Career as Teacher

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Don’t worry about it. Think the emails for FHQ (enter in 2027) have not been sent out. I know of friends who have been informed by their SLs, but have yet to receive to email as well. Might only get the email in January.

Oh that’s good to know. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi, I’m here to seek some advice from the many experienced gurus:

HOD in independent school since Jan 2025, GEO 4. 6th year in service (cleared practicum in Mar 2019). Teaching award holder. Ending secondment in end 2026. Offered direct hire but have respectfully declined as I wanted to expose myself to different environment possibly in HQ.

I was anticipating FHQ posting, but did not receive any info till date. Wonder if it’s safe to assume that I’m not on FHQ already? And if so, wonder if this also reflects MOE HR lack of plans for me - and therefore should I then reconsider the decision to stay? The school is kind enough to still leave the cards on the table.

No strong push or pull factor. But as I’m only in my early 30s, this being my first school, I’m feeling lacking in terms of exposure, and feeling “sian” knowing that I will be stuck here working with the same people (professional but don’t really have any close connections) for the years to come. Im blessed with good leaders and RO who took the chance on me.

I know for a fact that teaching scholars who cleared practicum in the same year as you were offered FHQ postings commencing 2026 (i.e. they were informed in 2025).

A few comments:

- As a GEO4 HOD, you are four subgrades below the norm for HODs. I'm sure your performance grade and promotions will reflect that at least for the next few years. This would in turn possibly position you as a good candidate for FHQ. Naturally, your school wants to hire you directly. Do weigh what they are offering you vis a vis the other option.. make sure it is a good deal for you too before you accept.

- HQ in general is downsizing due to urgent staffing needs in schools. Some HQ officers are being asked to consider curtailing their 3-year stints to go back to school. Hence it will likely be more challenging to secure a HQ posting in the near future.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I know for a fact that teaching scholars who cleared practicum in the same year as you were offered FHQ postings commencing 2026 (i.e. they were informed in 2025).

A few comments:

- As a GEO4 HOD, you are four subgrades below the norm for HODs. I'm sure your performance grade and promotions will reflect that at least for the next few years. This would in turn possibly position you as a good candidate for FHQ. Naturally, your school wants to hire you directly. Do weigh what they are offering you vis a vis the other option.. make sure it is a good deal for you too before you accept.

- HQ in general is downsizing due to urgent staffing needs in schools. Some HQ officers are being asked to consider curtailing their 3-year stints to go back to school. Hence it will likely be more challenging to secure a HQ posting in the near future.

Thank you for the inputs. Yeah I was supposed to leave this year, but was extended for 1 more year due to the HOD portfolio. To stay or not, deliberated quite hard about it (and yes still deliberating), but I guess I will never know until I take the step out and see how it goes. Just hope that the experiences gained here will be recognised and appreciated by MOE.

Hi, if i intend to collect the year end bonus and AWS, when should i technically tender my resignation? Am aware that i need to submit one month notice. But mid nov- dec are holidays

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi, if i intend to collect the year end bonus and AWS, when should i technically tender my resignation? Am aware that i need to submit one month notice. But mid nov- dec are holidays

You can confirm with HR/ chat with the chatbot (who'll direct you to the right HR page). For year end bonus, typically your last day should be end Dec/ Jan.

It's polite to give your school a heads-up though, then in the resignation form, you can indicate the date you wish to be your last day. HR will factor the notice period in even if you submit the form early.

Wishing you all the best!

Is there an age cut-off for FLP?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Oh that’s good to know. Thanks!

Possible for SEO1 HOD step to be a HOT? Not even ST/LT appointment

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Possible for SEO1 HOD step to be a HOT? Not even ST/LT appointment

Not possible. seo1 requires the officer to hold on to a KP role. To let go and relieve of all the KP roles, he/she will then need to drop to GEO5

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I know for a fact that teaching scholars who cleared practicum in the same year as you were offered FHQ postings commencing 2026 (i.e. they were informed in 2025).

A few comments:

- As a GEO4 HOD, you are four subgrades below the norm for HODs. I'm sure your performance grade and promotions will reflect that at least for the next few years. This would in turn possibly position you as a good candidate for FHQ. Naturally, your school wants to hire you directly. Do weigh what they are offering you vis a vis the other option.. make sure it is a good deal for you too before you accept.

- HQ in general is downsizing due to urgent staffing needs in schools. Some HQ officers are being asked to consider curtailing their 3-year stints to go back to school. Hence it will likely be more challenging to secure a HQ posting in the near future.

Thanks for the inputs. Yeah I think I will see how it goes with the possible FHQ posting

GEO 5 here who requested for a transfer due to burnout in previous school but now I realise the situation seems to be equally bad everywhere, or maybe even worse here.
I really don't have the drive to work the same way I was but I worry about my performance ranking. In the previous setting, at least I was fairly appraised and adequately rewarded for my work. However, here in a new setting, there's no guarantee that hard work will be translated into a decent PB.
I'm just a HOT with no intention to progress further. If you were me, would you just cruise at the expense of forgoing a possibly good PB or would you bite the bullet and still give your best shot? I do enjoy my teaching duties, just no bandwidth to handle office politics, or to go above and beyond my duty