IGCSE/GCSE  Options  Evening  9th  January  2014  

     

Programme:  

6:30 pm Presentation by Mr. Gray 7:00 pm Subject visits 8:00 pm End of the evening

Options  Timeline  of  Key  Events  

Event   Day   Date  

PSHCE  Session  -­‐  Naviance   Wednesday   2014/01/8  

Op>ons  Evening   Thursday   2014/01/9  

Appointments  with  Career  Counsellors  possible   week  of   2014/01/13  

PSHCE  Session  -­‐  Handout  student  booklets  and  discuss  process   Wednesday   2014/01/15  

Yr9  SPTC  -­‐  Discuss  performance  and  op>ons   Thursday   2014/01/16  

PSHCE  session  -­‐  inves>ga>ng  careers  and  tutor  chats  with  students   Wednesday   2014/01/22  

Chinese  New  Year  Holiday  Starts   Thursday   2014/01/30  

Chinese  New  Year  Holiday  Ends   Sunday   2014/02/9  

IG  Op>ons  Submissions  Open   Monday   2014/02/10  

Final  IG  Op>ons  Submission   Tuesday   2014/02/18  

Op>ons  choices  reviewed  Week  beginning  Monday   2014/02/24  

Parent  Contact  for  follow  up  discussions   Friday   2014/02/28  

IB  Op>ons  Follow  Up  discussions   week  beginning   2014/03/3  

What  is  the  IGCSE/GCSE  Programme?  

Two Examination Boards: 1.  CIE: Cambridge International Examinations

(IGCSE) 2.  Edexcel (IGCSE and GCSE) •  IGCSE: International General Certificate of Secondary Education (International) •  GCSE: General Certificate of Secondary Education (UK) •  Two Year Programme – August 2014 - June 2016

Why  the  IGCSE/GCSE  Programme?  

•  Broad, flexible & rigorous programme

•  Preparation for the IB Diploma Programme

•  Satisfy some university entry requirements

•  Curriculums based in a local context •  Develops core skills

IGCSE,  IBDP,  University/Careers  Links:  

IGCSE Subject Choices

IBDP: Subject Choices

Vocation Tertiary Education

Profession

The  role  of  the  College  Our main role is to ensure that all important information and advice is provided to students and parents. 1.  Option Information Evenings 2.  Specific subject advice via student information and taster sessions 3.  PSHCE lessons focusing on careers education and advice on choosing

subjects 4.  Individual appointments can also be made with the University and Careers

Counsellors by contacting: Ms. Victoria Lidzbarski: victoria.lidzbarski@dulwich-shanghai.cn Mr. John Macrow: john.macrow@dulwich-shanghai.cn 5.  Individual advice from Head of Year, Form Tutors, Heads of Department and

Subject Teachers 6.  Individual advice and appointments can be made with: Mr. Damian Gray Deputy Head of Senior School-Academic

damian.gray@dulwich-shanghai.cn

What  You  Need  To  Consider  when  making  your  choices  

When discussing option choices, remember the following:

•  Choose Subjects that you most enjoy.

•  Don’t choose subjects based on your friends or your current teacher

•  Ensure your Subject combinations are challenging but manageable.

•  Ensuring that subject choices keep your options open and don’t close doors for your future (languages / Sciences etc)

IGCSE  CURRICULUM  STRUCTURE    Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5 Group 6 Group 7

English Languages Humanities Science Mathematics Creative Arts Electives 1

(choose 2) (choose 2)

English Language & Literature

First Language Chinese

Business Studies Biology Mathematics Art & Design

Art & Design Business Studies

Drama Economics

English Language French MFL Economics Chemistry Drama

Graphic Design Geography

Music History

English as a Second

Language

Mandarin MFL

Mandarin Second

Language

Geography Physics Graphic Design

Physical Education Biology

Chinese Literature* Physics

Spanish MFL History Music Mandarin Chemistry

Spanish MFL (beginners) Physical

Education

Subject  Selection  Summary:  

•  All students must select one subject from Groups 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6

•  All students must select two Science subjects from Group 4

•  All students must select any two subjects from the electives

•  Students are not encouraged to choose Business and Economics as it limits options and is unnecessary  

 

Language  Selection:    Mandarin  /  Chinese  

There are four options: 1.  Chinese First Language 2.  Chinese (Mandarin) Second Language 3.  Mandarin as a Foreign Language (IGCSE) 4.  Mandarin as a Foreign Language – for beginners

(GCSE)

•  First Language vs Second Language – the main difference is proficiency of writing skills

 

Language  Selection:    First  Language  Chinese  

•  Students taking First Language Chinese are required to take Chinese Literature in Group 7.

•  This will provide students intending to study Chinese A1.1 or Chinese A1.2 in the IB Diploma Programme with the necessary skills in literary analysis.

Language  Selection:  French  and  Spanish  

•  Students selecting French or Spanish as a MFL should have been doing the subject for 2-3 years previously

•  Spanish as a foreign language for beginners is mainly for students who have not studied French or Spanish for 2-3 years in Year 7-9.

•  Students will have to declare their language history •  Students must select the subject that reflects their

ability •  Students will not be allowed to join at a level below

their ability •  All language selections will be reviewed by the Heads

of Mandarin and MFL and the Deputy Head of Senior School (Academics)

Implications  for  the  IB  of  your  Language  selections  

•  If  you  undertake  a  First  Language  at  IGCSE  you  will  not  be  able  to  undertake  the  same  language  at  a  B  or  Ab  Initio  (Beginners)  level  

•  If  you  undertake  a  Second  Language  at  IGCSE  you  will  not  be  able  to  undertake  the  same  language  at  Ab  Initio  (Beginners)  level  

•  If  you  undertake  two  languages  at  IGCSE  and  do  not  continue  them  at  IB  it  will  leave  you  with  only  1  language  option  for  IB.  

Which  subjects  at  IB  need  IG  subjects?  

•  Sciences  –  If  students  wish  to  undertake  Biology,  Chemistry  and  Physics  at  IB  they  must  take  it  at  IGCSE  

•  Xxxx  •  Xxxx  •  Subjects    

The  BoWom  Line  about  selecting  options….  

The  II  

•  The  Inventive  Investigation  (I.I.)  is  a  project  that  is  based  on  a  topic  or  theme  that  a  student  is  interested  in  

•  It  is  research  inspired  by  the  DCS  Portfolios  and  an  opportunity  to  experience  an  element  of  the  IB  DP  

•  It  prepares  students  for  the  core  components  of  the  IB  Diploma  Programme:  EE,  TOK  and  CAS  

•  It  will  be  undertaken  in  Year  10  and  students  will  be  assigned  a  staff  member  as  a  mentor  for  the  process  

     

Homework  

•  Minimum of one hour and 45 minutes study per night. •  Maximum of two and a half hours study per night.

•  When homework isn’t set students should review work.

•  Students will be asked to keep a homework diary but will have a homework schedule as opposed to a Timetable

•  Please communicate with staff if there are issues via email

Academic  Support:  

•  One on one support from subject teachers •  One on one support from Year 12 and 13 student

mentors •  Subject specific Wiki’s •  Revision sessions •  Study support skills and time management – College

Guidance Counsellor  

Pastoral  Support:  

•  Deputy Head of Senior School – Pastoral

•  Head of Year 10 and 11

•  Form Tutor

•  Target Setting

•  PSHCE – For example, Time management, Career Planning, Study skills, Types of Learners

Tutor  System:  

•  The Tutor teachers are an essential point of contact between the College and parents.

•  The Tutor Groups will be reassigned at the beginning of Year 10.

•  Most classes will be mixed due to option choices but consideration will still be given to the make up of Tutor Groups.

Key  Staff:  

Deputy Head of Senior School – Academic Damian Gray Deputy Head of Senior School – Pastoral Aaron King Head of Year 9 Anthony Reich Head of English Peter Ubly Head of English Second Language Martin Kindness Head of Modern Foreign Languages Andy Clapperton Head of Senior School Chinese/Mandarin Annie Wang/Diane Lui Head of Business Studies/Economics Elizabeth Robertson Head of Geography Louise McHugh Head of History Steve Johnson Head of Science Nico van de Casteele Head of Mathematics Julie Thomas Head of Visual Art & Graphic Design Andrew Stooke Head of Drama Edward Hake Head of Music Matt Goss Head of Senior School Physical Education Jamie Gerrard

SUBJECT  FORUMS  

•  Please  feel  free  to  speak  to  HODs  and  Subject  Leaders  about  the  subjects  on  offer  in  the  IGCSE  /  GCSE  Programme  and  any  questions  you  may  have  

•  A  reminder  that  HODs  are  unlikely  to  be  able  to  answer  specific  questions  about  your  son/daughter  

•  Also  feel  free  to  speak  to  Myself,  Mr  Reich,  Ms  Lidzbarski  and  Mr  Macrow  in  the  Yr  12/13  Common  Room  where  there  will  also  be  tea  and  coffee.