Anglo Chinese Family of Schools

[bhtan]

Hi all,

I am currently transporting 2 ACS(P) school boys between Hougang and ACS(barker) everyday. I am driving a 9-seater mercedes vito which is relatively more comfortable than the normal school bus. PM me if you are interested in looking for a transport service, I can pick up parents from Sengkang/Hougang/Serangoon/Potong Pasir/Novena areas. Rates are negotiable:)

[samsung77]

Recently, went to bibibaba to collect the school uniform. Met a FT couple, who has a son that will be entering ACS. They are choosing the size of the uniform, and apparently bought the wrong uniform. (I saw them having ACSP letter, but they bought ACSJ uniform). I hestitated whether to correct them at first, but still chose to do so.

I asked them what made them to choose ACS and their response was classic - 因为新加坡有很多有钱人的孩子，部长的孩子都读这间学校，所以我们也投资买了一间两百万的房子，住近学校。
Then, they asked me whether my kid is in ACS as well. I said yes, and they asked if i bought a unit next to school as well. I told them i was born in Singapore, stay next to school since young, and i am a Methodist. And yes, my unit is much more expensive than theirs.

[zac's mum]

They want the guanxi with the Crazy Rich of Singapore I guess.

[Estéema]

samsung77\" post_id=\"1953581\" time=\"1576637525\" user_id=\"37675:

Recently, went to bibibaba to collect the school uniform. Met a FT couple, who has a son that will be entering ACS. They are choosing the size of the uniform, and apparently bought the wrong uniform. (I saw them having ACSP letter, but they bought ACSJ uniform). I hestitated whether to correct them at first, but still chose to do so.
I asked them what made them to choose ACS and their response was classic - 因为新加坡有很多有钱人的孩子，部长的孩子都读这间学校，所以我们也投资买了一间两百万的房子，住近学校。
Then, they asked me whether my kid is in ACS as well. I said yes, and they asked if i bought a unit next to school as well. I told them i was born in Singapore, stay next to school since young, and i am a Methodist. And yes, my unit is much more expensive than theirs.

I’ve met many ‘funny’ FT or are they bzmen or foreign currency couriers? No idea.

One time, DH & I was going for our evening walks when we met a FT couple who asked if our DS with AC sch. Seems like they were ‘stalking’ us. :scratchhead: Then they started shooting us wms how to go abt getting in - whether donation helps, and that they bought the condo unit for the purpose, etc, etc. Then they remarked why they wanted their son to get in. 你们的部长不是把孩子都放在这所学校吗？ :slapshead:

Ano neighbour brag abt putting in donation so her son got in. I wonder. That was some many years back. But in the end, her child felt lots of difficulties to fit in, didn’t do very well but managed that affiliation entry to Barker sec, and before long she said she’s investing in Australia & son will move his education over. Haiz!

Was signing up some courses for my helper when I met this lady asking (almost pleading) the admin staff for a position to volunteer, as she heard if she volunteers, she gets a place for her child at an AC sch. I went up to see if I can relieve the poor admin. Simply told her it’s not gonna be easy if she’s not a citizen coz a PR (requires at least S$2.5 of investment for some years & still subj to govt approval criteria not known & not sure if these criterion increases over years) hardly gets priority for this popular school. Even as Sporeans, it’s tough journey as we not only hv to fulfil Alumni criteria, 1 km priority (she interjects she bought a condo nearby); but also belongs to the Methodist community or had served enuf years in grassroots leadership. That shld send her off fr bugging the poor admin. The things parents do & the things foreign parents do.

I did hv a neighbor whose hubby set up a small outfit that designs prosthetic parts & equipment & ano chemical company, both providing jobs for Sporeans. Her older child serves NS & 3rd generation born in SG, whilst her daughter studied with St Margaret & earned her place with NYGH with overall good grades in every subjects & speaks Singlish! :boogie:

I’m thankful the govt had tighten foreign ownerships of SG properties (but many FT still hv creative ways to bring in the bucks to pay for expensive properties), drive for PRs conversion to citizenships, make acquiring PR is far more difficult these days. Hopefully we drive for more constructive foreign contributors & drive unsavory characters out of their reach. So every step is a barrier.

[phtthp]

Estéema\" post_id=\"1953598\" time=\"1576644972\" user_id=\"66413:

...

I did hv a neighbor whose hubby set up a small outfit that designs prosthetic parts & equipment & ano chemical company, both providing jobs for Sporeans. Her older child serves NS & 3rd generation born in SG, whilst her daughter studied with St Margaret & earned her place with NYGH with overall good grades in every subjects & speaks Singlish! :boogie:

I’m thankful the govt had tighten foreign ownerships of SG properties (but many FT still hv creative ways to bring in the bucks to pay for expensive properties), drive for PRs conversion to citizenships, make acquiring PR is far more difficult these days. Hopefully we drive for more constructive foreign contributors & drive unsavory characters out of their reach. So every step is a barrier.

For PR to send their children to study in our local Moe primary schools, is it compulsory that first & foremost, these PRs must own a Singapore property (HDB flat / condo / landed ) ?

[milesandcoltrane]

Dear Parents, I’m seeking your wise and kind advice here. I have 2 boys, first one is turning 4 in March next year, and I would really like them to attend ACS either junior or primary. Unfortunately I do not enjoy alumni privileges as I went to a neighbourhood primary school and Victoria School for secondary.


I do not attend a Methodist church either. The closest religious affiliation I have is that I went to Oxford for post grad but highly doubt this is of any help.

I’ve also missed the window to apply as a GRC volunteer as I’ve been working overseas and am only returning in April next year.

We’re looking to buy a property and have found a home that fits our needs that’s within 1km of ACS Primary so far.

If I buy a home within 1KM of either ACS Primary or Junior - would it be a surefire way to secure a place for my eldest son? Looking at the balloting history in Phase 2 C, registrations always exceed the number of places available to a significant degree. I’m just worried that after investing a significant sum for a house within 1km we might be left in the lurch during the balloting process.

Any advice for this slightly clueless parent? I’m clearly not kiasu enough

[samsung77]

Well, its a always a risk that parents need to take, if there is zero connections to aid in the application.

If you are Pink IC, certainly you have a bit of advantages over those PR in Phase 2C; but these days, Pink IC can be anyone from anywhere, from China or India. They have lots of cash to burn in properties around 1km of the school. Unless ruling changes again.

I am sure, there are parents that went to church for the sake of the school as well, and disappeared after child get into the school. All i can say is, God is watching.

Of course, buy a property near 1km is like hoping to strike a toto or 4D in phase 2C. I hv plenty of friends, colleagues been there done that, end up, child in Bukit Timah Pri School.

I do not think there is a winning formulas, and even if there is, i doubt ppl will share in this open platform…

End of the day, if it is on a die die route that you must push yr kids into this school, by all means, do what you need to do. At least you tried…
But, prepare a Plan B,C, D etc…

Good luck

[Estéema]

phtthp\" post_id=\"1953615\" time=\"1576651371\" user_id=\"35251:

Estéema\" post_id=\"1953598\" time=\"1576644972\" user_id=\"66413:

...

I did hv a neighbor whose hubby set up a small outfit that designs prosthetic parts & equipment & ano chemical company, both providing jobs for Sporeans. Her older child serves NS & 3rd generation born in SG, whilst her daughter studied with St Margaret & earned her place with NYGH with overall good grades in every subjects & speaks Singlish! :boogie:

I’m thankful the govt had tighten foreign ownerships of SG properties (but many FT still hv creative ways to bring in the bucks to pay for expensive properties), drive for PRs conversion to citizenships, make acquiring PR is far more difficult these days. Hopefully we drive for more constructive foreign contributors & drive unsavory characters out of their reach. So every step is a barrier.

For PR to send their children to study in our local Moe primary schools, is it compulsory that first & foremost, these PRs must own a Singapore property (HDB flat / condo / landed ) ?

Yes. I know of those who are living in HDB, in condos & in landed.

[zac's mum]

milesandcoltrane\" post_id=\"1956474\" time=\"1577774973\" user_id=\"183267:

Dear Parents, I’m seeking your wise and kind advice here. I have 2 boys, first one is turning 4 in March next year, and I would really like them to attend ACS either junior or primary. Unfortunately I do not enjoy alumni privileges as I went to a neighbourhood primary school and Victoria School for secondary.

I do not attend a Methodist church either. The closest religious affiliation I have is that I went to Oxford for post grad but highly doubt this is of any help.

I’ve also missed the window to apply as a GRC volunteer as I’ve been working overseas and am only returning in April next year.

We’re looking to buy a property and have found a home that fits our needs that’s within 1km of ACS Primary so far.

If I buy a home within 1KM of either ACS Primary or Junior - would it be a surefire way to secure a place for my eldest son? Looking at the balloting history in Phase 2 C, registrations always exceed the number of places available to a significant degree. I’m just worried that after investing a significant sum for a house within 1km we might be left in the lurch during the balloting process.

Any advice for this slightly clueless parent? I’m clearly not kiasu enough

There is no surefire way under phase 2C. Buy or rent, everybody gets one equal chance at the ballot - and there will definitely be a ballot, since demand has been going up over the years.

So consider your investment quantum, all for a lucky draw ticket.

You may open up your choices by getting a place <1km of both schools (not either). And add in <1km of SJIJ too. During the registration period, you may even change your mind and finally decide on SJIJ if you want a surefire seat.

[Estéema]

Just trying to chip in for thinking process - even if bought or rent a property near ACSP or ACSJ and not able to get a place, SJIJ is quite safe to get first child in. Do well & continue to queue for either ACS sch & get in by P2 or P3, and 2nd child gets in under sibling privileges. Property still near both ACS/SJIJ so tpt not a great headache?