Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[sandra08]

Hi, just wondering, if my child is currently N2 and is choosing MOE kindergarten in Horizon Primary in 2021. He will most likely get straight entry to Horizon Primary under phase 2(A)2 in say 2023. However our first choice of Primary school for him would be Mee Toh School (we are staying 1km from Mee Toh). Anyone knows if even if we have already get a placing under phase 2(A)2, can we still try our luck through balloting under 2B? Will our placing at Horizon Primary get forfeited? Sorry first time mum, not very sure with the procedures! Thank you!

[floppy]

sandra08\" post_id=\"1963056\" time=\"1581397732\" user_id=\"184145:

Hi, just wondering, if my child is currently N2 and is choosing MOE kindergarten in Horizon Primary in 2021. He will most likely get straight entry to Horizon Primary under phase 2(A)2 in say 2023. However our first choice of Primary school for him would be Mee Toh School (we are staying 1km from Mee Toh). Anyone knows if even if we have already get a placing under phase 2(A)2, can we still try our luck through balloting under 2B? Will our placing at Horizon Primary get forfeited? Sorry first time mum, not very sure with the procedures! Thank you!

If you get a place in Horizon under Phase 2A2 and then subsequent want to apply for Mee Toh in Phase 2B or 2C, you will have to withdraw from Horizon first, ie give up your place.

[Mxjw]

Hi parents! Anyone care to share your thoughts on the following. My child will be registering this year. TIA!

Phase 2A2 - Anderson primary
Phase 2C
Nearest to home (walking distance) - Cedar primary
Within 1km - Canossa Catholic
Within 1-2km - Geylang Methodist & Paya Lebar Methodist Girls

[zac's mum]

Mxjw\" post_id=\"1964457\" time=\"1582356302\" user_id=\"141620:

Hi parents! Anyone care to share your thoughts on the following. My child will be registering this year. TIA!
Phase 2A2 - Anderson primary
Phase 2C
Nearest to home (walking distance) - Cedar primary
Within 1km - Canossa Catholic
Within 1-2km - Geylang Methodist & Paya Lebar Methodist Girls

All of these schools (except PLMGS) are quite guaranteed to have a place for your girl.

I’d scratch Anderson Primary because the traveling time would not be worth it.

Cedar Primary is the best choice for you since it’s within walking distance.

If you strongly prefer a religious environment for your girl, then choose Canossa Catholic Primary. It is now co-ed though.

[Mxjw]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1964464\" time=\"1582363577\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1964464 time=1582363577 user_id=53606]

Mxjw\" post_id=\"1964457\" time=\"1582356302\" user_id=\"141620:

All of these schools (except PLMGS) are quite guaranteed to have a place for your girl.

I’d scratch Anderson Primary because the traveling time would not be worth it.

Cedar Primary is the best choice for you since it’s within walking distance.

If you strongly prefer a religious environment for your girl, then choose Canossa Catholic Primary. It is now co-ed though.

Thanks for your reply! I’m have the same thoughts too for Anderson.. Thinking of the travelling time to and fro for 6 years just kills me. As for Canossa catholic, the school doesn’t really attract us.

Our consideration now would be cedar pri and Geylang Methodist. Trying to find reviews for these 2 schools.

[phtthp]

Mxjw\" post_id=\"1964488\" time=\"1582393667\" user_id=\"141620:

...
As for Canossa catholic, the school doesn’t really attract us.

small Primary 1 enrolment intake at Cannosa Catholic primary, doesn't mean that this school no good
Do NOT under-estimate P6 students, studying inside Cannosa Catholic primary school

There were P6 students in the past, as well as up to last year 2019, who had entered Cedar Girls Secondary school / Raffles Girls Secondary / CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' Secondary , successfully,

- via DSA [Direct Secondary School Admission] , into Cedar Girls' IP program / RGS Integrated curriculum program / St Nick IP,

as well as

- also entered by PSLE T-score,
ie. these P6 students have the ability to meet Cedar Girl's Sec Cut-off-point, at lowest minimum 250 for O level, or around minimum 254 for Cedar Girls' Integrated Programme, or the ability to meet RGS Cut-off-point at minimum 261, or the ability to meet St Nick Cut-off-point at minimum around 258

Thus, do NOT under-estimate P6 students, from this school

Besides, being a small school due to small Primary 1 intake [up to P6 level], has her own advantage, which not many people realized, because a lot of parents eyes keep focussing, heading towards the opposite direction, towards popular, branded-name, competitive primary schools. So, they over-looked the possibility that, this can be a gem primary school

For your case, Anderson primary is out.
Not practical
Not only is it so far from your house, but maybe also no school bus transport from Ang Mo kio to your place, can check up the school bus transport, unless u are prepared to send her to school everyday for next 6 years.
Even if we assume, got school bus

1) your daughter got to wake up very early 5+ am every morning, just to catch school bus

2) school bus fees from Ang Mo kio to your place, going to be costly, exceed $220 per month, two way, to and fro


fyi

a) students from Anderson primary, are Not affliated to Anderson Secondary

Cut-off Point to enter Anderson Secondary [co-ed], is 246 [info, from school website], although by the time your daughter sit for PSLE National exam, will fall under AL system, not Tscore anymore

https://andersonsec.moe.edu.sg/admission/faqs-for-parents-2018


b) girls from Cedar primary [co-ed], are Not affliated to Cedar Girls' Secondary

[zac's mum]

Mxjw\" post_id=\"1964488\" time=\"1582393667\" user_id=\"141620:

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1964464\" time=\"1582363577\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1964464 time=1582363577 user_id=53606]

Thanks for your reply! I’m have the same thoughts too for Anderson.. Thinking of the travelling time to and fro for 6 years just kills me. As for Canossa catholic, the school doesn’t really attract us.

Our consideration now would be cedar pri and Geylang Methodist. Trying to find reviews for these 2 schools.

Cedar Primary usually holds open house for the public, u can call up the school to see if after situation goes back to Dorscon Yellow, hopefully by April/May, whether the open house will still be held or not.

Cedar is attractive for your case because you have a girl. It’s within walking distance & u don’t need to deal with the crazy traffic around Bidadari/Potong Pasir area outside in the mornings. It can get very hectic just trying to get out of this district, eg if you want to travel to Geylang Methodist Primary. It is just a regular neighborhood primary school, although it has affiliation to Geylang Methodist Secondary, that’s not a fantastic secondary school either. Wouldn’t say it’s worth your time. I have a friend teaching there. That’s her comment to me.

So I’d still pick Cedar Primary...for girls, even though not affiliated to Cedar Secondary, it’s just right next door. Every day they will see the Secondary school girls walking in & out. I think a lot of the primary girls will aspire to score well enough to go “next door”. Cedar has a good reputation & is an IP school. Since u live nearby, it’s good for her to aim for that Secondary school.

[floppy]

Mxjw\" post_id=\"1964457\" time=\"1582356302\" user_id=\"141620:

Hi parents! Anyone care to share your thoughts on the following. My child will be registering this year. TIA!
Phase 2A2 - Anderson primary
Phase 2C
Nearest to home (walking distance) - Cedar primary
Within 1km - Canossa Catholic
Within 1-2km - Geylang Methodist & Paya Lebar Methodist Girls

With the exception of PLMGS, the schools listed are fairly similar. None of them are exceptional but neither are they bad. PLMGS has a slight edge only because it has a fairly reputable affiliated secondary school.

Assuming there’s a chance for you to ballot at PLMGS, you can consider that option first. Cedar should have places carry over to Phase 2CS so that would be your backup if ballot fails. If there’s no chance of ballot, just pick Cedar and save your worrying.

[Mxjw]

phtthp\" post_id=\"1964492\" time=\"1582407570\" user_id=\"35251:

Mxjw\" post_id=\"1964488\" time=\"1582393667\" user_id=\"141620:

...
As for Canossa catholic, the school doesn’t really attract us.

small Primary 1 enrolment intake at Cannosa Catholic primary, doesn't mean that this school no good
Do NOT under-estimate P6 students, studying inside Cannosa Catholic primary school

There were P6 students in the past, as well as up to last year 2019, who had entered Cedar Girls Secondary school / Raffles Girls Secondary / CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' Secondary , successfully,

- via DSA [Direct Secondary School Admission] , into Cedar Girls' IP program / RGS Integrated curriculum program / St Nick IP,

as well as

- also entered by PSLE T-score,
ie. these P6 students have the ability to meet Cedar Girl's Sec Cut-off-point, at lowest minimum 250 for O level, or around minimum 254 for Cedar Girls' Integrated Programme, or the ability to meet RGS Cut-off-point at minimum 261, or the ability to meet St Nick Cut-off-point at minimum around 258

Thus, do NOT under-estimate P6 students, from this school

Besides, being a small school due to small Primary 1 intake [up to P6 level], has her own advantage, which not many people realized, because a lot of parents eyes keep focussing, heading towards the opposite direction, towards popular, branded-name, competitive primary schools. So, they over-looked the possibility that, this can be a gem primary school

For your case, Anderson primary is out.
Not practical
Not only is it so far from your house, but maybe also no school bus transport from Ang Mo kio to your place, can check up the school bus transport, unless u are prepared to send her to school everyday for next 6 years.
Even if we assume, got school bus

1) your daughter got to wake up very early 5+ am every morning, just to catch school bus

2) school bus fees from Ang Mo kio to your place, going to be costly, exceed $220 per month, two way, to and fro


fyi

a) students from Anderson primary, are Not affliated to Anderson Secondary

Cut-off Point to enter Anderson Secondary [co-ed], is 246 [info, from school website], although by the time your daughter sit for PSLE National exam, will fall under AL system, not Tscore anymore

https://andersonsec.moe.edu.sg/admission/faqs-for-parents-2018


b) girls from Cedar primary [co-ed], are Not affliated to Cedar Girls' Secondary

It’s more of a logistics issue that if my child enters canossa catholic, sending in the morning will be slightly more difficult cos it’s in the middle.

Eg. If cedar, I can walk my elder to school and my husband can drop my younger to preschool. If Geylang Methodist, i can travel direct to my workplace from there after sending my girl to school. Whereas for canossa catholic, it’s more time consuming to travel to work after that.

Yes, am aware about the non-affiliation of both Anderson and Cedar.

[Mxjw]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1964494\" time=\"1582418552\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1964494 time=1582418552 user_id=53606]

Mxjw\" post_id=\"1964488\" time=\"1582393667\" user_id=\"141620:

[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1964464 time=1582363577 user_id=53606]
All of these schools (except PLMGS) are quite guaranteed to have a place for your girl.

I’d scratch Anderson Primary because the traveling time would not be worth it.

Cedar Primary is the best choice for you since it’s within walking distance.

If you strongly prefer a religious environment for your girl, then choose Canossa Catholic Primary. It is now co-ed though.

Thanks for your reply! I’m have the same thoughts too for Anderson.. Thinking of the travelling time to and fro for 6 years just kills me. As for Canossa catholic, the school doesn’t really attract us.

Our consideration now would be cedar pri and Geylang Methodist. Trying to find reviews for these 2 schools.[/quote]

Cedar Primary usually holds open house for the public, u can call up the school to see if after situation goes back to Dorscon Yellow, hopefully by April/May, whether the open house will still be held or not.

Cedar is attractive for your case because you have a girl. It’s within walking distance & u don’t need to deal with the crazy traffic around Bidadari/Potong Pasir area outside in the mornings. It can get very hectic just trying to get out of this district, eg if you want to travel to Geylang Methodist Primary. It is just a regular neighborhood primary school, although it has affiliation to Geylang Methodist Secondary, that’s not a fantastic secondary school either. Wouldn’t say it’s worth your time. I have a friend teaching there. That’s her comment to me.

So I’d still pick Cedar Primary...for girls, even though not affiliated to Cedar Secondary, it’s just right next door. Every day they will see the Secondary school girls walking in & out. I think a lot of the primary girls will aspire to score well enough to go “next door”. Cedar has a good reputation & is an IP school. Since u live nearby, it’s good for her to aim for that Secondary school.[/quote]Yes, Cedar is attractive to us cos of the distance. But one of our concern is also because there were reviews that students were rude and rowdy.