2010 DSA(Direct School Admission)

[mathsparks]

ApronMama:

mathsparks:

Have updated the blog with this so as not to mislead people:

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I'm not saying it's compulsory to have a portfolio; please check and the decision's yours whether you wanna prepare anot.

Did any of the schools keep your portfolio?

So sorry, apronmama for the late reply. Just saw yr qn.

Well, the schools didnt return the portfolio. Not sure wat they do with it after. Bin it, perhaps?

[mathsparks]

ningy:

Mathsparks, u mentioned photocopy school results and awards from p4 - p6. do i need to ask the school to certify all copies - that will be quite a lot if including all the CCA awards, maths olympiad, mathalympics, NSW awards (distinction and high distinction for 3 subjects in p4,p5). We're trying for 2 schools and there'll be everythingx2. Need to bring all the certificates to the admin for them to check ? Hope the admin will not give me black face. or do i only need them to certify the school results ? my dd's school is not too \"on\"; i think only less than 5 students will try DSA.

ningy, think you've got yr answers? good luck!

[ningy]

thanks, Mathsparks. Just had the meet the Parents session with my dd1’s form teacher. when I asked her if she can prepare a testimonial if the DSA school requested for it; she went "hahaha ! why go thru DSA if ur daughter can do well in PSLE then she can get into any school she wants… testimonial is just a standard pc of thing that is not useful at all !" I was quite upset that she’s not supportive at all and left after 5 mins 'cos her next comment was : "I have no issues/complaints abt ur daughter and I believe u have nothing to ask me." :x

[mummyjoyce]

ningy:

thanks, Mathsparks. Just had the meet the Parents session with my dd1's form teacher. when I asked her if she can prepare a testimonial if the DSA school requested for it; she went \"hahaha ! why go thru DSA if ur daughter can do well in PSLE then she can get into any school she wants...... testimonial is just a standard pc of thing that is not useful at all !\" I was quite upset that she's not supportive at all and left after 5 mins 'cos her next comment was : \"I have no issues/complaints abt ur daughter and I believe u have nothing to ask me.\" :x

Actually dont need testimonial if you have already so many certs (of cos much be good result) to show. There are std forms to fill during DSA from schools and I feel that the Personal Statement is more impt to show the strength and passion of the child.

[ningy]

mummyjoyce, thanks for the listening ear and advice. guess better "skip" her testimonial if the teacher is not too willing to write. anyway will only be trying for 1 or 2 schools. just see how it goes. hopefully my dd1 can do well in this yr’s maths olympiad - in april.

[mummyjoyce]

ningy:

mummyjoyce, thanks for the listening ear and advice. guess better \"skip\" her testimonial if the teacher is not too willing to write. anyway will only be trying for 1 or 2 schools. just see how it goes. hopefully my dd1 can do well in this yr's maths olympiad - in april.

Sharing my experience of last year. My DD got into a school via DSA(average result but via CCA); but her PSLE result was so good and I was stressed for a month trying to appeal to better schools - it was really a stressful and frustration Dec last year and taking loads of time running from school to school - didnt even enjoy my yearend holiday at all! Thanks goodness my appeal was successful.
So you should only try the top schools (only 1or2 anyway).

[ningy]

Mummyjoyce, glad ur DD did well in her PSLE !! :celebrate:

that's the thing with DSA, if we apply to 2 schools and one of them accepted her(not the first choice); then we'll also have headache.

[phankao]

ningy:

thanks, Mathsparks. Just had the meet the Parents session with my dd1's form teacher. when I asked her if she can prepare a testimonial if the DSA school requested for it; she went \"hahaha ! why go thru DSA if ur daughter can do well in PSLE then she can get into any school she wants...... testimonial is just a standard pc of thing that is not useful at all !\" I was quite upset that she's not supportive at all and left after 5 mins 'cos her next comment was : \"I have no issues/complaints abt ur daughter and I believe u have nothing to ask me.\" :x

It could be useful but not essential. But I suppose the testimonial has to be different from the usual and sound sincere as well. One of my ds' teacher wrote him a v genuine testimonial last year (not his form teacher). His CCA instructor also wrote a testimonial. My ds did not use CCA for his DSA though.

[verykiasu2010]

ningy:

thanks, Mathsparks. Just had the meet the Parents session with my dd1's form teacher. when I asked her if she can prepare a testimonial if the DSA school requested for it; she went \"hahaha ! why go thru DSA if ur daughter can do well in PSLE then she can get into any school she wants...... testimonial is just a standard pc of thing that is not useful at all !\" I was quite upset that she's not supportive at all and left after 5 mins 'cos her next comment was : \"I have no issues/complaints abt ur daughter and I believe u have nothing to ask me.\" :x

what school is that ??

[turquoise]

ningy:

thanks, Mathsparks. Just had the meet the Parents session with my dd1's form teacher. when I asked her if she can prepare a testimonial if the DSA school requested for it; she went \"hahaha ! why go thru DSA if ur daughter can do well in PSLE then she can get into any school she wants...... testimonial is just a standard pc of thing that is not useful at all !\" I was quite upset that she's not supportive at all and left after 5 mins 'cos her next comment was : \"I have no issues/complaints abt ur daughter and I believe u have nothing to ask me.\" :x

Hi ningy, I can understand your frustration with the form teacher. However, testimonials aren't absolutely necessary for DSA applicaton and some primary schools actually have a blanket rule that no testimonials will be given. So you dd won't really be at a disadvantage.