2018 PSLE Discussions & Strategies (Born in 2006)

[lee_yl]

Some geppers have high expectations of themselves. That day, DD2 saw her classmate sobbing and left the classroom within 5mins upon collecting her result.


DD2 went up to console her and tried to cheer her up. Alamak, turn up this girl’s tscore was higher than my daughter’s. :roll:

One of her super bright classmate also appeared to be suffering from depression. I believe a child who choose to end his/her is likely to suffer from some form of depression.

In hindsight, there was a possible tell-tale sign: “ I see no future”. People suffering from depression see the world as very bleak.

[3kiddos]

laughingcat:

estee....you know our DC school. The dream of getting into xxxx school is so strong among the kids, even P3 already start to talk about it. Are they naturally induced by parents? Not all actually....I would dare to say most are naturally coming from the friends and school within. Camaraderie plays a part in it. When the big graduating korkors start coming back to the school for a visit or see their teachers.....the boys will go googoogaga over what school they are in. When any child does not conform to that path, you know lah...the flurry of questions start flying.

I kind of disagree. Feel as parents, we do have the biggest influence. My kids have never felt the pressure to go to top schools. From young, we talk about a variety of schools, I tell them about friends who teach in good schools and neighbourhood schools and they personally know older kids from many schools. When I bring them to open houses, we don't go just to top schools to \"motivate\" them as some parents say, we visit a range of schools that I have a good impression of and they see how dynamic each school is in different ways. Each time, we shortlist 3 to 4 schools with COPs as much as 30 points apart, all they would be happy to go to. Have done this with 3 kids, all with no tuition except for mother tongue starting in P5, and PSLE is just another exam they do their best in.

In fact, my youngest was invited to a DSA talk at a top girls school, listened to the Principal's talk on how self-motivated and driven her girls were while encouraging the girls in attendence to consider applying DSA. My girl looked at me, I asked \"sounds like you?\" \"No!\" she laughed, \"I am lazy and unmotivated. I can't go to this school.\".

[laughingcat]

I also have to disagreed with you. Not all parents put ideas to kids. I have seen parents let the kids decide. Some parents just want the kids to follow the same path as they are too busy to do all the nitty gritty stuff.....less effort no time. Some parents feel that follow the affiliation path to avoid any hassle. Like me when I was young until a letter from the MOE to specifically asking me to go to this this and that that school.


Stepped into my DC school, one will feel the vibes about continuing on the \"family\". Unlike you, we never talk about other schools at their young age until when DC1 was at P5. I have to drag DC to various open house even the \"not top school\" just to open up his mind about the various types of schools can offer. Only finally can open up DC1 mind. But not for my DC2.

For me, I do not want to influence their decision. I only answer their question and direct them to make informed decision. I purely let them decide. Bring them to various open house like host hunting which I have so much joy in meeting the teenagers. Although deep in my heart, I would like them to go to my alma mater. But then it is not me going to the school.

[Estéema]

laughingcat:

estee....you know our DC school. The dream of getting into xxxx school is so strong among the kids, even P3 already start to talk about it. Are they naturally induced by parents? Not all actually....I would dare to say most are naturally coming from the friends and school within. Camaraderie plays a part in it. When the big graduating korkors start coming back to the school for a visit or see their teachers.....the boys will go googoogaga over what school they are in. When any child does not conform to that path, you know lah...the flurry of questions start flying.

Camaraderie is a double edged-sword.

Parents hv to exercise wisdom of choice suitable strategies for their own child’s devpt.

In this same school, I’ve had parents who support each other where their kids are not GEP/Thoburn material, cannot be pushed for their special situation and those who hv their own pace of learning. We make effort to provide group play dates for entire of Pri sch irrespective of whatever MA/HA classes they’ve been assigned to. Every child hv their own pace but we shld make effort for frdship to bond & bloom not by grades but by the mere opportunities of meeting & building that frdship.

We’ve seen the few odd parent(s) who obviously pushed their kids beyond their abilities or pushed the teacher to push their kids. One is a child with Asperger, but very lovable, easy going & bright. When he called his mum on instructions tobreport his SA2 results fr sch Admin phone, he soon had tears rolling off his cheek after the mum screamed her heads off that he was careless not to hv gotten that 2 marks for Math & his Sc was not ideal tho he’s achieved 92! I was speechless! Ano mum wld arrange extra teacher coaching to fill recess & after sch-hours till child had frequent headaches. Nothing cld be detected after brain MRIs done but his attitude changed. He wld walk out of lessons whilst teacher conducting lessons & parents wldnt dare push anymore. He wld turn into many hours of screen time, possibly to relieve or escape into a comfortable world of his own. But he’s one of my precious angels with a very kind & accommodating heart. DC continues to keep in touch & I’m sure this child will find his niche & soar when he’s ready to 开窍. He’s capable, just reactive to learning for now.

One might point to a particular ‘top sch culture’ or even the edn culture in Spore to high performance, but at tween & teen ages, these are not nec the period to push beyond a child if they’re not ready.

As parents, we need to provide that support that our kids can depend on if they’re not able to reach that top shelf & not berate the child for not attaining that few marks to be perfect or ahead of others. It’s really not necessary. We’ve to watch every aspect of their devpt & not be carried away by those who brag their kids’ successes. Our kids are precious, they’re made up of part intellect, part emotions & most parts unique physical being fr some part of ourselves to hold & to protect.

LC, I’m sure u’d agree for yr effort in pulling yr child off fr a environment to ano more inclusive one? It’s the same & yet not the same. Just attitudes of parents of the day?

[laughingcat]

Estee, I agree with you. Looking at my DC1, I let him decide and I just support him whole heartedly. When the ex-disciplinary master got to know he is moving on to another school.....Boy oh boy.....DC1 had a long talk with him.


DC2 selection of school primarily based on the
specific sports (must have top players) and food in the canteen. :roll:

[Estéema]

laughingcat:

I also have to disagreed with you. Not all parents put ideas to kids. I have seen parents let the kids decide. Some parents just want the kids to follow the same path as they are too busy to do all the nitty gritty stuff.....less effort no time. Some parents feel that follow the affiliation path to avoid any hassle. Like me when I was young until a letter from the MOE to specifically asking me to go to this this and that that school.


Stepped into my DC school, one will feel the vibes about continuing on the \"family\". Unlike you, we never talk about other schools at their young age until when DC1 was at P5. I have to drag DC to various open house even the \"not top school\" just to open up his mind about the various types of schools can offer. Only finally can open up DC1 mind. But not for my DC2.

For me, I do not want to influence their decision. I only answer their question and direct them to make informed decision. I purely let them decide. Bring them to various open house like host hunting which I have so much joy in meeting the teenagers. Although deep in my heart, I would like them to go to my alma mater. But then it is not me going to the school.

No lah. We also let our kids make their own choices. If DS wants to join his peers, we see the merits of continuing building on their frdship & be in a strong sch culture with some history/alumni.

At one time, DH wants DC for RI whilst I was shooting for NUSH (not for self but thot DC shld consider). But a year before taking child to all the respective Open House, it dawn on me that it’s not my choice but DC’s choice & comfort level. I shudder coz realised my dashing young fellow is not the book mugger but wld enjoy project work, presentations, reads widely of all genre and his temperament may not be suited to “my choice” which I wld then be doing injustice to maroon him in all the sciences he may not be ready for till much later.

So, when DS was offered DSA into RI & ACSI, we let him decide. Thankful, his own choice actually enlightened us to the fact that he choose a door that provide less rigidity & wider choices later in his journey. It’s his unique decision.

[3kiddos]

laughingcat:

Stepped into my DC school, one will feel the vibes about continuing on the \"family\". Unlike you, we never talk about other schools at their young age until when DC1 was at P5. I have to drag DC to various open house even the \"not top school\" just to open up his mind about the various types of schools can offer. Only finally can open up DC1 mind. But not for my DC2.

I just happen to have many teacher friends, amazing dedicated teachers who teach in neighbourhood schools and try so hard for their students. I would entrust my kids to any of them. My kids were in a neighbourhood pri school too, with some amazing teachers (and some not so amazing ones)

If I guess correctly, staying in the \"family\" shouldn't be too hard in your DC's school because of the affiliation, no? Just which side of the family? Is PSLE still stressful? :siam:

[laughingcat]

Affiliation or no affiliation leading to "less stress to PSLE" is a much perceived or rather a bias thoughts. Which kids doesn’t want to do their best in PSLE? They still have to work hard to be streamed into the secondary classes. Tsk tsk

[Estéema]

laughingcat:

Estee, I agree with you. Looking at my DC1, I let him decide and I just support him whole heartedly. When the ex-disciplinary master got to know he is moving on to another school.....Boy oh boy.....DC1 had a long talk with him.


DC2 selection of school primarily based on the
specific sports (must have top players) and food in the canteen. :roll:

Oh, then hv to support yr DC2 to excel in his choices lor.

ex-D master J N? I thot he’s more open then to try steer yr DC1 decision for his Sec sch choice. It’s OK for yr child to hv his choice & excel there. Support him as he explore & stretch himself. JN shld not highlight it as if he’s made a wrong choice now confuse him, i hope it’s just a frdly Chat to thoroughly Guide his decision to be very sure.

Your DC1 is a very special awesome guy man! All the best to his new sec sch journey! He’ll be someone to watch in future! :evil:

[laughingcat]

J N is a funny chap. Motivating teacher. Kept asking DC1 \"you sure? This is what you want?\" then jokingly tell DC1 \"not to talk to him about other school but must visit him every single year\" :lol: DC1 is so cheeky to send him a note thereafter.