West Spring Primary

[tenko]

I have just contacted the PSG coordinator regarding new members. All applications have been received and they will be added into the group from this coming Monday. If you are still keen to volunteer to join the Parent Support Group and have not yet completed an application form,you may contact the general office for an application form.

[twinklinglights]

Dear cecelia446,


I totally understand ur concerns. I went through the same anxiety but my child fitted in well and adjusted within a month. It is very normal for this to happen.By end of jan,all of them will be settled & happy ,feeling at home. I understand that it a big transition from kindy to primary school.It was difficult to accept the fact that our child is growing and that they will not be pampered anymore. WPS has given the students a sense of responsibilities and soon your child will blossom in confidence.Even my sec 1 students expressed anxiety during the first week. They will soon get used to it. Furthermore, the trs in wps will definitely look into the matter if you approach them with you concerns about your child.

There are definitely teething problems, especially with dismissal as that is one problem that many school face even in my nephews’ n nieces’ schools.

Please give the school time to settle their first few weeks as it will smoothen after a month which was how it has been. I trusted and believed in them and I was not let down in any way. I was very certain that I will not be too protective of my child as I want my child to grow resilient and strong.

I am sure all of us here want that too.

[cecelia446]

Hi mommies,


Thanks for replying. Indeed I am very much assured now after getting to know some parents.
Over concern I may seems to be, but I did try my best not to worry so much at first. I know that given a period of time my kids will definately get used to it.
But my feeling over this week is like example your first day of work.
First 2 days u do not know who your immediate supervisor is... (we don't know what is the form teacher's name)
For a whole week till current u don't know where to report to work every morning (school assembly point change everyday)
All these were my concerns.
But I'm much better now after connecting with some mommies. At least now I have somebody to ask and find out. Really appreciate them for adding me in.
Anyway thanks Pamiya. Hope our kids continue to blossom with confidence.

[twinklinglights]

Dear cecelia446,

Be rest assured, we are all here to support each other. We want to help you with your concerns too together with the school.
Many things will happen in school during first week & it may be overwhelming for the child & you.However ,like at any workplace,it’s very normal.As parents,we must be steady , calm & not reactive as that will affect how our children feel.Teachers are experienced & know what to do in managing children entrusted to them. I myself am a sec sch teacher who see that my sec 1 students struggle to get used to our style of teaching and the system.During first few weeks,children may feel overwhelmed as it is a great adjustment.It’s ok to let them learn to grow up, be independent and be strong.

There was an introductory letter given to all parents informing you of form,co form & subject trs.That would have reassured you of who the teachers are.Everything will settle given time,just like for my own child @ wps

[tenko]

It's important for parents to work with the school as a team. We are all very proud of the school and we need to be mindful not to tarnish the school image on any public forum. It would unfairly give outsiders, reading the forum, the wrong impression of the school. That wouldn'be fair to the teachers, staff or the parent supporters who are doing their very best to help. It's important for parents to contact the school on any concerns and not simply air grievances on public forums.


Let's work together as one team.

Have a great weekend everyone

[Littlebabygirlgirl]

Hi mummies,


I noted that there is a period of ‘assemb’ on mon timetable. Is there any thing that my girl need to prepare or bring for that period?

Thanks.

[tenko]

Hi littlebabygirlgirl,


There isn’t anything required for that assembly. Do take note that reading books are required to be brought everyday for the morning.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

[mauvemom81]

Hope everyone has a great 2nd week of school beginning tmr.

[LFC4ever]

cecelia446:

Hi,

I have to resort into getting my support from parents here because currently I am very emotional and disappointed and I have nobody to seek help to address my concerns.

Mc online is still not available for parents. Handbook not received. My girl enter P1 this year.
We attended the orientation on 4th Jan, in fact I took a whole week leave.
The first day was disappointing. My girl was separated from us on arrival having to figure out herself where is her class queue at the parade square. Parents were to assemble at the back. I thought there was buddy system later on so I was still positive overall.
We parents were asked to go to the hall later on to listen for around 2 to 3 hours of presentation slides. We were not given a tour. Till present I do not know where is her canteen where is her class.
After school the fetching was scary. The main gate was choke up with parents like me. Literally I had to pull her out from the crowd.
My girl was still alright but started to complain stomach ache till whole face pale .
2nd day we parents were told during orientation. Kids were to go classroom put their bags and go to hall. I thought my girl was already orientated properly by the school. Who knows she had to figure out to the hall from the main gate. She lost her way and sense of direction. And panicky she walk back to security only to realise I was gone.
She came home and started crying. Was obviously very traumatised and concern how she is to go to the hall. That whole evening she repeatedly whine to me she is scared because she don't know how to go to the hall.
Again her stomach ache started.
3rd day I thought of helping her ask security to bring her hall. Who knows assembly was to be at parade square.
The same crying process and stomach ache when she's back from school.
4th day go classroom.
Today Friday go canteen.

Where and when is the hall?? Its already my last day of leave. And her concerns were still not addressed. I am currently tearing as I wrote this. My girl is as disorientated as me at this current point of time. Everyday she is crying and pale from stomach ache.

Talking to her teacher? Looking at the guard house after school, the gate is still crowded with parents, the noise level, the heat of burning afternoon sun, the chaotic.. talking to teacher is pointless at present.

Here was what I gathered from friends who had kids attending other schools. Their kids were given an orientation, with guided tour around school during school holiday. Parents get to play activity with kids in classrooms. Fetching process is systematic.
But why it is not happening here?

I have confidence and no doubt in the school curriculum. But what's the point when the most basic foundation of going to school process was not there. For the very 1st week of school, definitely there will be alot of anxiety. But all the channels of communication with the school were not even ready.

I wrote a feedback to school yesterday and is awaiting for their reply.
But today is already Friday. Next week I'm back to work. My maid does not speak good English. Till now I am still worried on how to assure my girl or answer her how to go to where she is suppose to go every morning.

Can any parent help me?

Hi Cecelia446,
I am sorry to hear that your girl and yourself have encountered such an unhappy experience for the first week but as a parent I can assure you that things will only get better as it proceeds. My girl is the first batch of students(pioneer) of this school and I am confidence to tell you that I have seen enough of this school things will certainly improve over times just be patience with the school as there is a saying \"Rome is not built in a day\". I was reading through some of your concerns the mc online was offline during that period and the student hand book is yet to be given actually sometimes it will be good to call the school direct to voice out your concern to the school. The school no. is 63144192 but bear in mind they only operate during office hours Mon-Fri,8am to 5pm. The other concern you have mentioned is about the orientation. The school intention to have the orientation during the first day of school bcos they knew majority of parents will be taking leave for the first day of school so actually they wanted the parents to maximize their leave as not to take another day of leave for the orientation and briefing rest assure that briefing is done only once every 2 years. Talking about dismissal time yes it is not an easy issue to tackle the school need to think about the safety of the students and the traffic around the school actually I will also like to take this chance to urge some parents not to crowd around the one and only gate because this will slow down the dismissal process parents should only proceed to the gate when their child respective class is at the gate the idea is the same as taking MRT ride if incoming commuters are to crowd at the door the going out process will be slow down maybe the school can consider having a portable speaker to announce the dismissal of respective class and once they announce respective parents can move forward to pick up their child. I believe this will expedite the process. West Spring primary is built on a limited plot of land hence they have only one gate for dismissal the other gate of the school actually link to KJE and basically can't use for dismissal for the school to open up additional new gate is not a straight forward decision as they also need approval from respective authority such as LTA . At the mean time I believe the school is trying their very best to have a smooth dismissal but parents need to play their part too. Safety and security of the students are paramount to the school. As we are entering second week of school I believe you will see substantial improvement and your child will enjoy going to school. You may pm me if you need help. Have a nice week ahead.

[Littlebabygirlgirl]

Hi,


I have 1 more query. Are the students allowed to wear watch to sch? Is there any colour restrictions or rules that we need to follow?

TIA.