DSA 2022

[SG_KP1]

hello-panda\" post_id=\"2091751\" time=\"1670554459\" user_id=\"189722:

Hi, can I check if we are going to apply to DSA in 2023. Can we just present the accolades for 2022 and earlier as we intend to focus on PSLE this year and greatly minimise training and may be even no competitions. Thanks

Hi. You can but what if all of the competitors are still taking part in certain activities/competitions? If DSA is a lottery ticket, then can decide to focus efforts elsewhere and just see what happens. However, if the student has a reasonably competitive profile, I don't think withdrawing from such activities is going to help the case (this may also be domain specific; were most of the major competitions (for the domain) in P5 or are just as many still open in the first half of P6?). Regardless, if enter by DSA the training and competitions continue for four years of secondary school. I.e. it's not really enter and selectively decide when to participate.

As an aside and irrespective of DSA, I will suggest to try and let kids have a \"normal\" school life from Jan - May. My observation is that many kids are running on fumes or getting bored doing the same thing over and over (i.e. revision and practice papers) from June - Sept/early-October. Every kid is different so you need to make a call on what's best for your own child but for some I'm not sure starting earlier is really helping much (and may even be a net negative). I guess part of it is where the child stands now vs. where the target is.

There's no Mid-Year Exam (P6 SA1) next year so perhaps it saves the kids a round of test prep/stress in May. Some may be fresher come Fall, others may have more to try and do after Prelims.

Anyways, best of luck. Hope others can provide prospective a well.

[sharonkhoo]

To add to that, if I were looking at applicants, choosing between a student who got good results because he studied intenstively for a year while cutting back on CCA, and another who got reasonably good results (perhaps somewhat poorer) but showed a capacity to do his CCA while maintaining his results, I think I would choose the one with higher capacity and the ability to manage his time between competing demands. After all, with DSA students, they have to balance their CCA with whatever else is going on in lessons - the competitions and activities will likely clash with class projects and tests as least some of the time.

[Tick16]

hello-panda\" post_id=\"2091751\" time=\"1670554459\" user_id=\"189722:

Hi, can I check if we are going to apply to DSA in 2023. Can we just present the accolades for 2022 and earlier as we intend to focus on PSLE this year and greatly minimise training and may be even no competitions. Thanks

We had my DD to balance her trainings for NSG and for WA and games were even in between her mid year exams. Even clashed with oral exams but school made some changes for those going for competitions. It was not easy as parents because we knew the NSG games were important for her as there had been no competitions the past 2 years and it was for once, I cannot tell her that the sport is not important. It is equally important. Trainings were 2-3times in school and every Sunday external training. 😂 To cut the story short, her team won champs in their zone, which was an added colour to her DSA testimonial, she still managed to do relatively well in her mid years (better than her P5 eoy and P6 WA1). It was all well worth it! And as for PSLE, she surprised us with results beyond our expectations. 🤭

[zac's mum]

U have to weigh your own chances carefully. Go suss out how successful your coach thinks u will be for DSA at your desired school(s). And then decide whether to chiong for the competitions, or just focus on academic cramming. It is true, some of the exam components (eg prelim Oral or LC) may not have makeup sessions arranged by your school.


My DS had many classmates who gave their all for NSG, both individual and team sports, one team sport even won the gold spot, but only less than 5 team members were successful in their DSA. The rest (medal winners or top 5) were all sorely disappointed. Should they have focussed their efforts on improving their academic grades? Nobody knows whether the time spent could have pulled up by few AL bands or not. Sad to say, contrary to how those well-meaning folks who console u that going in by PSLE score is better, no CO/WL dont be sad, etc…i can tell u so many cases couldnt go in by PSLE score.

[AHsDad]

Good insights from parents 🏽

Although my girl did not DSA through sport, she did not slow down at all in her sport trainings / competitions (naturally less comp due to CoViD). Be mindful that the key point of DSA is for the TALENT and academic qualification is secondary, as long as the school deems the kid able to cope. This is especially for sports. If u mention can reduce training or competition, I would presume it’s not a school CCA? I would advise not to cut out the activities totally as the sport itself could be of use to ur child (stress relief and healthy body). Unless of course if there is timing conflicts or he is a bit behind on studies…

Below interesting article, food for thought

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2019/04/24/children-should-not-stop-playing-sport-run-exams-has-no-impact

[newkeynesian]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2091971\" time=\"1670842094\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2091971 time=1670842094 user_id=53606]
Sad to say, contrary to how those well-meaning folks who console u that going in by PSLE score is better, no CO/WL dont be sad, etc…i can tell u so many cases couldnt go in by PSLE score.[/quote]

This is so damn true.

[floppy]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2091971\" time=\"1670842094\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2091971 time=1670842094 user_id=53606]
...
My DS had many classmates who gave their all for NSG, both individual and team sports, one team sport even won the gold spot, but only less than 5 team members were successful in their DSA. The rest (medal winners or top 5) were all sorely disappointed.
...[/quote]

I think one of the biggest challenge for team sports is that no school (be it secondary, JC or tertiary institution) is able to take in an entire team via DSA (or similar). Unless the athletes are willing to consider other schools, they have to be realistic about their chances.

[SG_KP1]

floppy\" post_id=\"2092225\" time=\"1671124944\" user_id=\"97579:

I think one of the biggest challenge for team sports is that no school (be it secondary, JC or tertiary institution) is able to take in an entire team via DSA (or similar). Unless the athletes are willing to consider other schools, they have to be realistic about their chances.

Further, while team sports require the efforts and contributions of everyone, there is still a difference between Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Luc Longley (all are three-peat NBA Champions). When spaces to give out are scarce, the cards fall the way they do. Not saying it's right or good, but kind of how the history of sports drafts and building out a team works...

[labva]

Hi all,


SCGS WL converted to CO.

[Liew Nga Wing]

labva\" post_id=\"2092490\" time=\"1671454089\" user_id=\"198902:

Hi all,

SCGS WL converted to CO.

:congrats: