2020 PSLE Discussions and Strategies(for those born in 2008)
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May not be applicable to all parents or kids, but sometimes, one visit to the school will seal the deal for some
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6thisnthat9\" post_id=\"2000833\" time=\"1604117215\" user_id=\"145858:
...can non Christians opt out of religious activities without feeling out of place etc...
I have asked some schools that question before: some say yes, that a few students do occasionally sit by the side; some say just sit together with your class... -
Non-Christians are always allowed to opt out of religious activities (eg. weekly chapel sessions) in a Christian school. It’s never compulsory and cannot be made so. The question is, where do they go during that allocated time? This is a valid question that you can ask the school.
If you saw the video from the virtual school tour, the bible verses are pretty in-your-face, prominently decorating all the school walls. If your child doesn’t mind this, and doesn’t mind the daily prayers during assembly, can tune it out, then can consider this school. Some people find it a turn-off & will choose a secular school for better fit. -
Citing an eg of a primary school, my neighbour didn’t know there was Christian Value class once a week. The child can opt out but has to stay in class but was allowed to do her own work . But she would hear what was going on.
So depends on your level of comfort -
Thanks everyone for sharing here.
Got a better idea now.
It would be good if moe and schools would consider allowing kids in P6 to visit, maybe limit to 1 accompanying parent with each P6. -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2000838\" time=\"1604118160\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2000838 time=1604118160 user_id=53606]
No issue with such verses, good to expose to variety for learning, child read verses from everywhere, including confucius etc. As long as child can stay neutral, she doesn't mind staying quiet during assembly or value class.
Non-Christians are always allowed to opt out of religious activities (eg. weekly chapel sessions) in a Christian school. It's never compulsory and cannot be made so. The question is, where do they go during that allocated time? This is a valid question that you can ask the school.
If you saw the video from the virtual school tour, the bible verses are pretty in-your-face, prominently decorating all the school walls. If your child doesn't mind this, and doesn't mind the daily prayers during assembly, can tune it out, then can consider this school. Some people find it a turn-off & will choose a secular school for better fit.[/quote] -
I have been to Swiss Cottage’s open house but that was a couple of years back so much could have changed.
Anyway, what left an impression during the Principal’s presentation then was that they do emphasise on character development of students and the belief that it would be better for the students to stay back in school after lessons ended so they could be more meaningfully engaged. The school buildings were a bit old then, not sure if they have been upgraded now. -
No school would say they do not place emphasis on character development. Same for holistic education. No school would say they are not holistic.
The p6 child must already have some idea as to where he/she wants to go whether or not he/she can articulate the reason why. And therefore there is no real need for an open house.
And if by p6 and he/she still has no preference, then it is clear that it is not important to him/her which school he/she goes to. The actual school is not his/her priority, and in this case, there is also no real need for an open house. -
Beg to differ.
If one has a preference, parents may need to be assured, if the school gives the right feel.
If one has no preference, all the more, visiting both schools can help, could be something he heard from teachers or other kids there, kid can ask qns, or happened to meet seniors they know etc.
I happened to meet another mum at a open house few years back, where she shared more info inclu on another school, gave feedback etc. -
Referring to an earlier discussion regarding affiliation to JC from Sec sch.
Do check if the Sec sch has affiliation to a pri sch (Fairfield Methodist Pri is affiliated to Fairfield Methodist Sec). If yes, and if the Sec sch is quite a popular one, most places will likely be fill up by the affiliates who has certain priority to enter. According to MOE requirement, 20% of the total places will be reserved for non-affiliates. Do expect a certain level of competition for non-affiliates places in some Sec sch that has Pri sch affiliation.
As for opting out of chapel periods, I know of a sch where muslim students will leave the chapel during chapel period to a different venue for self study session. Non muslim students who are not comfortable with being in the Chapel will be given permission to sit out of chapel period upon submission of a parent’s written request. This was a few years back. Unsure if this is still the practice in this school.
Just sharing
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