School Of The Arts, Singapore

[Mrs Cheng]

My son is in SOTA VA yr 2. Like many parents, we were apprehensive about him going into SOTA as we were not sure if he can cope with IB prog (his psle results were not good), if he will enjoy the school life, etc. In fact, we were extremely surprised when he received the confirmed offer. In the end, we decided that he should enter SOTA since they must have seen the potential in him during the audition in spite of his poor academic results.


After almost 1.5 years, we have no regrets and my son will not go to any other school. Maybe arts students think differently and the IB prog suits them. He’s enjoying the arts and humanities subjects very much. He is also doing well in the VA. Overall, he enjoys the school life and has friends of different nationalities and races. The teachers are encouraging as well. Of course, there are challenges. But we believe he will learn to cope as he matures.

I read some parents’ comments that the principal’s speech is not impressive. This, I have to agree, as I have heard speeches by the ex-principal (who is so bubbly) and Dr Yap, VP, who is very charismatic. Unfortunately, Dr Yap is leaving SOTA this month. Anyway, hope she will continue to keep up the good work.

I think we cannot compare SOTA with RGS or other top schools. RGS takes in only the cream of the cohort while SOTA is open to talented students in the various art form. No doubt RGS may be better in planning their open house activities, showcase their strengths etc, what’s more important is the students’ progress and well being. It is without doubt that the top schools are very competitive and students are super stressed (this is not hearsay but from my friends with children in these schools). I’m glad my son is given the opportunity to learn, to think and to grow. I 'm not sure if he will be able to have such enriching experience in a mainstream school.

The IB results for the 1st 2 batches were very encouraging. I feel more confident that my son will have a better chance of entering uni through SOTA.

Having said the above, i guess SOTA is not for everyone, putting aside the art form. For my P6 girl, she will prob do better in a sec school with more structured curriculum.

[MMM]

Mrs Cheng:

My son is in SOTA VA yr 2. Like many parents, we were apprehensive about him going into SOTA as we were not sure if he can cope with IB prog (his psle results were not good), if he will enjoy the school life, etc. In fact, we were extremely surprised when he received the confirmed offer. In the end, we decided that he should enter SOTA since they must have seen the potential in him during the audition in spite of his poor academic results.

Thanks for sharing and being very candid in your sharing.

[jajnj]

Mrs Cheng:

My son is in SOTA VA yr 2. Like many parents, we were apprehensive about him going into SOTA as we were not sure if he can cope with IB prog (his psle results were not good), if he will enjoy the school life, etc. In fact, we were extremely surprised when he received the confirmed offer. In the end, we decided that he should enter SOTA since they must have seen the potential in him during the audition in spite of his poor academic results.


Having said the above, i guess SOTA is not for everyone, putting aside the art form. For my P6 girl, she will prob do better in a sec school with more structured curriculum.

Thanks for sharing. Do you know of anyone who got in thru chinese orchestra?

[yip33]

Dazzydancers:

yip33:

[quote=\"Dazzydancers\"]Hi people out there....My kid interested in SOTA who is P6 this year......In knowing what to submit for the application for SOTA as stated in the website, there is this note that you'll have to submit a one minute video of yourself dancing in a thumbdrive. May I know if the dance you do that is to be recorded is the dance according to the syllabus (RAD/CSTD)?

Or is it you got to make your own?

May I know what are the questions that will be tested for the Cognitive Exercise (CE) and what question would be tested during the interview?

Hi, I'm not sure about the video as this wasn't part of the audition last year, but I can tell you about the CE and the interview.

For the CE last year, we were given three questions to choose from, kind of like an essay or oral, but written on paper. If I remember correctly, the questions last year was \"The pros and cons of cellphones\", and I can't remember the rest, but I remember the two other questions had something to do with the arts.

For the interview, I don't think everyone will be asked the same questions. There will be two interviews, one for academics and one for arts. I remember for my academics interview, they asked me which subject I think I do best in and things to do with subjects and school and how I study. For the arts interview, I remember Ms Tan asked me whether i had any ballet background (I auditioned through non-ballet), whether I knew what the year sixes have to do for their IB dance project, why I want to come to SOTA, stuff like that.

Basically, it was like oral conversation.

I hope this helps and do voice any more queries you have:)

Well thank you, Yip33!
You're a Genius!
Are you in year one now?
Anyway, what is the load of homework for each day in sota?
One last thing is, my daughter's ballet results were just merit or pass each
year. Never distinction.She takes RAD ballet. Will this cause a disadvantage in her admission in Sota although she had a passion to dance which she always looks forward to every dance lesson?[/quote]The workload, to me, right now in year one is quite manageable, but all the senior say years one and two are easy, year three you get stressed, year four you want to die, year five you die and year six you are cremated.

Regarding the ballet, I'm not very sure as I came in through non-ballet, but I do not think it will matter much. What the school looks for in a student is the passion, potential and talent, but that doesn't mean you are exceptionally good. And the academics matter too, if you get accepted, you still have to get a minimum of express stream in PSLE to get into the school

[Mrs Cheng]

jajnj - no, I don’t know anyone who got in thru Chinese orchestra. You can check with the school.


Just to add on, this yr, the school reduces the sch hours, so my son comes back an hour earlier per day. Some days, he has homework but some days none. From that perspective, it’s manageable. Probably will be more stressed from Yr 3 onwards.

[mommyNg]

jajnj:

Mrs Cheng:

My son is in SOTA VA yr 2. Like many parents, we were apprehensive about him going into SOTA as we were not sure if he can cope with IB prog (his psle results were not good), if he will enjoy the school life, etc. In fact, we were extremely surprised when he received the confirmed offer. In the end, we decided that he should enter SOTA since they must have seen the potential in him during the audition in spite of his poor academic results.


Having said the above, i guess SOTA is not for everyone, putting aside the art form. For my P6 girl, she will prob do better in a sec school with more structured curriculum.

Thanks for sharing. Do you know of anyone who got in thru chinese orchestra?

I remembered one of the SOTA admin person told me (1-2 months ago) that there were students who got in through Chinese Orchestra. Can't remember the instrument, may be Suo Na or Yang Qin? You can call them and ask them. The person I spoke with was very friendly (can't remember her name either). :oops:

[yip33]

mommyNg:

jajnj:

[quote=\"Mrs Cheng\"]My son is in SOTA VA yr 2. Like many parents, we were apprehensive about him going into SOTA as we were not sure if he can cope with IB prog (his psle results were not good), if he will enjoy the school life, etc. In fact, we were extremely surprised when he received the confirmed offer. In the end, we decided that he should enter SOTA since they must have seen the potential in him during the audition in spite of his poor academic results.


Having said the above, i guess SOTA is not for everyone, putting aside the art form. For my P6 girl, she will prob do better in a sec school with more structured curriculum.

Thanks for sharing. Do you know of anyone who got in thru chinese orchestra?

I remembered one of the SOTA admin person told me (1-2 months ago) that there were students who got in through Chinese Orchestra. Can't remember the instrument, may be Suo Na or Yang Qin? You can call them and ask them. The person I spoke with was very friendly (can't remember her name either). :oops:[/quote]Hi, one of my classmates got in through Yang Qin.

[jajnj]

Thnks all.


Hi Yip33, if your friend can join this group, it will be great.

Anyone knows what do they do during the Talent Academy?

Thnks again.

[AysheeMei]

Hi! So I am a year 1 theatre student in SOTA and I am making this topic to help out people who have questions about Year 1 theatre here in this school. So shoot me questions you have about theatre in year 1 and I will try my best to answer! :rahrah:

[Alicorn]

AysheeMei:

Hi! So I am a year 1 theatre student in SOTA and I am making this topic to help out people who have questions about Year 1 theatre here in this school. So shoot me questions you have about theatre in year 1 and I will try my best to answer! :rahrah:

HAI ASIA!!!!!!!!!

Wow so many R4 students here hehe :rahrah:

Alicorn