Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) [*IP]

[osim]

sleepy:

Hi, just wanna ask about parents' opinion.


What factors prompt you to select RGS say over NYGH ?

Thanks for sharing

We had bad experience with the Primary school which was run by a principal who was an ex-P of Chinese based school. Her style was very communistic. Kids have to kowtow to her, communication is top to bottom and respect is bottom to top. It's very typical of Chinese-style. We don't wish our child to be immersed in too much of Chinese culture so we feel RGS is a better place. Also RGS has students from more than 90 Pri schools so in terms of background, it is more heterogenous in terms of race and wealth. I think this is a conscious effort the school make as future leaders must come from all walks of life. It is very easy for an elite school to end up with a lot of rich kids. It is healthy for the girls to mix with kids from diverse background. In terms of academic ability, RGS is more homegenous as it does not have affiliate pri schools. Just our own perceptions and hope this helps.

[osim]

Just read achild’s post. My dd gave me similar feedback about the fellow students and teachers there. They are all very caring. They know what they are there for and know how tough it is for everyone. The seniors show the Yr 1 from day one a lot of care and guidance so this just pass on as a school culture.


The school takes care of parents too and the school counsellor organizes regular meet up sessions for parents to chit-chat to talk about how they and their children are coping with the demands of the program. These sharing sessions are so useful as we know we are not alone in our fears and anxieties.

So far, I feel the school has been a good fit for dd because she tells me school is fun and she enjoys the challenges. She is exhausted at times but she finds comfort in her friends there who are working hard together with her.

[kira]

If the student is successful in DSA-ing via a particular subject (academics), are there any implications or obligations in terms of that subject or on the other subjects? If so, it may be preferable for DD to skip the DSA and just try via PSLE. We are unable to attend the open house next Saturday to make enquiries. Thanks in advance.

[a child]

kira:

If the student is successful in DSA-ing via a particular subject (academics), are there any implications or obligations in terms of that subject or on the other subjects? If so, it may be preferable for DD to skip the DSA and just try via PSLE. We are unable to attend the open house next Saturday to make enquiries. Thanks in advance.

Yes, there are implications if I am not wrong. E.g. a child who is a Math DSA will automatically be in Math Society and Math Olympiad Training (no trials required, compulsory) - which may be both a blessing and a curse depending on how you view the issue.

[kira]

a child:

kira:

If the student is successful in DSA-ing via a particular subject (academics), are there any implications or obligations in terms of that subject or on the other subjects? If so, it may be preferable for DD to skip the DSA and just try via PSLE. We are unable to attend the open house next Saturday to make enquiries. Thanks in advance.

Yes, there are implications if I am not wrong. E.g. a child who is a Math DSA will automatically be in Math Society and Math Olympiad Training (no trials required, compulsory) - which may be both a blessing and a curse depending on how you view the issue.

Thanks so much. DD has a natural flair for one subject and a growing interest in another. Even if we wanted to be strategic about how she DSAs, it may not eventually work to her benefit depending on how things pan out.

[VALyap]

ultimately is how your DD finding the fit. during my DD time, GEPPers class, many of her friends depending on family background, good numbers preferred to go NYGH, some to NUS High, NJC, of course RGS… as parents, just give unconditional love and support, as long as your DD enjoys the school culture. in Year2, some friends from from RGS crossed over to NYGH, and some from other "side" crossed over to RGS. It happens …not surprising… each school has its uniqueness culture… DD loves RGS (dream school) since she was in Primary… we wanted DD to relocate overseas due to DH overseas posting, DD refused to relocate, in the end we gave DD unconditional support not to relocate her to overseas international school, grphug:

[kira]

VALyap:

ultimately is how your DD finding the fit. during my DD time, GEPPers class, many of her friends depending on family background, good numbers preferred to go NYGH, some to NUS High, NJC, of course RGS........... as parents, just give unconditional love and support, as long as your DD enjoys the school culture. in Year2, some friends from from RGS crossed over to NYGH, and some from other \"side\" crossed over to RGS. It happens ..not surprising........... each school has its uniqueness culture.... DD loves RGS (dream school) since she was in Primary.... we wanted DD to relocate overseas due to DH overseas posting, DD refused to relocate, in the end we gave DD unconditional support not to relocate her to overseas international school, grphug:

Thanks for the gentle reminder, VALyap.

Academic and school culture fit have been, and will continue to be carefully considered especially as the SA1 results are almost out. We have also been asking around and reading up on the school culture.

I do agree that the school culture fit makes all the difference in whether the student willingly and happily goes to school. I hope my DD will come to love her secondary school life as much as yours does wherever she is eventually posted to.

:celebrate:

[soda]

osim:

sleepy:

Hi, just wanna ask about parents' opinion.


What factors prompt you to select RGS say over NYGH ?

Thanks for sharing

We had bad experience with the Primary school which was run by a principal who was an ex-P of Chinese based school. Her style was very communistic. Kids have to kowtow to her, communication is top to bottom and respect is bottom to top. It's very typical of Chinese-style. We don't wish our child to be immersed in too much of Chinese culture so we feel RGS is a better place. Also RGS has students from more than 90 Pri schools so in terms of background, it is more heterogenous in terms of race and wealth. I think this is a conscious effort the school make as future leaders must come from all walks of life. It is very easy for an elite school to end up with a lot of rich kids. It is healthy for the girls to mix with kids from diverse background. In terms of academic ability, RGS is more homegenous as it does not have affiliate pri schools. Just our own perceptions and hope this helps.

Agree! My son was from that primary school and we both had enough of the Chinese-style too!

Dd enjoys going to school so much. Contrary to common believes, girls in RGS aren't competitive. As least from my dd's point of view. They don't check/compare each other's grade/score and the girls are willing to help each other academically. My girl had missed lessons many times due to training. Her friends updated her with notes and homework. Also, Dd is able to get help from teachers whenever she needs to. Well, we have positive experience there so far

Also, everyone receives gifted education in RGS. I believes there're gifted classes and normal classes in NYGH.

[Augmum]

soda:

Contrary to common believes, girls in RGS aren't competitive.
As least from my dd's point of view. They don't check/compare each other's grade/score .

Err....this is not what i heard from my niece when she was in RGS (btw, she is now in RI (yr 6)...

soda:

Also, everyone receives gifted education in RGS. I believes there're gifted classes and normal classes in NYGH.

Generally, there is not much of difference between sbge classes and the rest of classes in an IP sec sch...
moreover, it is only for 1st 2 yrs.....
when comes to 3 rd yr, all will be mixed, depending of their subj combo....

[soda]

Augmum:

soda:

Contrary to common believes, girls in RGS aren't competitive.
As least from my dd's point of view. They don't check/compare each other's grade/score .

Err....this is not what i heard from my niece when she was in RGS (btw, she is now in RI (yr 6)...


That's what I'd read from forum before. My girl is yr 2 now. She's so blessed with great classmates, CCA mates, seniors and teachers

soda:

Also, everyone receives gifted education in RGS. I believes there're gifted classes and normal classes in NYGH.

Generally, there is not much of difference between sbge classes and the rest of classes in an IP sec sch...
moreover, it is only for 1st 2 yrs.....
when comes to 3 rd yr, all will be mixed, depending of their subj combo....

I still remember how Madam Heng emphasised about the SBGE classes during open house in 2011. There's a special talk where girls from SBGE classes presented their unique program in their more formal uniform. Well, coming from a neighbourhood school, my girl wouldn't be qualify for NYGH's SBGE anyway. RGS gives dd better opportunities.