All About GEP
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revils_ling\" post_id=\"2119182\" time=\"1694932812\" user_id=\"136480:
:goodpost:
Just to share as well... my only child is also in P5 GEP this year, but he's in the other GEP school in the East š and his cohort has 53 kids (2 classes). He also hasn't attended any tuition or academic enrichment in his life and still doesn't at all, except for a few days of short-term course at Think Academy for NMOS prep in June this year. And this he attended because he wanted to, because Maths is his 1st love, not because he was forced to. He's only strength in life is Maths, and for others areas he just gets by. We don't believe in drowning our kid in tuition, especially since he's a very self-directed learner. But I do believe that tuition can help kids who ate struggling with school work, but the teacher or teaching style has to be fitting for the individual student in need. One size doesn't fit all, and if there's trial classes available, good to let the child try it out first. I hope parents can try not to simply \"go with the flow\" and sign their kids up for everything just because their neighbours/colleagues/relatives are doing so. Bottom line is for us as parents to do what's truly best for our kids. Something that worked for another child might not work well for ours.
ļøš
I agree with your approach on education, and tuition/additional classes. I think your child will be enjoying his learning journey. (Not implying that the others won't,
)
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Is your kid in imso, a mo medalist / no topper? Or only wants to go nush? If yes, there is no need to worry about other subj being not in top grades as dsa would be your route. Will not be the case for regular geppers who need to tackle psle with short runway and no Co and aiming for IP schs.
revils_ling\" post_id=\"2119182\" time=\"1694932812\" user_id=\"136480:
Just to share as well... my only child is also in P5 GEP this year, but he's in the other GEP school in the East š and his cohort has 53 kids (2 classes). He also hasn't attended any tuition or academic enrichment in his life and still doesn't at all, except for a few days of short-term course at Think Academy for NMOS prep in June this year. And this he attended because he wanted to, because Maths is his 1st love, not because he was forced to. He's only strength in life is Maths, and for others areas he just gets by. We don't believe in drowning our kid in tuition, especially since he's a very self-directed learner. But I do believe that tuition can help kids who ate struggling with school work, but the teacher or teaching style has to be fitting for the individual student in need. One size doesn't fit all, and if there's trial classes available, good to let the child try it out first. I hope parents can try not to simply \"go with the flow\" and sign their kids up for everything just because their neighbours/colleagues/relatives are doing so. Bottom line is for us as parents to do what's truly best for our kids. Something that worked for another child might not work well for ours.
ļøš -
Twinkiestars\" post_id=\"2119219\" time=\"1695033850\" user_id=\"97569:
What does HEP means? (is it specific to school?)
Anyone knows if the GEP kiddos will still need to stay back to do HEP in P6? -
jedamum\" post_id=\"2119320\" time=\"1695225927\" user_id=\"159:
you kind of spoke my mind.
Is your kid in imso, a mo medalist / no topper? Or only wants to go nush? If yes, there is no need to worry about other subj being not in top grades as dsa would be your route. Will not be the case for regular geppers who need to tackle psle with short runway and no Co and aiming for IP schs.
distinguishing the toppers ( i came up with the term, means top of gep class)
vs the average kids (the rest of the kids in the above class)
If no DSA and bad in mother tongue, even a 1-1-1-4 puts the child at a precarious position.
(For next year, my child will most probably skip NUSH and try his best for the other schools
if anything else, there is still PSLE................) -
wwjd.idkwhatiamdoing\" post_id=\"2119238\" time=\"1695089261\" user_id=\"201007:
Thanks for the heads up! We'll probably get my child to start his revision during the year end school holidays, and prep for next year. Hopefully his school won't be waiting till Term 3 to start their PSLE revision. I guess it all depends on how fast/soon the various subject teachers can complete the P6 syllabus.
2023 P6 GEP parent here.
Real PSLE style past year papers only started in Term 3. Some teachers gave it as June hols homework (not consistent across schools/classes/subjects). Depending on teacher, we are facing issue of a lot of work done but not marked and no feedback/answer sheets given. PSLE is next week, and we only have 3 school days left.
In term 3 they still have other projects for SS and science which took up a lot of time. On top of DSA trials/selections/interviews (not factoring time to prep for these yet).
Don't wait for the school and don't depend on the school if you are hoping for good PSLE results. -
jedamum\" post_id=\"2119320\" time=\"1695225927\" user_id=\"159:
As of this year, he has gotten a combination pf silvers and golds from the MO competitions, but not in IMSO team. And I wouldn't call him a topper per se, although he did get overall top 10 for one of the MOs (not NMOS). His strongest subject is Maths, and he's hovering within the top 5-10 in his GEP cohort for this subject. Based on my understanding of his academic progress, we are setting his target ALs for PSLE as follows:
Is your kid in imso, a mo medalist / no topper? Or only wants to go nush? If yes, there is no need to worry about other subj being not in top grades as dsa would be your route. Will not be the case for regular geppers who need to tackle psle with short runway and no Co and aiming for IP schs.
English - 2 (main weakness is compo)
Chinese - 1/2 (main weakness is ä½ę)
Higher Chinese - Merit (same weakness as CL)
Maths - 1 (weakness is careless mistakes š)
Science - 2/3 (main weakness is OEQ)
Target/expected total AL = 6-8 (if all goes well)
Above is just a positive projection on my part if he's willing to stay focus and push himself abt. But I did tell him that we'll be happy for him if he can achieve a total AL below 10.
As u can see, the general academic weakness is his writing skills. Despite being an avid and independent reader since his was 4-5yo, and despite reading widely since 6yo, he was never good at writing. Whereas most of his GEP peers don't have this problem. So this has been his biggest academic obstacle and likely will be for PSLE as well.
And this is why I can't help but worry about his ability to do well enough for PSLE since his main weakness will affect at least 3 out of 4 subjects (compo, ä½ę and OEQs). And even though NUSH is his first choice, I have read about the feedbacks from other parents that DSA to NUSH has been getting more competitive over the last few years, and DSA via Maths to other IP schools aren't any easier. So we don't want him to leave it just to DSA only. -
skii\" post_id=\"2119333\" time=\"1695261947\" user_id=\"82603:
In our school, HEP refers to the holistic enrichment program that all GEP kids will attend once per week (in the afternoon) like an additional CCA for them. Applies to P4-P6.
What does HEP means? (is it specific to school?) -
revils_ling\" post_id=\"2119394\" time=\"1695347779\" user_id=\"136480:
Well, the PSLE grading now will put everyone in the same level, unless you choose the DSA path. You could have a high AL1 or a low AL1, and both will consider as the same when coming to secondary school placing.
As of this year, he has gotten a combination pf silvers and golds from the MO competitions, but not in IMSO team. And I wouldn't call him a topper per se, although he did get overall top 10 for one of the MOs (not NMOS). His strongest subject is Maths, and he's hovering within the top 5-10 in his GEP cohort for this subject. Based on my understanding of his academic progress, we are setting his target ALs for PSLE as follows:
English - 2 (main weakness is compo)
Chinese - 1/2 (main weakness is ä½ę)
Higher Chinese - Merit (same weakness as CL)
Maths - 1 (weakness is careless mistakes š)
Science - 2/3 (main weakness is OEQ)
Target/expected total AL = 6-8 (if all goes well)
As u can see, the general academic weakness is his writing skills. Despite being an avid and independent reader since his was 4-5yo, and despite reading widely since 6yo, he was never good at writing. Whereas most of his GEP peers don't have this problem. So this has been his biggest academic obstacle and likely will be for PSLE as well.
And this is why I can't help but worry about his ability to do well enough for PSLE since his main weakness will affect at least 3 out of 4 subjects (compo, ä½ę and OEQs). And even though NUSH is his first choice, I have read about the feedbacks from other parents that DSA to NUSH has been getting more competitive over the last few years, and DSA via Maths to other IP schools aren't any easier. So we don't want him to leave it just to DSA only.
GEP gave the kids the chance to learn more and earlier, and also prepare them for more challenging questions, but at the end, they still need to do PSLE at National Level. Most GEP schools will only start doing PSLE past year papers after June (Well, round 2 of RIPMWC and SMOPS).
Taking part in Math Olympiad competition does add weight to your DSA application. A top place will almost secure you a ticket to the admission test or interview.
Writing and communication skills are quite important, not just for PSLE, but for all examinations. -
iwork\" post_id=\"2119400\" time=\"1695350570\" user_id=\"122543:
Yes, since Maths is his forte and interest in life, we have already signed him up for the MOs that his school has allowed the students to participate In this year and will do the same next year as well. The onus is on him to prep for them and to achieve the results that will hopefully help him in his DSA applications next year.
Well, the PSLE grading now will put everyone in the same level, unless you choose the DSA path. You could have a high AL1 or a low AL1, and both will consider as the same when coming to secondary school placing.
GEP gave the kids the chance to learn more and earlier, and also prepare them for more challenging questions, but at the end, they still need to do PSLE at National Level. Most GEP schools will only start doing PSLE past year papers after June (Well, round 2 of RIPMWC and SMOPS).
Taking part in Math Olympiad competition does add weight to your DSA application. A top place will almost secure you a ticket to the admission test or interview.
Writing and communication skills are quite important, not just for PSLE, but for all examinations.
I cannot agree with you more regarding the importance of writing and communication skills. This is something that I've consistently explained to him and reminded him about since lower primary years but it's just isn't something that garners his interest as much as mathematical problems. He's more of a thinker than a speaker. And he only truly enjoys talking about things he likes. Sometimes I wish he would be more talkative in class like some of his peers, but they have their own sets of problems to deal with when they can't stop talking š , so I'm not complaining. So far he is still managing to survive his class presentations and oral exams, but I can't tell where he stands because we don't get to see all of that in person. Just keeping my š¤ and encouraging him to try to improve his skills on a regular basis. I do believe he can if he really wants to. -
revils_ling\" post_id=\"2119394\" time=\"1695347779\" user_id=\"136480:
You may want your son to spend some time to practice English composition writing. There is English composition writing in selection process.
As of this year, he has gotten a combination pf silvers and golds from the MO competitions, but not in IMSO team. And I wouldn't call him a topper per se, although he did get overall top 10 for one of the MOs (not NMOS). His strongest subject is Maths, and he's hovering within the top 5-10 in his GEP cohort for this subject. Based on my understanding of his academic progress, we are setting his target ALs for PSLE as follows:
English - 2 (main weakness is compo)
Chinese - 1/2 (main weakness is ä½ę)
Higher Chinese - Merit (same weakness as CL)
Maths - 1 (weakness is careless mistakes š)
Science - 2/3 (main weakness is OEQ)
Target/expected total AL = 6-8 (if all goes well)
Above is just a positive projection on my part if he's willing to stay focus and push himself abt. But I did tell him that we'll be happy for him if he can achieve a total AL below 10.
As u can see, the general academic weakness is his writing skills. Despite being an avid and independent reader since his was 4-5yo, and despite reading widely since 6yo, he was never good at writing. Whereas most of his GEP peers don't have this problem. So this has been his biggest academic obstacle and likely will be for PSLE as well.
And this is why I can't help but worry about his ability to do well enough for PSLE since his main weakness will affect at least 3 out of 4 subjects (compo, ä½ę and OEQs). And even though NUSH is his first choice, I have read about the feedbacks from other parents that DSA to NUSH has been getting more competitive over the last few years, and DSA via Maths to other IP schools aren't any easier. So we don't want him to leave it just to DSA only.
NUSH focus on both Math and Science. Differentiator can be Science in NUSH selection as most kids applying for NUSH are good in Math. 2nd selection - camp consists of English composition and Science experiments. No Math test in selection camp. Math is only for 1st selection - paper tests.
DSA via Math to top tier IP schools is indeed not easier at all. There are so many kids talented with Math regardless they are from GEP or not for limited seats.
Looking at your son's target AL by subject, he does not have major weak subject unlike some GEP kids (including mine) who are weak in Monther Tongue. He will not have problem with PSLE if he prepares himself for PSLE enough. He still have one year to prepare. GEP kids have capabilities to learn fast and in depth. However, they also need practice to produce quality output in the exam.
All the best to your son!
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