Networking Group - JCs General

[sharonkhoo]

zbear:

I think that this disparity is worst in JCs compared to Pri n Sec Schools. The famous quote - All Schools are Good - hold some truth in Pri n Mainstream Sec Schools but not at all in JCs. Indeed, parents are good at complaining about Pri Schools n PSLE n they are heard. But what about JCs? Is building more JCs just to justify the demand for more to enter Uni? What about the quality? How many in the low tier JCs do indeed qualify for the better Uni courses, let alone, able to enter at all?


It will be my DS turn to select JC next year n I can only pray n hope that he does well in his O levels so that he can have a wider n better choice of JCs to make his selection.

But would you want there to be fewer JCs? If more students take A levels, I would expect that more will do poorly. I don't think it's just the JCs inadequacies that not all can turn out very good results; a lot depends on the students they take in. I would say that parents need to think carefully about the choice between A levels and poly - if the child is not clearly university-bound, then maybe poly may be a better choice. The exceptions would be those who are willing to send their child overseas to university if results are not good enough to enter university locally, or who accept that their child may have to do something other than university after the A levels.

[sharonkhoo]

jtoh:

I find that by JC, the teachers would rather focus their limited PTM time with parents of students who are flagged as underperforming. If your child is doing well or above average, the teachers will ask why you're at PTM. The teachers in my dd's JC are usually very well-prepared at PTM for students who are red-flagged. They have all their results and some teachers will take their time to point out the areas of weakness of each individual student and how they can approach the subject. There are also remedial classes for the weaker students and the teachers are more than happy when a student 'graduates' from that class.

This is my experience. My younger daughter has been doing well in school, and I only attend PTMs when there is a special briefing on something. I don't sign up for individual meetings as I don't see the need. Whereas I always attend PTMs and speak to individual teachers for my older daughter who is doing poorly. So far, I have found that the teachers show a good understanding of my daughter's weaknesses and give good suggestions - whether my daughter acts on those suggestions is another issue! I see my role as being a partner with the teachers - I push from the home side and they from the school side.

[zeemimi]

I think each JC has its own culture and whatever.The trick is to find the right fit for the child.


The top JCs do not necessary provide the best notes. But then the kind of notes produced are not indicative of a JC's quality either.

My DD borrowed a TJC friend's notes cos she felt they were more systematically organized than her school's. :evil:

[starlight1968sg]

"teach less in sch, learn more on your own" may not be applicable to all academic subjects and suitable for most students.

[Jennifer]

starlight1968sg:

\"teach less in sch, learn more on your own\" may not be applicable to all academic subjects and suitable for most students.

There are too many distractions these days.

[ahxuan.031873ymail.031873com]

Sieg:

For one, VJC is well known for their 'teach less in school, learn more on your own' style. I am sure I am not the only one who heard about it left, right, front & back..

Hi,
Is this your child's/friends' personal experience or hearsay?

[KTKS]

zbear:

Are you saying your DD's JC - nett L1R5 entry to be more than 10 points? Sorry I don't really understand what you are saying.

I am also concerned that there is a great disparity in the standards of top tier JCs vs low tier JCs - in terms of school environment, students n resources.

I think that this disparity is worst in JCs compared to Pri n Sec Schools. The famous quote - All Schools are Good - hold some truth in Pri n Mainstream Sec Schools but not at all in JCs. Indeed, parents are good at complaining about Pri Schools n PSLE n they are heard. But what about JCs? Is building more JCs just to justify the demand for more to enter Uni? What about the quality? How many in the low tier JCs do indeed qualify for the better Uni courses, let alone, able to enter at all?

I do not see great disparity in terms of environment and resources for low tier JCs. But for students' quality, I do agree since entrance is by merit. JCs' principals are very experienced ex-teachers or ex sec sch principals. JCs' tutors and lecturers are of higher qualifications than pri n sec schools' teachers. Hence I believe the 'quality' of teachers in different JCs are the same. Morever, if a pupil chooses the JC route, he is deemed to be more studious. Otherwise, he would have chosen the poly route. For the max L1R5 20 pointers, his average O level grade is a B. I do not think they are so complacent n gullible to be neglected by teachers and yet keep quiet like pri sch kids.
I am of the opinion that pri sch principal and teachers differ the most between top schools and neighbourhood schools.

[Sieg]

nz:

Sieg:

For one, VJC is well known for their 'teach less in school, learn more on your own' style. I am sure I am not the only one who heard about it left, right, front & back..

Hi,
Is this your child's/friends' personal experience or hearsay?

From people close to me.
Coincidentally my DS was a victorian. Latest update from the horse's mouth is that VJCians are a group of very vibrant & enthusiastic pupils who work and play hard. They have a fair share of 'not so good' teachers but the class will unite and think of something to excel in the topic or subject together.

How about you nz? Stories to share?

[Sieg]

-duplicate-

[ahxuan.031873ymail.031873com]

Sieg:

nz:

[quote=\"Sieg\"]For one, VJC is well known for their 'teach less in school, learn more on your own' style. I am sure I am not the only one who heard about it left, right, front & back..

Hi,
Is this your child's/friends' personal experience or hearsay?

From people close to me.
Coincidentally my DS was a victorian. Latest update from the horse's mouth is that VJCians are a group of very vibrant & enthusiastic pupils who work and play hard. They have a fair share of 'not so good' teachers but the class will unite and think of something to excel in the topic or subject together.

How about you nz? Stories to share?[/quote]My teenager is interested to join VJC. I am just trying to find out more.