Me Time!

[zac's mum]

Coolkidsrock2\" post_id=\"2124604\" time=\"1702178504\" user_id=\"48901:

My friends either (i) start kids with international schools or the local international schools; (ii) go boarding school in upper primary; (iii) transfer to local international schools after/around sec 2 or sec 4; or (iv) attend foundation studies overseas.

Kids in arrangement (i) will usually be self-taught or have tuition in the local curriculum in parallel - have to practise on assessment books too : )

Reason given for kids in arrangement (iii) is exposure and fit.

If no CCA requirement by school, it may mean that parent/student will need to DIY? Or they will help with linking up with the relevant partners?

I am looking particularly at the IBDP course (2 years’ equivalent to JC years). As far as i know, CCA is only compulsory during secondary school years (this is an MOE requirement), not subsequently.

There is some text on their website which i found very interesting. It seems to imply that Singaporean students can freely commence on IBDP studies at *any* accredited IB school they want, no need to be one of the 3 local international schools (which bear the restriction for Y1-Y4 only?) And it seems Singaporeans can even start on IGCSE at age 15 if the “non-3” international school seeks permission on your behalf:

“We welcome students from across the globe at Westbourne College, there are some key points to be aware of which are specific to the IGCSE course, designed for students typically aged 15 – 16 years

IGCSE Singaporean students: the IGCSE course is a secondary school equivalent course, our team will support you with applying to the Ministry of Education. The MOE requirement does not apply to the IB Diploma Programme, nor is it required for eligible international students.”

[Coolkidsrock2]

My apologies, my concern about no CCA is more from preparing the "personal statement" perspective, eg leadership roles, community involvement …


Will it mean that parent and student need to find their own CCA equivalent/internship outside the school on their own?

Have seen kids being "founder" of "…"

[zac's mum]

Coolkidsrock2\" post_id=\"2124613\" time=\"1702184211\" user_id=\"48901:

My apologies, my concern about no CCA is more from preparing the \"personal statement\" perspective, eg leadership roles, community involvement ...

Will it mean that parent and student need to find their own CCA equivalent/internship outside the school on their own?

Have seen kids being \"founder\" of \".....\"

No idea, i’m sure the school will help to facilitate such, especially with IBDP itself having CAS requirements.

I dont think it’s difficult to build a portfolio lah, at least not for my extroverted kid.

[Coolkidsrock2]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2124614\" time=\"1702185662\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2124614 time=1702185662 user_id=53606]
No idea, i’m sure the school will help to facilitate such, especially with IBDP itself having CAS requirements.

I dont think it’s difficult to build a portfolio lah, at least not for my extroverted kid.[/quote]

Maybe get confirmation from them if it is through the school or separate service provider and if any fees involved.

[sharonkhoo]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2124607\" time=\"1702181805\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2124607 time=1702181805 user_id=53606]
There is some text on their website which i found very interesting. It seems to imply that Singaporean students can freely commence on IBDP studies at *any* accredited IB school they want, no need to be one of the 3 local international schools (which bear the restriction for Y1-Y4 only?) And it seems Singaporeans can even start on IGCSE at age 15 if the “non-3” international school seeks permission on your behalf:

“We welcome students from across the globe at Westbourne College, there are some key points to be aware of which are specific to the IGCSE course, designed for students typically aged 15 – 16 years

IGCSE Singaporean students: the IGCSE course is a secondary school equivalent course, our team will support you with applying to the Ministry of Education. The MOE requirement does not apply to the IB Diploma Programme, nor is it required for eligible international students.”[/quote]

Just sharing what I understand, but it may not be accurate, or may be out of date. You might need to check with MOE directly to make sure.

- For the 3 \"local\" international schools, there is no need to obtain MOE waiver. As long as the student can get a place, he can take it up. And this applies to Sec 1 to JC years.
- For all Foreign System Schools (FSS) which do not include those 3 above, the SCHOOL has to apply to MOE for a waiver for the student to take up a place at the school. I have heard that sometimes MOE will refuse, and one of the reasons may be that the school already has too many Singaporean students. There may be other reasons to do with the individual student as well (no idea of what, but this is what I've heard). This applies for sec 1 to JC years from what I gather, i.e. would apply to IBDP, though maybe the rules have changed?
- If you want to keep options open for applying to local universities, the student much meet the MTL requirements or be exempted (see details on universities websites).

[MrsKiasu]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2124603\" time=\"1702176397\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2124603 time=1702176397 user_id=53606]
Hi ladies, for discussion. This seems like a good local alternative to do IBDP. Fees are $37k per year (similar to what MKS quoted $17k per semester at HCIS?) but not full international school campus so no need CCA and whatnot. Ratio is a lot lower too, plus they have networks to help with overseas uni applications.

Welcome your opinions on this.

https://honeykidsasia.com/westbourne-college-singapore-ib/?fbclid=IwAR2cMPB_CIJPhrizt8rWd4a7hRg4UJXFIvm87vS1f_9x3tt8_OByeoGccMU_aem_AY_exhspjOtjmGTE4PL9WWQ4QmzbjkT_DuhQ5B4Mkd9pKTyR9a7s9QMLQwhk39dSw-KIE11wGZg9-zZde2rfC3ry[/quote]

Did they put student teacher ratio in figures? Sounds interesting too worth exploring..but HCIS is established for more years in SG with min 50% local students if I m correct. The yearly fee few k more ex.

[zac's mum]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2124631\" time=\"1702216994\" user_id=\"43981:

Did they put student teacher ratio in figures? Sounds interesting too worth exploring..but HCIS is established for more years in SG with min 50% local students if I m correct. The yearly fee few k more ex.

They didnt put the ratio for IBDP, but they put for IGCSE (age 15-16):

“Our typical teacher-to-student ratio stands at 1: 6.

Our ratio will be kept below 1: 20”.

Did HCIS say what is their IBDP intake size? Is it easier to get in? Cos i think SJI intl and ACS intl all full house or very difficult to get in.

[MrsKiasu]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2124633\" time=\"1702217798\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2124633 time=1702217798 user_id=53606]
They didnt put the ratio for IBDP, but they put for IGCSE (age 15-16):

“Our typical teacher-to-student ratio stands at 1: 6.

Our ratio will be kept below 1: 20”.

Did HCIS say what is their IBDP intake size? Is it easier to get in? Cos i think SJI intl and ACS intl all full house or very difficult to get in.[/quote]

I just checked 1 school only. Oh no difficult to get in. Cant remember now but i think the max is 30.
Wah 1:6 is really good..but too low school can survive or not. And according from what noted on the website looks like need admission test right but according to reply just interview on spot something like that to just join the current batch.

[zac's mum]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2124634\" time=\"1702218209\" user_id=\"43981:

I just checked 1 school only. Oh no difficult to get in. Cant remember now but i think the max is 30.
Wah 1:6 is really good..but too low school can survive or not.

Well, they do not have a large physical campus to upkeep like other international schools. They just paying to rent an office space it seems.

[MrsKiasu]

Read some say the kid study in Australia for degree…to estimate $100k/yr for everything. Is that avg or at high side budget? Say someone come to SG Intl school fee: $37k/yr(fee)+$36k/yr(room rental+meals+transport), no need $100k/yr… So foreigner studying in SG is cheaper right?


Am assuming Degree fee around same as Pre U .
Dunno can or not.