Student Support Services

Student Support Services

A variety of comprehensive student support services are provided to meet the needs of the students studying in Beacon:

The Admin staff coordinates students’ airport arrival details and transfers the student to their preferred accomodation. There is a range of time dependent processes associated with these arrangements which are the students’ or agents’ responsibility. Students or Agents should communicate directly with the Admin staff in relation to these arrangements. Students should contact the school via email/telephone if they require assistance.

Beacon works closely with the on-site hostel operator to provide accommodation option for its international students. Students should contact the school via email/telephone call if they require assistance.

All new students are required to attend the New Student Orientation programme. Beacon Orientation Programme is broken down into 5 aspects to meet the students’ needs in 5 different ways:

  1. Lifestyle Needs: Orientation of facilities in and around the school and accommodation (i.e. National Library, Food courts, Hawker and Shopping Centres)
  2. Financial Needs: Introduction to different banks and money-exchange services in Singapore
  3. Immigration Needs: ICA visit for the issuing of Student’s pass
  4. Travelling Needs: Learning about the transport system in Singapore (Eg. MRT, Buses, etc)
  5. Relaxation Needs: Possible Relaxation activities (Eg. City Tour, Picnic activities, Pulau Ubin, Sentosa Island, BBQ session, Mooncake festival, Christmas party, etc)

 

Beacon covers the above aspects through 2 kinds of orientation channels:

  • New Student Briefing
  • New Student Orientation

New Student Briefing

In the New Student Briefing, Beacon’s Marketing Staff / Admin Staff goes through the New Student Enrolment File and Student Handbook with the student which includes the following:

  • Reiterate important course information and other information that were covered in the Student Pre-Course Counselling session by the Recruitment Agent or Marketing Staff.
  • Inform new students of the refund, transfer, withdrawal policies and procedures and of their rights. Explain the Student Grievances Procedures, Feedback and Dispute Resolution Process, Fee Protection Scheme (FPS) and reference to CPE’s official website for other information or updates.
  • Inform students of course deferment/extension criteria and procedures, suspension and expulsion conditions;
  • Give details of the organisation awarding the certificate (where applicable)
  • Assist international students to help them adapt to the local environment or seek other support services through a New Student follow-up Counselling session. For example, general or specialist health services (physiological, dental, mental), etc
  • Advice or services on accommodation options for international students
  • Close collaboration with parents/guardians for students’ performance upon request from parents/guardians
  • Career guidance counselling to assist students with proceeding to higher education


The New Student Enrolment file contains a check-list, which both the Marketing Staff / Admin Staff and student will sign when he/she completes the orientation briefing to acknowledge that he/she has been duly informed of the information stated on the checklist.

New Student Orientation

The school arranges for a new student orientation every new semester. The orientation will be a great opportunity to encourage students’ interaction and acclimatization for new students.

Beacon arranges for medical insurance coverage for hospitalization and related medical treatment for its students for the entire course duration. Singaporean students may be exempted from the medical insurance coverage and may opt out of the coverage by providing evidence that they are covered by their own medical insurance plan.

Beacon arranges for a group insurance for all students who are not exempted. The minimum features/coverage for the insurance purchase is:

  • Annual limit not less than S$20,000 per student
  • At least B2 ward (in government and restructured hospitals);
  • 24 hours coverage in Singapore and overseas (if student is involved in school-related activities)


The insurance company provides a master copy of the medical insurance policy to Beacon. Students may refer to the policy on the Student Portal.

Academic Assistance

Additional remedial classes can be arranged if required and/or requested by students. The additional remedial classes are based on individual study plans and students’ learning needs.

English language programmes are available for students who have been tested and found to have low level English ability. The English Placement test should be taken to ensure that their English level has met the required English level for the enrolled course.

Students are encouraged to own a copy of the textbooks. Supplementary course materials will be provided.

Financial Assistance

Scholarship, Bursary, Study Grant, Installment plans and bank loans are available. Students are required to fill out the respective forms for application. Financial assistance is granted on a case by case basis.

Assistance to Disadvantaged Students

Beacon’s campus is wheel-chair friendly with ramps located at various areas and most classroom entrances are flat.

  • Wireless Internet: Wireless internet and broadband internet connections are available within the premise of the school.
  • Library: Copies of textbooks and recommended reference books are available at the school’s library. The National Library which has a wide range of book selections is in close vicinity of Beacon and students are encouraged to apply for a library card which will allow them to loan books from the National Library. Students may wish to study at the library during their free periods. PC and Printing facilities are available as well
  • Student Lounge: Students may use the Student Lounge as a study area or a place to wind down and relax.
  • Food and Beverages: Beacon is located close to convenience stores, food courts and coffee shops. Students may wish to purchase food and beverages from these stores during their lunch time or breaks. Vending machines providing light snacks and beverages are also available within the campus.
  • Recreational: Students may unwind over a game of basketball and board/card games during their breaks.
Student Development and Career Readiness Programme

The Student Development and Career Readiness Programme integrates various Student Support Services (eg. Enrichment Program) with Academic Curriculum (eg. Experiential Learning) and Internship and Job Preparation Classes (eg. Resume Writing). This 3-pronged approach seeks to develop the student holistically as an individual and prepare him for the demands of the working world.

Beacon Student Union

  • Creates a platform where students are given the opportunities to develop and hone their leadership skills.
  • Some members act as Beacon Ambassadors who represent Beacon in events like Education Fairs, School Talks, etc
  • Organize activities like Orientation, Save the World, Racial Harmony Day, etc

Beacon involves the students in activities outside the formal curriculum. These include:

a.   Field Trips, Talks and Student activities to help students develop holistically

  • Motivational talks before O’Level Exams
  • Entrepreneurial & Marketing activities – Setting up a Bazaar Event
  • Life Skills – Financial Literacy
  • Special Festive events – Chinese New Year and Deepavali
  • Community services – Volunteer to All-Saints’ Home
  • Field Trips to Companies – NEWater Plant, Caratell Diamonds, MuDian Furniture
  • Discover Singapore with Beacon

For example, to encourage and inculcate our core values for students – Team Spirit , Respect, Integrity, Caring Spirit and Diligence, Beacon introduced a ‘Set-up a Bazaar Event’ assignment in its courses.  It is an experiential learning programme that focuses on “learning by doing,” based on the participants’ subjective experience. Students are grouped into teams responsible for coming up with their own business proposals and marketing them. The business that generates the most income during Bazaar event is awarded a certificate with a prize. During the process, students learn not only to come up with creative ideas but to take responsibility for their decisions, integrity in handling finances and respect for their team mates.

b.   Student Personal Development

Beacon conducts Personal Development classes for the students throughout the duration of their courses.

Useful soft skills are shared during these classes. Examples include Referencing Skills, Effective Resume Writing and Successful Interviewing Skills

Informal interactive sessions are organized to help students who want to improve their conversational English.

c.   Health Promotion Programmes

Beacon firmly believes that for a student to do well academically, he must first be healthy and living an active lifestyle.

Health Talks (e.g. Reproductive Health Awareness Workshop) will be conducted regularly to remind the students of the importance of staying healthy.

Vending machines on campus also offer snacks and drinks that are healthier choices.

Beacon provides a few kinds of counselling services:

  1. Pre-course Counselling
  2. New Student Follow-Up Counselling
  3. Student Intervention Plan
  4. Pastoral Counselling
 
a. New Student Pre-course Counselling

The pre-course counselling framework recognises that the person seeking to enrol in Beacon has 3 facets to be addressed:

  • as an individual with needs
  • as a student
  • as a professional in-the-making
As IndividualRelevant Singapore laws especially those relating to ICA and Ministry of Manpower (MOM). These include, but are not limited to, immigration requirements, laws on drugs and alcohol abuse, employment, smoking and littering;
As IndividualStandard PEI-Student contract clauses;
As IndividualStudents’ Support Services;
As IndividualAdvice on personal and medical insurance;
As IndividualAdvice on accommodation and the cost of living;
As IndividualGeneral healthcare services in Singapore; and
As IndividualEnglish language proficiency requirement (if applicable).
As ProfessionalCourse counselling to match the aspirations of the prospective students with the course learning outcomes;
As ProfessionalType of certification awarded at the end of the course (certificate/diploma/advance diploma/degree/master/PhD etc);
As ProfessionalOpportunities for further education after graduation or job prospect after graduation;
As ProfessionalCourse units and outlines;
As StudentSchool’s location(s) and a general description of the facilities and infrastructures;
As StudentApplication requirements and procedures;
As StudentTotal payable fee throughout the course duration. Fee must be transparent so that there are no hidden costs;
As StudentFPS adopted by the school, payment methods and schedule;
As StudentRefund policy;
As StudentTransfer and withdrawal policy;
As StudentCourse admission requirements and any exemption (if applicable);
As StudentCourse duration and assessment schedules;
As StudentPromotion and award criteria, including any special condition;
As StudentReference to CPE official website (www.ssg.gov.sg/cpe/pei) for more details; etc.
As StudentVisa and student’s pass application requirements and procedures;

Pre-Course Counselling Requirements

The Recruitment Agent/Marketing Staff conducts the pre-course counselling with the aid of a pre-course counselling checklist. The students are required to sign the checklist to acknowledge that the information on the checklist has been explained accurately and he/she understands.

b. Pastoral Counselling

Beacon strives to provide holistic care for students. It sees each person as a star in the making. The 5 points of the star represent the 5 aspects of each person – physical, mental, social, emotional, spiritual.

PhysicalBeacon reminds students that they need to look after themselves physically – by getting enough exercise and sleep, not drinking alcohol (excessively), not smoking, etc.
MentalThe academic programmes offered by the school address this need.
SocialBeacon creates opportunities for students to come together and socialise in social activities and events. They not only have fun doing so but also learn social skills.
EmotionalThe emotional is how a person relates to and accepts himself and his situation. In dealing with students who may need counselling, Pastoral Counsellors/Student Services Staff are sensitive as to how to address the emotional and social needs of each student who may be lonely or depressed. Beacon provides a New Student follow-up Counselling within 3-6 months of the student’s arrival in Singapore.
SpiritualBeacon encourages students to attend motivational talks organised by community centres, religious bodies and associations to inspire students as they struggle against the difficulties and challenges they face. Beacon may arrange for talks occasionally to guide and motivate students. The Pastoral Counsellors/Student Services Staff also encourages students not to focus on their own problems, but also to consider the needs of others. The Student Union is set-up to be a support group for students.

Methods of Pastoral Counselling

Basic pastoral counselling, if required, is provided by the Pastoral Counsellors/Student Services Staff in the first instance. Should a professionally trained counsellor or psychologist be needed, Beacon will refer the student to an appropriate external service provider with the service fees made know to the student before he/she takes up the service.

Under the Pastoral Counselling Framework, Beacon provides a New Student follow-up Counselling within 3-6 months of the student’s arrival in Singapore. The Pastoral counsellors/Student Services Staff counsels the new student regarding his/her attitude towards studying in Singapore, how he/she is adapting to the new environment and culture, how he/she is socialising and his/her 3-5 year plans. The session is meant to provide emotional support for students to help them cope with any mental stress relating to the new environment/course demands and motivating them towards their dreams/goals. Pastoral Counsellors/Student Services Staffs conducts the session with reference to the New Student follow-up Counselling form. Occasionally, professional counsellors will be invited to give selected students a full personality test and provide counselling for selected students.

Students may approach the Marketing/Admin Staff to arrange for a counselling session with the Pastoral counsellors/Student Services Staffs when required. Pastoral counsellors/Student Services Staffs may also be requested by teachers/lecturers to counsel students with behavioural, aptitude or non performance issues. Areas of counselling include issues such as poor performance in studies, low attendance, disciplinary issues, personal problems, career or further studies, etc.

Beacon creates a culture and climate of care, trust and friendliness by educating the Marketing, Admin and Academic Staff about customer service and, care and concern for the students using the college’s family culture and core values as a foundation.  Enrichment programmes and activities are organised to encourage students’ involvement and attendance.

There are times when a student may need to seek other specialized support services. For example, to cope with Gambling Addiction and Mental Health issues.

A contact list containing their expertise and contact details is available. Many of these helplines are supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF). As such, Beacon believes that they are professionally qualified and have sound management.

Parents/Guardians are a key stakeholder in Beacon’s journey to achieve its mission and vision.

As such, Beacon collaborates closely with parents/guardians for students not exceeding 16 years of age. Regular updates of the student’s attendance rate and academic progress will be forwarded to these parents/guardians. These students are also strongly encouraged to stay at the on-site hostel operator to allow for closer supervision.

Proceeding to a higher education and selecting career paths can be a daunting task for most.

The Academic and Admin Staff will help the students understand themselves better, evaluate their job options and equip them with vital skills to succeed at the workplace.

Beacon treasures its relationship with the students and it does not stop even after graduation.

The Academic and Admin Staff continues to engage our Alumni by:

  • Updating their latest status through the Alumni Survey
  • Inviting Alumni back to join college activities
  • Returning as a guest speaker to motivate their juniors
  • Providing Career Guidance

 

Attention All Alumni! – Keep in contact with us by following “Beacon International College Alumni” on Facebook

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