Dear C
In the blink of an eye, you’ve completed your first year in Secondary School this week. Well done!
Even as we celebrate with you this milestone, there is something that we do need to state for the record. You see, the truth is we fully expected that you might not be promoted to the next level.
How so?
Well, to answer that, we’ll need to go back a few months.
Son, This Was The Lead-up To Your Advancement
For the first half of this year, we (both your parents and your school teachers) took it fairly easy with you in terms of homework and adjustment to life as a secondary school student. With more than double the number of subjects than before, and ending school an hour later than usual, it seemed the right thing to do.
You know, not to give you too much pressure, but offer you instead as much room as possible to familiarise yourself with your new academic life.
Plus, after clearing the dreaded PSLE last year, you (and us your parents!) needed to chill and take things easy. At least for the first half of this year anyway.
But by July, it was clear we needed to settle down and take your studies more seriously. Unlike the past few years, you will have to study harder and also adjust to taking exams that last longer than an hour or two.
Which meant your mom and I also had to help you through the whole process without losing our cool. As you recall, we had many a ‘feverish’ moment last year preparing you for PSLE, and we really didn’t need to repeat that quite so soon.
Right?
Well, right or wrong, the jump from PSLE to secondary school is a big one, even if you took what was supposed to be the least academically vigorous track.
So without focused discipline, consistent revision and extra tuition, it was inevitable that you performed poorly last month in your exams.
Hurray Son, Your School Is Advancing You!
As you know, your results were not only less than stellar, you literally achieve scores that were way below the passing mark.
For every single subject!
But you know what? Your school decided to “advance” you anyway!!
Your school wrote to us to request for a meet-up three days ago to share about your performance. That meet-up gave us a chance to find out why the school had decided to advance you to the second year in 2026. Despite your poor showing.
In summary, here’s what we were told:
The school continually reviews students’ learning needs to ensure students are ‘right-sited’. (By that I think the school meant they place a student where s/he would best flourish)
Although you didn’t meet the promotion criteria, the school has done a careful review and believe that you will benefit from being advanced to the next level for the Academic Year 2026. (I think this one’s self-explanatory, although your teacher did explain further during the meeting. Apparently, all the teachers who taught you this year had a roundtable discussion. They unanimously believed you had the potential to perform well! So long as you overcome what ASD students like you struggle most with — attention, focus, discipline and self-control).
I think I nearly burst into tears when your teacher told us that!
Feedback From Your Various Teachers
Anyway, to find further proof of that unanimous belief, I took a closer look at the remarks from each of your subject teachers in your report book. From there, I could see why they were prepared to green-light your advancement to Secondary 2.
Out of all the subject comments listed in the report, below were what I noted in particular:
ENGLISH
C contributes actively in classroom discussions. Has put in effort during lessons. Needs to manage his time better for written exam papers.
MATH
C shows an eagerness to improve. Needs to be more focused during direct teaching moments. Has to work on understanding concepts and applying them.
SCIENCE
C enjoys interactive lessons involving videos and the use of iPad. Has the potential to do better with consistent revision. Needs to improve on literacy skills to grasp concepts and answer structured and free-response questions.
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY
C attempts to follow lessons but has difficulties producing independent work. Needs more practice with materials and handling of tools.
ART
C shows improvement in drawing in proportion. As well as independence during studio practice. Needs to work more patiently to achieve neater and more accomplished work.
Son, Let’s Do Better. Together!
Son, in many ways, it feels like not only did you get a “second chance”, your mommy and I did as well.
While the next 11 months may actually be harder in terms of the topics taught, the homework given, the assignments to complete, and the exams to clear, this second chance may prove to be the fuel we need to get us to the finishing line this time next year.
Son, we’ve got our work cut out for us in the next 11 months.
Let’s start planning ok? Can’t let your teachers down. Especially since they’ve stuck their neck out for you.
Let’s do better. Together!
Meantime, let’s celebrate your advancement shall we?
Luv Ya To The Moon And Back…
Your Daddy Doofus
