CIP hours at Secondary School

[csc]

It sounds like the school is endorsing the reasons below for doing community work : to clock hours for scholarship, awards and CCA points.


It's quite sad if community work is done just to fulfill those purposes.

Well, hopefully, through the students' involvment in such projects and their interaction with the underprivileded, they will develop a genuine compassion and passion to want to continue to touch the lives of the unfortunate and underpriviledged around us.

[lizawa]

csc:

It sounds like the school is endorsing the reasons below for doing community work : to clock hours for scholarship, awards and CCA points.


It's quite sad if community work is done just to fulfill those purposes.

Well, hopefully, through the students' involvment in such projects and their interaction with the underprivileded, they will develop a genuine compassion and passion to want to continue to touch the lives of the unfortunate and underpriviledged around us.

l agree with you. This is probably one way to get the kids to start involving in community work. How else, would our young, protected generation nowadays spare some thoughts or time for those who are in need ? There are so many TV programmes that show the plight of the less fortunate, but not many can feel for them at this young age, unless you really interact with them.

The one thing that my son told me after his CIP last month. \"The old folks are really poor thing, no one to listen and talk to them, so we just talk and listen to them.\" And he finds it meaningful.

I secretly hope that after this experience, he will not send me to the old folks home when I grow old one day

[csc]

lizawa:

I secretly hope that after this experience, he will not send me to the old folks home when I grow old one day

Ha!Ha! Me too... my son is going for his community service project this Thursday. He's so excited about it and even stops his sister from opening a new box of \"loveletters\" and \"kueh bahru\" cos he wants to bring them to the old folks' home.

I also take comfort in the fact that he loves his 70 year-old grandma more than me.... I am quite jealous at times ... hope he'll love me the same way when i'm 70.

[Zann]

Dear parents,


I’m not sure if majority choose to visit old folks’ home?

Any of your child tried these two community work and any feedback/thoughts ?
(1) provide tuition to needy students at student care centre
(2) reading to children at community library?

Thanks.

[csc]

My P6 daughter is involved in a peer-tutoring program where she tutors another pupil who is weaker in Maths on 3 mornings weekly before school starts. Her contribution is recorded under CIP. (may come in helpful in DSA application)


Materials(worksheets with answer key) are provided and a teacher is present to supervise the process.

Well, she has no complaints as she enjoys \"playing teacher\" since pre-school days, especially the marking part. :lol:

[sand]

I’m not sure what’s the min requirement for Pri Sch, but I do know for Sec Sch, the min requirement by MOE is a compulsory of 20 hr of CIP per year.


In my school, 15hr will be planned activities eg classroom cleaning, collection of old newspapers. The other 5hr will be planned by students’ CCA. so definitely will meet the min requirements, unless of cos, the student doesn’t turn up for the activities at all.

[schellen]

sand:

In my school, 15hr will be planned activities eg classroom cleaning, collection of old newspapers. The other 5hr will be planned by students' CCA. so definitely will meet the min requirements, unless of cos, the student doesn't turn up for the activities at all.

Yup, that is the case for most schools. So it is rare to see a school that entrusts the entire 100hrs (over the years) to the students.

Like you said, schools themselves do provide in-school activities like charity bazaars, chances to clean up the school premises (not as punishment but voluntarily), and check if the school has any existing \"contracts\" with external organisations.

I was actually wondering about childcare centres (CCs). If students can help out in old folks' home, why not CCs? Of course, the actual supervision and teaching and care of children there are the trained teachers' responsibilities so I was thinking along the lines of support activities. See suggestions below:
1. CCs usually operate on themes so this means deco work. Materials provided by CCs. Students can help to brainstorm and put up decos/re-do learning corners, etc.
2. Teachers need worksheets/activities. They plan them but need materials. Students can help in the preparation, e.g., photocopying, binding, cutting up, stuff that young children can't do, etc.
3. Help to clean up!

These can be done after school is over in the afternoon. CCs usually have naptime from 1-3 p.m. just after lunch and bathtime. Drop by during this time to help out. Spend about 2-3 hours there and leave soon after the children wake up or after teatime. This way, you can minimise the disruption you cause at the CCs.

I know that CC teachers would love to have some help, especially since lunch time is usually spent having a rushed lunch after making sure all the children are settled and asleep. Then, quickly preparing materials and cleaning and decorating, etc.

Now, what we need to find out is are CCs willing to accept students to help them? Paperwork for validating CIP hours is a small matter so ultimately, it is the mindset of the CC operator/supervisor. After all, you get free help in exchange for doing a little paperwork.

[SX4]

[Editor's note: Topic selected for http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/what-cip.]


CIP is actually part of a CCA grading system called LEAPS. It awards points in 5 categories, namely Leadership, Enrichment, Achievement, Participation and Service.

CIP comes under Service, where each student is required to perform minimum 6 hours of community service per year.

Over a period of 4 years, points are awarded as follows:
100 or more hours - 5 points
80-99 hours - 4 points
60-79 hours - 3 points
40-59 hours - 2 points
24-39 hours - 1 point

These points will go towards the CCA grade (25 and above to get an A1 grade and therefore -2 points for JC admission).

Generally schools will try to help the students fulfil as many CIP hours as possible. Or for example, some church going students go on mission trips to help teach the less fortunate, or build a new school for them etc - all this can be taken into account.

[Zann]

SX4:

CIP is actually part of a CCA grading system called LEAPS. It awards points in 5 categories, namely Leadership, Enrichment, Achievement, Participation and Service.



These points will go towards the CCA grade (25 and above to get an A1 grade and therefore -2 points for JC admission).

Hi SX4, Thanks for sharing. Kind to illustrate further how CCA points are being accumulated in the various categories, say, using uniform group - NPCC, as an example, through out the year and what if a student switch CCA?

IP students do not go through 'O' level path? Does it mean the extra 2 bonus point is not applicable to them?

I always feel that joining an CCA should go according to interest and not meant for scoring point though some CCA are more high profile and could help score more CCA points.

Have a nice day!

[SX4]

Hi Zann, I'll share what I understand about LEAPS.


1. Leadership
The rank determines the number of points awarded in this category. If the child holds any leadership position in school, such as prefect or class chairman, he will also get extra points for this.
Maximum of 12 points in this category.

2. Enrichment programmes
I'm not so sure about this, but I think the schools will make provision for the kids to fulfil this area.
Maximum of 4 points

3. Achievement
Representation of the school in interschool competitions, attainment of sports leaders awards, president guides, and achieving good results (top 4 for sports or gold award for performing arts) make up this category.
Maximum of 15 points

4. Participation
Mainly on attendance, min 75%. Extra points if the child takes part in SYF or NDP.
Maximum 10 points

5. Service

If a child changes CCA halfway through, I understand he will lose his points for that CCA and has to start afresh. Thats why schools do not encourage students to change, and it is very important that a Sec 1 child manages to get a CCA which he enjoys.

As for the IP program, I am not very sure about that.

Hope this helps