Character and Citizenship Education

Introduction

Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) is integral to the holistic development of our students, leading to positive life outcomes, and aims to provide an integrated approach to addressing their development of values, character, social-emotional well-being, and citizenship dispositions in a coherent and holistic way.

Approach

Coherent Learning Experiences

We leverage Student Development Experiences to guide students to develop positive character traits in an authentic setting, so that they can apply their learning to real-world situations. Our programmes are aligned to students’ developmental milestones, to ensure continuity across levels and allow students to monitor and track their own development.

Engaging Learning Experiences

We aim to grow a community of active learners by creating platforms for students to think critically, creatively and work collaboratively. We also promote student voice by providing space and opportunities for students to be heard.

Key Programmes

1. CHRversations

CHRversations are school-wide, class-based conversations for CHRians to engage one another on contemporary issues, such as the National Budget, race relations and mental health.

CHRversations: Student-led conversations on Singapore Budget

2. Education and Career Guidance (ECG)

Through our ECG programmes, CHRians have the opportunity to explore their strengths and be equipped with the knowledge, skills and values to make informed decisions at each key education stage.

Hands-on experience at a Video Production Studio at ITE Central

3. Social and Emotional Well-Being

In our school, CHRians have the platform to reflect on their personal growth and well-being, and provide peer support for one another.

Mind Matters: Mental Well-Being Talkshow in partnership with health professionals from Woodlands Health

Peer Mentoring Session

4. National Education (NE)

Our NE programmes on commemorative events such as Total Defence Day, International Friendship Day, Racial Harmony Day and National Day, provide opportunities for CHRians to grow into active citizens with a sense of belonging to Singapore.

Commemoration of National Day in CHR

Commemoration of International Friendship Day: CHR Asian Games Day

5. Values in Action

The VIA programmes are designed for CHRians to increase their awareness of community issues in order to advocate for such issues and collaborate to take action to positively impact their community.

Community of HOPE Outreach to Care Corner (Share-A-Pot)

Book Reading during a KidsREAD Session @ Wellington Primary School

MOE Sexuality Education in Schools

1. Sexuality Education (SEd) in schools is about enabling students to understand the physiological, social and emotional changes they experience as they mature, develop healthy and rewarding relationships including those with members of the opposite sex, and make wise, informed and responsible decisions on sexuality matters. SEd is premised on the importance of the family as the basic unit of society. This means encouraging healthy, heterosexual marriages and stable nuclear family units with extended family support. The teaching and learning of SEd is based on respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities in Singapore on sexuality issues.

2. The Goals of Sexuality Education are to:

   (a) To help students make wise, responsible and informed decisions through the provision of accurate, current and age-appropriate knowledge on human sexuality and the consequences of sexual activity;
   (b) To help students know themselves and build healthy and rewarding relationships through the acquisition of social and emotional skills of self-awareness, management of their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, development of empathy for others, possession of effective communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills; and
   (c) To help students develop a moral compass, respect for themselves and for others as sexual beings, premised on the family as the basic unit of society, through the inculcation of positive mainstream values and attitudes about sexuality.

3. The Key Messages of Sexuality Education are:

   (a) Love and respect yourself as you love and respect others;
   (b) Build positive relationships based on love and respect (which are the foundation for strong families);
   (c) Make responsible decisions for yourself, your family and society; and
   (d) Abstinence before marriage is the best protection against STIs/HIV and unintended pregnancies. Casual sex can harm and hurt you and your loved ones.
   
   You may click here for more information on MOE Sexuality Education.

Overview of CHRIST CHURCH SECONDARY SCHOOL’s Sexuality Education Programme for 2024

4. Sexuality Education is delivered in a holistic manner through the school curriculum. The content for Sexuality Education is grouped into five main themes: Human Development, Interpersonal Relationships, Sexual Health, Sexual Behaviour, and, Culture, Society and Law. You may click  here for more information on the scope of Sexuality Education in the school curriculum.

5. The subjects that incorporate topics on sexuality include:
               a.    Science
               b.    Character and Citizenship Education (CCE)

Sexuality Education Lessons:

6. The values and attitudes of our youth towards sexuality are increasingly shaped by their peers, exposure to the media, popular culture and the internet. Adolescence is a complex stage in life as the adolescent attempts to find his/her own identity and often struggles with new social relationships. The period of middle adolescence (generally from 15 – 17 years old) can be a turbulent period for adolescents. The gap between physical and emotional/cognitive maturity may result in a tendency to act on impulse, experiment with various activities (including sexual activities), sometimes without understanding the unpleasant consequences that may arise from such experimentation. The need for peer acceptance can be overwhelmingly strong, and hinder one’s ability to act responsibly.  Given the pressures faced by the middle adolescent from within themselves and from peers, it is important to build a strong sense of self-worth, personal conviction and an understanding of the possible consequences of sexual behaviour.

7. Through the Sexuality Education lessons, secondary students will have the opportunity to develop a positive self-esteem, develop their character, and expand their understanding and repertoire of skills to deal with various issues related to sexuality, which are of prime concern at this age.

   
   

   At Christ Church Secondary School, the following lessons from the Growing Years Programme will be taught in 2024:

Secondary 1

Secondary 2

Secondary 3

Secondary 4

Secondary 5

eTeens Programme:

8. eTeens is a programme developed by Health Promotion Board, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, for Secondary 3 students to provide them with accurate information on STIs, HIV and protection from a health perspective. eTeens is conducted in two segments – a mass talk segment and a classroom-based programme.

9. Students are taught skills such as decision-making, assertiveness and negotiation to say “no” to sex and negative peer pressure. They also learn that the impact of STIs/HIV extends beyond themselves and involves their family. Abstinence and upholding family values are the key messages. The desired outcome of the eTeens programme is that students are empowered to make wise, informed and sensible decisions.

At Christ Church Secondary School, the eTeens programme will be implemented as follows in 2024:

Information for Parents

10. Parents may opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons, eTeens and/or supplementary sexuality education programmes by MOE-approved external providers.

11. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the Sexuality Education lessons need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents at the start of the year and is also downloadable here. The completed form is to be submitted by 12/01/2024.

12. Parents who wish to opt their children out of the eTeens programme need to complete an opt-out form. This form will be distributed to parents at the start of the year and is also downloadable here. The completed form is to be submitted by 12/05/2024.

13. Parents can contact the school at ccss@moe.edu.sg for discussion or to seek clarification about the school’s Sexuality Education programme.