PSG Handbook
The Maris Stella High School (Primary) Parent Support Group (PSG) has come a long way since its humble beginnings. This handbook aims to provide you with a clearer understanding of the role and mission of the PSG.
The numerous PSG activities conducted for the school would not have been possible if not for the enduring support from the many dedicated parent volunteers. A very big thank you to all who have given your time and personal contribution. The school and students have definitely benefited from all our involvement.
The PSG endeavours to continue our partnership with the school to provide a holistic education for our boys. Together we tap on each other’s strengths to make MSHS a more vibrant environment for the boys. We trust that you will find joining the PSG an enriching and worthwhile experience.
In God We Trust, In Love We Serve
PSG EXCO
In 1990, a small group of parents from the pre-primary and Primary 1 classes helped to organise a Children’s Fancy Dress Competition. History was made when this first group of parents stepped forward to lend a helping hand to the children and their teachers. These parents continued to help out further in other subsequent school events such as concerts and outings.
Over the years, the Parent Volunteer Programme has evolved in response to changes within the school. The organisation has, together with the students as well as the school administration, grown in a climate of cordiality, cooperation and constructive dialogue.
The number of PSG members has grown over the years and today we have more than 180 members who are actively involved in supporting the school events.
We believe that educating children is a joint effort between the school and the home. Parents play a vital role in impacting values.
The school-PSG partnership aims to achieve one common goal – that of providing a rich and rewarding holistic education for our students guided by the Marist values.
Expectations of PSG Members:
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Uphold the School motto and philosophy of the PSG.
- Perform their assigned tasks to the best of their ability.
- Uphold School rules that guide students’ behaviour.
- Attend general meetings of the PSG to keep updated with current activities and vision. In the event of inability to attend meetings, updates can be obtained from fellow members.
1. The relationship between the school and the PSG is based on mutual respect and confidence.
All PSG Members shall be:
(a) supportive of the school Mission, Vision and Values and work within the rules set by the school;
(b) respectful in all interactions with the school;
(c) respectful of cultural and religious diversities; and
(d) committed and punctual in performing our respective duties.
2. All PSG Members shall comply strictly with the following:
(a) PSG Members are allowed to be in school strictly only on the day(s) and during the time(s) of duty;
(b) PSG Members shall prominently display the PSG passes using the PSG lanyards provided when in school for duty. PSG Members who are not on duty shall not enter the school premises using the PSG passes/lanyards and shall instead obtain a Visitor’s Pass from the General Office;
(c) When in school for duty, PSG Members shall make their way directly to the assigned duty areas and remain there until the end of duty time. At no time shall PSG Members venture to any other parts of the school;
(d) PSG Members who drive and park in school while performing PSG duties must ensure that valid car decals are prominently displayed on PSG Members’ cars and shall park only in the designated parking areas;
(e) PSG Members shall be appropriately attired as well as modestly dressed while on duty, both while in the school premises as well as when volunteering for school activities held outside of the school (e.g. Learning Journeys, SwimSafer);
(f) PSG Members must not use their duty time in school for informal Parent-Teacher meetings. To discuss his/her child’s progress in school, PSG Member shall make separate arrangements to meet with the teachers;
(g) If and when carrying out duties for a particular class, PSG Members must take care of all the children in that class and not focus on his/her own child or a specific group of children; and
(h) In the course of performing our duty, PSG Members must not attempt to discipline any child. Potential disciplinary problems, if any, shall be referred to the PSG Sub-Group Head or school/class teacher.
3. PSG Members shall at all times respect the confidentiality and privacy of all members of the school. In this regard, PSG Members shall not:
(a) take photographs and/or videos in the school premises except with prior approval granted by authorised school personnel;
(b) post or share any photographs and/or videos taken in the school premises on any social media platform;
(c) discuss or divulge any information or activities that occur in school;
(d) accept any form of social and/or media interviews on behalf of the school or the PSG except with prior approval granted by authorised school personnel;
(e) use their position in the PSG to promote any commercial products or political candidates or parties.
4. In the interest of promoting camaraderie amongst PSG Members:
(a) PSG Members may have short, small Sub-Group gatherings in the canteen before/after duty (strictly outside of recess times only);
(b) The PSG Room may be used for small group discussions/gathering provided at least one PSG Sub-Group Head is present.
5. Thank you everyone for your support and cooperation as we continue our journey To Serve With Love.
As a Catholic School, Maris Stella High School (Primary) offers Religious Education (RE) classes where the boys can learn about the Catholic faith.
Parent volunteers conduct weekly RE lessons from 7 am to 7.20 am before school starts. The parents adopt the “Walking with Jesus” syllabus and make it fun by incorporating videos, songs and craft. Many of these parents are catechists in their respective parishes.
First Friday masses, and special masses like New Year’s Day mass, Founder’s Day mass, exam masses and Thanksgiving mass are planned throughout the school calendar year. The parents also serve as cantors, musicians, preparation of mass presentations, sacristan duties and helping Marists with the mass readings.
The love for sharing of the Catholic faith brought the parents together, and it is indeed the working of the Holy Spirit that seals the bonds among the parents; reaping the reward of witnessing Marists grow spiritually to godly gentlemen after God’s heart.
The Marist Book Lab in MSHS (Primary) is a modern, air-conditioned facility using barcode technology for the loan and return of books. There are English and Chinese books in various genres that the boys are encouraged to borrow and read. The PSG’s primary role is to lend support and assistance to the staff or Teacher Librarians.
The general duties include the following:
- To help maintain the general tidiness and cleanliness of the library.
- To assist in the borrowing and returning of all books.
- To identify and assist in the repairing of damaged books.
- To assist the Librarian in preparing new books for loan.
- To assist in the shelving of books.
- To assist in the supervision and carrying out of library activities.
Examples: Bingo games, story-telling, Sudoku, art and craft demonstrations, etc. -
To help the Librarian manage pupils behaviour and maintain orderliness in the library during recess.
- To assist in decorating the MBL.
MORNING DUTY (MD) & RECESS DUTY (RD)
PSG members work in collaboration with the teachers to ensure that the students adhere to orderly behaviour in the morning and during the various recesses. Duties will be assigned to the PSG members by the PSG coordinator-in-charge.
Morning Duty & Recess Duty PSG Guidelines:
Morning Duty
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The duration for the morning duty is about 30 min, from 7 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.
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Ensure all students leave the classroom by 7.15 a.m., bring along a storybook and ask them to proceed to the hall for their morning reading.
Recess Duty
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The duration for the recess duty is an hour. The first recess is for P1, P2 and P5 students, from 9.45 a.m. to 10.15 a.m. The second recess session is for P3, P4 and P6 students, from 10.15 a.m. to 10.45 a.m.
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Ensure that all the students leave the classrooms during recess. Only the appointed recess ICs and duty boys are allowed to stay in the classrooms.
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Ensure that the students do not play in the areas other than the designated places. This is to minimise disturbance to other students who are still having lessons.
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Ensure that the students return to their classroom when recess ends.
Both Duties
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Provide assistance to the teachers patrolling the area.
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Provide assistance to the students in need, especially the lower primary students.
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In case of accidents, PSG members are to notify the teachers-in-charge.
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Encourage the students to save electricity by switching off the lights and fans in the classroom before leaving for morning reading or recess.
- Ensure that the students adhere to orderly behaviour.
- In case of bad weather, PSG members have to assist the teachers to redirectthe boys to the sheltered areas.
This programme targets weak readers in P1 and P2 who need support to bridge the gap in their reading proficiency for English and/or Chinese. The program aims to equip them first with beginning literacy and thereafter build reading fluency and vocabulary as well as to inculcate good reading habits and develop their interest in the language.
There are 3 English Rainbow classes each week. The scheduled timings are Tuesdays, Wednesdays andFridays, from 7.00 - 7.30 a.m. for P1 and P2 pupils. Two pupils are assigned to each PSG parent. Parents and the students read story books together (story books are provided by the school). In addition, some oral and comprehension exercises are given to the pupils from time to time. Pupils who make good progress may graduate from the programme.
For Chinese Rainbow which is for P2 boys, there will be a story-telling session, which is conducted in groups of 3 to 5, twice a week. The scheduled timings are Mondays and Thursdays from 7.00 - 7.30 a.m. The PSG members read interesting and fun Chinese story books to the boys and encourage them to speak. In addition, PSG parents will conduct games and activities from time to time to motivate them in reading.
Parents can help on a day that suits them, in the English and/or Chinese sessions. The teacher-in-charge needs about a month to assess and identify the pupils who need help in reading. Rainbow normally starts in February and ends in October.
PSG parents bond with the boys whom they are helping. As the boys increase fluency in the language through reading, they become more confident and enthusiastic using the language and their self-esteem is enhanced. PSG parents derive immense satisfaction when they see the boys progress as a result of their participation in the programme.