Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[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.

[Mxjw]

floppy\" post_id=\"1964532\" time=\"1582449086\" user_id=\"97579:

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.

It seems to be that PLMGS is very competitive and looks like a “big pond, small fish” to me.. I have 2 girls and if my elder successfully enters this year, I would have no worries next year to enrol for my younger. Just worry about the environment if it would be too competitive for my children.

[zac's mum]

Mxjw\" post_id=\"1964543\" time=\"1582452883\" user_id=\"141620:

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

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.

Is that true? You live next door to the school. Please tell us whether your observation matches the review. Are the reviews from your neighbors? Or online comments?

I went for the Open House several years back (under the former principal). My impression of the students was good - although the kids who showed us around were [U]prefects[/u] who spoke politely and articulately.

[Mxjw]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1964549\" time=\"1582454306\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1964549 time=1582454306 user_id=53606]

Mxjw\" post_id=\"1964543\" time=\"1582452883\" user_id=\"141620:

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

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.[/quote]

Is that true? You live next door to the school. Please tell us whether your observation matches the review. Are the reviews from your neighbors? Or online comments?

I went for the Open House several years back (under the former principal). My impression of the students was good - although the kids who showed us around were [U]prefects[/u] who spoke politely and articulately.[/quote]The reviews were from online. I’m hardly home during daytime so don’t really get to observe the students from cedar. However, when I get home in the evening, at times there are some loud students still wearing uniform from cedar at the playground.
But they are not local though.

[xariaD]

Are schools doing Virtual Open Houses? How do we register for Open House? P1 registration is coming up and I have not even shortlisted schools yet.

[zac's mum]

Just go to their websites. U can find most info there. If u have further questions then just email them. Same as virtual open house.

[floppy]

xariaD\" post_id=\"1976067\" time=\"1589541948\" user_id=\"180648:

Are schools doing Virtual Open Houses? How do we register for Open House? P1 registration is coming up and I have not even shortlisted schools yet.

Most popular primary schools don’t do open house, virtual or otherwise.

[lifeasglim]

hello! hoping to get some thoughts from parents here for my dd (SC) p1 registration this year.


Our options so far:
2b - CHIJ TPY (>2km) through church affliation
2c - Ai Tong ( < 1km) ; Marymount Convent (1-2km)

We do prefer Ai Tong over CHIJ TPY because the school is so near (walking distance) but its so competitive!

So my plan is to try CHIJ TPY hoping to get a balloting chance for those outside of 2km. IF in the event that we get a place, check in with ATS during 2C to see what are the chances like for SC within 1km. But now with registration moving all online, I am not sure if I will be able to get the information to make that decision.

Of course there’s marymount for 2cs but between CHIJ TPY and Marymount, we prefer CHIJ TPY for its secondary school affiliation hence trying for 2b.

So my dilemma is IF we get a place at CHIJ TPY, do we withdraw for Ai Tong at 2C? What would you do and why?

Any other suggestions or comments are welcomed! Thanks!

[floppy]

lifeasglim\" post_id=\"1978185\" time=\"1590648831\" user_id=\"148318:

hello! hoping to get some thoughts from parents here for my dd (SC) p1 registration this year.

Our options so far:
2b - CHIJ TPY (>2km) through church affliation
2c - Ai Tong ( < 1km) ; Marymount Convent (1-2km)

We do prefer Ai Tong over CHIJ TPY because the school is so near (walking distance) but its so competitive!

So my plan is to try CHIJ TPY hoping to get a balloting chance for those outside of 2km. IF in the event that we get a place, check in with ATS during 2C to see what are the chances like for SC within 1km. But now with registration moving all online, I am not sure if I will be able to get the information to make that decision.

Of course there's marymount for 2cs but between CHIJ TPY and Marymount, we prefer CHIJ TPY for its secondary school affiliation hence trying for 2b.

So my dilemma is IF we get a place at CHIJ TPY, do we withdraw for Ai Tong at 2C? What would you do and why?

Any other suggestions or comments are welcomed! Thanks!

Straight to point.
If you get a place in CHIJ TP, you just stay put. There’s no need to check in with ATS since your odds are never going to be good and you have more to lose (a place in CHIJ TP).
However, if you don’t have a place in CHIJ TP, you just join in the ballot.
If you fail at the ballot, pick MCS during P2CS.

[ricedoll]

Fairfield vs MGS


I feel like FAIRFIELD METHODIST PRIMARY is such an underrated good school after my research. COP for secondary is high and the alumni is pretty strong. Also good values and academically strong school. Based on my findings, as a church member, if i move <1km, my chances to get in is 100%. Can anyone tell me hows the school like and school life, teachers? Should i try for this school (move <1km) to get 100% chance getting in or try for MGS (also move <1km) but less certain of a chance?