DSA 2017
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Let me share our DS DSA journey last year. We have been a beneficiary and thankful of DSA system, DS will not be in IP school if there is no DSA. He has a knack in maths, but did very poorly in CL, as our family does not know Chinese and only relay on tutor. True enough, his PSLE score dragged down by his CL result and way below cut off points for any IP school. Fortunately, DS had received 2 COs from IP school. Yes, we held both COs until the last week of preference form… the reason is we were not able to decide which schools to choose, both are good schools and if we had only 1 CO, we would gladly take it without hesitation. One school suits my DS strength and interests better but the problem, it will add his commute time daily by almost 2 hours (to and from). It means less rest and less study time with more subjects in sec school, we worried that he won’t be able to stay afloat in a school, full of smart(er) students. At the end, heart wins over logic, DS took the plunge to accept CO from the far away school. Fast forward, after 8 months journey with the school, we have no regrets at all. Yes, DS spent 12 hours away from home for 4 days/weeks, but the school is caring and he enjoys the friendship there. We came to find out that his PSLE score is one of the lowest (or even the lowest) in his class. However, our worries so far unfounded, he did well in his first semester there, even better results than some students with 15+ marks higher PSLE score than his. He still struggled in CL but at least he still managed to pass. DS eager to go to school every morning and like to do his team project works even on the school off days. Thus I think it’s very important to choose school where your child interests and strength lies…
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The generous sharing of the parents on this forum encouraged me to share our DSA story as well.
DS and I opted for DSA route for many reasons besides securing a place in our choice secondary school. We went for open houses starting from P5 but still could not decide on THE school for DS. Through the DSA, we wanted to have a better understanding of the schools and their culture. Through the DSA, we wanted the schools to assess if DS is a good fit for their school, since they are the "experts" with their many years of DSA experience. Through the DSA, we wanted the school to make the decision for us since we are undecided on THE school. Of course, we agreed with DS beforehand that we are open to either schools should either one offers. Through the DSA, we wanted the school to develop him in the domain he has opted for, if successful. Hence, we were very careful even in the domain we went for as it has to be one he is passionate about. As parents, we understand our DC the best. We have walked with DS in his primary school years and knew he is suited for the IP program. We wanted a school that could stretch him to his fullest potential and we didn’t want to risk it to one exam, the PSLE.
So, have we gotten all the answers we were looking for from this DSA? Not quite, as we are still waiting. But whatever the outcome, to DS and us, this DSA has been a worthwhile journey. Every test, every interview he attends, is an experience he adds to his experience bag. -
ryka:
Let me share our DS DSA journey last year. We have been a beneficiary and thankful of DSA system, DS will not be in IP school if there is no DSA. He has a knack in maths, but did very poorly in CL, as our family does not know Chinese and only relay on tutor. True enough, his PSLE score dragged down by his CL result and way below cut off points for any IP school. Fortunately, DS had received 2 COs from IP school. Yes, we held both COs until the last week of preference form... the reason is we were not able to decide which schools to choose, both are good schools and if we had only 1 CO, we would gladly take it without hesitation. One school suits my DS strength and interests better but the problem, it will add his commute time daily by almost 2 hours (to and from). It means less rest and less study time with more subjects in sec school, we worried that he won't be able to stay afloat in a school, full of smart(er) students. At the end, heart wins over logic, DS took the plunge to accept CO from the far away school. Fast forward, after 8 months journey with the school, we have no regrets at all. Yes, DS spent 12 hours away from home for 4 days/weeks, but the school is caring and he enjoys the friendship there. We came to find out that his PSLE score is one of the lowest (or even the lowest) in his class. However, our worries so far unfounded, he did well in his first semester there, even better results than some students with 15+ marks higher PSLE score than his. He still struggled in CL but at least he still managed to pass. DS eager to go to school every morning and like to do his team project works even on the school off days. Thus I think it's very important to choose school where your child interests and strength lies...
:thankyou: for sharing. I have sent you pm hope you won't mind -
myteapot:
The generous sharing of the parents on this forum encouraged me to share our DSA story as well.
DS and I opted for DSA route for many reasons besides securing a place in our choice secondary school. We went for open houses starting from P5 but still could not decide on THE school for DS. Through the DSA, we wanted to have a better understanding of the schools and their culture. Through the DSA, we wanted the schools to assess if DS was a good fit for their school, since they are the \"experts\" with their many years of DSA experience. Through the DSA, we wanted the school to make the decision for us since we were undecided on THE school. Of course, we agreed with DS beforehand that we are open to either schools should either one offers. Through the DSA, we wanted the school to develop him in the domain he has opted for, if successful. As parents, we understand our DC the best. We have walked with DS in his primary school years and knew he was suited for the IP program. We wanted a school that could stretch him to his fullest potential and we didn't want to risk it to one exam, the PSLE.
So, have we gotten all the answers we were looking for from this DSA? Not quite, as we are still waiting. But whatever the outcome, to DS and us, this DSA has been a worthwhile journey. Every test, every interview he attends, is an experience he adds to his experience bag.
Fully agree with your statement, every interview they attend, is an experience he attends. The outcome is a what we hope for but the journey is hard to come by. DC grow stronger with each of this experience and puts them in better stead then when they first started the journey. Whatever reasons each parent may have, is really to allow each DC to have their potential better nurtured.
Each school is guided through the leadership of the school and hence while all schools are good, they are differentiated and may not be good fit for DC. Hence the DSA journey has allowed DC to analyse, find out from friends (seniors), be familiarise with what to expect in their secondary years. I was able to see DS mature in the process and with the DSA, we can see his passion. While there is deliberation further among the many advices and concerns, a friend shared - this could be a good time for them to be responsible if they have options. They will have to stick through their choice. As parents, the filter has been done, the job is theirs to carry on now. -
Before this year, I did not think my DD should bother with DSA, as PSLE route looks appropriate for her. Then we attended several top schools’ open house and hear from the principals that DSA intake is 50% of cohort, and it hit me that DSA was the main reason why PSLE COP has gone through the roof. I recall pre-DSA days the top 5 schools COP seldom touches 260. Schools such as ACS, SCGS, Cedar, St Nic etc were usually in 240+ range. My guess is that the schools were "chope-ing" students in 240 to 270 range, hence by the time of PSLE S1 posting, the COP naturally gets bumped up by 5 to 10 points for each school.
Another clue is that top 10% of PSLE score should be around 250 - 255, so one has to wonder how does it make sense that so many schools have COP above the 10% PSLE mark?
As such, I thought that if my DD does not play this game, then we are not acting rationally. However, after hearing of DSA students’ suicide cases, my mind is very clear that if my DD is not academically within top 10% of cohort (judging by her prelim results), then she better not squeeze her way in as this will mean years of low self-esteem in her important teenage years. Coming from a top 5 schools I appreciate the pressure is unrelenting if one is not academically inclined. Even loads of cramming will not help a student who simply find it tough to internalize abstract concepts quickly, and the time spent on cramming will take away from other aspects of the child’s growth, such as social skills, which is probably not a good idea.
So I am glad that MOE is finally moving to contain the DSA monster, for it has created much more problem for everyone with very little benefits to the students. Better to go back to original PSLE posting system and keep DSA to a minimum. -
We have been considering and made up our mind to DSA in P6 with DS’s school’s encouragement.
At first my kiasu cells made me want to apply for 3 schools and I convinced my DS and daddy with this idea. But after having attended these 3 schools’ open house, DS was motivated by 2 of them and showed his strong eagerness to join them. Because of this. we decided to DSA to only these 2 schools that our DS equally likes.
The DSA journey is challenging and fun. It’s not only a journey to know the school, to let the school to know our DS, but also a journey to let our DS to know about himself, who he is and what he wants. I still remember when first time I asked my son who he is, his answer includes his name, his school, which domain he applied. His father laughed out loudly and said,” Are you sure this is you? Then who is that boy who did the science experiment and messed our kitchen? Who is that boy built us a little garden? Who is that boy who loves sports, nature …” Now, after the DSA journey, if you let my DS to introduce himself, he will tell you who truly he is.
The two schools we applied are very different, both have their strong points and weakness. If the school can help us make the decision with one CO only which will be a bit loss (due to my kiasu cells) but also a big release. But if DS will have 2 COs, it will be a very difficult decision for us to make. Too many things we must compare because this will be a 6-year long journey that a teenager will go through.
The most important thing in 2017 to DS, is still PSLE. As his father said to him,” It’s your duty to close your primary school life with a beautiful full stop. “ -
Will the results be released on 31st Aug? Even though it’s Teacher’s Day
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pastelthemes:
Will the results be released on 31st Aug? Even though it's Teacher's Day
For RGS, the website states 30 Aug. Don't know about the rest. -
pastelthemes:
Will the results be released on 31st Aug? Even though it's Teacher's Day
Usually, will be released on Wed half-day 10.30 am Teacher day celebration (30 aug), one day before actual Teacher's day holiday (31 aug), no school.
Next Fri (1 Sep) : hari raya haji, public holiday
Next week is a short week (2.5 days of school), exciting for those awaiting news.
This Aug month : a lot of e-learning days -
Sorry may I ask a question that was already discussed before but it didn’t quite register with me.
1) If one gets a CO, puts 1st choice, means definitely will get into the school?
2) If one gets 1 CO and 1 WL, but prefers the second school, under the option form how should one indicate>?
1st choice WL school
2nd choice CO school
If in this instance, does it mean that the CO is no longer guaranteed as didn’t put first choice?
Thank you in advance.
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