Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[Rhykard Ho]

I am also having second thoughts.


I admit I am one of the few who did PV in 2 schools - a so-called elite school and a so-called neighbourhood school.
I did the PV in the elite school first because it’s closing date was earlier, but my experience there did not give me much comfort. The principal was not friendly - started off by saying she had professors, doctors and what-nots applying to be PV etc. the teacher i was assigned to was not friendly either. just passed me some books to read to the children in school.
disappointed, I then signed up for PV in the so-called neighbourhood school.
the difference was stark.

the principal of the neighbourhood school was warm - like a businessman - assuring me that they do not take more PV than they estimate the vacancy to be. for 2012, they had only less than 10 PVs and all of them got in without having to ballot. for this year, i am one of the 10.

however, because the school is a neighbourhood school, its students (primary 1) range from those who can’t spell "cat" to those who can read storybooks by themselves. I was impressed by the school’s reading materials for these needed help students but was also sad to know that there are so many of them.

so therein lies my dilemma - to try for the cold hard elite school or the warmth complex neighbourhood school ?

of course, this is not considering that i would most probably have to ballot for phase 2B in the elite school in the first place !

[Sweetbaby456]

Rhykard Ho:

I am also having second thoughts.


I admit I am one of the few who did PV in 2 schools - a so-called elite school and a so-called neighbourhood school.
I did the PV in the elite school first because it's closing date was earlier, but my experience there did not give me much comfort. The principal was not friendly - started off by saying she had professors, doctors and what-nots applying to be PV etc. the teacher i was assigned to was not friendly either. just passed me some books to read to the children in school.
disappointed, I then signed up for PV in the so-called neighbourhood school.
the difference was stark.

the principal of the neighbourhood school was warm - like a businessman - assuring me that they do not take more PV than they estimate the vacancy to be. for 2012, they had only less than 10 PVs and all of them got in without having to ballot. for this year, i am one of the 10.

however, because the school is a neighbourhood school, its students (primary 1) range from those who can't spell \"cat\" to those who can read storybooks by themselves. I was impressed by the school's reading materials for these needed help students but was also sad to know that there are so many of them.

so therein lies my dilemma - to try for the cold hard elite school or the warmth complex neighbourhood school ?

of course, this is not considering that i would most probably have to ballot for phase 2B in the elite school in the first place !

Best to go neighborhood school and forget about the elite school!
\\Just think - tension is not just now...its the next 6 years of your child's life...is it worth it? For me I think not

[Pen88n]

Rhykard Ho:

I am also having second thoughts.


I admit I am one of the few who did PV in 2 schools - a so-called elite school and a so-called neighbourhood school.
I did the PV in the elite school first because it's closing date was earlier, but my experience there did not give me much comfort. The principal was not friendly - started off by saying she had professors, doctors and what-nots applying to be PV etc. the teacher i was assigned to was not friendly either. just passed me some books to read to the children in school.
disappointed, I then signed up for PV in the so-called neighbourhood school.
the difference was stark.

the principal of the neighbourhood school was warm - like a businessman - assuring me that they do not take more PV than they estimate the vacancy to be. for 2012, they had only less than 10 PVs and all of them got in without having to ballot. for this year, i am one of the 10.

however, because the school is a neighbourhood school, its students (primary 1) range from those who can't spell \"cat\" to those who can read storybooks by themselves. I was impressed by the school's reading materials for these needed help students but was also sad to know that there are so many of them.

so therein lies my dilemma - to try for the cold hard elite school or the warmth complex neighbourhood school ?

of course, this is not considering that i would most probably have to ballot for phase 2B in the elite school in the first place !

I admit each has its pros and cons, but if you have to ballot for phase 2B of the elite school, then there is a possibility (however slim) that you may be ballotted out. In such case, are you still able to get a place in the neighbourhood school in phase 2C or do you end up having to ballot again? If you end up having to ballot again, would rather get in phase 2B of the neighbourhood school - at least it is a confirmed offer compared with none - a bird in hand is worth two in the bush, don't waste your PV effort and end up with nothing.

[zeemimi]

Rhykard Ho:

I am also having second thoughts.


I admit I am one of the few who did PV in 2 schools - a so-called elite school and a so-called neighbourhood school.
I did the PV in the elite school first because it's closing date was earlier, but my experience there did not give me much comfort. The principal was not friendly - started off by saying she had professors, doctors and what-nots applying to be PV etc. the teacher i was assigned to was not friendly either. just passed me some books to read to the children in school.
disappointed, I then signed up for PV in the so-called neighbourhood school.
the difference was stark.

the principal of the neighbourhood school was warm - like a businessman - assuring me that they do not take more PV than they estimate the vacancy to be. for 2012, they had only less than 10 PVs and all of them got in without having to ballot. for this year, i am one of the 10.

however, because the school is a neighbourhood school, its students (primary 1) range from those who can't spell \"cat\" to those who can read storybooks by themselves. I was impressed by the school's reading materials for these needed help students but was also sad to know that there are so many of them.

so therein lies my dilemma - to try for the cold hard elite school or the warmth complex neighbourhood school ?

of course, this is not considering that i would most probably have to ballot for phase 2B in the elite school in the first place !

follow your heart. happiness is more impt.

[phtthp]

Dear rhykard,


Since you already put in so many hours of hard work and effort into parent volunteer in the school -

If distance is not an issue, let your child go the better standard primary school first. While you’re carrying out pv duties there, try to find out how the school assign the subject teachers at p5 and p6 ? Normally, the school will assign the better and more experienced senior teachers to teach p5/p6, and assign the more patient, caring teachers to teach the younger p1s. Also find out - do the p5/p6 teachers show care and concern to the slower kids ? That is, if a child is not been assigned to the top, few classes at p5/p6 - do the teachers still have the heart, kindness and show care & concern to help the weaker students, or are they lazy type, adopt the "can’t be bothered, bo chap" attitude, and only focus on the brighter, top few classes only ? Different schools behave differently, to different category of classes. Since you doing pv, you’ve the opportunity to glean insight info about the schools, which outsiders may not have the chance to.

Actually, try not to worry too much about p1 / p2.
The important years and the real test actually start from p3 onwards, all the way to p6.
As long as you do your part to help your child at home, your kid will be fine.
Most important is the child himself / herself, plus crucial parental support at home. If a child is self motivated, willing to learn - even if child is average, child will be fine. But if the child is bright but lazy, must be prompted & need to be pushed at all times to study, is not easy. At home, when your child has free time on his own, what does he do ? Besides playing and resting, does he have this auto habit of picking up a storybook, and start to read on his own ?

Let your child try out the elite school first.
After trying, if really can’t cope, then transfer him to another school.
If you don’t let your child try, you never know.
For all you know - he / she may do very well there.
At the end of the day, it All boils down, to The child himself.

[ChiefKiasu]

Rhykard Ho:

... so therein lies my dilemma - to try for the cold hard elite school or the warmth complex neighbourhood school ?


of course, this is not considering that i would most probably have to ballot for phase 2B in the elite school in the first place !

To me, chemistry is the most important thing. The tone of your post already says which school you are more comfortable with - you just do not want to let go of the chance of getting into a branded school.

Having caring teachers as leaders of the class is very important. What do you think that is more important: for the school to be nurturing and supportive of students regardless of their skills, or for your child to be surrounded by other kids who probably have lots of enrichment to bolster their standards? Honestly answer this question yourself and you will find the solution to your dilemma.

[Sweetbaby456]

ChiefKiasu:

Rhykard Ho:

... so therein lies my dilemma - to try for the cold hard elite school or the warmth complex neighbourhood school ?


of course, this is not considering that i would most probably have to ballot for phase 2B in the elite school in the first place !

To me, chemistry is the most important thing. The tone of your post already says which school you are more comfortable with - you just do not want to let go of the chance of getting into a branded school.

Having caring teachers as leaders of the class is very important. What do you think that is more important: for the school to be nurturing and supportive of students regardless of their skills, or for your child to be surrounded by other kids who probably have lots of enrichment to bolster their standards? Honestly answer this question yourself and you will find the solution to your dilemma.

:goodpost:

[r_mummy]

Hi, I am new here and my boy is going to P1 next year.


Would like to have some advice on the following school, Xinmin and Hougang Pri. very much appreciated.

[Pen88n]

r_mummy:

Hi, I am new here and my boy is going to P1 next year.


Would like to have some advice on the following school, Xinmin and Hougang Pri. very much appreciated.

I think both are good neighbourhood schools. Factors to consider:
1) Distance from your home
2) If balloting is involved, which has more vacancies and chance?
3) Your personal preference (should visit the school with your kid)

[bluemoon]

Not all elite schools are stressful and cold, just like not all neighbourhood schools are relax, some can be very competitive too. Go with your heart.


I’m also facing a dilemma, eligible for P2B and deciding between RVPS and SMPS. Both have its merits, one good in academic and can be stressful if you are below median type and the other has affiliation to secondary though academic not so strong. Trying all means to clear my mind so that I can make the right decision. Any views greatly appreciated.