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Student Development
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)

CVE is a curriculum to inculcate good character and develop sound values, through both structured learning experiences and incidental learning moments. Working closely with their Care Teachers, our students not only learn the right values, but also develop the right skill set and courage to act on those values. Read More Here

As a Methodist school, the principles and ethos underpinning education in SFMS are guided closely by the Word of God. Through the daily morning devotions, weekly chapel sessions, Christian Values lessons and Christian Fellowship, our students discover life lessons that inspire and change their way of life. Read More Here

SFMS believes that discipline is necessary to achieve one’s goals and personal successes. Discipline is not limiting. Instead, it empowers the students to focus on their goals and persevere until they accomplish these goals. The SFMS Discipline and Reward policy encourages our students to develop the good habit of learning and steers them towards having integrity in everything they do. Read More Here

SFMS offers more than 15 different IGs –in sports and fitness, arts and performance, and other special interests. These IGs enable our students to participate actively in school life, pursue their passions, explore new interests, and develop critical social, emotional and leadership skills.

SFMS provides service-learning opportunities where positive values are learnt, caught and practised. These service-learning projects include volunteering in local nursing homes and setting up libraries in Vietnam, among others. The students are involved in the entire process of each project, from planning to implementation to reflection.

Student leadership in SFMS is based on the principle of Servant Leadership: “Serving with Humility, Leading with Integrity”. Student leaders attend leadership camps and workshops to develop the necessary leadership skills and disposition to serve and lead the student body effectively. They will be given many opportunities to practise these skills. Student leaders include the Student Councillors, the Class Leaders, and the Interest Group Leaders.

The PAT curriculum cultivates the physical and aesthetics aspects of the students, and equip them with authentic learning experiences to develop a future- ready mindset and skills needed in the workplace of tomorrow. PAT also helps our students nurture their talents and further their interests in non-academic pursuits.

SFMS’ School Counsellor provides counselling support for students’ mental health, and social and emotional development. The School Counsellor also works collaboratively with the teachers, parents and guardians, and when necessary, relevant external professionals and community agencies.

SFMS organises overseas student exchange programmes with schools from many countries, including Japan, South Korea and Thailand. These programmes provide our students with opportunities to learn more about themselves, work together as a team, and develop greater global awareness and cross-cultural skills.