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 contact the school via email/telephone call 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 contact the school via email/telephone call 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: Learning about the transport system in Singapore (Eg. MRT, Buses, etc)
5. Relaxation Needs: Possible Relaxation activities (Eg. City Tour, Picnic activities, Basketball, Pulau Ubin trip, Sentosa Tour, BBQ session, Mooncake festival, Christmas party, etc)

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. Standard PEI-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. See hostel / accommodation (where application)
23. Beacon T-shirt

In the New Student Orientation programme Beacon’s Education Consultant / Admin Staff 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 / Admin Staff 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:

The annual group orientation programme may range from 1-3days.

Dates	Time	Activities
Day 1	3pm-4pm	Meet at MRT (Own fare)
	3pm-6pm	Amazing Race / Picnic (own fare) (Bring at least SIN$100) (Casual Outfit)
	6pm-7pm	Tea Time
	7pm-8pm	Debrief

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. View medical insurance 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 to ensure that their English level has met the required English level for the enrolled course. 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 convenience stores, 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/online 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	Standard PEI-Student contract (Criterion 4.2.1) clauses;
As individual	Students’ support services (Criterion 4.5);
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; and
As individual	English language proficiency requirement (if applicable).
As professional	Course counselling (Criterion 4.5.2) 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 (Criterion 5.1.1);
As student	School’s location(s) 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 (Criterion 4.1.1), payment methods and schedule;
As student	Refund policy (Criterion 4.3.1);
As student	Transfer and withdrawal policy (Criterion 4.4.1);
As student	Course admission requirements (Criterion 5.1.1) and any exemption (if applicable);
As student	Course duration and assessment schedules (Criterion 5.1.1);
As student	Promotion and award criteria, including any special condition (Criterion 5.1.1);
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 3-6 months of the student’s arrival in Singapore. Refer to 4.5.2.1.2 Pastoral Counselling Framework and Providence of Pastoral Counselling.
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. The Student Union is set-up to be a support group for students.

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 3-6 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. Occasionally, professional counsellors will be invited to give selected students a full personality test and provide counselling for selected students.

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 using the school’s family culture and core values as a foundation. Enrichment programmes and activities are organised to encourage students’ involvement and attendance.