Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[MadameMoiselle]

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?

It would be good to take OLGC since the brother would be going to Catholic High in 2 yrs time rather than sending to KC. By the time after 6 yrs, she should be able to travel to Sengkang (SJC). OLGC is a confirm slot for her since the Mrs is an old gal.

Hope to see your dotter at OLGC as I am one of the PV there at OLGC. Our gals shall be moving up the same journey till SJC unless taking IP prog

Good luck!

[galaxyraider]

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.

For PRs, those 2 schools are most probably out as they don't even have enough seats for SCs. You should go for schools that still have vacancies in Phase 2C based on the balloting history.

[FantasyLandDreams]

Hmmnnn...interesting read:


https://www.quecie.com/primary-school-ranking-2018-singapores-top-21-ranked-moe/

[diana7523]

Hi



I intend to register my son in Opera Estate Primary School as I am the formal student there. Ph 2B chance higher.
Any of your kid study in Opera Estate Primsry School? I would like to hear some review about this school environment, teachers and the canteen hygiene.
:thankyou:

[diana7523]

Hi



I intend to register my son in Opera Estate Primary School as I am the formal student there. Ph 2B chance higher.
Any of your kid study in Opera Estate Primsry School? I would like to hear some review about this school environment, teachers and the canteen hygiene.
:thankyou:

[floppy]

diana7523:

Hi



I intend to register my son in Opera Estate Primary School as I am the formal student there. Ph 2B chance higher.
Any of your kid study in Opera Estate Primsry School? I would like to hear some review about this school environment, teachers and the canteen hygiene.
:thankyou:

Former student is either Phase 2A1 or Phase 2A2.
Don't register in the wrong phase as you will be rejected and lose the chance / opportunity.

[Quesera sera]

Hi, anyone here has kids in Pasir ris primary and has feedbacks to share. TIA :thankyou:

[Ahmeng74]

Hi

I was from AMKNPS and my girl will be eligible for P2A2 for APS this year P1 registration.
However, Me and my wife would prefer Ai Tong, although I am a member of SHHK, but it falls in P2B2 and living >3km from AiTong. Kindly advise should we give up the chance for P2A2 and register for P2B2? What will be the likely chance?

Next, what will be the after school care in APS and Ai Tong?
Is their after school care good? For parents with their children in these care centre? Any advise?

Thank you.

[floppy]

Ahmeng74:

Hi

I was from AMKNPS and my girl will be eligible for P2A2 for APS this year P1 registration.
However, Me and my wife would prefer Ai Tong, although I am a member of SHHK, but it falls in P2B2 and living >3km from AiTong. Kindly advise should we give up the chance for P2A2 and register for P2B2? What will be the likely chance?

Next, what will be the after school care in APS and Ai Tong?
Is their after school care good? For parents with their children in these care centre? Any advise?

Thank you.

Firstly, Phase 2B is a single phase. You would need SHHK recommendation letter to be eligible for this phase. You either get the recommendation letter or you don’t. You can be a member but not getting the recommendation, and in such an instance, ineligible for Phase 2B.

Even if you get the recommendation letter from SHHK, the likelihood of you getting a chance to ballot > 2km is very, very low (and that’s not even considering your chance of success at the ballot). Hence, it makes no sense to wait for P2B.

Also, P2B occurs after Phase 2A. You can always apply for AMKPS first and wait to see the outcome for ATS before withdrawing and taking the plunge in Phase 2B before the closing date / time. That said, I won’t hold my breath waiting.

Lastly, discussion on after school care is meaningless at this point.

[wintb1009]

Hi need opinions from KS mums/dads.... My girl is registering for her P1 in July and we are using the grandparent address to register.

According to MOE, school that less than1km will automatic fall under 1-2km when the guardian address is use for registration. If that's the case should i go straight to aim for those school that >2km (we are in phase 2C). Currently aiming Jurong as our 1st choice in west side.

:thankyou: