Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools
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Hi Touch-me-not,
Pondering over a one room unit or at most 2 room unit first, then if really successful, then may terminate early and then move to a more suitable living space. Don’t think renting just a room will work. With that it will cost monthly outlay of $2-$4k already per month. Only if things work out then will rent out current hse to offset the cost. Well, may purchase even since my second kid will follow the elder one and it will be a good 7 years or so. Looks like your new location is quite far from the current pre school. It will take a toll on travelling esp morning peak hours! So you are 100% in it?
Hi Floppy
The thing is, we can’t be certain which school is most “suitable” and we don’t have the luxury to be able to try out many schools. i guess i base my judgement on choosing the school by studying at the school MOE kindergarten so that my elder one experience the environment, asking her if she wants to go to the primary school next door and she said no, browsing the website for the school we “think” is good for her, and she said she wants to go. yeah asking kids what they want is never going to give you comfort that it is constant.
That’s why I am really pondering how much sacrifices we as parents have to do for going all out. Hope parents who have gone through the journey could share their knowledge and experiences so that we are aware of the pitfalls if possible! -
mummyvolk\" post_id=\"2028237\" time=\"1624803674\" user_id=\"192657:
If you are going to go down this route, there are definitely many things that you will need to plan for.
Hi Touch-me-not,
Pondering over a one room unit or at most 2 room unit first, then if really successful, then may terminate early and then move to a more suitable living space. Don’t think renting just a room will work. With that it will cost monthly outlay of $2-$4k already per month. Only if things work out then will rent out current hse to offset the cost. Well, may purchase even since my second kid will follow the elder one and it will be a good 7 years or so. Looks like your new location is quite far from the current pre school. It will take a toll on travelling esp morning peak hours! So you are 100% in it?
Hi Floppy
The thing is, we can’t be certain which school is most “suitable” and we don’t have the luxury to be able to try out many schools. i guess i base my judgement on choosing the school by studying at the school MOE kindergarten so that my elder one experience the environment, asking her if she wants to go to the primary school next door and she said no, browsing the website for the school we “think” is good for her, and she said she wants to go. yeah asking kids what they want is never going to give you comfort that it is constant.
That’s why I am really pondering how much sacrifices we as parents have to do for going all out. Hope parents who have gone through the journey could share their knowledge and experiences so that we are aware of the pitfalls if possible!
Besides suitable location, lease and contractual agreements, you will also need to plan for Plan B if ballot fails. What are the other options available?
If you are thinking of alternatives around your current place, if available, you will need to do a quick turn around of updating your address (at least in your NRIC). If you are in one of those newer towns, you will probably have a number of options but not necessarily better than your current MK. Otherwise, you will have to look for another school near your rental place. It may end up not being a choice of shift-if-balloting-successful, you may also need to change even if unsuccessful.
One option that you can consider is to enroll in Phase 2A2 of the MK affiliated primary school or in one of your alma mater. Given that the MK is supposedly in one of the newer primary schools, your rental / new address, even if it’s > 2km, should still be safe for Phase 2A2. After that, wait for Phase 2C and look at the odds of balloting. While we can estimate based on historical data, no one can be certain until the numbers are in. You should have a target in mind, whether the odds is an acceptable risk that you are willing to take. TBH, when one is not looking at hypothetical and at actual odds / risks, you will end up in a very different frame of mind. Notwithstanding, if you still want to go for it, you can withdraw from your Phase 2A2 school and re-register in Phase 2C. Unfortunately, if it goes tits-up, you will have to implement your back up of another school. -
mummyvolk\" post_id=\"2028237\" time=\"1624803674\" user_id=\"192657:
We shifted for our kids schools, only difference is we bought a place instead of rent. We had 3 schools in mind which I can register under 2b. 2 of them are sure in, the 3rd choice got to ballot. We eliminated the latter as we cannot imagine being stuck with the property for at least 3-5 years if ballot fails. We are now left with 2 choices, which are both boys schs. As we have a younger girl, we’ve decided to go with the one which has an all girls school nearby. Both kids, or rather the younger one is still attending the same childcare ever since we shifted 3 years ago. Distance is pretty far but as we drive, we’ve decided not to affect the kids with our decision to shift house
Hi Touch-me-not,
Pondering over a one room unit or at most 2 room unit first, then if really successful, then may terminate early and then move to a more suitable living space. Don’t think renting just a room will work. With that it will cost monthly outlay of $2-$4k already per month. Only if things work out then will rent out current hse to offset the cost. Well, may purchase even since my second kid will follow the elder one and it will be a good 7 years or so. Looks like your new location is quite far from the current pre school. It will take a toll on travelling esp morning peak hours! So you are 100% in it?
Hi Floppy
The thing is, we can’t be certain which school is most “suitable” and we don’t have the luxury to be able to try out many schools. i guess i base my judgement on choosing the school by studying at the school MOE kindergarten so that my elder one experience the environment, asking her if she wants to go to the primary school next door and she said no, browsing the website for the school we “think” is good for her, and she said she wants to go. yeah asking kids what they want is never going to give you comfort that it is constant.
That’s why I am really pondering how much sacrifices we as parents have to do for going all out. Hope parents who have gone through the journey could share their knowledge and experiences so that we are aware of the pitfalls if possible! -
mummyvolk\" post_id=\"2028237\" time=\"1624803674\" user_id=\"192657:
Instead of just asking the child which school she thinks is good for her, or just based on your gut feel, please do ask around & talk to more experienced parents who actually have kids studying in that target primary school.
Hi Touch-me-not,
Pondering over a one room unit or at most 2 room unit first, then if really successful, then may terminate early and then move to a more suitable living space. Don’t think renting just a room will work. With that it will cost monthly outlay of $2-$4k already per month. Only if things work out then will rent out current hse to offset the cost. Well, may purchase even since my second kid will follow the elder one and it will be a good 7 years or so. Looks like your new location is quite far from the current pre school. It will take a toll on travelling esp morning peak hours! So you are 100% in it?
Hi Floppy
The thing is, we can’t be certain which school is most “suitable” and we don’t have the luxury to be able to try out many schools. i guess i base my judgement on choosing the school by studying at the school MOE kindergarten so that my elder one experience the environment, asking her if she wants to go to the primary school next door and she said no, browsing the website for the school we “think” is good for her, and she said she wants to go. yeah asking kids what they want is never going to give you comfort that it is constant.
That’s why I am really pondering how much sacrifices we as parents have to do for going all out. Hope parents who have gone through the journey could share their knowledge and experiences so that we are aware of the pitfalls if possible!
They would be the best judge of whether the move is worth it or not. Primary school life is vastly different from kindergarten life, and covers many aspects that you may not have thought of. -
Good morning everyone,
Been following this thread and it certainly is an interesting conversation. Thank you mummyvolk for sharing your concern and appreciate experienced shifus like zac's mum and floppy for pointing out possible scenarios that could happen in the event balloting failed, or whether the schools were suitable, and therefore worth to move for. There are angles which I had not thought of and hence, benefit a lot from these exchanges.
You seem to have all planned out, sounds solid and very reasonable to me, considering your younger child may soon follow his/her sibling. I also assume you're prepared for the possibility of balloting at Phase 2B/2C. Have you identified any 2Cs school around the new area? As for us, though quite likely we'll give it a try as we like the school very much, it is not 100% confirmed and still considering a few alternatives. But personally, will not move house, rental or otherwise for schools that require within 1km balloting and our chance is only at Phase 2C. That said, I know many people who moved for Phase 2C and succeeded. Two of them managed to get their kids to Aitong and Nanyang by renting and buying within 1 km. They said if they have to do it all over again, they will not choose this route, because at end of day 2 of their girls didn't manage to get to \"good secondary schools despite affiliation\" (dad's direct quote).
As to how much parents need to sacrifice, there is no answer to this cause everyone values their chosen schools differently. Everyone's family situation, risk appetite and failure threshold are also different. I feel as long as we get clear pictures of possible pitfalls, data, go in with a mindset that ok moving is a big sacrifice, but I have done my calculated risk, if fail at 2C, will put name in waitlist, get to 2Cs school or aim for transfer etc, and I (hopefully including the kids) can still feel OK with whatever school kiddo ends up in because I have given my best, then the move is justified.mummyvolk\" post_id=\"2028237\" time=\"1624803674\" user_id=\"192657:
Hi Touch-me-not,
Pondering over a one room unit or at most 2 room unit first, then if really successful, then may terminate early and then move to a more suitable living space. Don’t think renting just a room will work. With that it will cost monthly outlay of $2-$4k already per month. Only if things work out then will rent out current hse to offset the cost. Well, may purchase even since my second kid will follow the elder one and it will be a good 7 years or so. Looks like your new location is quite far from the current pre school. It will take a toll on travelling esp morning peak hours! So you are 100% in it?
Hi Floppy
The thing is, we can’t be certain which school is most “suitable” and we don’t have the luxury to be able to try out many schools. i guess i base my judgement on choosing the school by studying at the school MOE kindergarten so that my elder one experience the environment, asking her if she wants to go to the primary school next door and she said no, browsing the website for the school we “think” is good for her, and she said she wants to go. yeah asking kids what they want is never going to give you comfort that it is constant.
That’s why I am really pondering how much sacrifices we as parents have to do for going all out. Hope parents who have gone through the journey could share their knowledge and experiences so that we are aware of the pitfalls if possible! -
Referring to NYPS and ATS specifically, I have friends who were alumni from these 2 schools, who chose NOT to enrol their boys there. I don’t know if their choice would have been different if they’d had daughters instead.
Just saying that not every child will do well in these 2 popular schools. If the teachers or envt are that good, every single child that graduates from there would be able to go to a good secondary school. -
Touch_me_not\" post_id=\"2028255\" time=\"1624845542\" user_id=\"187786:
Ai Tong has no affiliation to any sec sch. Female pupils from Nanyang Pri has Nanyang Girl High School as their affiliated sec sch. So that father was saying, that his daughters fell short of the affiliation cut off and ended up in another sec sch?
Two of them managed to get their kids to Aitong and Nanyang by renting and buying within 1 km. They said if they have to do it all over again, they will not choose this route, because at end of day 2 of their girls didn't manage to get to \"good secondary schools despite affiliation\" (dad's direct quote). -
Touch_me_not\" post_id=\"2028255\" time=\"1624845542\" user_id=\"187786:
Hi Touch_me_not,
Two of them managed to get their kids to Aitong and Nanyang by renting and buying within 1 km. They said if they have to do it all over again, they will not choose this route, because at end of day 2 of their girls didn't manage to get to \"good secondary schools despite affiliation\" (dad's direct quote).
Ai Tong primary is not affiliated to any Secondary school at all.
NYPS girls need to score 250 or expected around 6 AL points,
before they can go back to their Affliated NYGH.
250 Tscore / or anticipated around 6 AL points, from 2021 Psle onwards, is a
tall order
for some of these NYPS girls, who don't do well academically.
So,
parents who enrolled their daughter's into NYPS should also take into consideration
what if they fail to meet the Affliation Cut off point (Psle) into NYGH. Don't just keep thinking only one sided -
for sure definitely, can go back to NYGH ! If parents have this mind set, then they are pressuring themselves and their own daughters -
Yes was referring to the parents who sent their kids to NYP. He did not say fell short of affiliation cut, he said cannot make it to good secondary schools. So I assumed the results could be way below the affiliation cut. ATS parents only said they will not do it again cause of extreme anxiety, but never said anything about affiliation to secondary school.
MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"2028263\" time=\"1624851685\" user_id=\"2964:
Ai Tong has no affiliation to any sec sch. Female pupils from Nanyang Pri has Nanyang Girl High School as their affiliated sec sch. So that father was saying, that his daughters fell short of the affiliation cut off and ended up in another sec sch?Touch_me_not\" post_id=\"2028255\" time=\"1624845542\" user_id=\"187786:
Two of them managed to get their kids to Aitong and Nanyang by renting and buying within 1 km. They said if they have to do it all over again, they will not choose this route, because at end of day 2 of their girls didn't manage to get to \"good secondary schools despite affiliation\" (dad's direct quote).
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Hi phtthp,
Thanks for trying to clarify. I should have phrased my sentence cleary, I was not referring to ATS parents when I commented on affiliation, was referring to the girls from NYP. The ATS parents' reason were huge hassle and their anxiety while waiting for result, even though their kid got it in the end. For them it's not about affiliation.
I believe most parents who enroll their kids to NYP are aware of the non affiliation for boys and high cut off point for the girls, and some seem prepared to go all the way, and agree with what you mentioned earlier, including stressing themselves and their kids.phtthp\" post_id=\"2028266\" time=\"1624852515\" user_id=\"35251:
Hi Touch_me_not,Touch_me_not\" post_id=\"2028255\" time=\"1624845542\" user_id=\"187786:
Two of them managed to get their kids to Aitong and Nanyang by renting and buying within 1 km. They said if they have to do it all over again, they will not choose this route, because at end of day 2 of their girls didn't manage to get to \"good secondary schools despite affiliation\" (dad's direct quote).
Ai Tong primary is not affiliated to any Secondary school at all.
NYPS girls need to score 250 or expected around 6 AL points,
before they can go back to their Affliated NYGH.
250 Tscore / or anticipated around 6 AL points, from 2021 Psle onwards, is a
tall order
for some of these NYPS girls, who don't do well academically.
So,
parents who enrolled their daughter's into NYPS should also take into consideration
what if they fail to meet the Affliation Cut off point (Psle) into NYGH. Don't just keep thinking only one sided -
for sure definitely, can go back to NYGH ! If parents have this mind set, then they are pressuring themselves and their own daughters
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