National Junior College (Junior High)

[mommyNg]

SArya\" post_id=\"1943265\" time=\"1571992100\" user_id=\"181897:

Hello All,
I am very new here in the forum and would like to get help for choosing my younger daughter Sec school. her name in the DSA waiting list (English & Humanities) of Methodist Girls school. (by the way, we opt-out from Methodist girls school DSA application)
Now waiting for PSLE result. Just in case if she got enough T-score, what will be preferences for Sec schools 1st option. So question is NJC(IP) or Cedar girls (IP)? NJC is more preferable because it has Knowledge & Enquiry subject. Initially, I had no doubts about choosing NJC but while gathering more information, I saw few negative reviews about NJC, particularly its JC wing. It seems like NJC removed some nice programs/CCA completely and JC1/JC2 is not doing well. because of this I am a bit confused and need help. For my elder daughter, we straight away choose Cedar IP and so for everything is smooth. Now she is in Victoria JC1 Without any major obstacles/issues. it’s clear, that most of the opinions are is based on individual perspective, still is if forum member can highlight on few points which helps us to have more correct preferences for Sec school.
Thank you very much for long reading and sorry for any inconvenience.

Hi SArya,

So far, my DD and her friends find her JC wing (SH) teachers pretty nice (though she did hear of some not-so-nice teachers from her other friends, common for every school to have some of these not-so-nice teachers anyway?) I have personally met all her teachers during PTM, and I can say with confidence that her SH teachers are really nice, encouraging, and gave personalized and constructive tips and feedback. When she had to miss some classes because she had to go overseas for some competition, all her teachers asked about her well-being and helped her catch-up with what she had missed. My dd said she is not aware of what nice programs/CCA that are removed in JC, but she is in one of the special programs and took on an additional CCA in JC. She and her friends are also doing fine without any major obstacles/issues. I'm not too sure what you meant by \"JC1/JC2 is not doing well\", but she said overall, the subjects that she took in JH did prepare her well for SH/JC1, e.g., the skills learnt in JH LA can be applied in SH GP. As far as we can see, she is very comfortable with the school and enjoys her time with her schoolmates. There are always minor grouses here and there, but on the whole, we find that NJC is a down-to-earth, unassuming, and supportive school. Academically, they are traditionally strong in their sciences and maths. Arts students are a minority but they are a close-knit group with supportive teachers.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any specific queries.

[SArya]

Hello mommyNg,

Thank you very much for your reply and giving all details. I appriciated it. it would make thing more clear as you expreience NJC as parent.
Thanks again. i will contact you in case I need more info.

[phankao]

mommyNg\" post_id=\"1812498\" time=\"1509426576\" user_id=\"2838:

BonaFides:

Dear Parents
Could you please kindly advise why your DD/DS and/or you chose the NJC instead of Nanyang Girls or Hwa Chong which are next to the school?
Thanks!!!

1) Smaller class size
2) Non-HCL environment
3) No O level class
4) Inclusive and supportive environment (e.g., no separation/segregation between GEP or non-GEP students for the first 2 years)
5) Cheap (school fees) and good :evil:

Is the class size still small, like 25? Cohort size?

[phankao]

calvinchua\" post_id=\"1920050\" time=\"1563268556\" user_id=\"169999:

Dear Parents, My DS would like to try DSA through violin next year. Any suggestions or advise? What is the expectation and are they looking for any minimum ABRSM grade?

Looks like ours same year... NJC website doesn't say about \"minimum grades\"

Can only find this under their DSA website:
https://nationaljc.moe.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/DSA-selection-criteria-list.pdf

Violin would be String Ensemble CCA or Music Programme DSA, right?

Strings is stated:
(1) Ability to at least play one of the following string
instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
(2) Aural ability
(3) Musicianship
And they would require a 4-year commitment to the CCA if accepted.

Music Programme is stated:
(1) Aural skills (both practical and written)
(2) Theory understanding and application
(3) Ability to perform fluently and musically on their
chosen 1st instrument in an art music style (e.g.
classical Western or classical Indian) - not pop music
Also requires commitment to music programme for 4 yrs.

[smurfalone]

Would like to purchase 2nd hand textbooks used by NJC students, please PM me if you have the following literature text.


1) Animal Farm by George Orwell (New Longman Literature edition, hardback)
2) Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (Shakespeare edition, paperback)

Thank you !

[ryka]

phankao\" post_id=\"1945734\" time=\"1573397598\" user_id=\"3486:

mommyNg\" post_id=\"1812498\" time=\"1509426576\" user_id=\"2838:

[quote=\"BonaFides\"]Dear Parents
Could you please kindly advise why your DD/DS and/or you chose the NJC instead of Nanyang Girls or Hwa Chong which are next to the school?
Thanks!!!

1) Smaller class size
2) Non-HCL environment
3) No O level class
4) Inclusive and supportive environment (e.g., no separation/segregation between GEP or non-GEP students for the first 2 years)
5) Cheap (school fees) and good :evil:

Is the class size still small, like 25? Cohort size?[/quote]Yes, class size still small 27-28 students / class. Cohort size < 200 students

[phankao]

Nice, thanks, ryka!

ryka\" post_id=\"1945922\" time=\"1573521807\" user_id=\"9938:

phankao\" post_id=\"1945734\" time=\"1573397598\" user_id=\"3486:

[quote=mommyNg post_id=1812498 time=1509426576 user_id=2838]

1) Smaller class size
2) Non-HCL environment
3) No O level class
4) Inclusive and supportive environment (e.g., no separation/segregation between GEP or non-GEP students for the first 2 years)
5) Cheap (school fees) and good :evil:

Is the class size still small, like 25? Cohort size?

Yes, class size still small 27-28 students / class. Cohort size < 200 students[/quote]

[winsomelosesome]

phankao\" post_id=\"1945734\" time=\"1573397598\" user_id=\"3486:

mommyNg\" post_id=\"1812498\" time=\"1509426576\" user_id=\"2838:

[quote=\"BonaFides\"]Dear Parents
Could you please kindly advise why your DD/DS and/or you chose the NJC instead of Nanyang Girls or Hwa Chong which are next to the school?
Thanks!!!

1) Smaller class size
2) Non-HCL environment
3) No O level class
4) Inclusive and supportive environment (e.g., no separation/segregation between GEP or non-GEP students for the first 2 years)
5) Cheap (school fees) and good :evil:

Delete

[doodbug]

My children are in the IP stream (not NJC). One is in a class of 35; another is in a class of 30. So yes, 27 sounds like a smaller class to me, though it won’t be the sole factor in choosing a school for us.

[phankao]

Small class & cohort size is something I find a big plus point, that's why I asked.


also small number of boys.

doodbug\" post_id=\"1945933\" time=\"1573528727\" user_id=\"13281:

My children are in the IP stream (not NJC). One is in a class of 35; another is in a class of 30. So yes, 27 sounds like a smaller class to me, though it won't be the sole factor in choosing a school for us.