Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[phtthp]

marmalade:

Hi parents

Which one would you choose?

Option 1: ex-student of a SAP primary school, current residential address to the school is approx 30 mins.

Option 2: staying very near to a new Primary school, neighbourhood school with no track records yet.

Both schools are ok.

30 minutes is half an hour : not that long, unlike 1 hour kind.
If can, go back SAP school, is better.
More important to go back to a school, with track record.

But If you say Option 1 take >= 1 hour travelling type, then Yes, better take Option 2.

[zbear]

Not all SAP schools are proven. But come to making a decision, it’s obvious I will go for SAP school. No need to fight for space since u r ex-student.

[phtthp]

agree.


If that ex primary school Phase 2A2 (old boys / old girls) no balloting involved, then is a smooth walk in Registration, on that day.

[jacsplace]

janet88:

jacsplace:

Hi,


Does anyone know of single-session primary schools that end around 1.50pm? What are their recess durations like?

TIA

30 minutes...but queues are long.

Hi janet88, thanks very much for this reply. So it's just one 30-minute recess?

Reason I'm asking this is because my ds school ends at 1.50pm twice a week but there are two recesses of about 20 minutes each. From term 2 though, school will end at 1.50pm every day. There will still be two recesses but the first one will be 30 minutes and the second only 10 min. This came as a shock to us because my ds always eats at the second recess because it's closer to lunchtime so he's really hungry then. Now, with only 10 min, he can't do much.

Wish principals would talk to parents first before making such drastic changes :sad:

[zbear]

How about packing your own food - just a sandwich/biscuits with pkt milk/milo for the shortened recess?

[janet88]

Daughter’s school starts at 740am and ended at 150pm…recess is just 30 minutes and she hardly gets chance to buy food…sometimes I give her lotus paste bun since there is no meat. She hates biscuits. Sandwiches so-so.

[zbear]

When my kids were in Pri Sch, I always pack sandwich/biscuits etc for their recess.


Sometimes they skip recess on their own accord (no retaining by teachers).

[janet88]

zbear:

When my kids were in Pri Sch, I always pack sandwich/biscuits etc for their recess.


Sometimes they skip recess on their own accord (no retaining by teachers).

I put a packet of biscuits in their bags in case they have time to buy any food...sometimes they will join the shortest queue. We go to the supermarket together to buy their biscuits.
I pack either lotus paste or red bean bun...at least something to eat till they reach home.

[marmalade]

phtthp:

agree.


If that ex primary school Phase 2A2 (old boys / old girls) no balloting involved, then is a smooth walk in Registration, on that day.

Ya, provided no balloting involved but looking at situation now, it can be a tough fight.

SAP school is an obvious choice but dh is not too keen as he prefers to give the kids more of a stress-free environment and of course, my heart also feels so but it doesn't synchronise with my head. :stupid:

He thinks that if the kids are guided correctly and learn in a positive happy environment, they will still excel no matter which primary school they go to. And it is still not too late for them to choose which secondary schools with their PSLE results (provided they do well enough to go to the school of their choice, that is.)

Anyone with similar dilemma ?

Another consideration would be the environment of the school which to me is a foundation although I must say secondary school is more critical in shaping your future.

Just would like to confirm, if there is really a need for balloting and then (touch wood*) unsuccessful, I would then have to go through Phase 2C to apply for the neighbourhood primary school, provided there are enough vacancies. Is this correct ?

[Pen88n]

marmalade:

phtthp:

agree.


If that ex primary school Phase 2A2 (old boys / old girls) no balloting involved, then is a smooth walk in Registration, on that day.

Ya, provided no balloting involved but looking at situation now, it can be a tough fight.

SAP school is an obvious choice but dh is not too keen as he prefers to give the kids more of a stress-free environment and of course, my heart also feels so but it doesn't synchronise with my head. :stupid:

He thinks that if the kids are guided correctly and learn in a positive happy environment, they will still excel no matter which primary school they go to. And it is still not too late for them to choose which secondary schools with their PSLE results (provided they do well enough to go to the school of their choice, that is.)

Anyone with similar dilemma ?

Another consideration would be the environment of the school which to me is a foundation although I must say secondary school is more critical in shaping your future.

Just would like to confirm, if there is really a need for balloting and then (touch wood*) unsuccessful, I would then have to go through Phase 2C to apply for the neighbourhood primary school, provided there are enough vacancies. Is this correct ?

If you are ex-student of the SAP school, you definitely go under phase 2A priority which probably no balloting unless it is really so \"hot\". Even if as what you said in case of unsuccessful, you can still apply for your neighbourhood school under phase 2C. Since that is a new school, the numbers under phase 2A and 2B will not be too many, and you definitely have high priority in 2C since you are near (I assume within 1km). This is different from phase 2C supp which is only possible if there are vacancies left.

On the other hand, if you do not try for your SAP ex-school at phase 2A, you will still be trying for your new neighbourhood school under phase 2C. No difference.

Having said that, let me put in a caveat that barring any changes in policy from MOE. Based on what happened last year on last minute registration of preferred school at a later phase despite already getting a slot in another school in an early phase, I suspect MOE may introduce some changes to prevent people from benefiting from such loophole. In this case, you may want to consider carefully if you really want your kid to go to your ex-SAP school before submitting the application as you may not be allowed to change your mind at a later phase by applying to the new school and giving up your SAP school slot.