Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools
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ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2126732\" time=\"1704850541\" user_id=\"3:
Misselene target, goal & objective, is to pull her K2 son out of her husband's alma mater Maris Stella, and enrol her son into Kong Hwa primary, under Phase 2C. Misselene is not interested in Geylang Methodist. She only want that SAP school : Kong Hwa, because she lives within a stone throw away, from Kong Hwa.
Oops... I forgot Canossa has became co-ed. Then there are no more choices for Geylang schools in Phase 2C(S) :sad: . Canossa's cohort is very tiny... only about 120, so maybe MOE can consider increasing it a bit within 2 years.
Can try Geylang Methodist in Phase 2C as it has the \"lowest\" oversubscription rate.
Geylang Methodist primary is out of bound for Misselene,
because
by end of Phase 2C, she will be full house. No need to even enter into Phase 2C Supplementary, anymore.
Geylang Methodist primary, no doubt less popular compared to her favorite, hot-in-demand cousins schools like,
Methodist primary (Fairfield, Bukit Timah MGS, Paya Lebar MGS) schools, but still,
Geylang Methodist primary is affliated to her own Secondary school. And her Secondary school in turn, is affliated to
ACJC (Anglo Chinese Junior College),
which requires a single digit : L1R5 \"8\" points nett, for admission into ACJC, if u are a \"Non-affliated\" Sec 4 O-level student, seeking admission into ACJC. As u know, the name \"ACS\" always attract many people, around.
Thus,
even though Geylang Methodist primary may not sound attractive at all to those parents who are living outside of Geylang area, especially to those \"atas\" parents, because of the name \"Geylang\", often being associated with red light district. However, to the residents staying in and around Geylang estate long enough nearby, this primary school certainly is attractive to them, for the ease of convenience of travelling to and fro everyday, as well as the strong advantage of affliation, into ACJC. Some parents don't mind sending their K2 sons & daughter into this school, for their next 12 years of their life studying in security, in peace, to graduate from ACJC eventually, at the end of their 12 years educational journey. This is one good option for them, who are Not fussy at all for their children to \"die, die, must\" enter into those branded, high sounding intellectual Secondary schools like RaffIes Institution, Hwa Chong, etc. -
Misselene,
One more thing, in case you are not aware.
Once your son in P3 onwards, NO point seeking Transfer into Kong Hwa anymore.
Why ?
In lower primary P1 & P2, many students are happy, happy, very relaxed, because … no exam.
However, from P3 onwards,
Because
once subject SCIENCE comes in, many parents start to gear up, start to prepare for PSLE. And affliation to a good, decent Secondary school, is what many parents hope for. Of course if their children PSLE results excel, they can go to better Secondary schools, if they want to. However, your affliated Secondary school, that is, Maris Stella Secondary, is also another hot, popular Secondary school, which many P6 parents & students are eagerly hungry for, during so many past several batches of
P6 DSA application time and during MOE posting S1 time, after the release of PSLE results in November.
In stark contrast,
Kong Hwa got no affliation, at all. The facts, are all placed, before u. Be a WISE parent.
===========================
As for your younger daughter, when the time comes for her to register for P1,
Yes,
u can enrol her under Kong Hwa (Phase 2C).
If from now, until her registration time is due for P1 …
if time permit u to volunteer for Kong Hwa under Hokkien Huay Kuan
OR
Volunteer under Grassroot, whatever (whichever) strategy applies, to move yourself up into the earlier Phase 2B for advantage, then kindly do so, before time runs out, for your younger daughter’s enrolment (registration) -
Thank you everyone for your kind advice, perspectives and time! I learn so much from you all. I really appreciate it. After reading the comments, I’m starting to give up the idea of Kong Hwa for Phase 2C and kids having same school. The safest bet seem to be Maris Stella in this year’s registration, and explore options for my younger daughter next time.
Our family is Catholic. For my daughter, perhaps I should consider some good Catholic schools so we can qualify under Phase 2B to be a bit "safer". Does distance matter in the balloting process for Phase 2B? -
Hi Misselaine,
Do u realize, where your dilemma arises from ?
It arises, because of your inner struggle conflict, over your younger daughter’s enrolment. Because you desire her to go into Kong Hwa very much. So, u thought of leverage upon her brother, to enter into Kong Hwa first & after that, lead her into the same school, under Phase 1 sibling.
But you overlook one important fact. Of course, if u get balloted into Kong Hwa successfully, warmest Congratulations to u. Case closed.
But you throw a coin up into the air. When it fall onto the ground, there are 2 sides, to see : head or tail ?
Likewise, if ballot goes the other way round, if end up in Cannosa Catholic primary school under Phase 2C Supp, still ok. That is, provided co-ed Cannosa Catholic still got vacancies to enrol your son in, under Phase 2C Supp. But if this year, demand is so good like last year 2023 also full house, by end of Phase 2C for Canossa Catholic, then end up your son go to Eunos primary,
the appeal to Transfer into Kong Hwa from Eunos primary, is much harder than if he were to seek Transfer, from Maris Stella.
If vacancies arise, transfer from one SAP school into another SAP school, is easier.
≈===================
Your 2nd question : does distance matter, during balloting?
If this year, suppose
Canossa Catholic primary still got some remaining vacancies left behind under Phase 2C Supplementary,
then,
depending on the Total number of Vacancies left behind, (Singapore citizens) K2 children
a) who live less than 1 km away from the school, will enter first, before any kid living more than 1 km away, followed by
b) If still got vacancies left, then,
SC students living between 1 to 2 km away, will have priority to enter first, before any kid living more than 2 km away.
Yes, distance does matter, in terms of whether u got a chance to ballot or not, based on the remaining vacancies left behind, under EACH Phase. -
Missselene\" post_id=\"2126778\" time=\"1704862547\" user_id=\"200053:
That sounds like a good idea. Most Catholic schools which accept girls don’t require balloting at Phase 2B, apart from the more popular schools such as CHIJ Toa Payoh and SNGS. These popular schools will typically only consider those living within 1km of the school. You can look up the balloting data for the past few years on sgschooling.com as well as the 2023 data on the MOE website.
Thank you everyone for your kind advice, perspectives and time! I learn so much from you all. I really appreciate it. After reading the comments, I'm starting to give up the idea of Kong Hwa for Phase 2C and kids having same school. The safest bet seem to be Maris Stella in this year's registration, and explore options for my younger daughter next time.
Our family is Catholic. For my daughter, perhaps I should consider some good Catholic schools so we can qualify under Phase 2B to be a bit \"safer\". Does distance matter in the balloting process for Phase 2B?
You might want to think about whether you would like to move to a different part of Singapore, or if you are content staying in your current place for the long haul. If you’re looking to stay put in the Geylang area, CHIJ Katong in Marine Parade might be one to consider. -
Hello parents whose children are in SCGS…
Can you share the good and bad experiences that your child encounters?
My friends mentioned that the children like to form cliques and compare with one another.
I am not an alumni of SCGS so will like to have your input on the culture and experiences which will greatly help me to evaluate the primary school for my DD. Thanks!!! -
If I’m staying with 1km of the following primary schools:
1) Nan Chiau Primary
2) Compassvale Primary
3) Rivervale Primary
4) Punggol Green Primary
5) Valour Primary
Which school would you go for?
I hope for Nan Chiau but chances are low that we will get balloted in at phase 2C (hubby and me are not Hokkien). Else, I was thinking of doing parent volunteer for Rivervale or Compassvale pri, or Sengkang green primary which is slightly further. Any recommendations? -
mellielyt\" post_id=\"2128416\" time=\"1706872761\" user_id=\"200365:
When are you going for the P1 registration exercise? I assume it'd be next year as doing PV now for this year's exercise will be impossible.
If I’m staying with 1km of the following primary schools:
1) Nan Chiau Primary
2) Compassvale Primary
3) Rivervale Primary
4) Punggol Green Primary
5) Valour Primary
Which school would you go for?
I hope for Nan Chiau but chances are low that we will get balloted in at phase 2C (hubby and me are not Hokkien). Else, I was thinking of doing parent volunteer for Rivervale or Compassvale pri, or Sengkang green primary which is slightly further. Any recommendations? -
ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2128417\" time=\"1706877256\" user_id=\"3:
Actually my girl is still only 2 years old. Going for p1 registration in 2028 only. But me being kiasu, started thinking and planning early so there’s time to sign up for PV if needed
When are you going for the P1 registration exercise? I assume it'd be next year as doing PV now for this year's exercise will be impossible. -
Oh I see.
1) Nan Chiau Primary
Yes. This school already ballots at nearly 3x oversubscription rate for Phase 2B and 2C. It's hard to get in unless you had some priority for Phase 1 and Phase 2A.
2) Compassvale Primary
If you can do PV for this school, Phase 2B should be no problem for you. If not, you may need to ballot for it in Phase 2C, but it has a manageable 1.3x chance. Some years, the balloting in Phase 2C is for those staying 1-2km away, so you are safe.
3) Rivervale Primary
This school is in general about the same as Compassvale Primary except for last year as its oversubscription rate is 1.9x times compared with Compassvale's 1.3x times. So I will say that it is slightly more popular than Compassvale.
4) Punggol Green Primary
This school is slightly hotter than Rivervale, requiring balloting even in Phase 2A last year.
5) Valour Primary
Valour is probably the least hot of all the above schools, but will still require balloting in Phase 2C for those <1km.
So looking at your options, I think you have made the right decision. Go try to do PV for Compassvale and I'm sure your kid will love the school
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