Foundation Years
Junior students are in a mixed Chinese and English environment, with the bulk of the curriculum from the Chinese program being administered in Chinese. English is taught both as ‘English as a Foreign Language' with Chinese teachers, as well as an “English as a Second Language' based on ESL curriculum developed in British Columbia , and taught by native English speaking teachers. The intent of the Foundation Years will be to allow the students to develop sufficient English language skills to successfully undertake the BC Curriculum program for Grades 10 through 12.

BC Curriculum Years
Senior students (1, 2 and 3) in grades 10, 11 and 12 will take a full BC curriculum course load leading to one of two possible streams.

1. For students attempting to complete both the Chinese Curriculum and the BC Curriculum, a minimal BC curricular load will lead, if successfully completed, to a Certificate of Completion.

2. For the larger group of students, the full BC Curriculum will lead, when successfully completed, to a British Columbia ‘Dogwood' Certificate of Graduation.

Class Organization
The school year is divided into three terms. Students in Grade 10 take eight

courses; while students in grades 11 and 12 will take seven courses.

Courses are for the year and meet for between 40 and 80 minutes every school day.

School Year
The school year normally begins on September 1 st of one year and ends by July 15 th of the following year.

School Day
The school day normally begins at 7:40 am (10 minute warning bell) and ends by 4:10 pm, with 8 classes per day. Mondays begin with a special flag ceremony in the courtyard which begins at 7:25 am. Fridays normally end at 3:20 pm. Lunch periods are between 11:55 am and 12:50 pm, with classes beginning at 1 pm.

Class Assignments and Timetables
Students are placed in the courses needed for graduation and to help them achieve post-secondary plans. The school develops a master timetable and assigns students to their classes. We make every attempt to keep classes at a reasonable size and balance throughout the school day. We assume that our students view high school graduation as their first priority.

Attendance and Illness
Since the final standing for each course is based on class assignments and examinations during the semester, regular attendance is essential. With 80-minute classes every day, courses progress quickly. Students who are absent are still responsible for missed curriculum and assignments. Poor attendance inevitably leads to low achievement. When students are absent because of illness or some other legitimate reason, parents should phone the school to let teachers know. When they return to school, students should meet with their teachers to make catch up arrangements.

Homework
The development of good home study habits is essential to a successful completion of secondary school. All students at Sino Bright Secondary should expect homework and/or study assignments on a daily basis and should accept their responsibility to attempt to complete all homework assignments.

Reporting and Grading
Evaluation is based on continuous daily assessment of student participation and progress. Each student's cumulative achievement is reported with a formal report card showing percentage, letter grade, effort and teacher comment for each course, three times each year – at the end of each term and a fourth and cumulative report at the end of the school year.

Grades are reported as follows:

Level of Achievement Reported Percentage

A Excellent 86 – 100 %

B Very Good 73 – 85 %

C+ Above average 67 – 72 %

C Satisfactory 60 – 66 %

C- Pass 50 – 59 % (minimal success)

I Incomplete Below 50 % is in danger of failing

On the final report of each school year, all percentages below 50 are converted to a pass (P) or fail (F) grade.

Sino Bright School Honour Roll
At the end of each semester and at the completion of each school year, Sino Bright Secondary School recognizes outstanding student achievement and service in special ceremonies. The ‘A' Honour Roll designation is based on achieving a minimum Grade Point Average of 4.0 (A) on each of a student's best six courses each term. ‘B' Honour Roll designation is based on a minimum Grade Point average of 3.0 (B) on each of a student's best six courses each term. Students taking fewer than three courses are not eligible for honour roll designation.

Graduating students who are on Sino Bright Secondary School 's Honour Roll in all terms of Grade 12 will receive honours recognition on their graduation documents.

Sino Bright's Gold Scholar Award
The Gold Scholar Award recognizes top academic achievement across the curriculum. It is given to all grade 10 students who achieve eight A's (final marks) in one school year, to all grade 11 students who achieve seven A's (final marks), and to all grade 12 students who achieve seven A's (by the date of convocation for grade 12' s).

Assessment Procedure and Appealing Marks (Adjudication)
The entire assessment program is designed to ensure fair and just treatment.

Parents and students will receive a preview of each course and an explanation of the method of assessment. Teachers will compile written evidence of student achievement and confer with students on their progress throughout the term. Parents have the right to appeal decisions which will have a significant effect on their child's education. (Official student appeals must be made through their parents / guardians.

Procedure
Step 1: Parent Appeal to the Teacher
Parents must first appeal teacher based decisions regarding their child(ren) with the teacher concerned in an attempt to resolve the issue.
Step 2: Parent Appeal to the Principal
If within seven (7) working days of that meeting the issue is still unresolved or if the parent is not satisfied with the teacher's decision, the parent may then file a Notice of Appeal with the school principal. The Notice of Appeal shall be in writing and shall contain the name, address and placement of the student and name and address of the parent or guardian, and shall state in general terms the nature of the decision, the reasons for the appeal and the remedial action sought by the student and/or parent.
Step 3: Parent Appeal to the School Authority
If within a further seven (7) working days of that meeting the issue is still unresolved, or if the parent is not satisfied with the principal's decision, the appeal may be taken to the School Authority. The School Authority will meet with the principal, the parent and (if necessary) the student and render a decision to the parent in writing. The School Authority decision will be final.
For further information on Sino Bright appeal policy and procedure, you are directed to the School Website www.yoyo.com.cn and the School Handbook on Policy and Procedure.

Academic Competitions
The student of Sino Bright Secondary School will be encouraged to engage in the writing of international academic competitions and writing competitions. (For example: Gauss Math Test)

Repeating Courses to Upgrade Marks
Hoping to improve a mark, students may request permission to repeat a course that they have already passed. Permission to repeat requires a student to obtain a recommendation from the previous teacher and the signature of the appropriate department head or the principal. Repeating

a course is a privilege, not a right; Any students may be removed from classes if they are not

attending regularly and/or are not keeping up with assignments.

Program Acceleration
Students who wish to accelerate their program by taking courses in the second semester at the next grade level will need to obtain a written recommendation from the first semester teacher in the appropriate subject area. Acceleration requests will be granted only if there is room in classes after all students at the next grade level have been successfully programmed into classes

English as a Second Language
An ESL curriculum is provided to the students during the Sino Bright Secondary program. This curriculum is based on the ESL program first developed in Langley , British Columbia . The instruction in the program is provided by native English speakers. The ESL program prepares students for regular classes. In particular, the curriculum seeks to develop new English vocabulary, build on grammatical skills, enhance student ability to ‘hear' spoken English, and refine student spoken English, particularly with regard to BC Curriculum requirements.

Library Program
The Sino Bright Secondary School Library provides a rich array of

English print resources, which enable students and teachers to select information on any topic.

Computer Research Facility
Using the computer research lab located near the library, students may access information and develop electronic searching skills through the Internet, a CDROM network, an automated catalogue, and on-line data bases. This computer lab provides classes under teacher supervision with opportunities to work with a wide variety of computer applications.

The Sino Bright Secondary Library Program strives to

support, to implement, and to enrich our educational program by

· functioning as an integral component of the total instructional process.

· being a laboratory for information literacy curriculum learning outcomes.

· consulting with teachers to provide a planned and purposeful integration of library resources with ongoing teaching and learning.

· providing the resources and helping teachers teach skills which will enable Sino Bright students to become competent, independent learners - learners who have confidence in their ability to learn, who enjoy solving problems, who prefer to rely on their own judgment, who are not fearful of trying, who are flexible, and who have a respect for facts.

Sino Bright School Library welcomes students to the library to read, to study, and to work on homework. The library is open and available to students from 8 am until 4 pm daily. It is an area for quiet independent study, as well as for leisure reading. Teachers are encouraged to schedule their entire class for research. Respect for materials and other students who wish to work under quiet
conditions is a must in our library. A full time librarian is available for guidance and help throughout the day.

Counselling Department (Not presently activated)
At present (2005 – 2006) Sino Bright Secondary School does not have a Counselling Department. We look forward to implementation of a counsellor and counselling services in the 2006 – 2007 School Year. We anticipate that our Counselling Department will offer many additional services to Sino Bright students, including:

· Help with program and course selection.

· Help solving academic difficulties, and if necessary, arranging for tutorial assistance.

· Information about the school and its functioning (orientation).

· Information on post-secondary training (universities, regional colleges, vocational schools, and registration in the British Columbia post-secondary system).

· Information on and help with vocational and career planning.

· Discussion of personal problems and help in making personal decisions.

On-Line Learning (Not Available at Present)
Designed to meet unique needs, the operating principle of on-line learning is course offerings at "any time, any place." Individual students are permitted to access course material via computer at school, at home, or anywhere they have access to the Internet. This flexibility in the delivery of instruction allows students who cannot maintain regular attendance to proceed at their own pace.

Other students may use on-line learning to accelerate their pace of learning by taking courses at the next grade level. Although On-Line Learning is not presently available to students through the BC Offshore Schools program, we are hopeful that it will be available in future years.

Return