HIGHLIGHTS

An Anxious Moment, a Reassuring Meeting

Ms. Teresita Fainsan, Grade 7 Level Coordinator

Posted Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 10:18 AM

      Last September 5, the Grade 7 parents came for a very important orientation where the High School Entrance Examination (HSEE), the Third Quarter Synthesis Quarter and the Xavier China Experience (XCE) program were discussed.  Miss Aimee Apolinario, the Assistant Principal for Academics was invited to talk about the procedures and requirements for the High School Entrance Test which is scheduled on October 7, 2006.  She further explained the conditions for acceptance of the Grade 7 students to the High School.  This was of particular interest to the parents.

      The conditions for admission to High School include passing the High School Entrance Examination with Mathematics, English, Filipino, Science and Chinese as the subjects to be tested and a family interview (father, mother and son) to be conducted by the High School Principal and Assistant Principals between the months of December, 2006 and January 2007.

      The open forum which immediately followed Ms. Apolinario’s talk gave rise to some questions like: Is there a way to review for the High School Entrance Examination? What is the coverage of the Chinese test? Are the answers in the Math test multiple choice with students shading the letter of the correct answer? When will the family interview be held?  Is there an appeals system for the students who did not pass? When did the High School Entrance Examination start and is entrance to High 1 open to students from other schools?  All of these questions were addressed  by Ms. Apolinario and Mrs. Natividad. 

     The second part of the orientation was on the Synthesis Quarter – the 3rd Quarter of the school year which offers the Flexible Curriculum.  Ms. Jane Natividad, the Grace School Principal, explained that subjects are clustered like the English, Language and Creative Arts (ELCA), Science, Math and Information Technology (SMIT), Kasaysayan, Kultura at Filipino (KKFIL) and Christian Life Education – Guidance in an effort to synthesize learning under an integrated course offering using the Understanding by Design method - GRASPS.

      Also mentioned were the two tracks of the Flexible Curriculum namely: the On-Campus Enrichment Program and the Overseas Enrichment Program (Xavier China Experience).  Ms. Natividad informed the parents that the primary goal of the Xavier China Experience is for competency in the Chinese language and acquisition of a rich cultural experience as a secondary goal.  Also mentioned is the use of traditional as well as authentic and alternative assessment tools for the 3rd quarter performance grades.

      The third part of the orientation started with a video presentation highlighting the activities of the students who joined the Overseas Enrichment Program (Xavier China Experience) in the University of Xiamen in China.  Fr. Guy Guibelondo, S.J., one of the supervisors of last school year’s trip to Xiamen gave some insights on the academic and cultural programs given to the Xavier students by the University of Xiamen.  He called the Xavier China Experience a “challenge” for the students to survive 6 rigorous weeks of academic work and at the same an “adventure” to discover their cultural heritage.

      The orientation ended with many questions answered.  The anxious parents went away assured that the school is their partner in the academic future of their sons.

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