Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[Joeysu]

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.

[proton]

C.C:

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?

Hi CC,

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.

[galaxyraider]

Joeysu:

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.

My cousins went to Chong Fu and my niece went to Jiemin (Yes, they are about the same age). After everything, I don't think it's worth to fight your way to go to Chong Fu as they all ended up in normal secondary schools anyway, while my niece ended up in a better secondary school.

[rachelyee88]

Any ideas which primary at Woodlands considered good?

[Gigg18s]

woodgrove

[phtthp]

C.C:

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?

for your daughter, can enrol her either into CHIJ OLGC (under your Mrs wife's ex school Phase 2A2), or into CHIJ Katong primary.

If your girl is Sg citizen, CHIJ Katong usually have a lot of vacancies under Phase 2C, so don't worry. Can refer back to past Phase 2C P1 registration results, in this forum or from CHIJ Katong school website.

Doesn't make any difference whether your daughter join CHIJ Catholic school, or join Paya Lebar Methodist primary, unless 3 things bother u :-

- unless you are very particular over the faith (Catholic vs. Methodist faith) of that primary school your daughter get exposed to, over the next 6 years of her primary school life, or

- unless you're overly concerned over certain Ccas, that your daughter must somehow join, whereby that unique Cca can only be found or present in that unique, particular school.

in terms of Academic standard, at P6 :-
not much outstanding difference, between PLMGS PSLE (P6) results vs. (CHIJ Katong / OLGC) primary PSLE results.

- But, in terms of the affliation of the Secondary school which is in turn affliated to a Junior college, there is indeed a difference.
PLMGS, is affliated to PL MGS Secondary, which in turn is affliated to Anglo-Chinese Junior college (ACJC), whereas

CHIJ Katong primary, is affliated to CHIJ Katong Secondary, which in turn is affliated to Catholic Junior College (CJC).

So, it boils down to which Junior college affliation, do u prefer ?

Of course 6 years later, if your daughter perform very well, she can choose to go to another IP (direct access to A-level) Secondary school.

However, there do exist some parents that do plan far ahead, into 12 years in advance for their child, at the point of P1 registration entry, considering affliation to a Junior College (if any). Reason being nowadays, entry into Junior Colleges is highly competitive nowadays, plus the fact that the O level exam syllabus is getting much harder / tougher, eg. Additional Maths, unlike or compared to past 20 years ago, hence any affliation of a Secondary school to a Junior college, via 2 bonus points discount, is of advantage and greatly welcome vs zero or no affliation to any JC at all, after sitting for O level exam.


for your son, since you're ex Catholic High boy, can just safely enrol him under Phase 2A1 (alumni), when the time is due.
Just ensure that got school bus come your way, to fetch him to school.

[galaxyraider]

phtthp:

C.C:

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?

for your daughter, can enrol her either into CHIJ OLGC (under your Mrs wife's ex school Phase 2A2), or into CHIJ Katong primary.

If your girl is Sg citizen, CHIJ Katong usually have a lot of vacancies under Phase 2C, so don't worry. Can refer back to past Phase 2C P1 registration results, in this forum or from CHIJ Katong school website.

Doesn't make any difference whether your daughter join CHIJ Catholic school, or join Paya Lebar Methodist primary, unless 3 things bother u :-

- unless you are very particular over the faith (Catholic vs. Methodist faith) of that primary school your daughter get exposed to, over the next 6 years of her primary school life, or

- unless you're overly concerned over certain Ccas, that your daughter must somehow join, whereby that unique Cca can only be found or present in that unique, particular school.

in terms of Academic standard, at P6 :-
not much outstanding difference, between PLMGS PSLE (P6) results vs. (CHIJ Katong / OLGC) primary PSLE results.

- But, in terms of the affliation of the Secondary school which is in turn affliated to a Junior college, there is indeed a difference.
PLMGS, is affliated to PL MGS Secondary, which in turn is affliated to Anglo-Chinese Junior college (ACJC), whereas

CHIJ Katong primary, is affliated to CHIJ Katong Secondary, which in turn is affliated to Catholic Junior College (CJC).

So, it boils down to which Junior college affliation, do u prefer ?

Of course 6 years later, if your daughter perform very well, she can choose to go to another IP (direct access to A-level) Secondary school.

However, there do exist some parents that do plan far ahead, into 12 years in advance for their child, at the point of P1 registration entry, considering affliation to a Junior College (if any). Reason being nowadays, entry into Junior Colleges is highly competitive nowadays, plus the fact that the O level exam syllabus is getting much harder / tougher, eg. Additional Maths, unlike or compared to past 20 years ago, hence any affliation of a Secondary school to a Junior college, via 2 bonus points discount, is of advantage and greatly welcome vs zero or no affliation to any JC at all, after sitting for O level exam.


for your son, since you're ex Catholic High boy, can just safely enrol him under Phase 2A1 (alumni), when the time is due.
Just ensure that got school bus come your way, to fetch him to school.

My suggestion is to take the safest route, which is to send her to CHIJ.

I don't think you can go through religious route as you are not Methodist church member. I doubt that the church could endorse grandchildren of their members. As far as I know they would only endorse the children.

[Vchloe]

Hi, I would like to ask for advice in choosing primary school for my 6 yo son. We are singapore PR but not residing in Singapore. I am thinking to move back to singapore next year, and he will be in primary 2 by that time.


So far, I have thought of 2 primary schools for my son, which is NanYang Primary School and Anglo Chinese School(Primary). Are those school hard to register? What are the requirements?


For your information, we are currently not in english nor chinese speaking country. And we are also Buddhists. Is ACSP open to non christian students? Or is there any suggestion in selecting school?
We will be residing around Orchard when we’re back.

Thank you in advance for your advices.

[zac's mum]

Vchloe:

Hi, I would like to ask for advice in choosing primary school for my 6 yo son. We are singapore PR but not residing in Singapore. I am thinking to move back to singapore next year, and he will be in primary 2 by that time.


So far, I have thought of 2 primary schools for my son, which is NanYang Primary School and Anglo Chinese School(Primary). Are those school hard to register? What are the requirements?


For your information, we are currently not in english nor chinese speaking country. And we are also Buddhists. Is ACSP open to non christian students? Or is there any suggestion in selecting school?
We will be residing around Orchard when we’re back.

Thank you in advance for your advices.

Hi...I see from your profile that you have 3 kids (2 boys 1 girl) - better to choose a co-ed school.

Transferring in at P2 to popular schools is very tough. They hardly have any vacancies. And the first vacancy will be given to the child with the best academic/sports/other talent.

So if your DS has no English scores nor Chinese scores to show in his application, it’s hard for any popular school to justify taking him in.

It’s easier for him to get into a non-SAP school with plenty of vacancies. That will give him time to catch up academically, especially for Chinese language.

[Vchloe]

Hi Zac’s mum, there are english and mandarin lesson in his current school though, but other subjects are delivered in other languages. Can that be counted as English and Chinese score?