Affiliated Schools and their COPs

[doodbug]

I do enjoy listening to how IB students speak of their experiences - many seem to relish in the journey.


I am only familiar with the A levels (teachers in my family teach in JCs etc), but I hardly hear of anyone waxing lyrical about the curricular experience or the value of the curricular learning. (JC experience is a separate thing altogether, there are many who do love their JCs and the extracurriculars etc). My impression is that the A levels does require a lot of mugging.

That said, my kids are not of the personality of the 3 girls in the video link, lol

Both routes are fine, but yes, the IB route has rescused many SIngaporeans who would otherwise have gone overseas to boarding school for high school, or stay in mainstream schools in Singapore, but unlikely to have enjoyed the O and A levels.

[zac's mum]

In terms of personality, I think introverts will probably prefer A level route, where the bulk of the work is individual mugging. Extroverts like my son will prefer IB route where all that networking (gossiping!) and collaboration will be of big help.

[zac's mum]

By the way, those affiliated primary schools who have not yet received any news about their AMR, upcoming parent-teacher meeting would be a good time to ask.


Or u can even email the principal to ask, Eg. after your child’s report book is released to you.

[SG_KP1]

FWIW, from what (little) I can see I do think the A Level IP programs are trying to develop the students in many ways beyond just beating written tests. My boy seems to have some sort of group work in nearly every subject. It’s just that it counts for very little or nothing in the yearly grade computation. But they are forced to organize themselves and sort out the differences to move forward and get stuff done.


Whether one of these paths develops the personal skills more, I’m not sure. But I do think leadership and EQ/AQ are dramatically under-rated. Despite how some of my posts may read, I don’t think the world needs more AL 4, UAS RP 90, IBDP 45 scorers, etc or that these kids have some long-term advantage. In fact, many of these kids will be at a disadvantage by the time they are 25 or so (first job you can usually get by just "doing stuff" that is assigned to you).

So regardless of which path, I think it just takes a conscious effort to work on developing interpersonal skills, leadership, etc, which often involves doing something these kids are not comfortable with. I am happy that my older one has started doing more of this during the current year, as previously he wasn’t too interested. The younger one seems to have taken to it a bit earlier, although there are not as many opportunities in primary school.

[MerlionInGermany]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2023569\" time=\"1620702538\" user_id=\"188234:

My boy seems to have some sort of group work in nearly every subject. It's just that it counts for very little or nothing in the yearly grade computation. But they are forced to organize themselves and sort out the differences to move forward and get stuff done.

And counting for little or nothing, for a start, is actually good as everyone starts to learn to cooperate and collaborate.

[sharonkhoo]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2023569\" time=\"1620702538\" user_id=\"188234:

FWIW, from what (little) I can see I do think the A Level IP programs are trying to develop the students in many ways beyond just beating written tests. My boy seems to have some sort of group work in nearly every subject. It's just that it counts for very little or nothing in the yearly grade computation. But they are forced to organize themselves and sort out the differences to move forward and get stuff done.

Whether one of these paths develops the personal skills more, I'm not sure. But I do think leadership and EQ/AQ are dramatically under-rated. Despite how some of my posts may read, I don't think the world needs more AL 4, UAS RP 90, IBDP 45 scorers, etc or that these kids have some long-term advantage. In fact, many of these kids will be at a disadvantage by the time they are 25 or so (first job you can usually get by just \"doing stuff\" that is assigned to you).

So regardless of which path, I think it just takes a conscious effort to work on developing interpersonal skills, leadership, etc, which often involves doing something these kids are not comfortable with. I am happy that my older one has started doing more of this during the current year, as previously he wasn't too interested. The younger one seems to have taken to it a bit earlier, although there are not as many opportunities in primary school.

From my perspective, getting close to the end of my working life, I agree! The ones of my cohort I see who have done the best (based on status and income) are not the highest academic achievers. Often, the most successful are those who are smart (but not necessarily the top ones) with a good range of interpersonal and managerial/leadership skills. The highest academic achievers are usually in more specialised and technical work - researchers, strategists, boffins, etc. Good scores help, of course but if \"success\" is what is desired, trying to be the top scorer is really not that important. Same in medicine - good skills matter, but so does the bedside manner. Those without that good bedside manner will not be the most popular doctors.

[mommyNg]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2023576\" time=\"1620706428\" user_id=\"28674:

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2023569\" time=\"1620702538\" user_id=\"188234:

Whether one of these paths develops the personal skills more, I'm not sure. But I do think leadership and EQ/AQ are dramatically under-rated. Despite how some of my posts may read, I don't think the world needs more AL 4, UAS RP 90, IBDP 45 scorers, etc or that these kids have some long-term advantage. In fact, many of these kids will be at a disadvantage by the time they are 25 or so (first job you can usually get by just \"doing stuff\" that is assigned to you).

From my perspective, getting close to the end of my working life, I agree! The ones of my cohort I see who have done the best (based on status and income) are not the highest academic achievers. Often, the most successful are those who are smart (but not necessarily the top ones) with a good range of interpersonal and managerial/leadership skills. The highest academic achievers are usually in more specialised and technical work - researchers, strategists, boffins, etc. Good scores help, of course but if \"success\" is what is desired, trying to be the top scorer is really not that important. Same in medicine - good skills matter, but so does the bedside manner. Those without that good bedside manner will not be the most popular doctors.

I agree too! Looking at the people from my cohorts, the most successful ones (in terms of career achievements/income/status) were not the highest academic achievers. Usually they have good social skills, and able to persevere and adapt to new challenges well. The “star students” in terms of academics (e.g., school top boy/girl, Dean’s list, prestigious scholarship holders) tend to “fade” from the high expectations of achievements.

[doodbug]

I think things will change in the next generation. In our times, yes, the prestigious scholarships, admissions to Med/Law etc tend to be nearly almost entirely results-driven. The selection criteria has moved over the years. More attention is on holistic assessment now. I recall our time, Law/Med was interview plus written test (for Law, can’t recall if Med had written test) - now for Med, it’s a whole lot more of SJTs and what not which observe your interactions etc, and not solely dependent on grades and solo interview. Same with PSC scholarships - I think the overall selection is more holistic now.

[decollette]

Hi,

I heard that affiliate COP will only apply in the case whereby the child puts the affiliated sec sch in the 1st order of choice.
Let’s say the affiliate cop for express is 12 to 20. And child from affiliate sch puts the sch as 2nd order choice, meaning he/she will lose the affiliate cop and have to meet the non affiliate cop? So confused about this.

[coast]

decollette\" post_id=\"2088205\" time=\"1667877401\" user_id=\"49326:

Hi,
I heard that affiliate COP will only apply in the case whereby the child puts the affiliated sec sch in the 1st order of choice.
Let's say the affiliate cop for express is 12 to 20. And child from affiliate sch puts the sch as 2nd order choice, meaning he/she will lose the affiliate cop and have to meet the non affiliate cop? So confused about this.

Yes, you are right.

For priority admission to the affiliated secondary school, your child must indicate that school as the first choice.
Note: Admission is not guaranteed.

The only exception is when the affiliated secondary school offers both IP and O-Level Programme. While affiliation considerations will only be given for the O-Level Programme, your child can indicate IP of the affiliated secondary school as first choice and O-Level of the affiliated secondary school as 2nd choice (if that is his preference). This will still qualify your child for priority admission to the affiliated secondary school.
Note: In case of any recent changes on this exception, please approach your child’s primary school for advice.

All the best.