Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools
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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? -
teng78\" post_id=\"2024817\" time=\"1621522070\" user_id=\"192808:
give it a shot, if you don't try, you won't have a chance
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?
we did the same and secured a slot for my son at ACSJ -
Some things to consider (if u haven’t already):
- if renting, u will need to move in before 30 June 2021 (if u are buying resale, I think u just need the relevant docs for proof & move in by Jan 2022).
- consider what’s the attraction of ACS for you. Do note that RVPS (while being a good school) is not affiliated to RVHS. But also consider your son’s personality & learning disposition (whether he can survive in an all-boys school, and whether he may need the affiliation “discount” to secondary school). -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2024848\" time=\"1621570227\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2024848 time=1621570227 user_id=53606]
in my opinion, it is easier for boys to survive in an all boys school and a mixed school
Some things to consider (if u haven’t already):
- if renting, u will need to move in before 30 June 2021 (if u are buying resale, I think u just need the relevant docs for proof & move in by Jan 2022).
- consider what’s the attraction of ACS for you. Do note that RVPS (while being a good school) is not affiliated to RVHS. But also consider your son’s personality & learning disposition (whether he can survive in an all-boys school, and whether he may need the affiliation “discount” to secondary school).[/quote]
the kind of mind games the young girls play these days are :scared: -
F3parent\" post_id=\"2025047\" time=\"1621823141\" user_id=\"165232:
It really depends lah. Some girls schools are famously way more bitchy than others.
in my opinion, it is easier for boys to survive in an all boys school and a mixed schoolzac's mum\" post_id=\"2024848\" time=\"1621570227\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2024848 time=1621570227 user_id=53606]Some things to consider (if u haven’t already):
- if renting, u will need to move in before 30 June 2021 (if u are buying resale, I think u just need the relevant docs for proof & move in by Jan 2022).
- consider what’s the attraction of ACS for you. Do note that RVPS (while being a good school) is not affiliated to RVHS. But also consider your son’s personality & learning disposition (whether he can survive in an all-boys school, and whether he may need the affiliation “discount” to secondary school).
the kind of mind games the young girls play these days are :scared:[/quote]
Some “weaker” boys cannot take the rough play that happens in boys schools.
Some mixed schools will have rough boys disturbing the weaker boys and also the girls. Depends on how the teachers handle it.
Bottom line is: know your child’s personality (and also equip them with the EQ to survive in all sorts of real-world situations). If u can get the best fit, good. If cannot, it’s not the end of the world.
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