Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) Department
Department Vision :
Nurturing a Committed and Virtuous Citizen
Every child matters at CHIJ Primary. Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) in CHIJ aims to inculcate values and build social and emotional competencies in our girls. Through meaningful learning experiences planned, the CCE department will continue to help every child realise her true potential as a woman of virtue, committed to the service of community, nation and beyond.
Pupil’s Pledge
As loved and cherished daughters of CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh),
We pledge to uphold the good name of the school.
In our faithfulness and loyalty, we will stay united as one IJ Family.
We will live the school’s values in our thought, word and deed in fulfilment of God’s will.
Delivery of Forward Looking Curriculum
[Customised Content]
Social Studies (SS)
Vision: To expand knowledge and to be a caring and responsible citizen.
In Social Studies, we develop our pupils to become 21st century global citizens who understand interconnectedness in the world that they are living in.
The new curriculum which was launched in 2012 is divided into 3 Clusters of Study.
Cluster 1:Discovering Self and Immediate Environment
Cluster 2:Understanding Singapore in the Past and Present
Cluster 3:Appreciating the World and Region We Live In.
Social Studies is integrated into the English Curriculum as part of STELLAR for Primary 1 and 2 pupils. It is introduced to pupils through Big Book reading instead of textbook-based content.
We engage our pupils in the learning of Social Studies through experiential learning, the use of various media and sources, an inquiry approach and cooperative learning strategies.
Catechism / Ethics Lessons
In CHIJ TP, our values programme is strongly founded on our school’s core values, C.H.R.I.S.T. (Courage, Humility, Respect, Integrity, Steadfastness and Thoughtfulness). These values are highlighted throughout the curriculum.
Ethics lessons, conducted for non-Catholic pupils, are crafted by teachers from the CCE committee. These lessons are aligned with our IJ core values. These C.H.R.I.S.T values are inculcated through sharing of videos, stories and discussions of real life situations. Pupils will experience activities such as role play, group discussions, sharing and reflections on self and others to learn about the values of Courage, Humility, Respect, Integrity, Steadfastness and Thoughtfulness.
Catechism classes are conducted for Catholic pupils from Primary 1 to Primary 6 by our Catholic teachers. These lessons, coupled with our IJ values, are aimed at helping pupils live the gospel values in their daily lives.
Delivery of Forward Looking Curriculum
[Pupil-centric Pedagogy]
CCE (MT) for Primary 1 and Primary 2
From 2014, CCE lessons (formerly known as CME, Civic and Moral Education) are conducted in Mother Tongue (MT) languages by MT teachers in Primary 1 and Primary 2 classes. These lessons aim to teach values through stories and activities. CCE (MT) lessons also incorporate components of civic literacy, global awareness and cross cultural skills to help pupils form meaningful connections with people in a respectful manner and apply values learnt in a responsible way.
For pupils who are offer the non-Tamil Indian Languages (NTIL) as their Mother Tongue and for those who are exempted from taking MTL, CCE lessons will be taught in English. Resources and materials are also available in English for this group of pupils.
Vibrant IJ Learning Environment
[Vibrant Classroom]
Form Teacher Guidance Period (FTGP)
To provide quality interaction time between form teachers and their pupils, FTGP is a protected time for form teachers, together with co-form teachers, to engage in meaningful play with their pupils. Besides strengthening teacher-pupil relationships through bonding activities, delivery of Social Emotional learning (SEL) lessons during this protected time will also allow teachers to nurture SE competencies in their pupils. Social and Emotional learning (SEL) is the acquisition of skills needed to recognise and manage emotions, develop care and concern for others, make responsible decisions, establish positive relationship and handle challenging situations effectively.
Besides the teaching of SEL explicitly during FTGP, lessons on Cyber Wellness (CW), Educational and Career Guidance (ECG) and protection from abuse (Primary 1 to Primary 4) have been incorporated in FTGP lessons to address specific issues, reinforce IJ values to help pupils apply the values to the specific contexts.
Sexuality Education (SEd) lessons for upper primary (Primary 5 & Primary 6) have also been incorporated in FTGP lessons or conducted as post-examination activity. This compulsory CCE Guidance module, delivered through the Growing Years series, has specific objectives and content which address issues associated with child and adolescent development.
In addition to SEL, form teachers are able to bond with pupils through interactive activities to promote positive Teacher-Student Relationships (TSR).
Vibrant IJ Learning Environment
[Stimulating School Environment]
Our pupils learn values through instruction, skills practice, role modelling by teachers or peers, and positive reinforcement during structured lesson time and teachable moments. Teachers will provide learning experiences such as the four National Education (NE) commemorative days, Values in Action (VIA), programmes such as Life Skills, IJ Wings, Etiquette Lessons, Student Leadership Programme, Buddy Programme and other co-curricular activities for learning and application of values, knowledge, skills and attitude.
National Education
Vision: Appreciate, Build, Contribute.
Commemoration of NE Events
We commemorate the four NE core events which have been identified as defining moments in Singapore’s history via school-wide activities.
vTotal Defence Day
vInternational Friendship Day
vRacial Harmony Day
vNational Day
Learning Journeys
Learning Journeys aim to instill in our pupils, pride in Singapore’s achievements, to help them understand Singapore’s constraints, challenges and opportunities, build their confidence in our future, and nurture a sense of belonging to Singapore.
Learning journeys are conducted twice a year to promote experiential learning so as to better support pupils’ understanding of National Education and Social Studies. Learning journeys include visits to heritage sites and venues in line with the Social Studies syllabus.
Heritage Challenge
The Heritage Challenge aims to instill pride in Singapore’s achievements, inculcate awareness and appreciation in pupils and develop pupils to be informed, concerned andparticipative citizens. It is conducted on a termly basis for all levels in the form of an online quiz.
Current Affairs
Sharing of Current Affairs by NE Champions and SS Monitors is done on a fortnightly basis, leveraging on the use of Little Red Dot (LRD) in the English department. This initiative aims to promote awareness of local issues among the pupils and develop effective communicators in the school.
NE Show
The NE Show, a preview of the National Day Parade, is conducted on an annual basis for Primary 5 pupils. It aims to evoke a sense of patriotism amongst the students and to impart to them the significance of National Day.
Pastoral Care Programmes
· Life Skills Programme
Life Skills programmes are conducted for all levels from Primary 1 to Primary 6 with the aim of equipping our girls with self-sufficiency skills in order to be able to look after themselves. It is part of the school’s vision in providing a holistic education in order for our pupils to meet life’s challenges. The programme is also part of the school’s character development plans as such appropriate age-group skills teach pupils to be independent and self-reliant.
This programme is co-organised with the Central Parents Council of the school. Parents are welcome to join us in the classrooms to co-conduct these life skills lessons with the teachers.
Level – Life Skills Programme
Primary 1 – Getting Ready For School
Primary 2 – Personal Grooming
Primary 3 – Making a Healthy Sandwich
Primary 4 – Needlework Skills (Part 1)
Primary 5 – Needlework Skills (Part 2)
Primary 6 – Preparing a Hamper
IJ Wings Programme
IJ Wings programme aims to use a fun approach to improve one’s self-concept and self-esteem and help pupils to develop greater personal satisfaction and be able to relate more effectively with others. Activities planned during the after-school sessions also aim to increase enthusiasm and self-esteem that will reflect in positive behaviour at school and at home. Based on teachers’ feedback and observations in the classrooms, together with, a pupil-survey on self, peers and family, selected pupils are invited to participate in the programme.
Values in Action (VIA)
VIA are learning experiences that support students’ development as socially responsible citizens who contribute meaningfully to the community, through the learning and application of values, knowledge and skills. In CHIJ Primary, service learning activities or projects focus on experiences within the school community and at home.
VIA activities planned for our pupils are age-appropriate activities which develop the relevant knowledge, skills and attitudes to put values into action. These activities develop the competencies of our IJ girls and prepare them to be useful and responsible members of the community.
Vibrant IJ Learning Environment
[Caring School Tone & Culture]
Buddy Programme@IJ
Buddy Programme@IJ started with the aim to build a culture of care among the pupils. P2 girls were tasked to take care of the P1 girls in the first 2 weeks of school to help them fit in to the primary school system. After the orientation period, the P2 girls will continue to be the ‘big sisters’ to the younger ones to guide them with love and show care and concern.
Infusing CHRIST Values
Pupil of the Month
Each Month, a pupil from each class will be awarded Pupil of the Month according to our C.H.R.I.S.T. values. This monthly award is to recognise pupils who exemplify the IJ values and are good role models for their peers.
Month – CHIJ core values (C.H.R.I.S.T)
January – Courage
February – Humility
March – Respect
April – Respect
May – Integrity
June/July – Integrity
August – Steadfastness
September – Steadfastness
October – Thoughtfulness
November – Thoughtfulness
NE Messages
In line with MOE’s Desired Outcomes of Education, CHIJ places National Education as a key component of its values education.CHRIST Values are infused into the six NE messages.
1. Singapore is our homeland; this is where we belong.
We treasure our heritage and take pride in shaping our own unique way of life.
2. We must preserve racial and religious harmony.
We value our diversity and are determined to stay a united people.
3. We must uphold meritocracy and incorruptibility.
We provide opportunities for all, according to their ability and effort.
4. No one owes Singapore a living.
We find our own way to survive and prosper, turning challenge into opportunity.
5. We must ourselves defend Singapore.
We are proud to defend Singapore ourselves; no one else is responsible for our security and well-being.
6. We have confidence in our future.
United, determined and well-prepared, we have what it takes to build a bright future for ourselves, and to progress together as one nation.