Westwood Secondary School (Abbreviation:WWSS;Chinese:维林中校;Malay:Sekolah Menengah Westwood) is a government secondary school

Secondary school

Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...

 in 11 Jurong West

Jurong West

Jurong West is a neighbourhood in Singapore, bounded by the Pan Island Expressway, the eastern edge of Jurong Camp, Boon Lay Way, Corporation Road, Fourth Chin Bee Road, International Road, Corporation Road, Ayer Rajah Expressway, Yuan Ching Road, Boon Lay Way, and along a Canal leading into Jurong...

 Street 25, Singapore

Singapore

Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...

 648350 which started off in 2000 at a classroom block in Hua Yi Secondary School

Hua Yi Secondary School

Hua Yi Secondary School , founded in 1956, is a government secondary school located in Jurong West, Singapore. The school mission is "To nurture our students to be creative, independent learners who are confident, gracious, humble and responsible citizens, prepared for the challenges ahead"...

 and by some teachers of that school

Hua Yi Secondary School

Hua Yi Secondary School , founded in 1956, is a government secondary school located in Jurong West, Singapore. The school mission is "To nurture our students to be creative, independent learners who are confident, gracious, humble and responsible citizens, prepared for the challenges ahead"...

before moving to its present premises in 2001.

It is one of the few schools that allows hand phones and electronic gadgets to be brought into the school compound, though usage within it is prohibited and confiscation applies should students be caught using them in it. Even so, the confiscated items can be retrieved back 24 hours after confiscation, much shorter than the traditional 10 weeks(or after long school holiday periods, whichever is longer) in other schools. This policy of allowing hand phones to be brought to school was introduced in 2011 when Mrs Sandra Gwee became the 3rd principal of the school.

Introduction

Despite its short history, Westwood has established itself as a school of choice in Jurong West. The school embraces holistic education for its students to soar towards excellence, not just academically but also in character development.

As drivers of excellence, the teachers at Westwood are constantly up-skilling themselves and expanding their knowledge by building a Professional Learning Community. The aim is to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in Westwood.

Westwood offers choice and flexibility to cater to students of different abilities and talents. In addition to exiting subjects such as Economics and Physical Education at 'O' Levels, there is also a range of in-house enrichments, elective modules and advanced elective modules offered.

The school is committed to deliver quality outcomes in all domains of development - physical, cognitive, moral, social, emotional and aesthetic. In each of these domains, a myriad of school and level programmes have been organized to develop the desired knowledge, skills, values and competences of those students.

Westwood's palette of Co-curricular Activities further contributes to Westwoodians' holistic development through promotion of life skills learning and leadership training.

Mission

The Westwood Community builds confident communicators and critical thinkers who are anchored in sound values and connected locally and globally.

Westwood Crest

The tree featured in the Westwood crest is the pandanus furcatus, an unique tree occasionally found in Singapore. The roots of this tree are very unusual, serving not only the purpose of drawing nutrients from the ground but also of supporting the trunk. The graphic strokes represent the five core qualities the school instills in its students.

Pandanus Furcatus is a strong tree that requires little maintenance to thrive, indicative of the resilience and adaptability of Westwood students. The gradation of color within the trunk and roots, from light to dark green, signifies the progress of Westwood students as their minds mature.

Westwood Colors

• Brown to signify the importance of depth in character as trees well-rooted to withstand the elements of nature.
• Green to highlight youthful vigor and creations stretching beyond the limits as luxuriant greens of the woods reaching towards the sun.
• Silver as slight touch to reflect modernity relevant in the endeavors of the school.

C2015 Student Outcomes

1.Confident Person

• Thinks independently
• Communicates effectively
• Has good inter-personal skills

2.Self-directed Learner

• Takes responsibility for own learning
• Questions, reflects and perseveres
• Uses technology adeptly

3.Active Contributor

• Exercises initiative and takes risks
• Is adaptable, innovative and resilient
• Aims for high standards

4.Concerned Citizen

• Is informed about world and local affairs
• Emphasizes with and respects others
• Participates actively
  

Professional Development Of Teachers

Westwood places strong emphasis on continual learning for both teachers and students. The school has developed a structured approach in the professional development of the staff and students. It has moved towards building a Professional Learning Community (PLC) by setting up staff into professional learning teams to look into various curricular and pedagogical aspects of teaching and learning.

Teachers have the opportunity to share the outcomes of their areas of research through various platforms at the school, cluster, national and international level. In 2010, three PLC teams had the opportunity to present their findings in Brunei, Malaysia and another two will be going to Japan at the end of 2011.

Staff Profile

Westwood has a high percentage of teachers who have completed or are pursuing further studies.

Business studies department

The Business studies department offers Economics, Principles of Accounts and Elements of Business Skills to upper secondary students. Business students are offered various opportunities to engage in authentic learning experiences to develop an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit.

Teaching and learning highlights

• Work experience programme with reputable industry partners for different programmes.
• Financial literacy programmes
• Entrepreneurship programmes
• Business bazaar
• "Be your own boss" (students operate their own cafe in school) (to start only after 2013)
• Experiential learning

Science department

The science department uses a two-pronged approach in its quest to improve the teaching and learning of science for Westwoodians. This includes engagement in learning and encouragement through value-added programmes such as additional classes on certain subjects for students during the school holidays.

Teaching and learning highlights

• Science day started in 2011 as a day of learning science beyond the classroom hands-on experiences and in-house science workshops conducted by teachers.
• 4-YEAR Science curriculum that begins at secondary two level where the physics and chemistry syllabuses are re-designed to establish a stronger science foundation. However, this would mean that Westwoodians would be at the disadvantage when attending science classes at tuition centres with students from other schools.
• Advanced Elective Modules conducted by Singapore Polytechnic and Republic Polytechnic for secondary three students in the express stream.

Physical Education

Physical Education at 'O' level was introduced in 2011 after graining approval from the Ministry of Education in 2010. The course includes both theoretical and practical aspects of Physical Education. The objective is to develop pupils' passion for sports and inculcative values of sportsmanship. It also promotes healthy lifestyle, enriches the sporting culture and sports talent in the school. However, not every student can take this subject as they have to attain at least a 'silver' at NAPFA test in secondary two and be well-liked by the teachers.

Westwood Bytes Programme

It offers Westwoodians different activities on the mornings(7.45am to 8.30am) of Wednesday and Thursday each week to develop different domains towards holistic education for all and also to gain CCA points through the 'Modular Sports' category.

• Rev-up on Wednesday

A whole school work-out session in which each level takes on different physical exercises - road run(outside school), vertical run(in the school building), kick-boxing and push ball(at the school field) to build both physical capacity and mental tenacity. It is managed by the Physical Education department.

• In-touch on Thursday

Through this, students stay attuned to local and global happenings, thinking on one's feet and express their own views, while engaging in class discussions and presentations on current and global issues dealing with themes ranging from education to technology to politics, to develop their critical thinking skills and the capacity to express their views and opinions coherently. It is also a vehicle to promote National Education and as such it is managed by the National Education department.

Level Programmes

The level programmes encompass level-wide participation in activities that cater to various aspects of a student's development in aesthetics, physical fitness and leadership. A list of programmes offered can be found at the school's website.

Sports and Games

• Netball (girls)
• Basketball (boys)
• Badminton (girls)
• Hockey
• Soccer
• Bowling

Aesthetics

• Concert Band
• Guitar Ensemble
• Choir
• Guzheng Ensemble(all-girls mixed-gender CCA as of 2011)

Clubs and Societies

• Language and Communication Club
• Youth @ Cabin Recreational Club
• Youth Flying Aeromodelling Club
• Robotics Club(all-boys mixed-gender CCA as of 2011)

Uniformed groups

• Boy's Brigade 9th Coy
• National Cadet Corp
• National Police Cadet Corp
• Saint John Ambulance Brigade
• Girl's Brigade.