* Nanyang JC (NYJC)
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stetan:
Yes you are right that NYJC is an established JC that has been running for close to 40 years. Alright, I know that your point is that the ex-principal has definitely played an integral role in shaping what NYJC is today. I am not disputing on that note. However, my point is that the change in NYJC's principal would not affect too much on NY. As you have said, the culture has been there since the 1970s. Surely, NYJC is strong and established enough to adapt to changes and in fact, adapt it well.
I am not disputing that it can be a team effort. I am just highlighting the fact that Mr Kwek must have played a pivotal role in ensuring NYJC's success. If not, prior to Mr Kwek, why was NYJC performance only mediocre under previous principals ? Please note that NYJC is an old JC with tens of years of history but has only gain relative success when Mr Kwek took over. It would be absolutely unfair to play down Mr Kwek's contribution when he had done so muchmindays:
The ex-principal has said that NYJC's success is not entirely a one-man show, it's not just because of the principal, but the organisation structure, the team of NYJC, the staff. The transition of principal is a smooth one, and that Mr Kwek (ex-principal) will assist in the handover of duties. Furthermore, the staff, SMCs (backed by Mr Wee Chow Yaw), Chinese clans, etc are still intact. So, if the change of principal is a considerable factor to select NYJC, I will think it is akin to making a mountain out of a molehill. Other factors should be more important, for example the culture of the college, is it comfortable to study and learn. After all, JC is nothing but a short 2 years journey.!mindays:
I am not too sure why you think your analysis is rational. I was in the pioneer batch of RJC. We don't have any seniors as well and we did not need them to assist in our academics. We formed our own study groups, tackled ten year series together, booked appointments to consult with teachers and all of us passed A levels with flying colours. I am not saying that seniors are not important but with top students, they played lesser a part as top students are typically quite well directed and motivated, so having seniors or not will not make any serious impact. It certainly did not impact me or my cohort. I would say that the principal and teachers do make a bigger impact and if you have looked at the credentials of EJC's teachers, they are amongst the best.
Alright, allow me to provide a rational analysis:
Not all students from IP JCs are top performing. They may have taken their PSLEs and scored with flying colours (250+), however, are they able to transit into a JC that is new, that has NO seniors to assist in academic related issues? From what I know in other JCs, they have seniors to help them should they have difficulties in a subject. Even other IP JCs such as Raffles and Hwa Chong have Year Sixes to assist. So I am aware of parents' (like you and I) concerns. Just to share an article, http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/about-6-of-students-likely-to-not-finish-ip
This article was published recently, and it suggests that 6% of them drop out. So my point is, not all students who have scored well in their PSLEs are a definite stellar in their exam performance. Of course, the pros of Eunoia JC is that it comprises of Cat High, St nicks and SCGS which used to be top O level schools, when they had the O lvl stream only.
!
Even with 6% dropouts of the initial cohort from the 3 sec school of 420, it is only 25 people. Is that really a huge number of students to claim that the entire cohort is \"not on par\" ? This is quite a sweeping statement, no?
Even at RI and HCI, did the 6% dropout rate caused any significant drop in A level performance of the school? Their A level results are still stellar
As you have said, you were the pioneer batch of RJ, and you have shared your opinion. I admire and respect your hard work. That's on the assumption that the current strawberry generation is like you. I doubt so, most of the gen Z are heavily spoonfed by us (parents). We used to not have tuitions but look what it is today? A tuition nation. Times have changed. We are in 2017 now, trends are different, it is the modern era. I still remembered my time in VJ back in the 1980s, the academic stress is definitely not as much as what I am seeing my colleagues' DS or DD are currently facing in a JC curriculum. My point is, the conditions of what could be done 30 years ago, may not be aptly applied in the modern era. Sure, consultations, study groups can still be held, but if you have seniors that can not only help you in studies, but CCAs, experience related problems, I don't see why having seniors is not a great incentive to have. Do you agree? I mean given a choice, do you want to enter a school with seniors? Cross your heart and ask yourself.
On a side note, credentials of the teachers in EJC are most likely on par with the teachers in other JCs. Since EJC is still a JC under MOE, a government JC, teachers deployed should be fair to the other JCs, not only to NYJC, but also VJC, NJC, ... all JCs. Moreover, HOD posts are usually held by teachers with higher specifications or credentials. An ordinary JC teacher must have the very least Honors degree, so not to worry for all JC teachers in Singapore. Furthermore, all the teachers would have gone through NIE, so I don't think there's much of a difference in teaching standards. EJC shows the qualifications of their teachers, other JCs keep mum. This doesn't mean that other JCs have \"poorer\" standard in the teaching force. For example in NY, the science and math departments are very strong and dedicated. The teachers are experienced, one of them is my former classmate in VJ. -
duplicate…
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mindays:
My point is that Mr Kwek played an important pivotal role. If not , given NYJC long history, why did it only gain prominence when Mr Kwek was principal? Time will tell if NYJC can have continued sustained performance under the new principal, who surely have his own views ( that may be different from Mr Kwek's) on how he wants to manage the JC. Hopefully it will not be like last year premier league champion Lecister who this year is languishing at the bottom of the table.. Lecister glory was indeed shortlived.
Yes you are right that NYJC is an established JC that has been running for close to 40 years. Alright, I know that your point is that the ex-principal has definitely played an integral role in shaping what NYJC is today. I am not disputing on that note. However, my point is that the change in NYJC's principal would not affect too much on NY. As you have said, the culture has been there since the 1970s. Surely, NYJC is strong and established enough to adapt to changes and in fact, adapt it well..
To add on, the current EJC principal was from SRJC. When she was at SRJC, the cutoff points decreased substantially from mid 1x to very low 1x. Since she left SRJC, I believe the cutoff point has slowly crept up again ? This highlight the importance of a good principal. And I believe that is why MOE chose her as the principal for EJC.mindays:
Given a chance, it does not matter to me if the school has seniors or not. You are overhyping the importance of senior reallyAs you have said, you were the pioneer batch of RJ, and you have shared your opinion. I admire and respect your hard work. That's on the assumption that the current strawberry generation is like you. I doubt so, most of the gen Z are heavily spoonfed by us (parents). We used to not have tuitions but look what it is today? A tuition nation. Times have changed. We are in 2017 now, trends are different, it is the modern era. I still remembered my time in VJ back in the 1980s, the academic stress is definitely not as much as what I am seeing my colleagues' DS or DD are currently facing in a JC curriculum. My point is, the conditions of what could be done 30 years ago, may not be aptly applied in the modern era. Sure, consultations, study groups can still be held, but if you have seniors that can not only help you in studies, but CCAs, experience related problems, I don't see why having seniors is not a great incentive to have. Do you agree? I mean given a choice, do you want to enter a school with seniors? Cross your heart and ask yourself. .
. In today's competitive school environment where everybody is scrambling to do their best, how much time do you think your over-taxed seniors is going to give you ? Are your seniors so free to give you tuition when they themselves are hardpressed for time going for tution in tuition centers themselves too? These seniors (JC2) also do not have any seniors(JC3) to guide them but they coped too, right ?
What I am saying is your ultimate success depends on your personal drive and motivation. Students from top school are generally very self-driven. And I think it is uncalled for ,for you to labeled students in this generation as \"strawberries\". I have come across many many students that are certainly not what you described.mindays:
I do not doubt that all JC teachers are good. I am just saying based on the published credentials of the EJC teachers, they are indeed quite impressive and have vast years of experience.On a side note, credentials of the teachers in EJC are most likely on par with the teachers in other JCs. Since EJC is still a JC under MOE, a government JC, teachers deployed should be fair to the other JCs, not only to NYJC, but also VJC, NJC, ... all JCs. Moreover, HOD posts are usually held by teachers with higher specifications or credentials. An ordinary JC teacher must have the very least Honors degree, so not to worry for all JC teachers in Singapore. Furthermore, all the teachers would have gone through NIE, so I don't think there's much of a difference in teaching standards. EJC shows the qualifications of their teachers, other JCs keep mum. This doesn't mean that other JCs have \"poorer\" standard in the teaching force. For example in NY, the science and math departments are very strong and dedicated. The teachers are experienced, one of them is my former classmate in VJ.
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mindays:
Somebody mentioned in a previous post that the top 5 JCs are all IP JCs. Is there a reason for this ? The reason why these JCs are top were because of the quality of their cohort, which was mainly from their respective top IP secondary schools. If these students were not performing at their potential of being PSLE top scorers previously, I am sure the rankings of these IP JCs would have tanked big time.
Not all students from IP JCs are top performing. They may have taken their PSLEs and scored with flying colours (250+), however, are they able to transit into a JC that is new, that has NO seniors to assist in academic related issues? From what I know in other JCs, they have seniors to help them should they have difficulties in a subject. Even other IP JCs such as Raffles and Hwa Chong have Year Sixes to assist. So I am aware of parents' (like you and I) concerns. Just to share an article, http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/about-6-of-students-likely-to-not-finish-ip
This article was published recently, and it suggests that 6% of them drop out. So my point is, not all students who have scored well in their PSLEs are a definite stellar in their exam performance. Of course, the pros of Eunoia JC is that it comprises of Cat High, St nicks and SCGS which used to be top O level schools, when they had the O lvl stream only.
Nevertheless, all the best to all applicants!
Similarly, EJC being an IP college will also be able to attain great heights since their cohort is equally competent from 3 top IP secondary schools as well.
On a side note, have you ever wonder why the non-IP JCs ( including NYJC), despite their commendable efforts, has not make the top echelon? -
EthanEthan:
I think the quality of student does make a big different in the performance of jc and seem like it is co-related to the PSLE T-score. The performance of RI/HCI is a very good example…DHS too..the better performance of VJC as compared to NJC may be also due to their bigger cohort of IP student??...with the strong feeder school of VS/Cedar, I can foresee VJC overtaking NJC…I guess in no time (a few years) EJC will also be among the top JCs. There is a reason why more and more JC is taking on the IP route.
Somebody mentioned in a previous post that the top 5 JCs are all IP JCs. Is there a reason for this ? The reason why these JCs are top were because of the quality of their cohort, which was mainly from their respective top IP secondary schools. If these students were not performing at their potential of being PSLE top scorers previously, I am sure the rankings of these IP JCs would have tanked big time.
Similarly, EJC being an IP college will also be able to attain great heights since their cohort is equally competent from 3 top IP secondary schools as well.
On a side note, have you ever wonder why the non-IP JCs ( including NYJC), despite their commendable efforts, has not make the top echelon?
That’s why I say the achievement of NYJC is remarkable considering they only take in O level students…however my question is it due to the A level results achieved or just perception (since we do not have the detail data to have a holistic comparison) … -
stetan:
True. An analogy is like President Trump taking over President Obama. The whole scenario changes......obviously trump do not agree with many things Obama had implemented. The chief commanding officer, in this case the principal sets the tone for the school
My point is that Mr Kwek played an important pivotal role. If not , given NYJC long history, why did it only gain prominence when Mr Kwek was principal? Time will tell if NYJC can have continued sustained performance under the new principal, who surely have his own views ( that may be different from Mr Kwek's) on how he wants to manage the JC. Hopefully it will not be like last year premier league champion Lecister who this year is languishing at the bottom of the table.. Lecister glory was indeed shortlived.
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UBKmom
I wrote about the JC's meteoric rise some time back.
https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=68179&p=1685741&hilit=Mindays#p1685741
I attributed to:
1. Lack of choices in Central planning zone for those in the 5-7pt bracket.
2. Availability of niche prog like Chinese Language elective prog in JCs within this vicinity
Someone added 3. Accessibility of JC (right beside Lor Chuan mrt)
These factors probably compelled some past and present Central district's top school students in that 5-7 pt bracket (meaning they couldn't make it to RI @BISHAN) to pick NYJC or even AJC.
The above choice pattern may persist for 2 more years, as EJC is at Mt Sinai till end 2019. Therefore, some 5-7 pointers from the Central area may still opt for NYJC out of sheer convenience.
Having said that, there will still be others who don't mind the longer commute, even though NYJC is right at their doorstep. For one, the 3 feeder schools' own O level track students (many of whom have been with their full schools since P1) may ditch an 'alien' JC like NYJC, effective 2017, so as to be with their peers (incl. their beloved bros and sis from the IP TRACK). I won't be surprised the 3 Ps have internally marketed EJ to their flock esp the top o level classes.
OT:
Quite frankly, if I were a 6-pointer from SNGS, live in Amk, and cannot make it to RI or HCI, why would I want to go to NYJC which attracts a motley crew of top kids from neighbourhood sec schools and CCHM/CCHY (whose express COPs are lower than SNGS'). Of course I will follow my IP sisters for solidarity's sake. After all I hv gone thru thick n thin with them via my CCA or since P1 (as mentioned, all 3 feeder schools are FULL schools with a rich heritage, strong bond and powerful alumni). We share the same background. Isn't it cosier to flock with the same feathers and do PW with the 'kim geks', 'ladies' and 'gentlemen'? Haha.
There're certain unquantifiable, intangible factors that come into play when pp select schools, if given a situation where 2 or 3 JCs' COPs are comparable. :evil:
Well anyway it is always good to have more choices in the same district. Diff JCs cater to diff pp. IPJCs are not exactly the same as normal govt JCs. They come populated with a large well-primed continent of early bloomers, self-driven high achievers from day 1 of yr 5. The remaining seats are for newbies who relish this sort of competitive and somewhat cliquish environment. -
Well said…however OTOT…I have seen parents who chose NJC over SNGS although the latter is just at the house’s doorstep. The parent has no confidence in the new EJC.
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Imp75:
Well said....however OTOT...I have seen parents who chose NJC over SNGS although the latter is just at the house's doorstep. The parent has no confidence in the new EJC.
The oldest JC vs the newest JC. -
I might just do the same for my younger ones. This parent does have a point.
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