A lot of efforts were put into the start of the new academic year to ensure smooth transition for the students.
Deputy Principal of Rimba Secondary School Johnny Lim told the Bulletin that among the efforts were channelling new Year 9 students based on the Student Progress Examination (SPE) results.
Among the challenge, Lim said, is the relatively low mathematics proficiency but the academic team managed to channel 131 students into different programmes. From there, the registration team will prepare class and teacher’s lists and the administration team will allocate classrooms. Heads of departments will then submit their deployment for the timetable team to make schedules for classes and teachers.
Other preparations include making academic calendars to match that of the Ministry of Education’s (MoE).
There is also a two-day orientation programme to welcome Year 7 students, and among the activities are briefings and talks.
Year 8 to Year 11 students took part in surveys prepared by the Career Department to help them prepare for their future career paths. They also filled in a mental health survey for students’ self-awareness as well as provide data for the counsellor.
With the MoE’s focus on science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM), today will see students working in teams to design a rollercoaster.
Year 11 students will be given a motivational talk by the counsellor to prepare for this year’s GCE ‘O’ Levels.
The principal will also have a talk with Year 11 teachers to set targets and monitor student progress.
Meanwhile, senior teacher Hajah Siti Zuraini binti Haji Zainal Abidin said the students were welcomed back to school with a briefing from the Academic and Registration Section and Student Affairs Unit.
There will also be an anti-bullying poster competition today. Hajah Siti Zuraini said, “There has been a rise in bullying cases in Brunei schools lately and we want the students to be aware of the importance of keeping the school environment safe. We want to ensure the school is a place for every student.”
Rimba Secondary School was visited by Acting Deputy Permanent Secretaries at the MoE Professor Dr Haji Noor Azam bin Orang Kaya Maha Bijaya Haji Othman (Policy and Corporate) and Misle bin Haji Abdul Karim (Administration and Finance) as well as Director of Schools Inspectorate Zainal Abidin bin Haji Kepli, Director of Information Technology and Communication Haji Ibnu Khairinuddin bin Haji Ibrahim and Head of Innovation Entrepreneur Centre Adna Shatriremie bin Haji A Abdul Rahman yesterday. – Lyna Mohamad
