[Bukit Timah] Primary Schools

[janet88]

3CsMom,

I think you should write in to the school in January (the year your twins turn 4). This will give the school adequate time to decide on potential PVs and shortlist to school requirements. Pei Hwa takes in about 20 PVs each year.
All the best.

[3CsMom]

I think I am getting too stress over these. Based on historical data, Pei Hwa under 2C is likely to work for us if we stay within 1km. But again, not sure what will it be in few years time. MGS seems to be more difficult to get in. Don’t think my hubby wants to take the risk when Pei Hwa seems easier and the girls have a younger bro. Now my hubby is leaning towards RGPS as it seems that <1km no need ballot. But that will be a disadvantage to my boy as he will be left with NYPS which we think it is almost impossible to get in.


Need opinion from parents who have tried registering their kids to either Pei Hwa, MGS, RGPS, NYP but ended up in Bukit Timah PS. How’s Bukit Timah PS compared to other average schools in Singapore?

[janet88]

3CsMom:

I think I am getting too stress over these. Based on historical data, Pei Hwa under 2C is likely to work for us if we stay within 1km. But again, not sure what will it be in few years time. MGS seems to be more difficult to get in. Don't think my hubby wants to take the risk when Pei Hwa seems easier and the girls have a younger bro. Now my hubby is leaning towards RGPS as it seems that <1km no need ballot. But that will be a disadvantage to my boy as he will be left with NYPS which we think it is almost impossible to get in.


Need opinion from parents who have tried registering their kids to either Pei Hwa, MGS, RGPS, NYP but ended up in Bukit Timah PS. How's Bukit Timah PS compared to other average schools in Singapore?

Pei Hwa and RGPS do not have affiliated secondary school. If you stay within 1km to Pei Hwa, you have a high chance of getting into the school, but like you mentioned, don't know what is the birth rate for next few years. MGS is very hard to get in even for those staying less than 1km (have to ballot). NYPS is just like MGS, ballot for those staying less than 1km.
I would suggest Keming, but also difficult to get in.

[Luanee]

3CsMom:

I think I am getting too stress over these. Based on historical data, Pei Hwa under 2C is likely to work for us if we stay within 1km. But again, not sure what will it be in few years time. MGS seems to be more difficult to get in. Don't think my hubby wants to take the risk when Pei Hwa seems easier and the girls have a younger bro. Now my hubby is leaning towards RGPS as it seems that <1km no need ballot. But that will be a disadvantage to my boy as he will be left with NYPS which we think it is almost impossible to get in.


Need opinion from parents who have tried registering their kids to either Pei Hwa, MGS, RGPS, NYP but ended up in Bukit Timah PS. How's Bukit Timah PS compared to other average schools in Singapore?

If u have a boy, I would say to go for a co-ed school instead of a girls' one, else u would have the same headache all over again.

Since u are staying within 1km of Pei Hwa, why dont u try to apply as a PV to be eligible for phase 2B so that chances would be higher? As it seems u still have a few yrs to go before registering right? Act while there is still time.

[3CsMom]

Luanee:

If u have a boy, I would say to go for a co-ed school instead of a girls' one, else u would have the same headache all over again.


Since u are staying within 1km of Pei Hwa, why dont u try to apply as a PV to be eligible for phase 2B so that chances would be higher? As it seems u still have a few yrs to go before registering right? Act while there is still time.

The only problem now is that we are not in Singapore and not sure if we can make it back by early next year when the schools are open for PV application. If not, we will have to aim for phase 2C. We want to get a place where we decide to send the kids to and therefore trying very hard to think what is the best. My hubby's rationals are:

If we stay within 1km of NYPS and RGPS: most likely the girls will get into RGPS based on historical data. We will then have to try to get our son into NYPS.

If we stay within 1km of Pei Hwa and MGS: Higher chances in PH and almost impossible for MGS. If the girls don't get into PH, they will end up in BTPS or other neighbourhood schools.

He thinks that it is best to have 2 kids in better schools like RGPS where he sees it as less risky in terms of application then having all 3 kids ended up in less favourable schools. If our boy doesn't get into NYPS, we can try other schools but will put him on waitlist should there be a vacancy, reason being it is near to where we stay. Can even waitlist for Pei Hwa. But, can we waitlist for 2 schools at the same time?:?

To me, I prefer schools like Pei Hwa or Taonan (another option we're looking into but that area is getting more and more condos and I'm thinking what will be the chances of getting in even if we stay less than 1km). Moreover, property value in BT area is higher. If my girls get into co-ed school, that will save us all the trouble when the time comes for us to register for my boy.

[janet88]

3CsMom,

You are right, if you stay within 1km of Pei Hwa, it is impossible for MGS. But all 3 will be in Pei Hwa. Problem solved.

My son is in Pei Hwa…my younger one is due for P1 registration this year. My hubby & I will be registering her in CHIJ TP (my former school) as there is an affiliated sec school. We never thought of CHIJ then…just Pei Hwa since it is co-ed. But we had second thoughts late last year and decided to put her in my former school.

[Lionel Ong]

Dear janet_lee88,


Can I ask whether are there any other reasons why you do not want to put your daughter with your son in Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary? Is it purely based on affiliation with the Sec school? Or are there any issues with Pei Hwa?

I also have 3 kids and I am contemplating on either registering/putting my daughter at Pei Hwa (Phase 2B based on church affiliation) or (Phase 2C) RGPS based on < 1km) this year 2010. I have no issues with P1 registration with my boy (hopefully) even if my girl goes RGPS as I am a former primary/sec boy of Maris Stella High and do not mind putting my son in Maris Stella.

Please kindly enlighten :roll: :?

janet_lee88:

3CsMom,
You are right, if you stay within 1km of Pei Hwa, it is impossible for MGS. But all 3 will be in Pei Hwa. Problem solved.

My son is in Pei Hwa...my younger one is due for P1 registration this year. My hubby & I will be registering her in CHIJ TP (my former school) as there is an affiliated sec school. We never thought of CHIJ then...just Pei Hwa since it is co-ed. But we had second thoughts late last year and decided to put her in my former school.

[janet88]

Dear Lionel,

I’m registering my daughter in my former school because of the affiliation. As parents, we don’t know how our kids will perform in school esp near the critical year (PSLE). There are many factors which can affect how the kids perform.
By registering my daughter in CHIJ TP, I know she has a place in the sec school as long as she meets the criteria. For my son, he has to work doubly hard to gain a place in the secondary school say for eg SJI or ACS. The cut off points for ‘outsiders’ is 240 or even higher as compared for their own students.

[Lionel Ong]

Thanks for your prompt reply..


My wife is from CHIJ Katong... That is why we are contemplating whether to put her at CHIJ Katong as well, because of Affliation.. But in terms of PSLE Academic Performance from past history, it is very obvious that RGPS, Pei Hwa are the \"better\" schools.. So we are still very undecided... :stupid:

So what do you think in your experienced opinion we should decide on and move forward with?

janet_lee88:

Dear Lionel,
I'm registering my daughter in my former school because of the affiliation. As parents, we don't know how our kids will perform in school esp near the critical year (PSLE). There are many factors which can affect how the kids perform.
By registering my daughter in CHIJ TP, I know she has a place in the sec school as long as she meets the criteria. For my son, he has to work doubly hard to gain a place in the secondary school say for eg SJI or ACS. The cut off points for 'outsiders' is 240 or even higher as compared for their own students.

[janet88]

Dear Lionel,

Deciding on the primary school depends on the parents…I would say it’s rather personal.

My son is in Pei Hwa (primary 4 this year) and many would have thought I would register my younger one in PH as well (the only phase confirm place). However, there is no affiliated sec school for Nanyang, RGPS, Pei Hwa. So students from these schools have to work doubly hard to get into their choice sec schools.

I was still very undecided in the beginning half of this year but hubby finally convinced me that CHIJ TP is the best option. As long as daughter meets the minimum criteria, she will have a place in the sec school. If she does well, she can even choose to go to another sec school or stay put.

We are looking forward to register daughter at my former school on July 15. Hope you are able to decide and come to a decision with your wife.