2016 PSLE Discussions (Born in 2004)

[zbear]

janet88:

IP syllabus, in my opinion is not for all kids even if they are motivated and disciplined.
as it is a through train to A levels, certain A level topics will be brought down to year 3 or 4. the child is expected to be mature to handle the challenge. with o levels, there is still breathing space but IP is demanding.

Janet, I hv 1 kid who graduated from IP school and 1 kid who graduated from O level school last year so I can tell the difference.

There are some PSLE students who meet the IP schools COP but are not disciplined or highly motivated enuf to meet the IP syabullus - they are the ones who struggle. But they are the minority.

There is nothing wrong introducing A level topics at Y3/Y4 - even then they are just a little. It's a good head start for them when they enter JC1 compared to O level students who have to struggle more in JC1. Do think of the long term - I always believe - why not struggle n work hard at the earlier stage n enjoy the fruits of your labor at the later stage.

Anyway, this is just my personal opinion. Different strokes for different folks. Everything boils down to what the parent n child wants in the long run n whether the child can cope. It's important to know one's strengths n limitations n work towards an achievable destination regardless of the journey - some take a shorter time, some take a longer time.

[BigDevil]

Belle:

Huh, for SCGS, the difference between IP and \"O\" IS 1 mark? Correct or not?
By the way, if can qualify for IP, do you suggest we opt to do IP or shall we select 'O' so that it is not so stressful?

http://s18.postimg.org/d00cli5pl/SCGS_COP.jpg\">

That's what I got from MOE SIS.

[What The]

BigDevil:

http://s18.postimg.org/d00cli5pl/SCGS_COP.jpg\">

That's what I got from MOE SIS.

Indeed for one reason or another, there are very smart students who opt for normal \"O\" level route instead of IP Programme. Be it for the CCA or to be a big fish in a small pond, I believe every students path ahead is still bright, as long as they continue to maintain a good learning attitude.

[reddiechan]

Belle:

janet88:

Without knowing what the results are, it is hard to decide on secondary schools. Maybe you want to get into xx school but yet placing hopes may just lead to disappointment. Even though my daughter has an affiliated secondary school, I am concerned whether she meets the COP too.

I agree that it is very hard to decide on secondary schools without the results. I know what is done is done and hence after each PSLE paper, we just concentrate on the next paper and not discuss those past papers as it would only cause distraction. Having said that, we have to eventually accept what comes along, i.e the result and what I am suggesting to our girl is that we could shortlist 1-2 schools for each range which has certain CCAs she may like, i.e for example for score from say >250 what would be the schools she would like to choose and for scores between 240 - 250, >230 and >220 etc. That would make it easier and less headache when the time comes.

Right now, both of us are clueless as to what each school's strength are and the CCAs they offer and the booklet was meant to provide us some ideas before the results are released and I personally think that it is good to involve our daughter in this process. I concur with Applecrumble's suggestion. I would be happy if she can do this on her own or she discuss with her friends because ultimately, she will be the one staying there. Although most schools' open houses are on 26th Nov, by having some ideas, she can attend some school's open houses that are held in the next few coming Saturdays.

Apologies to all that I backtrack a little, as I've just seen this post.

I got the same reaction with my boy 5 years ago, and then my girl this year - total disinterest in the booklet, and anxiety, to some extent, from me.

The funny thing about this time is that, while my girl was rather indifferent towards the guide book, my older boy picked it up and went through it in detail. And then he wondered why he is so interested himself now when she should be the one doing this.

Having gone through secondary school and knowing about other schools through CCA contact may have helped his understanding of the maze of schools in the country, after all, there are quite many. This, with the fact that he's not the one subjected to the fate of this exam, may be the reason why he would want to find out more about them.

I make the important choices for my children, in consultation with them. They are too young to make life choices at 12, so I believe it is my job as a parent to guide them through. We may have forgotten our own naivety at that age, after going through so much in life.

They'll grow up and want to find out things on their own and make their own choices soon enough, and when you have been there to guide their choices, they'll come back to you whenever they need help. Continual communication is essential to bringing up teens, IMHO.

[janet88]

reddiechan:

The funny thing about this time is that, while my girl was rather indifferent towards the guide book, my older boy picked it up and went through it in detail. And then he wondered why he is so interested himself now when she should be the one doing this.

Having gone through secondary school and knowing about other schools through CCA contact may have helped his understanding of the maze of schools in the country, after all, there are quite many. This, with the fact that he's not the one subjected to the fate of this exam, may be the reason why he would want to find out more about them.

I make the important choices for my children, in consultation with them. They are too young to make life choices at 12, so I believe it is my job as a parent to guide them through. We may have forgotten our own naivety at that age, after going through so much in life.

They'll grow up and want to find out things on their own and make their own choices soon enough, and when you have been there to guide their choices, they'll come back to you whenever they need help. Continual communication is essential to bringing up teens, IMHO.

:goodpost:
close communication cements a relationship with the kids...now that they are going into their pre-teens and teenager stage. we want, and also hope they come back to us.
strangely, my son picked up the sec school guide book, went through the schools & ccas in detail.
like you mentioned, he picked it up because he is 'not subjected to the fate of the exams', so there is no stress going through the schools and COPs.

[AppleCrumble]

reddiechan:

Apologies to all that I backtrack a little, as I've just seen this post.

I got the same reaction with my boy 5 years ago, and then my girl this year - total disinterest in the booklet, and anxiety, to some extent, from me.

The funny thing about this time is that, while my girl was rather indifferent towards the guide book, my older boy picked it up and went through it in detail. And then he wondered why he is so interested himself now when she should be the one doing this.

Having gone through secondary school and knowing about other schools through CCA contact may have helped his understanding of the maze of schools in the country, after all, there are quite many. This, with the fact that he's not the one subjected to the fate of this exam, may be the reason why he would want to find out more about them.

I make the important choices for my children, in consultation with them. They are too young to make life choices at 12, so I believe it is my job as a parent to guide them through. We may have forgotten our own naivety at that age, after going through so much in life.

They'll grow up and want to find out things on their own and make their own choices soon enough, and when you have been there to guide their choices, they'll come back to you whenever they need help. Continual communication is essential to bringing up teens, IMHO.

Agree with you, reddiechan. This is the same reason why I proposed to Belle to get her DD to run through the book and identify with her on the schools her DD is keen on and make plans to visit those schools with Open Houses.

I can understand the other view that it is rather difficult to choose schools when you/your child have no clue of how thePSLE result is going to be. Nonetheless, going through the book will give one a better feel what the secondary school scene is like. Attending Open Houses will allow one to have a better understanding on secondary school culture, environment, principal's leadership, etc. All the knowledge/experience acquired will definitely help when the time comes to choose a secondary school that your child will thrive in.

Even if your child's t-score is not what you expected (way higher or way lower) and there is a need to visit a few more secondary schools after the results are out, you will be more 'in-tune' of what to look out for to make last minute decisions.

It's always good to be prepared by doing your homework early....aka 'kiasu'... :rotflmao:

[What The]

Many schools are holding Open Houses, before PSLE release date.

Do go and take a look with your DC.

[nansk]

AppleCrumble:

Even if your child's t-score is not what you expected (way higher or way lower) and there is a need to visit a few more secondary schools after the results are out, you will be more 'in-tune' of what to look out for to make last minute decisions.

It's always good to be prepared by doing your homework early....aka 'kiasu'... :rotflmao:

Agreed. I marked out some nearby schools for dd to look at, underlined CCAs that she is interested in, marked the buses that she can take from our place, etc.

AppleCrumble:

Attending Open Houses will allow one to have a better understanding on secondary school culture, environment, principal's leadership, etc. All the knowledge/experience acquired will definitely help when the time comes to choose a secondary school that your child will thrive in.

We went to one open house last week and dd loved it. It seems out of her reach but at least she got a taste of secondary school CCAs and activities.

[Belle]

Thanks for the feedback from some parents.


I would like to find out from those parents with secondary children. What time usually do your children come back home from school every day? Do they have to stay back for many activities in the afternoon?

[Belle]

Thanks for the feedback from some parents.


I would like to find out from those parents with secondary children. What time usually do your children come back home from school every day? Do they have to stay back for many activities in the afternoon?