[Bukit Timah] Primary Schools

[jessnom]

VooVoo:

What I meant is that even non chinese speaking parents (and we are talking both of them) can have their kids speak chinese...obviously, money is involved...then again, what's free? Jim Rogers have to pay for what both of them can't do - talk to their children in chinese.


At least Jessmon can speak chinese...

I'm thankful that i can speak chinese. That said, it's just a matter of habit and creating the environment. I'm happy with my son's progress but he still needs to work hard in conversational skill. And i've found out that he loves sun wukong, so he's willing to read the books, watch the dvds and listen to the audio books!

[Yogini]

Hi, my boy is due to register for P1 next month or so, but I’m rather clueless about where to apply. Our ideal choice is Pei Hwa but because we’re in the 1-2km category, chances are pretty slim. Should we still go for it? If we fail to get a place there, then should we go for Bukit Timah Primary(<2km) or Keming Primary(<1km)?

[janet88]

Yogini:

Hi, my boy is due to register for P1 next month or so, but I'm rather clueless about where to apply. Our ideal choice is Pei Hwa but because we're in the 1-2km category, chances are pretty slim. Should we still go for it? If we fail to get a place there, then should we go for Bukit Timah Primary(<2km) or Keming Primary(<1km)?

Hi Yogini,
For Pei Hwa last year, balloting did take place for those in 1-2km. No harm trying for it still, but your backup should be Bukit Timah Pri because Keming is coming up now and it's rather hard to get in. Good Luck.

[Yogini]

Thanks, janet_lee88!


So you think chances for Keming are slim even though we stay within 1km? Is it true that we'll have to apply for Keming/Bt Timah under Phase 2CSupp if we don't get into Pei Hwa under Phase 2C?

I'm wondering if Bt Timah Pri is better than Keming. Anyone has any thoughts/experience with these schools?

[janet88]

Yogini:

Thanks, janet_lee88!


So you think chances for Keming are slim even though we stay within 1km? Is it true that we'll have to apply for Keming/Bt Timah under Phase 2CSupp if we don't get into Pei Hwa under Phase 2C?

I'm wondering if Bt Timah Pri is better than Keming. Anyone has any thoughts/experience with these schools?

Pei Hwa 2C last year required balloting for those staying within 1-2km...same goes for Keming. Sorry indicated wrong info last night.
Keming required balloting for those staying 1km in 2008. Honestly, it's hard to say what will happen this year. But you have Bukit Timah Pri as backup.

[tankee]

School / Total Vacancy / Vacancy for Phase 1 / Number of Children Registered


Bukit Timah Primary School 180 180 48
Henry Park Primary School 330 330 86
Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) 210 210 69
Nanyang Primary School 390 390 111
Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School 330 330 175
Raffles Girls’ Primary School 300 300 89

[metz]

Yogini:

I'm wondering if Bt Timah Pri is better than Keming. Anyone has any thoughts/experience with these schools?

My son was previously from BTPS. I'm not sure the criteria you are looking at. But in terms of academics, I believed BTPS has a less drilling (not much homework) but not necessary less challenging environment. My son had a (ungraded) Show & Tell during the first week of school. And during the first term break, the students were tasked to write a simple poem for holiday homework. There's weekly Journal writing too. No CA or SA but lots of topical tests. Within the first semester, his class had a total of 10 topical tests for English & Maths respectively. Aside from the topical tests, the Chinese Teacher also sprang surprise tests on them. A parent felt the tests were not as difficult as those set by the so called top schools. However, I felt we can't compare topical tests to SAs as the intentions behind the tests are totally different.

For PSLE 2009, the school has performed above national average for most subjects except MT. And if I am not wrong, there are 18 who were successful in DSA applications.

Quality Performance by Subjects Quality Grades
(As & A*s)

School % vs National % (in brackets)

English Language 57.8% (43.9%)
Mathematics 50.7% (43.3%)
Science 60.2% (42.6%)
Chinese Language 79.6% (81.1%)

And for GEP selection last year, about 30 students got through the first screening and 9 were selected in the second round. Not a small achievement for a school with only (approx) 180 students.

I have the impression most of his classmates were doing well in school. Some were pretty advanced readers. Pros and Cons. Pros as in it encouraged my son to pay more attention to his work. One classmate even went around to compare results. Cons as in the weaker students might lose self-esteem. One was quite badly affected (in my view) that he leashed out at those top scorers in class. However, the above is solely based on observation from my son's class only.

In terms of demographic, I believe Keming has more HDB dwellers than BTPS since it is being surrounded by mostly HDBs. At least from what I observed, there is quite a high percentage of BTPS students staying in private or landed properties. Some even have (employed) chauffeurs to fetch them. Besides, there is also a small number of foreigners (Koreans, expats, Japanese, Indonesians) in BTPS. But the kids are generally rather fine, not arrogant.

However, the school is located within landed properties. Not really within 5-minute walking distance for most, unless they live in the private properties nearby.

[Yogini]

Many thanks, chamonix! Your info is really helpful!

[janet88]

HI chamonix,

I agree with you.
BTPS has quite a lot of foreign students esp Indonesians. This group is generous with donations.

[tungsten]

tankee:

School / Total Vacancy / Vacancy for Phase 1 / Number of Children Registered


Bukit Timah Primary School 180 180 48
Henry Park Primary School 330 330 86
Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) 210 210 69
Nanyang Primary School 390 390 111
Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School 330 330 175
Raffles Girls’ Primary School 300 300 89

looks like peihwa is hot this year. Should I try mgs for my daughter this year? We are staying 1km from peihwa but with 1 to 2km from mgs.
Any Advise is very much appreiciated. We are Singaporean. I have two youngers son that will need to go to school in the next few years. Therefore peihwa is a good choice. But I want the best for my daughter too.