Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[westmom]

Dan - pls do read another thread \"http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=475\". Can find good advice there. Generally, if the child has to take school bus, it will definitely be hard on her unless she gets chauffered to/fro school. Also, think of the CCA/supplementary/remedial classes in upper primary which you probably need to rely on personal transport arrangement. I heard of one case where a child was living in the East but goes all the way to RGS...the poor gal was so tired all the time and she didn't do well in PSLE. It also depends on whether your child has \"smart genes\"..you know that kind can do well even without so much practice, practice, revision etc and so probably can cope under such tiring circumstances.

[2bbtang]

dan:

Hi,


I am a old boy of Nan Hua and I really want to put my daughter there but I am currently living with my in laws in Tampines which is within 1km of St. Hilda's. I also have a choice in putting her in Kong Hwa as my registered address is also within 1km of Kong Hwa. Even though both St. Hilda and Kong Hwa is within 1km of my In Laws and my own place, I am afraid that even with PV I might not even get a place in phase 2B as both are very hot schools. PV is not even 100% even if I apply for one.

My safest choice is my old school Nan Hua, not because I am an old boy but judging from the academic results, NHP beats both St. Hilda and KH hands down in terms of overall cohort academic performance which has been consistent for the past 10 yrs.

But the problem is that I am living in Tampines and the school is in Clementi. Is the distance a major detrimental factor and I also not so sure if any private school bus will ferry her to and fro Tampines and Clementi.



Can anyone advise?

Hi!

I know where you are coming from. All parents wants the best for their child. If you are prepare to let your child travel by school bus.
You can try calling the school and get the contact number of the school Bus Contractor / vendor and check with them what is the estimated pick up time (home to school) and drop off (school to Home). And the transport fees. This will help you to have a rough idea on the timing.

Yes, the other factor if your child do have CCA, you will have to think of alternative transportation arrangement. Then again, P1 and P2, CCA is optional (not so sure if Nanhua have CCA for the lower primary).

I have a close friend, they stayed in CCK (choa chu kang) and their son is in Nanyang. The distant is also far... but they also take a long time to decide (father is old boy of Nanyang). Eventually, they are happy with their decision. Boy is enjoying school and also get use to travelling.

[dan]

Thanks for all the advice!


I did called up NHPS regarding the school bus but the lady who responded advised me that Tampines is too far and my child will feel very tired.

If thats the case, applying for PV for St. Hilda and KH is a better choice. If both PV applications kenna rejected then I think last choice move back to my own place (living along Guilleramard rd… at least can shorten travel distance) and try to find out if there is any school bus willing to send my daughter to & fro.

[MMM]

dan,


Do you mean, if you fail for KH and St Hilda, you will move back to guillemard and try for nan hua again? Will the "offer" or "opportunity" have lapsed given that old students is under phase 2A?

[dan]

I meant if I failed to get accepted as PV in both KH and St. Hilda then I rather put my daughter in NHPS despite the distance. So no need to worry about balloting in phase 2C.


If accepted as PV for KH and St. Hilda, then maybe ultimately will register her in KH as my wife prefer KH.

Honestly I would like to put her in Tao Nan but looking at its past balloting results, even if doing PV I will lose out in distance can forget abt. it.

[titank]

dan:

Hi,


I am a old boy of Nan Hua and I really want to put my daughter there but I am currently living with my in laws in Tampines which is within 1km of St. Hilda's. I also have a choice in putting her in Kong Hwa as my registered address is also within 1km of Kong Hwa. Even though both St. Hilda and Kong Hwa is within 1km of my In Laws and my own place, I am afraid that even with PV I might not even get a place in phase 2B as both are very hot schools. PV is not even 100% even if I apply for one.

My safest choice is my old school Nan Hua, not because I am an old boy but judging from the academic results, NHP beats both St. Hilda and KH hands down in terms of overall cohort academic performance which has been consistent for the past 10 yrs.

But the problem is that I am living in Tampines and the school is in Clementi. Is the distance a major detrimental factor and I also not so sure if any private school bus will ferry her to and fro Tampines and Clementi.

Can anyone advise?

Hi Dan,

Since you stay around Tampines, try to find potential Primary School in that area. Distance is very important as it is for the next 6 years to go.

[Mishasha]

http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2008/09/recognising-school-achievement.php

[pinky]

Agree with titank, after all Guillemard is also quite far from Clementi too.

I have relatives whose kids are in SH and KH, quite favourable comments
from them too. SH has GEP too so the standard should be comparable
with NH.

[sleepy]

distance is crucial. For the well being of the child. Very tedious to travel such long journey on a daily basis

[ImMeeMee]

our dd1 will only be due for registration next year.


but we intend to attend the open house sessions during this year’s registration on some of the schools that we are interested, make a tour and see how the school is.

That could be one way to find out more about the schools.