Building character and developing critical life skills are at the heart of the holistic education we provide for each SFMS student. To achieve this, we adopt a schoolwide, systematic and sustainable approach. We are intentional and proactive in equipping our students with the right skills and knowledge, imbibing them with sound values, exposing them to different learning experiences, and providing them with the appropriate platforms and opportunities to apply their learning.

While academic achievement provides our students with the pathways to further their studies, having a sound character and effective life skills will further pave the way for them to achieve greater success in their lives in school and beyond.

As a mission school, God’s Word directs and guides us in every matter that we do and every decision that we make at SFMS, to develop our students into learners who are inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, risk-takers, balanced and reflective.

There are six key domains: Christian Ministry, Character & Values Education (CVE), Interest Groups, Student Leadership, Student Service Learning and Discipline & Reward. Anchored on our Core Values of Purpose-Driven, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Humility, we seek to develop the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies and the SFMS Learner Profile traits in our students. Our approach to the delivery of the Student Development programme through the six key domains is based on the 4 Hs (Head, Heart, Hands and Home) and Treffinger’s Levels of Service approach for talent development.

Principles of Teaching and Learning
The following principles guide the teaching and learning of Student Development curriculum in and outside the classroom. They also provide useful reference in designing the SD programmes and activities.
• Contextualised, age-appropriate and customised knowledge and skills which are current and future-oriented.
• Encourage other-centredness and contribution to the community
• Learning experiences should engage students in discussion, and be participatory and collaborative
• Values are both taught and caught
• Expanding domains from self to the world

Teaching Approaches
Three main teaching approaches are used to facilitate the learning of knowledge, skills and values in the Student Development curriculum. These approaches guide teachers in customising and delivering lessons through effective questioning and student engagement strategies. They can be used in combination and adapted according to the needs and interests of students.
• Cooperative and collaborative learning
• Scenario-based inquiry and case studies
• Experiential learning (Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle)