Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) [*IP]

[OrangeJuice]

slmkhoo:

OrangeJuice:

hi, my dd is in a dilema whether to read history or geography next yr in yr 3. she thinks she likes history more than geo but so far her grades in Geo is better.


anyone (mom or student) care to share what are some of the topics taught in yr 3 and 4 for history and geo so that it can give my DD an idea what to expect ?

Thanks for any input

Orangejuice

There are outlines for all subjects on iNet. Look for \"curriculum and schemes of work\" or something like that.

thank you !

[OrangeJuice]

Choco05:

OrangeJuice:

hi, my dd is in a dilema whether to read history or geography next yr in yr 3. she thinks she likes history more than geo but so far her grades in Geo is better.


anyone (mom or student) care to share what are some of the topics taught in yr 3 and 4 for history and geo so that it can give my DD an idea what to expect ?

Thanks for any input

Orangejuice

I think it's a trend to do really well in Geog for lower sec, it's easy to get full marks for some PPA.

But then when it came to upper sec, i have many friends saying that geog's difficulty has increased tenfolds... i don't take geog though!

I think History's marking sort of became more strict, but so far not much problems in it, at least for me

She still has time, why not consult her teachers or seniors as well?

hi choco05

thanks for the info. i will share that with DD and also advise her to consult the teachers and her seniors

OJ

[inkedfloral]

A good evening to all!


I have a few issues that I hope could be addressed/answered through this portal!

Firstly, as I will be applying for a transfer via DSA, does anyone happens to know the sorts of questions that are given during the tests/interviews?

Secondly, I’d like to know the possibility of getting into the netball team (are there any other requirements besides experience, say, height?)!

Thank you so much for your help!

[Ikid]

Hi to parents whose children DSA to RGS under English domain. May I know what’s the pre-requisites to DSA to RGS under English domain? Have won Writing award? Or has done well in English academically will do? Must have overall score of 90% in the exams from P4-P6?

[Mrs Shan]

Hi Yellow Belt,


My DD has won young writer’s award and many other competition in relations to English language. I submitted her awards during the online applications and also followed by hardcopies in person to the school before the cut-off date for DSA. I’m not aware of any other pre-requisites either.

[Ikid]

Mrs Shan:

Hi Yellow Belt,


My DD has won young writer's award and many other competition in relations to English language. I submitted her awards during the online applications and also followed by hardcopies in person to the school before the cut-off date for DSA. I'm not aware of any other pre-requisites either.

Thank you Mrs Shan for your reply.
To my understanding, not many schools send their students for writing competition, so wondering what's the best records the pupil needs to have to attract RGS's attention for DSA.

[mamona]

Hi Yellow Belt


If your daughter have good academic result for English from P4-P6 and good certificate for ICAS exam then also she should get the call for the selection exam. Usually ICAS exams are available in all the schools.

[Ikid]

mamona:

Hi Yellow Belt


If your daughter have good academic result for English from P4-P6 and good certificate for ICAS exam then also she should get the call for the selection exam. Usually ICAS exams are available in all the schools.

Thanks for your reply and reassuring words, I was asking on behalf of my friend's DD.

[Havana]

Hi a child,


I've just chanced upon your article.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences. It is insightful indeed. :goodpost:

a child:

sleepy:

Hi, just wanna ask about parents' opinion.

What factors prompt you to select RGS say over NYGH ?

Thanks for sharing

I had not really considered Nanyang (even though I applied, and was accepted), maybe because I had always been subjected to the RGS prestige-effect, and because my friends / seniors were going there and my parents liked it, etc., but in retrospect those were not really good reasons.

After having been in RGS for 2.5 years, here are some better ideas, I find, on why I love my school:

- Diversity of opportunities, and flexibility. There are many wonderful programs, competitions, and there's something for everyone - if there isn't one you like, you can start your own. I do not think many other schools can match the tens of service projects and clubs, hundreds of programs and competitions, etc. that are offered here. Hearing from my friends from other schools (incl. Nanyang), no other students have this wealth of opportunities - e.g. in Nanyang, extracurriculars appear more structured and well-organized/formal etc., while in RGS they are so many, so diverse, so flexible, and mostly entirely student-run. Some may like this \"boomzness\", some may find it overwhelming.

- Not only is there flexibility in extracurriculars, there is also flexibility in subject combinations. While in other schools there may be academic streams (science, art, commerce etc) - and I know that in Nanyang you need to take Chemistry, another Science, then either a third Science (making it Triple Science) or a Humanities - RGS is much more liberal in this sense. You take 4 content subjects (vs. the 3 in Nanyang) in addition to the compulsory ones, and they can be anything so long as there is one contrasting subject. Therefore, Humanities-inclined students can choose to take Triple Humanities in RGS for example, while they can only take one Humanities subject in Nanyang (if my information is correct). Chemistry is also not compulsory here.

- English vs. Chinese environment - RGS has generally abysmal Chinese standards, while the enthusiasm for English Literature is high. For example - we have the Renaissance Faire (celebrating Elizabethan and Shakespearean England!) next Tuesday, one of many Lit initiatives with students in the Organizing Teams. I am unable to comment on Nanyang, though, but being SAP I would imagine there is a greater focus on Chinese culture.

- Contrary to popular belief, I find the RGS environment rather non-competitive, while Nanyang (or so I've heard) actually ranks the classes. Yes, in RGS many people are over-achievers, and yes, there are those who are cut-throat competitive, but in my experience they are a minority. My friends are wonderful people who would tell me to go to sleep when I'm tired and then stay up all night finishing my part for me. We share notes - in fact, we have a Google Docs with batch-compiled notes. I'm not saying that Nanyang doesn't have these - but I would say that in this aspect and in terms of the environment, RGS has worked for me. It's definitely not the only way that works, though.

- Generalization of above point: wonderful people, comfortable ambience. Caring teachers. And as you go up in the levels you'll get more comfortable with friends and teachers and it's a wonderful feeling sitting outside Queens for example just doing some group work, and saying \"hi\" to all the teachers and friends who pass by and stop to check.

- Intellectual/quirky/innovative atmosphere. If you take the initiative to want to explore more beyond the curriculum, you can count on there being support for you here. Rigorous curriculum - though the same could be said for Nanyang.

(Granted, there are places where I think RGS falls short - but let's save that for another post - and also, in general I think there are more pluses than minuses here and I'm glad I came, most of the time.)

But ultimately, as you will find for each point, it boils down to fit - a more structured/traditional environment, or a more hectic/liberal one? There are also finer details that cannot really be put into words - e.g. the values, characters of the general population, the education philosophy, and emphases of each school - and the best thing you can do is to ask around current students, attend Open House and as many school events as you can to get the feel yourself. Because nobody can give you the answer, except yourself. Each person is different, each journey is different.

Both schools offer wonderful opportunities, and trying to compare which school is better or more rigorous etc. is really like splitting hairs. You can't go wrong with either choice - what's more important is that it's a school where your child is comfortable with spending the next 4 years of her life in.

It is also important how well you use your resources and opportunities that determine your journey in secondary school - because each person takes a unique journey, and yours is your own to create. Getting into the school is only the first step - it does not guarantee a good experience.

Not sure how this turned into such a long rant - or perhaps I'm just very long-winded. Hope that this has given you a better idea of how I view this though!

[sharonkhoo]

Questions about Research Studies for Yr3: besides the mentorship programmes for science and humanities, what sort of RS projects are offered? Can you give some examples? Do the girls need to come up with their own ideas or will the school have a list that they choose from? Do they select at the end of Yr2 or wait until Yr3? Does it have to tie in with the student’s RA subject if she is in RA? Thanks!