Networking Group - JCs General
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doodbug\" post_id=\"2095373\" time=\"1674006931\" user_id=\"13281:
Students after O level track suddenly switched over to IB (ACSI / SJI) curriculum for Year (5 and 6), not sure if ... they are able to cope well,
It's not about parents choosing per se - if there is no inclination, no conviction, no interest from the child for the path, things may not turn out as planned.
IB and Poly are extremely different. If the child absolutely dislikes writing short and extended essays, or dislikes philosophy and finds it too waffle-ly, then the IB is a complete misfit. Same goes if the child is not willing to take 6 (actually count TOK and EE,
compulsory subjects from diverse subject groups.
On the other hand, if the child absolutely dislikes group projects, or a GPA style system, poly is a misfit.
There is nothing wrong if a child doesn't know what he or she wants to do, and opts for the option that opens the most options - this is the reason why the PCME cohort at the A levels is so large! It is probably one of the most flexible combinations that opens almost all options.
vs. compared to
sticking back to the familiar, traditional A-level route, be it SEAB or UK based platform. -
phtthp\" post_id=\"2095382\" time=\"1674011794\" user_id=\"35251:
Humans are not programmes or robots - progression is not always, linear.
Must understand that students who go to JC in the first place are academically stronger.
If the same student who did well in O level but end up with bad A level results decided to make a U turn back to go Poly route, who has a higher chance of getting into local uni ?
There are so many factors that can affect one's performance and we cant wish or plan them all away. It goes way beyond academic suitability, or learning style suitability. It could be friends, going through certain ups and downs in life at that point, being carried away by certain things, or having a good mentor in that particular situation, a supportive peer group, and the list goes on.
We can probably say a certain pathway is say, faster or more direct than another in getting to XYZ, but to say one is better or worse off, it's a value statement. In every life, we cannot turn back the clock, nor do we know the counterfactual. None of us can say, had my child done the IB, he or she would have scored 42 - stupid me chose the A levels and he or she only scored AABB - we are mere mortals.
I have friends who went to Poly after JC - not all of them regretted the path. Some of them in fact, had fantastic memories of the rara and fun JC school life they had - spent countless hours mass dancing, hanging out with friends, and forged friendships. JC is the LAST chance for a school environment, and having form classes and form teachers.
and all. -
SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2095376\" time=\"1674010185\" user_id=\"188234:
Are there any overseas staff,
Add me as another person that would pick IB in int'l school here over UK A (here, Malaysia, or UK). While we don't know for sure, I have a tough time seeing how UK A is viewed more favourably for local uni. If decide to go uni elsewhere, my impression is that both will be equally portable, if not an edge to the IB score (although this may be more true for the American universities, not sure about UK, Australia, etc). Of course, this is absent any learning style/syllabus difference that the kid prefers or is better suited to.
from abroad (UK / USA / Australia) universities coming over to Singapore,
to introduce what courses are available in their uni, to students in Singapore here ? -
If a poly graduate, after working full times for awhile, and decide to apply for local U to study full time, does the working experience increases the chance of local U application?
I have a colleague who was a poly graduate. She worked full time for a while and then got accepted by NTU to study full time. I don’t think it was the case (didn’t ask, so not 100% sure) her poly result was good enough to local U but she chose to work first then study full time again. Seem to me working experience provided some credits to her local U application later -
IDP Australia just held their Universities fair at MBS last Saturday. I happened to walk past the function room and saw at least 20-30 booths inside and throngs of interested parents with their children. This fair used to be a regular thing ever since my own teenage days. Nowadays lots more info is available online but people still go F2F to chat physically to the Aussie staff there.
I dunno about the other countries. -
slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2095377\" time=\"1674010534\" user_id=\"28674:
I like the way slmkhoo summarized it - IB/A levels is \"unfinished\" in the sense of articulating into the workforce, whereas a poly diploma can possibly set you up immediately into very viable careers. Some really do want some work experience before deciding which path or even industry to pursue at a degree level (if at all). In this age of microcredentials and stackable learning, you can curate your skillset portfolio in non-traditional ways.
I agree with doodbug's answer. Look at your child, and ask her what her preference is. By the age of 16, you should know her strengths and weaknesses, her preferred study style, what kind of job she is likely to prefer, etc. The choice for each student will differ.
When thinking about jobs, at 16, it's not about the specific job, but just the rough sector and type:
Sector - e.g. healthcare, childcare, type of engineering, media, logistics, travel, etc
Type - people-facing, independent, caring, dealing with children/elderly, detail-oriented, etc
The main benefit of a poly diploma is that starting work at that point is more straightforward, with more demonstrated marketable skills. IB and A levels give a rather 'unfinished' result and it is harder to convince employers who are usually looking for specific skills. They also assume that many such applicants will quit soon to go to university. So for a student who is not sure that she is university bound fairly immediately or because of poor results, a poly diploma in an area that she is interested in will lend itself to finding a job more readily. Going to university can come later, although doing it part-time or mid-career also has its challenges. But picking a random university course without some inclination in that area, or when not mature enough to make the most of it, can be a waste of time.
Take a look at the Work Study Degree programme options being offered by the local universities - I do see the benefits of the alternating semesters studying and working. It will appeal to some. -
bbbay\" post_id=\"2095386\" time=\"1674012778\" user_id=\"175278:
If the poly result was good enough, the extra years of working experience probably won’t matter (but no harm in any case).
If a poly graduate, after working full times for awhile, and decide to apply for local U to study full time, does the working experience increases the chance of local U application?
I have a colleague who was a poly graduate. She worked full time for a while and then got accepted by NTU to study full time. I don’t think it was the case (didn’t ask, so not 100% sure) her poly result was good enough to local U but she chose to work first then study full time again. Seem to me working experience provided some credits to her local U application later
If the poly result wasn’t good enough, the universities can admit adult learners based on work experience (for example, NUS has a programme called Advance@NUS). -
phtthp\" post_id=\"2095383\" time=\"1674012082\" user_id=\"35251:
The A levels are not the same as O levels, so the familiarity is not that much! I agree that switching to IB is probably more 'different', but many students do actually do it and survive. It all boils down to the individual student - the able ones will do well whatever the programme and however great the switch, the weak ones will struggle whatever the programme. The ones in between with have greater or lesser difficulties, depending on individual characteristics. Which is why it is not very useful to ask for such broad comparisons. Perhaps it would be better to define the student - e.g. strong in languages, or very linear thinking, or highly introvert, etc. Then the answers will be more useful.
Students after O level track suddenly switched over to IB (ACSI / SJI) curriculum for Year (5 and 6), not sure if ... they are able to cope well,
vs. compared to
sticking back to the familiar, traditional A-level route, be it SEAB or UK based platform. -
phtthp\" post_id=\"2095385\" time=\"1674012630\" user_id=\"35251:
In addition to the other replies here, I would assume most schools (of all types) have some type of university fair or visit from a particular university making the Singapore rounds throughout the year.
Are there any overseas staff,
from abroad (UK / USA / Australia) universities coming over to Singapore,
to introduce what courses are available in their uni, to students in Singapore here ?
For example, HCIS had a university fair last year and also had UBC (University of British Columbia) visit on another day. -
doodbug\" post_id=\"2095384\" time=\"1674012528\" user_id=\"13281:
Don't forget MI! And that's 3 more years of the school experience. In fact, it's much more 'school' than JCs as it has more of a classroom system. We chose MI over JC for my older girl for that reason.
JC is the LAST chance for a school environment, and having form classes and form teachers.
and all.
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