School Of The Arts, Singapore
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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: -
SOTAmusic:
Sota parents - would u clarify this point and correct me.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
There is an exit point at y4 should dc want to switch to A levels. Am I right? What are your thoughts?
TQIA -
no, there is no exit point to do the A-levels. SOTA’s IB is a 6-year through train programme.
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ChiefKiasu:
:congrats:fushiavl:
results are out on the portal (see under application status)- DS has a confirmed offer (visual arts)- so pleased!!
Congrats, fushiav! My little Ms CKS also got a CO for theatre. Looks like they'll be schoolmates. -
Can I be echo chamber?
:congrats: -
ChiefKiasu:
:congrats: Chief! Your DD impressive to know what she wants and to work towards it. All the best for her PSLE! :rahrah: :rahrah: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. -
SOTA parents… i understand SOTA does not have CCA. One of the benefits of CCA is that it fosters interaction among students in different classes and level and creates an opportunity for the kid to learn new skills in a team…
I am wondering if SOTA has something similar ? Perhaps on an informal basis?
Appreciate your feedback. Thanks -
Oldgal:
SOTA parents.. i understand SOTA does not have CCA. One of the benefits of CCA is that it fosters interaction among students in different classes and level and creates an opportunity for the kid to learn new skills in a team...
I am wondering if SOTA has something similar ? Perhaps on an informal basis?
Appreciate your feedback. Thanks
my gal only gg sota next year... my understanding is that they would have lots of opportunity to co-mingle when they do their art form... like rehearsals and stuff like that... and during the sharing session at talent academy, the boys said they would gather around to play sports etc as well and won some competitions for some ball games... can't rmbr which.
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To Oldgal
There is no time for CCA, as Art Form takes up a lot of time for actual lessons and practice. Each academic class is a combi of all departments ie music, dance, theatre, VA, LA. When they go into their Art Form lessons, they meet students of same Art form, across their year (8 classes), seniors (years 3-6) and junior (year 1).
This year, for Integrated Arts, my son’s choice of topic landed him up with students from other Art Forms of same year. As my son is in Music, I can share that his string orchestra is made up of different musicians (violinists, cellists, violas) from Year 1-6. Each musician has different levels of abilities and creativity. Vocalists and other music students join different groups each year for ensembles, percussion groups, choral etc and put up annual showcases. Last year, the music students in his class collaborated for end of year open house for their parents - the instrumentalists accompanied the vocalists in their own unique program. Hence there are plenty of opportunities for relationship and team building similar to CCA in MS schools. Finally there are also the annual camps such as kayaking camps where seniors organise the meals and logistics, for the entire Year 2. For SOTA annual Open House for public, they also volunteer their services as ushers, logistics, presentation, etc and there are plentiful opportunities to work with other students … and many many students of sota volunteer, for reasons as they love to stay in SOTA, they love to make new friends (especially of opposite sex) and they love to participate in non structured schedules. This is also a reason why it is rumoured that SOTA students have very long hours, but if DC doesn’t volunteer for events such as Open House, Racial Harmony day, National Day Fireworks, Teachers Day, etc celebrations, the demands of time is actually minimal
Hope this helps -
On top of all those mentioned by SOTAmusic, the seniors also have CAS activities like touch rugby, which are held after school hours at the rooftop. Any one can sign up (no need to have prior training or played competitively).
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