DSA 2022

[phtthp]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2068510\" time=\"1653375004\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2068510 time=1653375004 user_id=53606]
Is this a hypothetical story? Becos the past 2 years we had a highly-transmissible pandemic here in SG.

What I heard was on top of prefectorial/CCA leadership duties, child needs to have initiated such community projects on his/her own, in order to be considered.[/quote]

yup, highly hypothetical because with all the lockdown going on for past 2 years, unlikely to take place unless this occurred during pre-covid years.

See, this is talking about re-pack \"newspapers\".

But if u talk about packing food packet(s), distribute to one room family hdb flat occupiers, whether covid or no covid, people still have to eat. You no job, no $, still got to makan. That is more believable. Do u still recall that incident In Malaysia during the painful covid, where people no food to eat, loss of job, no income, business bankrupt, shut down, hang out white flags outside their door to surrender, to ask (beg) for food just to survive ?

If u no food, no water, can die from hunger & thirst, as your body weight keep going down, become malnourished, lack of nutrition. But you won't die, if dont read newspapers. News is everywhere, readily available on your own handphone, isn't it ? Just \"google\", the news will pop up

[bbbay]

The case is not real, for illustration of community/ inspirational leadership.


Isn’t such a) community/inspirational leadership (likely no precedence/minimum guidance/unpredictable environment ) a better yardstick of the leadership quality than b) CCA/prefectorial (which are well structured and more predictable environments)?

A leadership applicant with both a and b will have better chance than another with just a or b. But will an applicant with only a) , stand better chance than another with only b)?

[zac's mum]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2068519\" time=\"1653381049\" user_id=\"175278:

The case is not real, for illustration of community leadership.

Isn’t such a) community leadership (likely no precedence/minimum guidance/unpredictable environment ) a better yardstick of the leadership quality than b) CCA/prefectorial (which are well structured and more predictable environments)?

A leadership applicant with both a and b will have better chance than another with just a or b. But will an applicant with only a) , stand better chance than another with only b)?

I’d like to raise some points in this discussion:

- first, different schools phrase this domain differently. It was only in recent years that RGS, Cedar changed the name to “community youth leadership” rather than plain “leadership”.

- i agree that in primary schools, prefects are largely nominated by form teachers, and such kids are usually super obedient, studious type. They will help teacher to maintain order in the classroom, “book” latecomers & rule breakers. Not much else.

- CCA heads, possibly have more experience in peer leadership (sometimes across many levels of juniors), depending on the type & size of the CCA too. It is far more than simply helping teacher mark attendance.

- i am not sure why community service is seen as a reflection of leadership skills. While it is commonly said that political leaders need to have a servant heart, to me if a child can gain the respect of their peers & possess the skills to manage immature juniors, isnt that leadership potential? The willingness to serve the community with such skills is a bonus.

[bbbay]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2068522\" time=\"1653381873\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2068522 time=1653381873 user_id=53606]
I’d like to raise some points in this discussion:

- first, different schools phrase this domain differently. It was only in recent years that RGS, Cedar changed the name to “community youth leadership” rather than plain “leadership”.

- i agree that in primary schools, prefects are largely nominated by form teachers, and such kids are usually super obedient, studious type. They will help teacher to maintain order in the classroom, “book” latecomers & rule breakers. Not much else.

- CCA heads, possibly have more experience in peer leadership (sometimes across many levels of juniors), depending on the type & size of the CCA too. It is far more than simply helping teacher mark attendance.

- i am not sure why community service is seen as a reflection of leadership skills. While it is commonly said that political leaders need to have a servant heart, to me if a child can gain the respect of their peers & possess the skills to manage immature juniors, isnt that leadership potential? The willingness to serve the community with such skills is a bonus.[/quote]

I will frame my view on the difference between 1) community and 2) managing leadership this way:

The popular Chinese classic “Romance of the 3 kingdom”, there were 3 sworn brothers 劉備, 关羽 and 张飞.

关羽 was the well respected/feared general- bold, strong and well disciplined. Even the enemy state wanted to recruit him.

劉備 was wise, big hearted, and cared a lot for the common folks.

There was an episode when the brothers and their small army, together with many villagers, were forced to retreat from large enemy army. 关羽 advices 劉備 to leave the villagers behind so they and their small army can retreat faster. 劉備 replied that they were going to war, for the sole purpose of the villagers’ well-being. The war will be meaningless if they abandon them.

To me 劉備 is the 1) and 关羽 the 2).

[Imp75]

Regarding the hypothetical example, I would rate the boy very highly in that he’s original in his ideas and willing to serve his community without any costs. Is this better than participating in ‘hair for hope’ with online donations where your parents fund you almost entirely to reach your target hahaha…

[Zeal mummy]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2068519\" time=\"1653381049\" user_id=\"175278:

The case is not real, for illustration of community/ inspirational leadership.

Isn’t such a) community/inspirational leadership (likely no precedence/minimum guidance/unpredictable environment ) a better yardstick of the leadership quality than b) CCA/prefectorial (which are well structured and more predictable environments)?

A leadership applicant with both a and b will have better chance than another with just a or b. But will an applicant with only a) , stand better chance than another with only b)?

I would like to agree with..

~ Floppy, that most of these selections are relatively subjective, based on how strong your competition is and (perhaps) also who knows and talks about your achievements. You can have both qualities A & B, but still lose out to someone who has A, B & C. Eg. (A) Community service leader, (B) school student leader and (C) volunteering or a sports champion.

~ Phtthp, that having quality A or B only, is a weak resume. It would be better to have both or more.. Especially if applying to the Top Schools.


For discussion purposes,

IMHO, “community youth leadership” is significantly different from “school leadership”. The former leads the community in service, could be for people of all ages, a large variety of programs, targeted at residents or a close knitted community; whereas the latter leads a specific activity or school program with their peers, representing the school. Both are commendable but nope, not the same.

Perhaps in recent years, the candidates that these school had chosen reflected their wants and needs for more community youths. (For PA/ grassroots etc). So instead of plainly listing “leadership” in school settings, it is more apt to say they are looking for a specific type of personality, someone who would like to work with the community, serving the people by leading programs.

In my child’s school, some prefects are nominated by their peers, teachers and employees of the school. Yes, these kids are usually super obedient, studious, but also intelligent, helpful, kind, tactful and well-liked. Their role could also include, giving suggestions on how to improve the school. It all depends on how you approach your role as a prefect. Well.. Perhaps in some schools it is not done this way, like ZM said, in a traditional setting it is picked by the FT. Times are changing and I hope I am giving you another welcomed perspective here.

Some student leaders in schools do not like to mingle with the community. Living in an “ivory tower” and feeling like I’m the head prefect, top student etc. Having the heart of service, doing house visiting is probably a “bonus” in the past, but a requirement when it is changed to “community leadership”. Some CCA leaders are made leaders because they are excellent at their sport or club competition abilities, not so much leading or serving others.

All in all, as parents, we guide our children to their max potential, not just for DSA. For DSA, we need to give the schools what they are looking for if you want to get in by DSA. Hope this helps and all the best to those applying!

[bbbay]

floppy\" post_id=\"2068453\" time=\"1653355028\" user_id=\"97579:

There are at least 2 other schools, apart from HCI (then TCHS), that participated in those \"“vehement & outspoken protests” still in existence today.

I believe you are thinking of CCHS. The other, less well known compared to the other schools, is Yuying Secondary School (then Yoke Eng School). That said, if we were to include all the other members of the union, we would have to include NYGH and NCHS (then Nan Chiau Girls' High School) as well :evil:

People usually only remember CCHS and TCHS as the sit-in protests were held in their campuses. However, I was told (can't be verified though) that many leaders came from TCHS.

I read from the late LKY’s book “my life long challenge - Singapore bilingual journey”, he said he was impressed then by the students from the chinese medium schools during the fight for independence. That the students were disciplined and steadfast in the pursuing of their social cause. He felt these chinese schools’ values should be preserved. That is 1 of the reason we have our SAP schools now.

[zac's mum]

Just to correct my earlier post, Cedar calls this domain “social innovation”. I believe that’s a more accurate term of what they’re looking for than “leadership”.

[bbbay]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2068560\" time=\"1653413165\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2068560 time=1653413165 user_id=53606]
Just to correct my earlier post, Cedar calls this domain “social innovation”. I believe that’s a more accurate term of what they’re looking for than “leadership”.[/quote]

Inspirational leadership? Like Gandhi and Greta Thunberg, who started a movement and inspire millions to follow?

Man management is another type of leadership.

[charlie_brown]

Hi all


Can I check what are the questions that might be asked for DSA through STEAM? And if it is very difficult to get in to NJC (Secondary) for DSA STEAM?

Also, can anyone please also share their experience for RV High School’s DSA through Design & Technology Innovation?

Thanks for the advice!