Secondary School CCA

[schellen]

I think that parents, besides not choosing their children's CCAs for them, should also model commitment to the voluntarily-chosen CCAs. Cos some children have the \"3-minute-hot\" attitude towards CCAs (and other things in life). They need to keep at what they have chosen and stay committed. (Life lessons blah blah, you know.)


For example, parents can talk about their (glorious) CCA days and show off trophies, medals, badges, photos (if any). Some CCAs become lifelong interests like continuing to play music for leisure purposes, going back to former school to help out, etc.

My DH and I met at a musical CCA at university. We still listen to music regularly and I try to play the keyboard from time to time. It's difficult for us to play our original instruments now (unless I have lots of space and money) but we still keep in touch with music. That may partially explain why DD is still enthusiastic about piano lessons despite the difficulties she encounters everyday while practising.

Also, without commitment to CCAs, Mommy would never have met Daddy in the first place! :love:

[Fairy]

[Moderator's note: Topic selected for Portal publishing]

kiasuson:

My son also told me about the boy. He is a top PSLE student in his primary school. Agree with Fairy...Do not push your kids too much on CCAs.. The most important thing is that he/she enjoys it.

I can understand the parents' grief. Just days ago, they should be one of the hundreds of parents, hearts filled with pride, who packed the school's hall to attend the ceremony to officially recognise the boys as one of the school's members....

Just two years ago, I had the same feeling when my son came home from school at the start of the school year to tell me that one of his classmates (a GEP student) had passed away in his sleep during the Dec holidays, just before school re-opened. Some of the teachers and classmates cried. A counsellor talked to the students to ensure that they handle the situation well. The teachers created a powerpoint presentation on the boy, with photos of his life at school and got the students to make cards (probably to help them express their grief) to the boy's parents. The boy's parents were invited for the 'presentation'. I was very very sad for a while.

the following is unrelated to the above.....
In our pursuit for excellence, most people, especially parents nowadays do it at the expense of Quality Of Life. Is it so important to be a TOP student, be it in academics or sports? I trully symphatise with the Child, whose parents made it their motto/life's objective/ KPI to groom their Child into a TOP since kindergarten. Learning years ahead of the cohort, memorising the dictionary and etc are strategies they use to ensure that the Child remains a TOP, at least in the 6 years of primary school life. The Child's excellent marks, however close to full marks, are just not good enough if it is not the TOP. There can only be one TOP. Why give up so much in life just to hold on to such a title?

To quote a poem By William. Henry Davies.:

\"LEISURE\"

What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty's glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

[pinky]

I once talked to a P6 boy just after the PSLE what did he want to do after

the exam, he said "I will burn all my books bec I had enough of studying".
My son’s friend committed suicide when he was in P6
due to study pressure.
Enough said.

[PowerPuff Mum]

As parents we want the best for the children, we try to provide the best opportunity and groom them for success. Unfortunately some people take that as being 1st is everything but there’s only one 1st position so does that make the top 10 positions or lower losers? It seems so. This I think is a Singaporean disease. There’s very little appreciation for the effort put in, there’s too much glorification for being in 1st position.


We always strive to be number one at all cost. We have seen so many cases of students going through study fatigue, death and suicides but does the pressure stop? NO.

It is easy to say… yes, strike a balanced lifestyle but how can parents even let the kids let their guard down about their studies and CCAs. It is a very competitive and stressful place to be in.

Parents are in a dilemma because it they do not push their children, they fear that they will end up as "losers". Who can blame them.
So we end up in this perpetually vicious cycle of increased stress levels for everyone especially the children.

Personally my husband and I believe in holistic approach in raising our children, we want them not only to be bright, strong and healthy but also kind, appreciative and respectful. But we struggle with time when it comes to being able to let them just run around and be themselves, enjoy their childhoood cos the demands on their studies is very high.
Time needed for extra lessons, CCAs and enrichment classes take up majority of the time.

Cut down enrichment? Sure… which one should go first? It’s a tough balancing act. In the end, you have to decide what’s the best combi ( less extra classes/CCA and more family time or more classes/CCAs and less family time ) for your family and kids and go with that. There will definitely be trade offs but that’s the way it seems to be these days.

[sms]

If the child is already in the 6 year IP program in secondary school, is the CCA important?. Since there is no JC admission required they do not need the two bonus points for the CCA. So can they stay as a recreation member in the team.

[pinky]

What is the average CCA hours nowadays?

I checked my sons's concert band schedule and it is about 11 hours a
week (3 sessions a week) and more if there is competition coming up.
Wow, is it the same for others too or only for those 'hot' programs only?
I did not know CCA takes up such long hours nowadays. :?

[csc]

Hi pinky,


I think for performing arts such as band or dance and sports, practices will take about 2-3 times a week (about 3-4 hours each).
Joining a club may be less hectic.

My son has his CCA on Mon, Wed and Fri. He is back home at about 7 plus on those days. I actually advise him to join a club initially but he is an energetic and sporty boy, so clubs are out for him… He is into sports. He says it’s tiring but fun.

[schellen]

csc:

Hi pinky,


I think for performing arts such as band or dance and sports, practices will take about 2-3 times a week (about 3-4 hours each).
Joining a club may be less hectic.

Yes, that is true. Also, if the school has band as \"hot\" CCA, meaning the band is good enough to bring in awards, the instructor and teachers will be under pressure to improve or at least maintain standard so they must clock in more hours.

For sec sch bands, every 2 years, about 4-6 months before SYF (which should be in April? not sure), practice will intensify and this means more hours.

Plus, performing groups means they must perform, right? So before performances, practice hours also go up.

ADD: Sch bands tend to alternate their major concerts with SYF. If this year they have SYF, they may only have a small, informal concert or free public performance like in shopping malls for this year. Then, next year, they will have their major, formal concert where they will charge for admission.

[pinky]

Thanks csc and schellen for your explanation.

My son is very enthusiastic being in the band despite the tiring marching under the hot sun so I guess it’s half a battle won.
I must agree that interest should come first then will they stay committed.

[jedamum]

pinky:

My son is very enthusiastic being in the band despite the tiring marching under the hot sun

Military Band!! Formations!!!
We marched and trained in the rain too!!
Sweet sweet memories.... :love: