Raffles Institution (Year 1-4)

[sharonkhoo]

ngl2010:

How important is laptop for PW? DS is usually using desktop at home so we are wondering whether he needs laptop for PW.

It does help when they get together in school to work together. Probably not very crucial, but my daughter did bring hers to school quite a bit during the final phases.

[jtoh]

ngl2010:

How important is laptop for PW? DS is usually using desktop at home so we are wondering whether he needs laptop for PW.

It depends on the team dynamics. Some teams discuss in school and those with laptops will bring them to the discussions. Some discuss virtually from their own homes so there's no need for the laptops. The teams definitely need a laptop during presentations.

[mummyloves]

Selling sec 1 and 2 textbooks n giving away assessment n supplementary books. Please PM me for enquiries.

[iFirefly]

jtoh:

ngl2010:

How important is laptop for PW? DS is usually using desktop at home so we are wondering whether he needs laptop for PW.

It depends on the team dynamics. Some teams discuss in school and those with laptops will bring them to the discussions. Some discuss virtually from their own homes so there's no need for the laptops. The teams definitely need a laptop during presentations.

DS used the computer at home for PW discussions & writeups.

Usage of computer seems much less in JC, compared to Sec (referring to RI.. not sure about other JCs). Most of the assignments require students to submit hand-written answers (refering to Bio, Chem, Math. Econs, GP.. not sure about other subjects).

[sharonkhoo]

iFirefly:

Usage of computer seems much less in JC, compared to Sec (referring to RI.. not sure about other JCs). Most of the assignments require students to submit hand-written answers (refering to Bio, Chem, Math. Econs, GP.. not sure about other subjects).

Preparing for A levels, I guess. Much less than in RGS too when the girls had to bring their computers daily.

[ngl2010]

Thank you slmkhoo, jtoh and iFirefly on your sharings on your DC’s laptop usage in JC. Maybe we should wait until DS got his PW’s team and decide from there.

[naggo-nitemare]

BonaFides:

Dear Parents

Kindly share your thoughts about pros & cons of RI. My DS has 276 and now we don’t know whether he goes RI or HCI.
If you know the cultural differences between these two schools, also kindly share with us.

COngrats to ur DS for his stellar results!
I wish to dispel the myth tt RI pupils are not well grounded in the Chinese HMT. FYI my DS' class hit 100% A1 n A2 grades for O level Chinese HMT 3yrs ago.

RI has a strong culture of encouraging pupils to have independent analytical thinking and to push oneself to explore many interests. If one has a talent or passion in any pursuits, he will be given support and the right environment to go all out.

If academic results interests u, for A levels, pupils have to seek MOE approval to pursue 13 units. And last year, 7 pupils achieved 9As for those who attempted13 units. I heard of only one other girl in another JC with this result. This isn't a fluke. A student can't do this overnight. It is due to the 6 yrs of RI's encouragement and support for all those who wish to explore more and move at paces more suitable to their intellects. So if ur son intends to strive for any goals, RI has the right environment to help him thrive,

RI does not emphasise too greatly on academic stars. RI aims to have all rafflesians, regardless of grades, to be huge contributors to our society.

RI staff tries very hard to accommodate to pupils' needs for scheduling. At least that was what my DS experienced in his 6 years there. Teachers were responsive and approachable.

Another key factor to why my DS' years were so fulfilling was his fellow schoolmates. Each brings with him deep interest and passion for something. This spurred my DS on to read up more, to discuss more, to question more, to consider more possibilities, to aim higher. The daily exchange of ideas and knowledge greatly moulded my DS' mental development.

I hope my opinions will help u in making ur decision.

[iRabbit]

naggo-nitemare:

I wish to dispel the myth tt RI pupils are not well grounded in the Chinese HMT. FYI my DS' class hit 100% A1 n A2 grades for O level Chinese HMT 3yrs ago.

Thanks for this piece of info. I'll make doubly sure that my boy knows about this, so that he will know what is expected of him in future.

naggo-nitemare:

Another key factor to why my DS' years were so fulfilling was his fellow schoolmates. Each brings with him deep interest and passion for something. This spurred my DS on to read up more, to discuss more, to question more, to consider more possibilities, to aim higher. The daily exchange of ideas and knowledge greatly moulded my DS' mental development.

Agreed - excellence begets more excellence.

[iRabbit]

muska:

​Hi parents,

anyone with experience selecting Malay special course in RI? Son is interested, i read from website 2lesson per week held in sch.

Is it consider \"silly\" if he was offered foreign language like german(the other language that he interested) But dont take?

We analyse it like..maybe he may not even hv chance to visit germany frequently ..there's no way ​he can master the language.

so maybe malay is more useful..at least when he visit malaysia..or grow up to do service related job ?

I think it's most practical to take up Malay in our part of the world. In fact, I made the same suggestion to my boy though he made a different choice in the end.

[iRabbit]

ngl2010:

babywhitezz:

Dear all


my son scored 261, could i have your views/ comments on whether he should apply for RI ? Last year's cut off point of 260. I am worried the chance of getting into RI is not high + he might ended up in last class and struggling ?

Thank you

I thought I have seen Floppy and Jtoh answered your question but now I couldn't find their answers. :?

As I observed, in Year 1 and 2, all teachers are usually assigned a GEP class and a couple of regular classes (including a class close to cut off point). So, there is no preferential treatment between GEP class and regular class. Anyway, as jtoh said, the curriculum is the same.

Don't worry so much. As long as your son put in effort, he should be fine. Actually, for those really struggling, they will be tutored by Year 4 students in a program called STAMP (by \"invite\" only). But these students usually have t-score much lower than cut-off point. Not just 1 or 2 points.

In fact, there are students from \"last classes\" that scored really high GPA. It all depends on the student himself.

Anyway, if your son really likes RI, he can put it as his first choice. He still has 5 other choices if cut-off point this year goes up.

I am looking forward to welcoming you to Rafflesian family :rahrah:

Edited: I found Floppy and Jtoh answers. They are in another thread

I agree with ngl. In the long run, a few pt difference in T-score won't make much difference, but a more diligent student will usually outperform (I've seen it many times) one who has a higher T-score but otherwise less digilent. So don't worry unnecessarily, babywhitezz.