[Bukit Merah] Primary Schools

[lu_meihua]

titank:

Give a school a call to see whether you can sign up extremely early.If not then follow proper procedure where sign up by 30 June 2011. It would up to the school to evaluate & accepting your PV case.

i see. thanks for advise.

[qms]

Hi gt1122!

gt1122:

We have a few options and they are as follows:

Actually, have you ever considered Gan Eng Seng Pri?

gt1122:

1. River Valley Primary
Pros: I was an old boy so I qualify under the 2A(2) and called the school yesterday and they assured me its almost guaranteed a place under this scheme
Cons: Its about 3-4KM from my house (or grandma's house) so definately have to use school bus/car

Yes, so far, we have not seen any balloting required in P2A. But it does seem quite far from your house. As an old boy of RVPS, you are in a better position to gauge whether the values, etc. inculcated by the school is something which you want your child to receive. If you strongly believe in the school, distance may not be too great a barrier, right?

gt1122:

2. Radin Mas Primary
Pros: Grandma is within 1km and we are 1-2km and its 10 minutes walk to my mother's house (RMPS is nearest to us among all schools)
Cons: Seems hardest to get in, often need Ballot ... not sure if doing PV would help

RMPS, so far, need not conduct balloting in P2B. Hence, doing PV certainly helps. However, past statistics may not be representative of the future, though.

As for CHIJ Kellock, not sure where you got the impression that the school is \"lax\"? :?

[gt1122]

Hi QMS, thanks for your reply …

We are actually in an ironical situation where RV will be easiest or in fact guaranteed entry but logostically it is most inconvenient … RM seems too hot to go thru the 2C route as we can only qualify under 1-2km stage … So it’s either we do PV now or drop RMPS a a choice

That said, CHIJ seems to be the most balanced choice as the distance is near enough to walk, and don’t have to do PV … As for the lax thingy, I think unread it somewhere that CHIJ kellock do not drive the kids as hardbas perhaps RM or RVPS hence makes me have the impression that they are not so results oriented … Correct me if I am wrong though …
Now getting more confused

anyway we are not considering GES as we are already very confused wih 3 choices and adding another into the equation will further complicate matters

[ChiefKiasu]

titank:

Hi gt1122,


Looking at your 3 choices, RVPS would be the safest option but of course distance is at your disadvantage. For your case if the child is on school bus, most likely he would reach home like 7.30pm assuming he is on the PM session. For RVPS, P2 onwards would be morning session.

RMPS would go into single session in 2013, guess they would be reduce their intake in the next few years to come. Also Pinaccle@Duxton is coming out, definitely it would affect all the nearby schools like RVPS, RMPS,ZDPS & CHIJ (Kellock) in my opinion. Past balloting history may change.

Planning 2 years or even 4 years ahead is not KS, if not you won’t be coming to this KSP forum. Hope you will find something useful in here.

This is excellent advice, titank!

[qms]

Hi gt1122!


Correct me if I am wrong, but from what you wrote, you seemed most keen in RMPS, right?

If this is the case, and if time permits, you may like to apply for PV. However, like what titank mentioned, you have to remember the Pinnacle@Duxton residents. This development is also 1-2 km from RMPS, and imagine there are 1,600 units! It won't be surprising that everybody thinks like you. Hence, even if you are a PV, come next year, during registration, don't be surprised if balloting is required. You have to calculate the risks involved.

gt1122:

...CHIJ seems to be the most balanced choice... As for the lax thingy, I think unread it somewhere that CHIJ kellock do not drive the kids as hardbas perhaps RM or RVPS hence makes me have the impression that they are not so results oriented ... Correct me if I am wrong though ....

I am not sure whether CHIJ Kellock is lax, but it seems to give people this impression. One of our fellow forummers also had this impression. Things that I know about CHIJ Kellock, I heard from my daughter's ex-teacher in the childcare centre.

The ex-teacher, in order to prepare her daughter for the rigourous life in CHIJ Kellock, withdrew the latter from the childcare centre, put her in a kindergarten, and sent her for enrichment programs. My understanding form this ex-teacher is that CHIJ Kellock places a lot of emphasis on building a good foundation in languages. The students have homework everyday, and on Friday, they are given weekend homework, too. So, I am not sure whether this is considered \"lax\" to you or not.

gt1122:

anyway we are not considering GES as we are already very confused wih 3 choices and adding another into the equation will further complicate matters

Actually, forgive me if I am straight-forward, you are confused because you don't want to send your girl to Blangah Rise. A place there is as good as guaranteed, near your house, and there is a BASC near the school, too.

Of course, you have your reasons for not wanting to send her there. This is something which has been puzzling all of us here. What's wrong with that school? Since you live so near the school, would you be able to share with us your observation on the school? The ex-teacher I mentioned above also lives in Telok Blangah, but she decided to send her daughter to CHIJ Kellock.

[bayleaves]

My DD is in sec 1 this year and was from CHIJ Kellock. From my observation, Kellock emphasis alot on language development and fitness and a all-rounded education. They do have homeworks but maybe not as much as RMPS (my newphew was fr there). My DD enjoyed and looked forward going to school everyday thorughout the last 6 years. When the girls reach school before school start and during the recess they are encouraged to run around and borrow equipment and play.

[titank]

Hi QMS,


In Bukit Merah & Central, most of the parent choice of primary school s mostly as follow;

(1) Radin Mas, River Valley, CHIJ (Kellock)
(2) Zhangde
(3) Gan Eng Seng
(4) Blangah Rise

Just by looking by the infrastructure, Blangah Rise is the newest among all. Every year intake is always Supply>Demand. Maybe should have more open house let more people know the school or awating top scorer of PSLE?

Notice that at opposite Pinaccle Duxton there is a Primary School being in construction stage, I beleived that Blangah Rise may have a scenario of balloting in this year P1 registration.

[titank]

Hi All,


I just conduct a check using those free distance school check where there would be 4 schools under the 1-2Km with reference against Pinaccle Duxton

(1) River Valley Pri
(2) Radin Mas Pri
(3) Zhangde Pri
(4) CHIJ (Kellock)

Guess I rather put on a safe bet to secure my DD in Phase 1, balloting history may change in this year P1 Registration.

[qms]

titank:

Just by looking by the infrastructure, Blangah Rise is the newest among all.

Yes, the infrastructure in Blangah Rise seems new, yet the school is slated to undergo upgrading, just like Radin Mas. :?

[gt1122]

qms:

Hi gt1122!


Correct me if I am wrong, but from what you wrote, you seemed most keen in RMPS, right?

If this is the case, and if time permits, you may like to apply for PV. However, like what titank mentioned, you have to remember the Pinnacle@Duxton residents. This development is also 1-2 km from RMPS, and imagine there are 1,600 units! It won't be surprising that everybody thinks like you. Hence, even if you are a PV, come next year, during registration, don't be surprised if balloting is required. You have to calculate the risks involved.

gt1122:

...CHIJ seems to be the most balanced choice... As for the lax thingy, I think unread it somewhere that CHIJ kellock do not drive the kids as hardbas perhaps RM or RVPS hence makes me have the impression that they are not so results oriented ... Correct me if I am wrong though ....

I am not sure whether CHIJ Kellock is lax, but it seems to give people this impression. One of our fellow forummers also had this impression. Things that I know about CHIJ Kellock, I heard from my daughter's ex-teacher in the childcare centre.

The ex-teacher, in order to prepare her daughter for the rigourous life in CHIJ Kellock, withdrew the latter from the childcare centre, put her in a kindergarten, and sent her for enrichment programs. My understanding form this ex-teacher is that CHIJ Kellock places a lot of emphasis on building a good foundation in languages. The students have homework everyday, and on Friday, they are given weekend homework, too. So, I am not sure whether this is considered \"lax\" to you or not.

gt1122:

anyway we are not considering GES as we are already very confused wih 3 choices and adding another into the equation will further complicate matters

Actually, forgive me if I am straight-forward, you are confused because you don't want to send your girl to Blangah Rise. A place there is as good as guaranteed, near your house, and there is a BASC near the school, too.

Of course, you have your reasons for not wanting to send her there. This is something which has been puzzling all of us here. What's wrong with that school? Since you live so near the school, would you be able to share with us your observation on the school? The ex-teacher I mentioned above also lives in Telok Blangah, but she decided to send her daughter to CHIJ Kellock.

Hi QMS... the reason we are not considering Blangah Rise are firstly its not that near to my mother's as compared to RM and CHIJ... and secondly must admit that it does not have a reputation of being a very good school and as KiaSu parents we tend to want the best for our kids...

After consideration, we may just opt to do nothing till June 2011 and register DD for RVPS under 2A2 and then monitor the situation at RM and CHIJ for the 2C numbers....
Until and unless we stand a good chance within 1-2km, we will just send her to RVPS ....
That will be our plans for now ....