Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools
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happydaddy32\" post_id=\"2023032\" time=\"1620371186\" user_id=\"192180:
Firstly, almost all MK are in “normal neighborhood schools”. They are usually newly built, or have space not fully utilized by the primary school. Therefore, I’m not sure this would be an appropriate move if you are thinking of putting your kid in a better position for a “good” primary school.
Hi, im a parent to a 4yo.
I was from a neighbourhood pri sch, a very normal one, end up manage to make it to local uni.
Now that i am trying to increase the probability of putting my kid in a better position to entry into a good pri school i.e. MOE K route, in the back of my mind i've been thinking: is it that bad to just put my kid in a normal school where competition is less fierce (registration + academics)? Am I overthinking?
I know there is a fear of missing out factor on the good stuff, but maybe a normal school might bring about a more fun and memorable childhood for my kid instead of chasing pure academic excellence.
In my own life experience, academics is really mostly about personal motivations...
What do you all think?
Sorry maybe this topic has been discussed exhaustively already.
Just curious.
There are some MK who are in popular schools. IIRC, one in Tampines, one in Bedok and one in Bukit Batok. These schools, however, are likely to face extreme balloting in future as their current alumni + MK applicants is going to end up in crazy balloting. Hence, this isn’t increasing the probability of putting my kid in a better position. -
floppy\" post_id=\"2023083\" time=\"1620386112\" user_id=\"97579:
Hi, I wasn't really enquiring about the balloting and such, have asked that in another thread.
Firstly, almost all MK are in “normal neighborhood schools”. They are usually newly built, or have space not fully utilized by the primary school. Therefore, I’m not sure this would be an appropriate move if you are thinking of putting your kid in a better position for a “good” primary school.happydaddy32\" post_id=\"2023032\" time=\"1620371186\" user_id=\"192180:
Hi, im a parent to a 4yo.
I was from a neighbourhood pri sch, a very normal one, end up manage to make it to local uni.
Now that i am trying to increase the probability of putting my kid in a better position to entry into a good pri school i.e. MOE K route, in the back of my mind i've been thinking: is it that bad to just put my kid in a normal school where competition is less fierce (registration + academics)? Am I overthinking?
I know there is a fear of missing out factor on the good stuff, but maybe a normal school might bring about a more fun and memorable childhood for my kid instead of chasing pure academic excellence.
In my own life experience, academics is really mostly about personal motivations...
What do you all think?
Sorry maybe this topic has been discussed exhaustively already.
Just curious.
There are some MK who are in popular schools. IIRC, one in Tampines, one in Bedok and one in Bukit Batok. These schools, however, are likely to face extreme balloting in future as their current alumni + MK applicants is going to end up in crazy balloting. Hence, this isn’t increasing the probability of putting my kid in a better position.
Mine is the tampines one.
Like the answers I got from the other thread, better to have 2 tries (2A2, 2C) than one isn't it?
Thanks for your comments though! -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2023056\" time=\"1620375533\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2023056 time=1620375533 user_id=53606]
Hi! my kid got a place at MK @ gongshang (within 1km). however, the registration for pri 1 will def be absolutely crazy. therefore i've been thinking about the scenario of my kid being in tampines north pri, which is also within 1km from my house. actually as i go abt my errands nearby, I always saw more TNPS kids than GSPS... (maybe its a sign haha)happydaddy32\" post_id=\"2023032\" time=\"1620371186\" user_id=\"192180:
Hello...if you’re a chillax parent & don’t mind a chillax childhood for your child too, then it’s ok, no real need to join the rat race. I think a lot of the concerns stem from our own experiences.Hi, im a parent to a 4yo.
I was from a neighbourhood pri sch, a very normal one, end up manage to make it to local uni.
Now that i am trying to increase the probability of putting my kid in a better position to entry into a good pri school i.e. MOE K route, in the back of my mind i've been thinking: is it that bad to just put my kid in a normal school where competition is less fierce (registration + academics)? Am I overthinking?
I know there is a fear of missing out factor on the good stuff, but maybe a normal school might bring about a more fun and memorable childhood for my kid instead of chasing pure academic excellence.
In my own life experience, academics is really mostly about personal motivations...
What do you all think?
Sorry maybe this topic has been discussed exhaustively already.
Just curious.
Eg. My DH was from a relatively bad neighborhood primary school (lots of hooligans)...parents said just pass every year can already...in the end he scraped thru to Express stream, went to a bad neighborhood secondary school (one that was located next to a boys’ home/correctional facility). He then took the Poly route & got credits to graduate from an overseas Uni in 1 year.
Based on his experience, he didn’t want our child to go to neighborhood primary school, nor neighborhood secondary school. But we also know our son is not the academically studious kind. So we picked a primary school very carefully to find the best fit for the child.
To each his own. There’s no right or wrong. If you’d like more specific advice on whether the school(s) you’re considering are suitable for your child, maybe u can tell us which school or which residential area/MK.[/quote] -
Gongshang might be more popular than your average neighborhood school but it’s still a “normal school”. Hence, no need to overthink as I’m sure your kid will enjoy his / her childhood.
Tampines North makes for a fine back up and in time to come, will likely be more popular than now due to the many new BTOs coming up. As Gongshang gets more difficult to enrol in, there will be many parents who are risk adverse picking Tampines North first. Hence, I feel that there’s really not much difference, demographically speaking, between Tampines North and Gongshang in a year or two.
IMHO the school isn’t always the factor that forces children to chase for academic excellence - most of the time, the schools aren’t very concern unless you are at the borderline or failing; it’s the parents that cause the rat race. Demographics is a much better indicator of how stressful / challenging the school environment is going to be than Phase 2C balloting numbers. -
Hello, We are looking for some advice for the upcoming P1 registration for our 6 yr old PR girl. Based on our current residence and status, we have a realistic chance among Geylang Methodist Primary School (<1km), Canossa Catholic Primary School (1-2km) & CHIJ Katong Primary (>2km). We are looking for a school where the child can learn the right values, there is good diversity (hence I am not in favor of Girls school, but the reality is they are quite popular) & decent academic level. Could you please share any advice about:
1) how shall we prioritize among the three schools?
2) is there a challenge from the school if we take Mandarin as MTL? We are Indian, but I can speak basic Mandarin and will restart my language class so I can help our daughter.
Thanks a lot for any advice! -
NewbieParent28\" post_id=\"2023899\" time=\"1620905910\" user_id=\"192839:
1)
Hello, We are looking for some advice for the upcoming P1 registration for our 6 yr old PR girl. Based on our current residence and status, we have a realistic chance among Geylang Methodist Primary School (<1km), Canossa Catholic Primary School (1-2km) & CHIJ Katong Primary (>2km). We are looking for a school where the child can learn the right values, there is good diversity (hence I am not in favor of Girls school, but the reality is they are quite popular) & decent academic level. Could you please share any advice about:
1) how shall we prioritize among the three schools?
2) is there a challenge from the school if we take Mandarin as MTL? We are Indian, but I can speak basic Mandarin and will restart my language class so I can help our daughter.
Thanks a lot for any advice!
For PR, the priority at Phase 2C should be to pick the nearest ‘good enough’ school that does not ballot for PR.
All schools teach the right values, hence, it’s a given. I think you will be hard-pressed to find a school that is going to teach you the ‘wrong’ values. Diversity (in terms of gender) is really a matter of preference. As for academic level, the outcome is really a function of how hard the child is willing to study / learn / mug / suffer, and how much the parents are willing to invest / make an effort / supervise / torture. All schools will provide a decent, basic academic foundation for students to work on. If you are expecting the school to do all the heavy lifting, you will be disappointed.
TL;DR version:
GMPS is logically your best option.
However, for non-Chinese, there’s an added consideration whether the school offers the MTL that you want / need. See below.
2)
As a matter of policy, students of Chinese, Malay and Indian ethnicities will study their own MTLs. When you say “we are Indian”, the important question would be to address what’s your actual mother tongue? If it’s Tamil, I do not think you have an option to decide. If it’s non-Tamil, you would have to pick the languages on offer in the school, or to apply to study a non-Tamil Indian Language, i.e. you can choose to study Chinese if you are a non-Tamil speaking Indian. Best to clarify / confirm with MOE. -
NewbieParent28\" post_id=\"2023899\" time=\"1620905910\" user_id=\"192839:
I think floppy has given a good reply on this but on the side note, I know many indian and international families getting their kids to study mandarin in local schools. I personally have an indian neighbour who is taking mandarin in an elite primary school in the east. It is not easy and many of these parents can afford expensive Chinese tuition and they really put in the effort to support their child.
Hello, We are looking for some advice for the upcoming P1 registration for our 6 yr old PR girl. Based on our current residence and status, we have a realistic chance among Geylang Methodist Primary School (<1km), Canossa Catholic Primary School (1-2km) & CHIJ Katong Primary (>2km). We are looking for a school where the child can learn the right values, there is good diversity (hence I am not in favor of Girls school, but the reality is they are quite popular) & decent academic level. Could you please share any advice about:
1) how shall we prioritize among the three schools?
2) is there a challenge from the school if we take Mandarin as MTL? We are Indian, but I can speak basic Mandarin and will restart my language class so I can help our daughter.
Thanks a lot for any advice!
Initially, I was also tempted to put my child up for mandarin as my child has a flair for languages but now I think I will stick to hindi . Not that I dont have the resources but I think our roots are important. My dd can always pick up chinese as a side language . No doubt it is important to know mandarin in singapore in fact, I think mandarin will be made compulsory in the future. Mandarin will be the next english of the future. -
Hi,
I am an active grassroot leader under Tanjong Pagar GRC. My son is registering P1 this year 2021 and I am hoping to place him in ACSPS, ACSJ OR RVPS. Currently staying in Queenstown, we are planning to relocate to within 1km ACSPS ACSJS, but I am not sure if is a right move. Looking at the past registration balloting history, it seems like it we may not stand a chance, am I right? How should I move ahead, a higher chance to land him in one of these schools? Need some advice and greatly appreciated. -
teng78\" post_id=\"2024817\" time=\"1621522070\" user_id=\"192808:
You can only shift to within 1km and hope for the best when balloting. There’s no higher chance unless you are looking at RVPS, which should be a shoo-in for Phase 2B.
Hi,
I am an active grassroot leader under Tanjong Pagar GRC. My son is registering P1 this year 2021 and I am hoping to place him in ACSPS, ACSJ OR RVPS. Currently staying in Queenstown, we are planning to relocate to within 1km ACSPS ACSJS, but I am not sure if is a right move. Looking at the past registration balloting history, it seems like it we may not stand a chance, am I right? How should I move ahead, a higher chance to land him in one of these schools? -
teng78\" post_id=\"2024817\" time=\"1621522070\" user_id=\"192808:
That’s the risk you take to ballot for 2B and 2C for both ACSP and ACSJ if you want to move. If you stay put, RVPS don’t need to ballot at 2B.
Hi,
I am an active grassroot leader under Tanjong Pagar GRC. My son is registering P1 this year 2021 and I am hoping to place him in ACSPS, ACSJ OR RVPS. Currently staying in Queenstown, we are planning to relocate to within 1km ACSPS ACSJS, but I am not sure if is a right move. Looking at the past registration balloting history, it seems like it we may not stand a chance, am I right? How should I move ahead, a higher chance to land him in one of these schools?
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