2019 PSLE Discussions and Strategies (Children born in 2007)

[Timmy21]

Estéema\" post_id=\"1940389\" time=\"1570576362\" user_id=\"66413:

phtthp\" post_id=\"1940388\" time=\"1570570511\" user_id=\"35251:

Sec 1

is it compulsory that

- All students need to buy a laptop ?

- All students need to own a hand-phone, because class Teacher send whatsapp messages, through hand-phone ?

Laptop - no

Hp - yes (class comm, teacher/student comm, CCA comm)

wow, hp is really mandatory? ....not relevant in my case cos my DD already has a hp, but i know some of her classmates' parents were saying tat even in sec sch, they won't give their kids phones.... then how?

[MerlionInGermany]

Didnt someone say in NUSH thread that there were 3 or 4 in the class without handphones until Sec 3 or something like that?


I don’t think any school will write handphone as an item in the booklist. Unlike a scientific calculator.

For those schools that require students to bring laptops, I think they will state min specifications. For most schools in Singapore, I wont imagine the school would insist that students must have laptops.

[sharonkhoo]

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1940408\" time=\"1570584192\" user_id=\"2964:

Didnt someone say in NUSH thread that there were 3 or 4 in the class without handphones until Sec 3 or something like that?

I don’t think any school will write handphone as an item in the booklist. Unlike a scientific calculator.

No school will make phones mandatory, I think, but a student without a phone will find it quite difficult to stay in the loop for many things. Even if official notifications are all on email, last-minute changes will usually be on WA. And with most students using WA, the need to plan early and not make last-minute changes is no longer a priority. A lot of discussions within class, groups, CCAs etc will also be on WA. While it is possible to tell all groups to remember to send SMS instead of only using WA, not all will remember.

Both my daughters started off without phones, but within weeks, we decided to get them phones because they were constantly being left out by groups, not getting last-minute notifications, etc. It seems to be a fact of life now, and while we may complain about it, if a child is being left out, it becomes something of a necessity. On the other hand, there is no need to get the latest model with all the bells and whistles - my girls began with hand-me-downs from an aunt and a grandfather. It's also not necessary to give them unlimited data - my kids were on a prepaid no-data plan (more expensive per call, but it teaches them them to be controlled), the cost of which was factored into their allowance. If they overused, they paid extra from their pocket money. There is a lot of free wifi around these days, so they used that for communication; we felt that extra data for games and videos were an unnecessary luxury. They only started subscribing to data after their A levels, and one of them is still on prepaid as her usage is so low.

[ShareShareLah]

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1940408\" time=\"1570584192\" user_id=\"2964:

Didnt someone say in NUSH thread that there were 3 or 4 in the class without handphones until Sec 3 or something like that?

I don’t think any school will write handphone as an item in the booklist. Unlike a scientific calculator.

For those schools that require students to bring laptops, I think they will state min specifications. For most schools in Singapore, I wont imagine the school would insist that students must have laptops.

Yes, most schools will state the specs for the laptop. But even if they don't state it, I think an ordinary laptop will suffice.

[ShareShareLah]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"1940394\" time=\"1570579253\" user_id=\"28674:

bluepencil\" post_id=\"1940382\" time=\"1570551131\" user_id=\"165241:

Thanks all for the advice. Did you get after psle or are your homes those with many mobile phones and laptops or devices lying around. ...

I checked on the macbook, is too expensive and I indeed worry about theft or loss. I asked around and some people agree that a black laptop is less desirable than a silver macbook to steal for eg. My child is also quite careless.

I think I will just settle for lenovo as recommended by relative. But mainly because Macbook is expensive for us. Thing is my child cry foul and actually prefer mac book for just general use only so far. ...

We bought laptops for our girls when they reached Sec 1. No need to buy a Mac unless the school requires it (my younger daughter was required to get a Mac, but has switched back to Windows now that she has left that school). The rest of the family has used various brands (Compaq, Dell, Lenovo), but over the last few years, all 4 of us have been using Asus and it seems to be good - reasonably priced and, so far, reliable. Some of us are on our 2nd Asus laptops.

Unless your child has strong reasons to want a Mac, and no other computer can do those things, I wouldn't give in to buying something more costly for no good reason. It also sets a bad precedent for future purchases of other items - phones, watches, shoes, clothes, etc. Teach your child to make wise and modest choices based on need, not wants. And yes, a fairly ordinary laptop will attract less attention and is less likely to be stolen. Also make sure they set passwords to their computers so friends can't access and play silly pranks (some might do so!).

Yes, I agree with you. We as parents should learn to teach our children not to be obsessed over brands, otherwise they will start to pester us to buy those expensive gadgets. As for laptops, fortunately, my DD is happy to use a ordinary one. I don't actually allow her to use instagram, facebook any other social media websites.

[MrsKiasu]

I m not sure if dd can use her own cheapo laptop in Sec 1 should she needs one in school…my thinking is if need get another one, I will go by meeting the school’s requirements and one with ‘cheap’ price, replacing won’t be so painful… the handling of laptop is already rough for me. I do hope dd won’t go into social media websites and participate in it at such early age, to me la. I been telling them about keyboard warriors and bullying…recently told my mom not to put esp kids photos on social media…

[floppy]

TBH, as long as the laptop can surf web, handle Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, email, with reasonable speed, it’s more than good enough.

[MrsKiasu]

floppy\" post_id=\"1940427\" time=\"1570588949\" user_id=\"97579:

TBH, as long as the laptop can surf web, handle Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, email, with reasonable speed, it’s more than good enough.

I didn't install the MS office on her laptop..there was once she tried using PowerPoint probably trial from web..can surf nets/emails..can use already la hor

[ShareShareLah]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"1940425\" time=\"1570588483\" user_id=\"43981:

I m not sure if dd can use her own cheapo laptop in Sec 1 should she needs one in school..my thinking is if need get another one, I will go by meeting the school's requirements and one with 'cheap' price, replacing won't be so painful.. the handling of laptop is already rough for me. I do hope dd won't go into social media websites and participate in it at such early age, to me la. I been telling them about keyboard warriors and bullying..recently told my mom not to put esp kids photos on social media..

Yes, It's never wise to put children's photos on the internet as there may be paedophiles watching :yikes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRPUZ3pufAg

[ShareShareLah]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"1940432\" time=\"1570590192\" user_id=\"43981:

floppy\" post_id=\"1940427\" time=\"1570588949\" user_id=\"97579:

TBH, as long as the laptop can surf web, handle Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, email, with reasonable speed, it’s more than good enough.

I didn't install the MS office on her laptop..there was once she tried using PowerPoint probably trial from web..can surf nets/emails..can use already la hor

Is there a expiry date period to use these free online?