School Of The Arts, Singapore

[SOTAmusic]

Yes, to add to Lexis' input, every subject there is 1-2 projects per year. Through this, my son learnt:-

1 to be pushed by the girls who are all more proactive and extrovert
2 to be independent and responsible for his deadlines as all emails go to them direct (note, they get their own email address which is [email protected])
3 to learn the mistakes of procrastination meaning if he forgot his deadline, he has to work till midnight to submit his project homework
4 to work with people, male and female, diligent and laid back. He learnt that if A didn't do his part, B couldn't continue, and B has to work with A whilst B tries to do as much as possible in the meantime, and then, come together with C and D to complete the recommendations
5 he saw how visual arts students do their share of projects with construction materials
6 he also learnt to do Integrated Arts projects, ie, play his instrument whilst the dance students dance to his music, collaborative effort
7 he learnt to articulate in oral presentations instead of swallowing his words
8 to be an active learner, to research instead of passively waiting to be spoonfed

so, students who are looking for the above areas, should pursue IB tracks

[Oldgal]

Thanks SOTAmusic and Lexis for insights to the current environment in SOTA. They are very helpful in our consideration.

[phtthp]

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2017/05/19/sota-student-defends-art-students-choice-of-dropping-art/

[limws1]

Another piece of advice. Save up for your child overseas study just in case. You have 6 years to save.

[ChiefKiasu]

Rivervalekid:

ChiefKiasu:

Congrats, fushiav! My little Ms CKS also got a CO for theatre. Looks like they'll be schoolmates.

:congrats: Chief!

Thanks fushiav and Rivervalekid. Ms CKS is very happy as this whole thing was her idea. She came back from school in April this year saying she wanted to go to SOTA, which surprised me as I thought she wanted to stay in St Nicks. I told her SOTA is IB and requires DSA to get in, but she seemed to have done her research about the programmes and really wanted to go to that school. So I told her to go find out about the whole process and apply for the DSA herself if she really wanted. She did exactly that, creating her own introductory video pulling together her certificates and other materials to build her own portfolio. She made us go for the SOTA Open house, where we saw over a thousand parents and kids who were interested in the school. When it came to the audition, she memorized and practiced the passage daily. The only thing she did not prepare for, (and its my fault as I did not expose her to any such material) was the GAT. She said it was hard. So I guess it was the interviews and auditions that helped her get this precious CO. I'm so happy for her.

[rstkiki]

ChiefKiasu:

Rivervalekid:

[quote=\"ChiefKiasu\"]Congrats, fushiav! My little Ms CKS also got a CO for theatre. Looks like they'll be schoolmates.

:congrats: Chief!

Thanks fushiav and Rivervalekid. Ms CKS is very happy as this whole thing was her idea. She came back from school in April this year saying she wanted to go to SOTA, which surprised me as I thought she wanted to stay in St Nicks. I told her SOTA is IB and requires DSA to get in, but she seemed to have done her research about the programmes and really wanted to go to that school. So I told her to go find out about the whole process and apply for the DSA herself if she really wanted. She did exactly that, creating her own introductory video pulling together her certificates and other materials to build her own portfolio. She made us go for the SOTA Open house, where we saw over a thousand parents and kids who were interested in the school. When it came to the audition, she memorized and practiced the passage daily. The only thing she did not prepare for, (and its my fault as I did not expose her to any such material) was the GAT. She said it was hard. So I guess it was the interviews and auditions that helped her get this precious CO. I'm so happy for her.[/quote]Such a motivated child with the initiative, drive and determination to pursue what she wants. Sounds like she will fit right into SOTA and thrive!

[ChiefKiasu]

rstkiki:

Such a motivated child with the initiative, drive and determination to pursue what she wants. Sounds like she will fit right into SOTA and thrive!

Yes, I am thankful for her. In fact, I don't feel stressed at all for her PSLE this year even before her CO. Not that I think she can score 250 and above - I'd be thankful if she can achieve 230. (Her Science and Math are her bugbears, but she excels in her languages.) Rather, it is because I know she is self-driven and will do what it takes to pursue her own dreams. So I think she did make a right choice to go to SOTA.

[EatNonStop]

Congrats to all parents and students with confirmation offer!

For those in the waiting list, fret not, generally the chance is high. Those that I known/heard in the waiting list last year were also selected into SOTA.

DD welcomes all year 1 in 2018!!

:congrats:

[taurbear]

SOTAmusic:

Hi firstly congrats to all who received CO. Welcome to SOTA, my DS is year 2 music.

Topics:-
(1) A levels vs IB - my son's writing skills are also average, which makes it really worth our while for him to do IB. SOTA trains them from year 1, English Language and Critical Thinking (ELCT), and especially if writing skills are not good, this is the correct track - we want to study what we are not good at, correct? A levels - my elder son is in a top boys' school, and next year he will be sitting for A levels, which is tons of memorising
(2) SOTA IB - ACSI was the first school to implement IB (under Principal Ong Teck Chin), and of course, with years of experience, they have found the secret to produce perfect scores. SOTA is getting there, but if you talk about value add, SOTA's PSLE cohorts are admitted solely based on Art Form talent, and PSLE scores rank lower in importance. For SOTA to produce scores of above 40 - is really value add, vs ACSI IB Track, in 2012, PSLE cut off points for this track was 255 points. So, likely, many of these >255 points boys, (and girls now too), should be able to achieve >43 points for IB
(3) SOTA teachers leaving - every school, there is a high turnover. Same for every commercial organisation. The Principal explained to parents already that this is the norm percentage
(4) SOTA environment - the school is meant for kids who love their art form, they live, breathe, eat their passion (Dance, Theatre, Music, etc). They love their teachers and schoolmates (years 1 to 6) who all speak the same language of music (etc), and have the same passion and drive. When you love your partner, you want to spend all your time with your partner/spouse, so this explains why SOTA kids stay so late in SOTA, certainly not because the teachers make them stay. But, my son in Music - his schedule ends:- Monday 5pm, Tuesday 730pm, Wednesday 430pm, Thursday 130pm, Friday 5pm. Which is the same as any other secondary school, so don't be alarmed by SOTA hours. Of course, same like sports meets seasons with extra trainings, some weeks, there could be a day or two extra for 730pm endings, but this is 3/52 weeks

Once again, for those who have CO to SOTA, if your kids have the passion (and SOTA recognised their talents), welcome

Sota parents - would u clarify this point and correct me.

There is an exit point at y4 should dc want to switch to A levels. Am I right? What are your thoughts?

TQIA

[lexis]

no, there is no exit point to do the A-levels. SOTA’s IB is a 6-year through train programme.