Student Support Services

The Admin staff of Beacon coordinates students’ arrival and accommodation requests. 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 indicate in the application form if they require assistance.

Beacon will assist students in looking for appropriate accommodation (i.e. hostels). Information will be provided on Beacon’s official website, Student Handbook and Agent Handbook. Students should indicate in the application form if they require assistance. Find out more.

All new students are required to attend the New Student Orientation programme. Beacon’s Orientation Program 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: City Tour and Amazing Race (Learning about the transport system in Singapore)
5. Relaxation Needs: Sentosa Tour and Barbeque Session at East Coast Park

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

• New Student Orientation programme
• Annual group orientation programme

The Student Orientation programme is as follows:

1. Welcome/Greet new student
2. Letter of Offer
3. Letter of Acceptance
4. Fee Payable
5. Student Contract – Course and Fees details, Fee structure
6. Introduction to FPS and FPS Instruction manual
7. Student Handbook – Refund policy and School rules
8. Student Handbook acknowledgement form
9. Laws of Singapore
10. Student briefing - Rules in School and Singapore / Student Support services, ICA students’ pass rules and regulation
11. Indemnity Form
12. ICA (Immigration and Checkpoints Authority) Forms
13. New Student Survey Form (Agents feedback)
14. English Placement test (where applicable)
15. Escrow form (where applicable)
16. Advisory Note
17. Student Pre-course Counselling recap (Refer to Section 3.2.1 Management of Agents)
18. Medical Insurance coverage
19. Receipt (where applicable)
20. Arrange ICA Student’s pass collection appointment
21. Buy necessities – Cash card, Mobile Phone card, Easi-link card (where applicable)
22. Toilet key
23. See hostel / accommodation (where application)
24. Beacon T-shirt

In the New Student Orientation programme Beacon’s Education Consultant goes through the New Student Orientation file and Student Handbook with the student which includes the following:

• Disseminate and reiterate important course information and other information that are covered in the Student Pre-Course Counselling session by the Recruitment Agent or Education Consultant. Refer to Section 5.3.1 Student Selection Process and Section 3.2.1 Management of Agents.
• Inform new students of the refund, transfer and withdrawal policies of Beacon and of their rights. Explain the Feedback and Grievance Resolution / Procedure, 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; and
• 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 Orientation file contains a check-list, which both the Education Consultant and student should sign when he/she completes the orientation programme to acknowledge that he/she has been duly informed of the information stated on the checklist.

The annual group orientation programme is as follows:

Dates	Time	Activities
Day 1	3pm	Students Arrive
	4pm-6pm	Basic Introduction of Hostel Rules
	6pm-7pm	Buy mobile phonecard at Cheers (Bring passport)
	8pm	Dinner at foodcourt
Day 2	9am	Pick up at Hostel
	930am-1030am	Breakfast at McDonalds (Own fare)
	1030am-1230pm	Medical Check-up at Raffles hospital / buy Easi-link card
	1230pm-1pm	Buy Easi-link card
	1pm-2pm	Lunch (Own fare)
	2pm-3pm	Visit the Bank (DBS bank / Bank of China)
	3pm-7pm	ICA/Carrefour (Shopping -- Personal items) (Bring at least SIN$150)
	7pm-8pm	Dinner at food court (Own fare)
	8pm-9pm	Send students home
Day 3	9am-11am	Breakfast / Library Tour (0wn fare)
	11am-8pm	Sentosa and Lunch/Dinner (own fare) (Bring at least SIN$100)
		(Musical Fountain, Orchid garden, Beach/Swim)
Day 4	9am-10am	Meet at Beacon school / Breakfast (0wn fare)
	11am-4pm	Amazing Race in Town (own fare) (Bring at least SIN$100) (Casual Outfit)
	4pm-5pm	Debrief
	5pm-630pm	Rest/Shower
	630pm-11pm	Graduation Dinner (Smart casual) -- Meet at Beacon School
Day 5	930am-1pm	Visit ICA (Bring passport/passport retained)
	1pm-2pm	Lunch (own fare)
	2pm-3pm	Briefing (Rules and regulations) / Collection of Textbook Fees $300.00
	3pm-4pm	Briefing (How to schedule your own revision timetable)
	4pm onwards	Free Time / Own dinner
Day 6	830pm-1130am	English lesson (Introduction) / Bring Textbooks
	1130am-12noon	Lunch (own fare)
	12noon-3pm	Principle of Accounts lesson / Bring Textbooks
	3pm onwards	Free Time / Own dinner

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$20,000.00 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 gives a master copy of the medical insurance policy to Beacon. Students are given a photocopy of this policy.

Arrange for additional tuition services if required and/or requested by students. The additional tuition services are based on individual study plans and students’ learning needs. The additional tuition services will incur additional cost which will be made known to students before any commitment.

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 before student arrives in Singapore. Refer to Section 5.3.1 Student Selection Process.

Facilities and Amenities for Students
Wireless Internet: Wireless intranet and broadband internet connections are available within the premises of the school. Students may retrieve on-line course material via intranet connection.

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.

Student Lounge: Students may use the student lounge as a dining or study area.

Food and beverages: Beacon is located close to Cheers, 7-11, food courts and coffee shops. Students may wish to purchase food and beverages from the above shops/stores during their lunch time or breaks.

Finance assistance schemes: Scholarship, Bursary, 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.

Textbooks and Course Materials
Students are encouraged to own a copy of the textbooks. Supplementary course materials will be provided and whenever appropriate the material will be placed on the school’s server for retrieval by students via intranet connection.

Student’s Pass Renewal/Extension
All international students are responsible for keeping track of the expiry date of their own Student’s Pass. Students are required to inform the Admin Department at least 1 month before the expiry date. The school will assist the students to renew or extend their Student’s Pass. Approval of the Student’s Pass is at the sole discretion of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). All costs incurred are to be borne by students.

Beacon provides a few kinds of counselling services:

• New Student Pre-course Counselling
• New Student follow-up Counselling
• Counselling for students in many areas such as poor performance in studies, disciplinary issues, personal problems, career or further studies

New Student Pre-course Counselling
The pre-course counselling framework recognises that the person seeking to enrol at the school has 3 facets to be addressed:

• as an individual with needs
• as a student
• as a professional in-the-making

As individual	Relevant Singapore laws especially those relating to ICA and Ministry of Manpower (MOM). These include, but are not limited to, immigration requirements, laws on driving, drugs and alcohol abuse, employment, smoking, traffic and littering
As individual	Student contract clauses
As individual	Students’ support services
As individual	Advice on personal and medical insurance
As individual	Advice on accommodation and the cost of living
As individual	General healthcare services in Singapore
As individual	English language proficiency requirement (if applicable).
As professional	Course counselling to match the aspirations of the prospective students with the course learning outcomes
As professional	Type of certification awarded at the end of the course (certificate/diploma/advance diploma/degree/master/PhD etc)
As professional	Opportunities for further education after graduation or job prospect after graduation;
As professional	Course units and outlines
As student	School’s location and a general description of the facilities and infrastructures
As student	Application requirements and procedures
As student	Total payable fee throughout the course duration. Fee must be transparent so that there are no hidden costs
As student	FPS adopted by the school, payment methods and schedule
As student	Refund policy
As student	Transfer and withdrawal policy
As student	Course admission requirements and any exemption (if applicable);
As student	Course duration and assessment schedules
As student	Promotion and award criteria, including any special condition
As student	Reference to CPE official website (www.cpe.gov.sg) for more details; etc.
As student	Visa and student’s pass application requirements and procedures;

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.

Physical	During the orientation programme, the school reminds students that they need to look after themselves physically - by getting enough exercise and sleep, not drinking alcohol (excessively), not smoking, etc.
Mental	The academic programmes offered by the school address this need.
Social	Beacon 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. Refer to Section 4.5.1.4 Enrichment programmes.
Emotional	The emotional is how a person relates to and accepts himself and his situation. In dealing with students who may need counselling, Pastoral Counsellors/Student Care 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 1-3 months of the student’s arrival in Singapore.
Spiritual	Beacon 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 Care Staff also encourages students not to focus on their own problems, but also to consider the needs of others

Providence of Pastoral Counselling
Basic pastoral counselling, if required, is provided by the Pastoral counsellors/Student Care 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 1-3 months of the student’s arrival in Singapore. The Pastoral counsellors/Student Care 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 3-10 year plans. The session is mean 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 Care Staffs conducts the session with reference to the New Student follow-up Counselling form.

Students may approach the Education Consultant/Admin Staff to arrange for a counselling session with the Pastoral counsellors/Student Care Staffs when required. Pastoral counsellors/Student Care 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 friendless by educating the Marketing, Admin and Academic Staff about customer service and, care and concern for the students. Enrichment programmes and activities are organised to encourage students’ involvement and attendance.