All About Parent Volunteers (PV)

[Venessa]

Hi all, is it possible to join a church or temple in order to become affiliated to the clan or religious bodies that the schools are affiliated with? Thank you

[zac's mum]

Venessa:

Hi all, is it possible to join a church or temple in order to become affiliated to the clan or religious bodies that the schools are affiliated with? Thank you

There's a separate forum thread for that. You can read up here: https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=243

[Berkhs]

Hello! I am new here and would like to know if anyone of you have joined Methodist Girls’ School as PV?

Is there an interview conducted?

[sjiagc]

Can an EP holder parent do PV in a primary school? I mean I am not a citizen or a PR holder but just have a work permit - Employment Pass.


Thanks in advance!

[zac's mum]

sjiagc:

Can an EP holder parent do PV in a primary school? I mean I am not a citizen or a PR holder but just have a work permit - Employment Pass.


Thanks in advance!

Your own status does not matter. What matters is your child's status: is he or she a citizen or PR or foreigner? Depending on which, he may or may not have a chance at Phase 2B. That's what you need to consider when applying for PV at whichever school. The balloting history of the school will give you a clue of your chances.

[galaxyraider]

sjiagc:

Can an EP holder parent do PV in a primary school? I mean I am not a citizen or a PR holder but just have a work permit - Employment Pass.


Thanks in advance!

If your child is not an SPR/SC, there's no point for you to do PV as you can only register him/her in Phase 3 which is meant for foreigners. By that time, all schools with PV scheme would've been fully subscribed.

[sjiagc]

Thanks, zac’s mum & galaxyraider! My child is a DP holder, so as you said, only can apply in Phase 3. Sad.

[Beatrix100]

Hi everyone,


I'm new here. I wish to gather some insights & thoughts on PV in SAJS. My boy is only 2.5 yrs old (born in 2015), which means he only enters P1 in 2021 right?

1) Can I only register for PV in 2020 or can I start PV earlier?

2) What are we required to do for PV?
I read somewhere in the forum that SAJS is quite picky on PVs?

3) We're looking to move house, so I thought that might as well move within 1km of our school of choice.

However, that's like putting all my eggs in one basket as I don't think there're any good schools nearby?

4) I'm quite confused looking at the balloting history of the school (as attached).

The no. of applications are greater than no. of places every year (120 - 130%), but take up rate is only 70 plus% & no balloting needed. Seems very strange to me.

https://s1.postimg.org/5ax3uywrrj/Screenshot_20171021-105441.png\">

Any inputs are greatly appreciated, thanks!

[zac's mum]

Beatrix100:

Hi everyone,


I'm new here. I wish to gather some insights & thoughts on PV in SAJS. My boy is only 2.5 yrs old (born in 2015), which means he only enters P1 in 2021 right?

1) Can I only register for PV in 2020 or can I start PV earlier?

2) What are we required to do for PV?
I read somewhere in the forum that SAJS is quite picky on PVs?

3) We're looking to move house, so I thought that might as well move within 1km of our school of choice.

However, that's like putting all my eggs in one basket as I don't think there're any good schools nearby?

4) I'm quite confused looking at the balloting history of the school (as attached).

The no. of applications are greater than no. of places every year (120 - 130%), but take up rate is only 70 plus% & no balloting needed. Seems very strange to me.

https://s1.postimg.org/5ax3uywrrj/Screenshot_20171021-105441.png\">

Any inputs are greatly appreciated, thanks!

Hi there, I did PV at SAJS a few years ago. The principal has now retired, so I don't know if my info is outdated under the new principal or not. Perhaps some newer PVs could comment?

Your boy will start P1 the year he turns 7. Registration for P1 is in July the year he turns 6. Application for PV usually opens in the year he turns 5. If successful, the PV hours are clocked when he is 5-6 years old. Some schools (eg NYPS which requires *double* the MOE mandated PV hours) start one year earlier. Nearly every school is picky about PVs nowadays. But just apply and try, my philosophy is: if you never try, you will never get. PV duties can range from helping out in the classroom or during PE, to giving career talks, to shepherding the boys during outdoor excursions, to making art & craft decorations during festive occasions, to bring emcee for Teachers Day dinner, to being traffic wardens (some other schools). Basically you just gotta do whatever it takes to clock the hours.

If you are very confident you don't need a co-ed school (assuming no daughters in the future, or you have a good alma mater girls school), then u can narrow down your search to boys schools only. Apply to all possible boys schools and see which accepts you. I applied to both Maris Stella and SAJS but the former turned me down. So my housing choice was made easier: I just have to buy within 1km of SAJS. That's the thought process. Don't waste your money & effort moving house then apply for PV, that's too risky.

Your interpretation of the balloting history is a bit off. The APP % is more than the number of places that's correct. But look at the green colour, the legend says that means balloting for 1-2km. As for why the TUR % is not full, that's because there are at least 20 places reserved for phase 2C under the MOE ruling. So the school will not be full at that point.

Hope that helps!

[Beatrix100]

Hi zac’s mum,


Thanks for the reply.

So if I read the chart correctly, no balloting required for <1km but balloting for 1 - 2km? Sorry, this P1 thingy is very baffling & I’m all stressed out just thinking of it.

I’ve always wanted SAJS since he was born coz I felt that they were more focused on building confidence & values rather than too focused on academics.

My priority is a good, holistic primary school with affiliation to sec school. But I’m always second guessing myself if my choices are the best for my boy.

We’ve already listed our place on the market but it seems that property market is still very weak.

Your comments on applying for PV 1st then move is valid. I thought that PV selection is based on distance as well.

I’ll just need to focus on a good boy’s school; don’t intend for no. 2 & even if a daughter comes along my alma mater is good enough.