Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[floppy]

ATS doesn’t have a PV scheme. You will have to go thru SHHK, ie one of you must be a Hokkien, and complete 80 hours of PV. Depending on the year of registration, you could be too late to do that.


SHPS isn’t near any MRT. I believe the nearest walkable MRT is Tampines West (DTL). Thus it will be Marymount > MacPherson > Tampines West. I would suggest that you try it out one morning / evening as I suspect it is probably going to be take a bit longer than 30 mins. You may also want to do the same for the driving route. You can get from Marymount to Tampines via Bartley Road / viaduct very quickly in the morning (no need to test that out) but the return journey in the evening can be a painfully slow.

At the end of the day, it’s your choice. If you think the journey is worth it, go for it. If you think it’s not, you should relook at your alternatives

[Bubbly_Belle24]

Hi all. I am considering between SJI(J) and ACS(J) for my DS (both within 1km of my residence and under Phase 2C). Is there anyone who can enlighten me on any major differences between the 2 schools and which would probably suit my DS better- with him being a meek boy. Thank you so much for your help!

[floppy]

Bubbly_Belle24:

Hi all. I am considering between SJI(J) and ACS(J) for my DS. Is there anyone who can enlighten me on any major differences between the 2 schools and which would probably suit my DS better- with him being a meek boy. Thank you so much for your help!

Unless you are in Phase 2A (unlikely) or earlier, the only difference between the schools is whether you have the stomach or appetite for balloting.

[zac's mum]

Bubbly_Belle24:

Hi all. I am considering between SJI(J) and ACS(J) for my DS (both within 1km of my residence and under Phase 2C). Is there anyone who can enlighten me on any major differences between the 2 schools and which would probably suit my DS better- with him being a meek boy. Thank you so much for your help!

Hmmm...meek boy...may not survive well in all-boys school you know. Find a co-ed school for him is better, honestly.

Boys schools are generally very boisterous, lots of rough-and-tumble play. There are still meek boys there, but they are in the minority. If you have no other choice, I suggest you start equipping him with playground savvy and how to speak up for himself if he’s not comfortable taking part in rough housing.

My own son by now has the essential survival skills of (i) fast sprinting away from any crazy action and (ii) a very loud voice that is capable of notifying any teacher within a 25m radius. Recognition of faces and names of the key people around school is also good to have.

[Bubbly_Belle24]

Thank you all for your advice. I definitely will need to toughen him up before P1 no matter where he goes! Co-ed nearby is our back up but we were looking more for a school which is not so academically driven plus emphasises on values, character development and is a bit more holistic. DS is in a church kindy and I can see how this has been a plus in building him as a person. Didn't think P1 registration could be so stressful! :nailbite:

[zac's mum]

You may wish to take a look at the P1 2019 Orientation/parents’ briefing slides for each of these schools. They are publicly available at the schools’ websites. It will provide some insights into the culture of the schools, where their emphasis lies, what standards they expect for assessments etc:


https://acsj.moe.edu.sg/others/announcements-list/2019/p1-mtp-2019

https://sjijunior.moe.edu.sg/for-parents/circulars/orientation-and-parent-dialogue-session

[Rainbowunucorn]

Which option is wiser?


A) nan chiau primary school. I live within 1km and is able to join hokkien clan member but likely to ballot at phase 2b.

B) Paya Lebar methodist girls school. I live outside of 2km but is willing to apply to be a parent volunteer. Less likely to ballot at phase 2b even for those outside of 2km.

C) chij our lady of nativity.

Any views?

[floppy]

Rainbowunucorn:

Which option is wiser?


A) nan chiau primary school. I live within 1km and is able to join hokkien clan member but likely to ballot at phase 2b.

B) Paya Lebar methodist girls school. I live outside of 2km but is willing to apply to be a parent volunteer. Less likely to ballot at phase 2b even for those outside of 2km.

C) chij our lady of nativity.

Any views?

A) Is able to join but:
- Have you lined up the ‘sponsors’?
- Are you able to complete the 80hrs of PV time?

B) Willing to apply but:
- Will the school accept you?
- Are you able to complete the 40hrs of PV time?

At this point, none of the above is guaranteed.

Hence, the wiser option is to do all 2 and see whether SHHK / PLMGS will accept you first. If you can’t get through the door, any further discussion is meaningless.

Option C is in Phase 2C, which forms the backup to A and B in Phase 2B. Thus, irrelevant at this point. If you can’t get through the door, option C is basically your only wise choice.

[soniasong111]

Hi mummies, would like to hear your thoughts on these two schools.

We are currently staying at sengkang with nan chiau just downstairs, but we have also bought a flat within 1km to ACSJ to get my boys eligible for 2c balloting for ACSJ.
My boys will be eligible for phase 2B for Nan Chiau though…
So, 2c balloting for ACSJ or 2B for nan chiau, which you would recommend?
THANKS A LOT!

[zac's mum]

soniasong111\" post_id=\"1900468\" time=\"1551406983\" user_id=\"168380:

Hi mummies, would like to hear your thoughts on these two schools.
We are currently staying at sengkang with nan chiau just downstairs, but we have also bought a flat within 1km to ACSJ to get my boys eligible for 2c balloting for ACSJ.
My boys will be eligible for phase 2B for Nan Chiau though...
So, 2c balloting for ACSJ or 2B for nan chiau, which you would recommend?
THANKS A LOT!

Are you dead sure your flat is within 1km of ACSJ? I thought the even nearest HDB flats at Cambridge Road area are 1-2km?