Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools
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floppy:
floppy, I don't think you can use this list to determine whether a school is holistic or not as it's only a financial summary.
Here is an https://www.moe.gov.sg/about/org-structure/fdd/financial-summary-of-government-aided-schools-and-independent-schools-donation-funds. While the purpose of the list wasn't to highlight the most popular schools in Singapore, the most popular schools in Singapore are all on that list. And if anyone is looking for a 'holistic' school, save the trouble of looking, just use this list.
Anyway MOE is now emphasizing on holistic assessment. It seems that it would be applied across the board, but we all know that some schools would still focus on academic achievements. Those schools tend to announce the top achievers and give them awards. I personally don't think that it's a good practice. -
galaxyraider:
I fully agree with galaxyraider with regard to Para 1.
floppy, I don't think you can use this list to determine whether a school is holistic or not as it's only a financial summary.floppy:
Here is an https://www.moe.gov.sg/about/org-structure/fdd/financial-summary-of-government-aided-schools-and-independent-schools-donation-funds. While the purpose of the list wasn't to highlight the most popular schools in Singapore, the most popular schools in Singapore are all on that list. And if anyone is looking for a 'holistic' school, save the trouble of looking, just use this list.
Anyway MOE is now emphasizing on holistic assessment. It seems that it would be applied across the board, but we all know that some schools would still focus on academic achievements. Those schools tend to announce the top achievers and give them awards. I personally don't think that it's a good practice.
Floppy:
The list merely shows the annual sponsorship/donations/rental income and expenditure, but it doesn't show the slew of holistic progs the schools offer. Are you saying Henry Park, Rosyth, Gongshang, Rulang, Temasek, River Valley and so on do not offer holistic prog because they are short of donations? They still produce pretty stellar results year after year, right? If what you're saying is true, then why is it some govt-aided schools on this list don't always produce 'memorable' results in terms of acad/sports/arts (holistic)? -
Hi all, forgive the lengthy post, but hope you guys can advise on what would be the best option(s) for me ...
I'm living near Bartley / Macpherson area, and I am a Catholic High old boy. I had a \"Which option for the scenario\" question some time last year on whether to give up 2A(1) with Catholic High to go for Maris Stella instead due to distance (yeah I know, I threw in a red herring scenario in there as well).
But in any case, I'm actually not too worried about my son, and he won't be in Pri 1 so soon. I am however, undecided on what I should do for my daughter, who is 2 years older.
The Mrs is a CHIJ OLGC (and CHIJ St Joseph Convent) old girl. My understanding is that OLGC doesn't have an alumni association but from what I'd been reading my daughter would have a pretty much guaranteed spot under 2A(2). I'm not sure OLGC would be ideal for her though, because it is about 5km direct distance and a 7+km route from our place to the school, even further if we have to factor in other stops for school bus. On top of that, should it come down to having to fall back on the SJC affiliation (I know, probably thinking way too far ahead), the current location at Sengkang is going to be one hell of a commute.
I'm now trying to come up with possible alternatives, factoring in that her younger brother will most likely be going to Catholic High 2 years later.
The nearest CHIJ to us is actually Katong Convent, but even that is about 3.5km away direct distance, about a 5km route. I was considering this as an option seeing as primary and secondary will be at the same location and my understanding is that based on past years records there's a good chance of getting a place, but have been advised against it as 1 child going east and the other going west (with my home as base) would be a logistics headache.
There are a couple of additional factors I might take into consideration:
The kids' paternal grandmother i.e. my mother, lives within walking distance of Catholic High. Just exit from the primary school side small gate, walk out through the landed estate to the main road (i.e. the Whitley Secondary bus stop), cross the overhead bridge and it's my mother's estate. I do not rule out the possibility my son will go there after school or even stay there on weekdays if he does go to Catholic High, so I may start the same arrangement with my daughter. Just for reference, this address is just a bit over 1km from Ai Tong (1.0xx km actually) and just a bit over 2km from SNGS (2.1xx km actually).
The kids' paternal grandfather i.e. my father, is an active member of Paya Lebar Methodist Church. We also do not rule out the possibility of going the religious affiliation route to try for 2B at PLMGS - which is over 2km but less than 2.5km distance away from my place - if we do not go with a weekday / after-school arrangement for the kids at my mother's place and have them go back to our own home.
Based on all of the above, what would you guys choose to do for my daughter if you were me? -
I can see a simple solution for you: Cedar Primary, which is in Senett Estate and not too far from Bartley/Macpherson. Both your kids will save traveling time. And the school is not a bad school as far as I know. Keep your eyes peeled for their annual Open House. I attended it few years back and had a good impression.
I think (pls double check) girls get affiliation to Cedar Girls Secondary (campus is next door). Probably not to the IP program but at least the Express program.
Your boy may need to work harder for PSLE, aim to enter Maris Stella High, or St Andrew’s Secondary as second choice. -
zac's mum:
correctionI can see a simple solution for you: Cedar Primary, which is in Senett Estate and not too far from Bartley/Macpherson. Both your kids will save traveling time. And the school is not a bad school as far as I know. Keep your eyes peeled for their annual Open House. I attended it few years back and had a good impression.
I think (pls double check) girls get affiliation to Cedar Girls Secondary (campus is next door). Probably not to the IP program but at least the Express program.
Your boy may need to work harder for PSLE, aim to enter Maris Stella High, or St Andrew’s Secondary as second choice.
No affliation between girls in Cedar primary (co-ed) to Cedar Girls Secondary (All-girls school).
They are entirely two different, separate school entity, not related at all, apart from happen to bear the same name, \"Cedar\", and located side by side each other, inside Cedar Avenue.
No affliation.
COP for 2018 Sec 1 batch intake for Cedar (O level) is 249. -
C.C:
The kids' paternal grandfather i.e. my father, is an active member of Paya Lebar Methodist Church. We also do not rule out the possibility of going the religious affiliation route to try for 2B at PLMGS - which is over 2km but less than 2.5km distance away from my place - if we do not go with a weekday / after-school arrangement for the kids at my mother's place and have them go back to our own home.
Would go for PLMGS as Plan A. Nearer to home in Bartley and is a good school.
But I think the parents (ie. you), not grandpa, need to have the pastor's letter to register at Phase 2B.
PLMGS fits the bill if you don't intend to move house. Its secondary section is also more popular than CHIJ SJC if you hope to use affiliation. -
cherrygal:
While you can use the grandparents' address for registration by signing a declaration, I'm not sure whether the church would give endorsement since both you and your spouse are not members. You should approach the church first to confirm whether they would endorse the members' grandchildren instead of children.C.C:
The kids' paternal grandfather i.e. my father, is an active member of Paya Lebar Methodist Church. We also do not rule out the possibility of going the religious affiliation route to try for 2B at PLMGS - which is over 2km but less than 2.5km distance away from my place - if we do not go with a weekday / after-school arrangement for the kids at my mother's place and have them go back to our own home.
Would go for PLMGS as Plan A. Nearer to home in Bartley and is a good school.
But I think the parents (ie. you), not grandpa, need to have the pastor's letter to register at Phase 2B.
PLMGS fits the bill if you don't intend to move house. Its secondary section is also more popular than CHIJ SJC if you hope to use affiliation. -
Yes if you want.
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Hi all, I move to Yishun around 4 years ago. I am not very sure about the primary schools in Yishun. Heard people say that Chong Fu, northland and Jiemin are the more popular schools. But I dun know what is the details. Can someone share with me your experiences? Thanks in advance.
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C.C:
Hi CC,Hi all, forgive the lengthy post, but hope you guys can advise on what would be the best option(s) for me ...
I'm living near Bartley / Macpherson area, and I am a Catholic High old boy. I had a \"Which option for the scenario\" question some time last year on whether to give up 2A(1) with Catholic High to go for Maris Stella instead due to distance (yeah I know, I threw in a red herring scenario in there as well).
But in any case, I'm actually not too worried about my son, and he won't be in Pri 1 so soon. I am however, undecided on what I should do for my daughter, who is 2 years older.
The Mrs is a CHIJ OLGC (and CHIJ St Joseph Convent) old girl. My understanding is that OLGC doesn't have an alumni association but from what I'd been reading my daughter would have a pretty much guaranteed spot under 2A(2). I'm not sure OLGC would be ideal for her though, because it is about 5km direct distance and a 7+km route from our place to the school, even further if we have to factor in other stops for school bus. On top of that, should it come down to having to fall back on the SJC affiliation (I know, probably thinking way too far ahead), the current location at Sengkang is going to be one hell of a commute.
I'm now trying to come up with possible alternatives, factoring in that her younger brother will most likely be going to Catholic High 2 years later.
The nearest CHIJ to us is actually Katong Convent, but even that is about 3.5km away direct distance, about a 5km route. I was considering this as an option seeing as primary and secondary will be at the same location and my understanding is that based on past years records there's a good chance of getting a place, but have been advised against it as 1 child going east and the other going west (with my home as base) would be a logistics headache.
There are a couple of additional factors I might take into consideration:
The kids' paternal grandmother i.e. my mother, lives within walking distance of Catholic High. Just exit from the primary school side small gate, walk out through the landed estate to the main road (i.e. the Whitley Secondary bus stop), cross the overhead bridge and it's my mother's estate. I do not rule out the possibility my son will go there after school or even stay there on weekdays if he does go to Catholic High, so I may start the same arrangement with my daughter. Just for reference, this address is just a bit over 1km from Ai Tong (1.0xx km actually) and just a bit over 2km from SNGS (2.1xx km actually).
The kids' paternal grandfather i.e. my father, is an active member of Paya Lebar Methodist Church. We also do not rule out the possibility of going the religious affiliation route to try for 2B at PLMGS - which is over 2km but less than 2.5km distance away from my place - if we do not go with a weekday / after-school arrangement for the kids at my mother's place and have them go back to our own home.
Based on all of the above, what would you guys choose to do for my daughter if you were me?
You may need to consider (1) the primary school itself (2) distance (3) affiliation to secondary school.
For the aspect of affiliation,
As other parents replied, no affiliation from cedar primary school to cedar girls. Then CHIJ school might be a good choice. Because there are quite a few good CHIJ secondary schools, your child will have more choices when your child chooses secondary school after PSLE.
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