidance

1. ECG Packages

The various hands-on activities will create an awareness of the different career options in various industries and how they contribute to the well-functioning of society.

2. Career Fiesta

Students will select from a range of sharing sessions helmed by our parent speakers. It will be a meaningful opportunity for them to have a more in-depth look at a variety of occupations and appreciate how they contribute meaningfully to the society.

3. MySkillsFuture Portal

A hands-on session in the computer lab that enables students to access information that may help students make informed decisions at each key education stage for the successful transition from school to further education or work.

To achieve these goals, the following programmes are offered:

• National Education events

  • P5 NE Show

  • Total Defence Day

  • National Day

• Inter-cultural Engagement (ICE) and experiences which include exposure to language and on-site visits to cultural heritage areas and enclaves

  • Cultural Celebrations

  • Field-based Learning

  • Conversational Malay

  • Racial Harmony Day

  • International Friendship Day

• Commemoration of cultural celebrations such as Hari Raya and Deepavali to celebrate the differences in our community

MOE Sexuality Education in Schools

1.       Sexuality Education (SEd) in schools aims to enable students to understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience as they mature, develop healthy and rewarding relationships with others, including those with members of the opposite sex, and make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality matters. SEd is premised on the importance of the family as the basic unit of society. This means encouraging healthy, heterosexual marriages and stable nuclear family units with extended family support. The teaching and learning of SEd is based on respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities in Singapore on sexuality issues.

2.       The Goals of Sexuality Education are:

(a)  Support students in managing their physiological, social and emotional changes as they grow up and develop safe and healthy relationships.

(b) Guide students to make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality matters.

(c) Help students develop a moral compass and respect for themselves and others by having positive mainstream values and attitudes about sexuality that are premised on the family as the basic unit of society.

3.       The Key Messages of Sexuality Education are:

(a) Love and respect yourself as you love and respect others;

(b) Build positive relationships based on love and respect (which are the foundation for strong families);

(c) Make responsible decisions for yourself, your family and society; and

(d) Abstinence before marriage is the best protection against STIs/HIV and unintended pregnancies. Casual sex can harm and hurt you and your loved ones.

You may click here for more information on MOE Sexuality Education.

OVERVIEW OF SEXUALITY EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOR 2025 Programme

MARIS STELLA HIGH SCHOOL (PRIMARY)

4.        Sexuality Education is delivered in a holistic manner through the school curriculum. The content for Sexuality Education is grouped into five main themes: Human Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Sexual Health, Sexual Behaviour, and, Culture, Society and Law. You may click here for more information on the scope of Sexuality Education in the school curriculum.

5.        The subjects that incorporate topics on sexuality include:

a.       Science

b.       Character and Citizenship Education (CCE)

Sexuality Education Lessons:

6.        The upper primary years mark the onset of puberty. With better nutrition and improved health care, children are reaching puberty at a younger age and have to grapple with physical, emotional and psychological changes in themselves. The implication is that our children are becoming biologically ready for sexual activity sooner without necessarily having the corresponding cognitive or emotional maturity to modulate their behaviours. Furthermore, our young are also exposed to a wide range of influences that could endanger health and undermine the integrity of the family. Our students require guidance so that they can respond with discernment to the sexual messages in the media and other sources.

7.        Sexuality Education (SEd) lessons are taught as part of CCE (FTGP) at Primary 5 and 6. Through these lessons, students will learn healthy ways to manage the physiological, social and emotional changes in their growing years. They learn to build healthy and rewarding relationships with others, including those with members of the opposite sex. Students are also guided to make wise, informed and responsible decisions to keep themselves safe from sexuality-related risks.

Information for Parents

8.        Parents may opt their children out of Sexuality Education lessons, and/or supplementary Sexuality Education programmes by MOE-approved external providers.

9.        Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons need to complete an opt-out form via Parent Gateway. This form will be communicated to parents at the start of the year. The completed opt-out form is to be submitted by 31/04/2025.

10.        Parents can contact the school at Ms Noradlina via email at noradlina_mohamed@schools.gov.sg for discussion or to seek clarification about the school’s Sexuality Education programme.

To achieve these goals, the following programmes are offered:

• CARITAS Level Projects

  • P3: Food From the Heart

  • P4: Racial Harmony Fundraising

  • P5 and P6: Visit to St Theresa’s Home

• School-wide - Care for environment

  • Cleanliness

  • Conservation

• Commemoration of cultural celebrations such as Hari Raya and Deepavali to celebrate the differences in our community

• Level Camps

• Care for peers and school

  • Back to School

  • P1 Orientation

  • P5 Befrienders

• Singapore Agents Programme