Raffles Girls' School (Secondary) [*IP]

[Juz Mum]

GreenA:

The most reliable way to answer questions such as RA subject intake and class allocation is to check class allocation table for the previous year. Login to inet student portal, go to Admin Info -> Time Table -> 2016 TT.


For the difference of topics covered in RA and RP classes, parents can check Scheme Of Work for individual subjects. Again at inet student portal, go to Academic Info -> Curriculum_Maps_Scheme_of_Work_Assessment_Framework. All subjects are listed in each sub directories. Under each subject, there are subject map, scheme of work and assessment framework. The documents show topics covered for RP and RA. The subject folders are empty now. Documents for 2016 are cleared. Please be patient and wait for new documents for 2017 to be uploaded.

My DD1 is in Y3 Math RA. I find that her class pace is very fast. One set of worksheet, about 10+ pages, covers a few chapters' worth of content of a normal textbook. They started at Algebra at the beginning of the year, by the end of the year, they have swept passed the Intermediate Algebra and advanced into Pre-calculus. There are brilliant students in the class. But for my DD1, she does feel pressured.

RA students are required to take extra enrichment class and participate in competition. This year, there are Saturday class from July to September. Students are to choose one of the two offered topics, Number Theory or Graph. DD1 choose number theory. I read her materials and find that I understand only first half of the topics. The second half I am totally lost. I don't know how she passed the exam. This contribute to 10% of score.

In Jun holiday, they were required use graphic calculator to draw functions. The lines and curves of all the functions join together to form a picture, with social meanings.

They were also required to participate in Math Stage Challenge. This contributes to 10% of their score.

By the end of the year, student need to achieve GPA of 2.8 for RA subject. Those who fall short of the requirement will be assessed by class teacher. The teacher will decide whether to let the student to continue RA in Y4.

First of all, thank you very much GreenA !
Your guided link on inet (which I didn't make effort to explore before this) is good piece of info!

May I also ask what is the purpose and usefulness of taking RA?

Thanks again

[GreenA]

Juz Mum:

First of all, thank you very much GreenA !
Your guided link on inet (which I didn't make effort to explore before this) is good piece of info!

May I also ask what is the purpose and usefulness of taking RA?

Thanks again

Dear JuzMum,

I skip your question in the previous post because I don't have good answer :oops:

What is the purpose of going for RA subject? The students who feel passionate about a subject can answer easily. But these students are rare. Most of the others feel hazy.

What is the usefulness of RA subject? I feel that this is an early preparation for JC, and also a chance to explore a subject deeper. However, I know only one subject. I am not sure if this is true for all others.

[GiftedGem]

Thanks for detailed sharing, Green A.

Hope yr DD is doing well in RA Math.

Bct Juz Mum,
My DD applied for RA for one simple reason - due to her conviction to work for this 'particular job' when she grows up.
She is passionate about going for this job since young and set forth her dream, hoping to be a step closer to her goal.
Though she has done well for this subject, she fully comprehends that the steep learning curve is expected and is willing to go for it ( as what Green A has graciously shared ). Prior to RA selection, DD's teacher has offered and recommended her for RA Math in Yr 3. Well, she loves and enjoys Math actually but her earnest passion was on the other subject. In the end, she declined the offer for RA Math and sat for the test and interview on the other subject instead. DD has shared with me on this link which it gives you an idea on the purpose and usefulness of RA. Hope it comes helpful.

https://rafflespress.com/2014/08/05/why-i-joined-the-raffles-academy/

[Book Worm]

GG, congrats on yr DD’s successful RA.

Looking at the list of RA applicants, the popularity subjects that the girls are vying for - Math, Chem & Bio.
Surprisingly, HCL did not see much takers this time round.

[Juz Mum]

GiftedGem:

Thanks for detailed sharing, Green A.

Hope yr DD is doing well in RA Math.

Bct Juz Mum,
My DD applied for RA for one simple reason - due to her conviction to work for this 'particular job' when she grows up.
She is passionate about going for this job since young and set forth her dream, hoping to be a step closer to her goal.
Though she has done well for this subject, she fully comprehends that the steep learning curve is expected and is willing to go for it ( as what Green A has graciously shared ). Prior to RA selection, DD's teacher has offered and recommended her for RA Math in Yr 3. Well, she loves and enjoys Math actually but her earnest passion was on the other subject. In the end, she declined the offer for RA Math and sat for the test and interview on the other subject instead. DD has shared with me on this link which it gives you an idea on the purpose and usefulness of RA. Hope it comes helpful.

https://rafflespress.com/2014/08/05/why-i-joined-the-raffles-academy/

Sorry for my late reply as I was away.

Congratulations :rahrah: GiftedGem to your DD on her RA application!
Thank you so much for the very generous sharing too!

If I did not read wrongly, from 2017 onwards, the school allows each pupil to take up only 1 RA subject?
If so, may I ask how would the school select the best suited subject for a child who applies for 2 subjects which are both her interest and strength?
For my DD, she has been in some math competitions etc. but she would prefer to take up 1 particular science RA, over Math, which she did well too but not in any competition etc.

Any advise or sharing please? Thank you!

[GiftedGem]

Thank you bookworm and juz mum.


One of dd's best frens made it successfully to HCL RA but was called off.
Her passion was HCL and she did not even apply for other RA subjects (which she could have made it easily) as she is a brilliant student and scores perfect GPA 4 for core 5 subjects. Though the news left her saddened and disappointed, she was embracing it well. A very strong girl I would commend

Yes, w.e.f 2017, the school can allow each student to take up 1 RA subject only.
Your DD can still apply 2 RAs max. Assume successful with the 2 RAs, she has to sacrifice 1 of the 2 RA subjects and choose the one she wants to go for since the new rule can allow for 1 RA only.

As for yr DD's strength and interest, you may want to engage her subject teachers as they are in better position to advise. As for the best suited subject, have a good talk with yr DD as she will know best what she wants. Just like my DD, she was fixated and 'glued' to the subject that she was hoping to enter. Thus, the best suited subject may not be well-fitted in this manner.

I know some of DD's classmates applied for both Math and Sci respectively. If yr DD's preference is Sci RA, just go for it.... She can try either 2 of 3 ( Chem / Bio / Physics ) . Tell yr DD to jiayou and all the best to her successful RA next year. Cheers.

[iFirefly]

Hi GiftedGem..


Congrats on your DD's successful RA offer(s)!! Got a feeling your gal's 'interest' is the same as my DS1's.

Do you know why RGS decides to allow students to take up only 1 RA from next year onwards ? Not sure if RI has this restriction too. Hope Just4Fun can enlighten us on this. :evil:

Btw, RI(JC) does not offer HCL RA in year-5/6. Perhaps, this could be the reason why RGS decides to cancel HCL RA for year-3/4. However, it would have been better if the school had informed the students before they apply for the course. Glad that your friend's DD is embracing the 'sad' news well. Hugs to her.. :hugs:

[Juz Mum]

GiftedGem:

Thank you bookworm and juz mum.


One of dd's best frens made it successfully to HCL RA but was called off.
Her passion was HCL and she did not even apply for other RA subjects (which she could have made it easily) as she is a brilliant student and scores perfect GPA 4 for core 5 subjects. Though the news left her saddened and disappointed, she was embracing it well. A very strong girl I would commend

Yes, w.e.f 2017, the school can allow each student to take up 1 RA subject only.
Your DD can still apply 2 RAs max. Assume successful with the 2 RAs, she has to sacrifice 1 of the 2 RA subjects and choose the one she wants to go for since the new rule can allow for 1 RA only.

As for yr DD's strength and interest, you may want to engage her subject teachers as they are in better position to advise. As for the best suited subject, have a good talk with yr DD as she will know best what she wants. Just like my DD, she was fixated and 'glued' to the subject that she was hoping to enter. Thus, the best suited subject may not be well-fitted in this manner.

I know some of DD's classmates applied for both Math and Sci respectively. If yr DD's preference is Sci RA, just go for it.... She can try either 2 of 3 ( Chem / Bio / Physics ) . Tell yr DD to jiayou and all the best to her successful RA next year. Cheers.

This is an excellent piece of sharing, GiftedGem! Thanks so much for your time and generosity.
It is going to help the girls make RA consideration better.
Sorry to hear of the unpleasant sudden called of HCL RA and what your DD's best friend had to go through. Nevertheless, that's the RG spirit, Move Forward and stay Positive

[mononoke]

Yngmng:

My DD is very interested in the Cogitare Club. During the open house, she was very impressed with activities. On which day of the week do the members stay back and until what time? Do they need to go back on Saturdays? Thanks!

When the Y1s go through CCA selection, they will get to have a look at all the different CCA timings and of course also try out for those they're interested in. But anyway, trainings should be Mondays (or if I remembered incorrectly then Tuesdays) and Thursdays 2:30-5:30, or something like that.
~rg student

[GiftedGem]

iFirefly:

Hi GiftedGem..


Congrats on your DD's successful RA offer(s)!! Got a feeling your gal's 'interest' is the same as my DS1's.

Do you know why RGS decides to allow students to take up only 1 RA from next year onwards ? Not sure if RI has this restriction too. Hope Just4Fun can enlighten us on this. :evil:

Btw, RI(JC) does not offer HCL RA in year-5/6. Perhaps, this could be the reason why RGS decides to cancel HCL RA for year-3/4. However, it would have been better if the school had informed the students before they apply for the course. Glad that your friend's DD is embracing the 'sad' news well. Hugs to her.. :hugs:

Hi iFF,
Thanks for the congrats note and sweet hug to DD's fren. It is nice to have you in RGS thread. I know you are active in RI thread and offer your sharings graciously to many parents there.

Amusing to know if yr DS1 and my DD have same interest in the particular subject or the job field?
I have no visibilty why RGS offers only 1 RA but a good move I would say. Assume a student is successful with 2 RAs, the 'give up' option will be passed to another student. In this way, the economics of opportunity plays a role for RGS to ensure that the scarcity of resources are used efficiently here.