Nanyang Primary

[Mvm]

BigDevil:

P3 parents...any class received GEP screening outcome yet?

yes!!

[VooVoo]

How many students pass round 1 this year?

[Sinny]

What CCA is recommended?


Some people tell me Arts, chess, green club not much use…but my child quite like Art and Green club…

What about english speech and drama and chinese speech and drama? Does it help in child’s development?

[Zappy]

CCA is only needed from P4.


My personal opinion is that as long as it’s interesting enough for the kid, then it’s fine. If the kid is interested in Art or Green Club, I think it’s good. Rather than impose a CCA to him/ her which is "of use" but there’s no interest there at all.

Unless the intention is to be in the school teams for future DSA, CCA by itself is not counted other than participation noted in the report books.

[Sinny]

Zappy,


So after all, is CCA very important component in primary school years? I am kinda confused as some parents actually start their children at P1…so I was thinking it seemed kind of important? If we are not going for DSA, then do you think any CCA is alright? so long as child is interested? Cos for me I dont want my child to dread going for CCA, rather have on that is enjoyable.

Do you hv any interesting cca to recommend…?

[Zappy]

I think this is a very individual decision (for both parents/ kids). Some want to focus academically, some want a well-rounded education while others want an activity to keep their kids busy or to help them in one way or another (DSA or academically, eg. Chess/ Maths).


Officially, you are encouraged to take up a CCA only in P4. I don’t think there’s really any major penalty if you don’t - maybe only the CCA portion in report book is left blank (not sure). Note that this P4 CCA is usually the type of CCA that we (our era) are used to. Go there and play/ march/ dance/ plant trees and mix around with friends once a week. There will be teachers in charge but not serious training.

The ones that you are referring to probably intend or are aiming for school teams/ competitions. They enrol in enrichment classes (internal or external) so that the kids are already beyond the basics and able to join competitions/ teams in P3 and beyond. They will represent the schools in Nationals or Singapore Youth Festival competitions. Of course, this will look better relatively in the report book but there’re a lot more sacrifice in time/ resources (remember J Schooling but lesser extent of course).

My personal view is that joining a CCA is good. If the child is able to represent school in SYF or National Track & Field competitions or Soccer or Chess… I see that as having a positive impact (experience, pride, achievement, learning how to manage time, etc). But as I said, this is purely an individual perspective.

Also, as you mentioned, it is important that the kid wants to do it. No point the parents forcing their long-lost unachieved aims / ambitions onto the shoulders of the child & expecting to get their lost glory through their children.

Most of the kids I see enjoy their CCA’s though, so I’d say go ahead and let him/ her join. You can always change/ quit/ talk to the teacher if it doesn’t work out time-wise/ academically-wise/ interest-wise.

[BigDevil]

Hi Sinny,


First, CCA is not compulsory in Primary school though it is encouraged.
Some of my daughter’s classmates stopped going to CCA entirely when they were
overwhelmed by their workload.

Second, I think most parents have it wrong. CCA is meant to get the children to develop
an interest in sports/activities, and a chance for the children to socialise outside the classroom environment.
It is not meant as a mean to get into the parents’ desired Secondary school.

So please stop thinking whether CCA is important or not. Rather, sit down with your child and
discuss which CCA interests him the most and let him enjoy himself.

PS. unfortunately, some popular CCA, such as badminton, have restricted participation. Your child will be assessed for his potential during the CCA selection exercise.

[dimsum]

BD,

I thought CCA is compulsory in NY fr P4 onwards?

[dimsum]

BD,

I thought CCA is compulsory in NY fr P4 onwards?

[dimsum]

VooVoo:

How many students pass round 1 this year?

I heard it was alot. Should be more than past 3 years.