NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)

[bgmum]

Thanks irabbit, dagong99 for sharing.


lurline, your ds can still try since there is entrance selection test and this is open to all.

[tck]

lurline:

dagong99:

[quote=\"lurline\"]Hi iRabbit,

Thanks for sharing!

wanted to meet the new principal but didn't have the chance.

ds2 has a great time at the open house booths .

You DS2 also joining ? Haven't got a chance to meet the new P. Hopefully the school can update existing parents of the new changes too.

ds2 is keen to join too but he has no MO awards.[/quote]I believe specialised schools are adept at finding innate talent with their screening process so no MO awards does not mean he is out of the game. If he displays passion and thinking skills for math and/or science, he will be identified. I remember listening to an NUSH student who shared that she had little to show in terms of awards in primary school as she was not aware of these competitions. Her innate talent came through, and with nurturing by the school, represented Singapore at one or two of the 3 international science olympiads, doing very well at that level. She is now in pursuing Medicine in NUS.

Separately, my friend's daughter got into SOTA even though she has \"only\" grade 5 piano and does not excel academically. Somehow, she shone at the auditions and edged out others with much higher credentials. Perhaps they could see her raw talent, ie diamond in the rough. Some of her friends from the same school whose parents spent thousands of dollars on enrichment activities so as to qualify for SOTA were not selected.

[dagong99]

TypeBParent:

Attended NUS Open House today and after looking at the presentation, have a question regarding the number of applicants.

One of the slides mentioned that of the 2000 applicants that take the exam, 400 will be invited to camp. Does NUS look at all the applications and then only invite 2000 to take the exam? or is it an estimate of how many applicants they might get this year?

What they meant is everyone can apply to sit for the selection tests and based on past years records, approximately 2000+ applications were received for the selection tests and out of which 400 will be selected to attend the selection camp. Then out of the 400, < 170 will be successful. Last year, 167 made it to NUSH.

[dagong99]

lurline:

dagong99:

[quote=\"lurline\"]Hi iRabbit,

Thanks for sharing!

wanted to meet the new principal but didn't have the chance.

ds2 has a great time at the open house booths .

You DS2 also joining ? Haven't got a chance to meet the new P. Hopefully the school can update existing parents of the new changes too.

ds2 is keen to join too but he has no MO awards.[/quote]You never try, you never know.

[iRabbit]

Moontan:

iRabbit:

Without getting into details, I summarised what was shared as liking the pedagogy of the sch which is unique. I spoke to 4 Y1 ex-geppers (don't want to say which sch coz must respect privacy) as they were manning the booth.

To me, how the msg was communicate is as impt as what the msg was. Those were 4 earnest kids.

One of them must be your kid. They presented themselves very well.

While I don't expect my son to be brimming with leadership qualities, I'm quite particular that he should at least exude confidence befitting that of a young child (like some ACS kids I came across). These are the qualities I look out for when I talked to students during OH.

[iRabbit]

dagong99:

Haven't got chance to really see the new P, hopefully can see her on this coming Speech Day. :evil:

Which booth did you go ? I know quite a number geppers joined NUSH.

Don't really want to id the booth. I think all booths were well-manned.

[Miracle Child]

Just to share on the journey that we went thru with our DS last year…if it is useful to anyone. My DS was ex gepper and offered COs from a few schools. We went through the decision process with DS. It was a tough decision but we respected his choice. He was very firm with his decision with NUSH. He is very happy in school; enjoying the curriculum and overall experience.


What I like about the school:-
1. Very dedicated and caring teachers. DS had tummy aches in the first 2 weeks; mentor teacher was concerned whether it was stress from new school or curriculum. She called me to discuss. I and impressed with the level of thoughtfulness. (DS was just having some gastrointestinal problems and not stress induced haha).
2. So far, DS peers are a nice lot. No unhealthy competition.
3. Curriculum is of sufficient depth and hands on (for the sciences) which DS enjoys.
4. Modular system and students are assessed throughout the semester via quizzes, tests n of cos end of semester exams. But the quizzes and tests are ways to assess how the child is coping and areas of weakness. Personally (just my own view), it is a better way to guage a child’s ability through continual assessments than one big-bang exam.
5. The school recognises every kid is different in abilities and so there will be opportunities for acceleration (not that my DS is in it) and collaborating with teachers on specific ideas/projects/initiatives.

[yap_susan]

I called NUS high to check about Maths Olympaid awards. Apparently the screening test is a determinant. Seems awards are not so important as a criteria. Have , have. Don’t have also never mind.

[Gxmas]

Moontan:

Gxmas:

I thought that has always been the practice? There is currently a supplementary intake exercise for students using their PSLE results, no? Sorry I am not able to understand what the change is...

In the past, 90% of the 170 vacancies will be via DSA, the remaining 10% will be via PSLE result. Now it is changed to 100% via DSA. The supplementary intake now I believe is for the vacancies that are not taken by the students who are given confirmed offer.

Thank you, Moontan! I thought the supplementary intake exercise was due to vacancies available after DSA. Didn't know those seats were deliberately left for students using PSLE results.

[Gxmas]

yap_susan:

I called NUS high to check about Maths Olympaid awards. Apparently the screening test is a determinant. Seems awards are not so important as a criteria. Have , have. Don't have also never mind.

Yes, that's what the principal said too...the selection test and subsequent camp are the most important. But I am puzzled then... the relevant awards must mean something, no? Otherwise why would schools, including NUSH conduct such competitions which require resources? If nothing else matters besides the tests results, then what is the purpose of providing information on achievements? That would only increase the workload of the DSA process.... I agree if a student performs well for the tests, the test results would supersede all other results. But it can't be simply based on solely the test results....?