[Bukit Timah] Primary Schools

[tankee]

School / Total Vacancy / Vacancy for Phase 1 / Number of Children Registered


Bukit Timah Primary School 180 180 48
Henry Park Primary School 330 330 86
Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) 210 210 69
Nanyang Primary School 390 390 111
Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School 330 330 175
Raffles Girls’ Primary School 300 300 89

[metz]

Yogini:

I'm wondering if Bt Timah Pri is better than Keming. Anyone has any thoughts/experience with these schools?

My son was previously from BTPS. I'm not sure the criteria you are looking at. But in terms of academics, I believed BTPS has a less drilling (not much homework) but not necessary less challenging environment. My son had a (ungraded) Show & Tell during the first week of school. And during the first term break, the students were tasked to write a simple poem for holiday homework. There's weekly Journal writing too. No CA or SA but lots of topical tests. Within the first semester, his class had a total of 10 topical tests for English & Maths respectively. Aside from the topical tests, the Chinese Teacher also sprang surprise tests on them. A parent felt the tests were not as difficult as those set by the so called top schools. However, I felt we can't compare topical tests to SAs as the intentions behind the tests are totally different.

For PSLE 2009, the school has performed above national average for most subjects except MT. And if I am not wrong, there are 18 who were successful in DSA applications.

Quality Performance by Subjects Quality Grades
(As & A*s)

School % vs National % (in brackets)

English Language 57.8% (43.9%)
Mathematics 50.7% (43.3%)
Science 60.2% (42.6%)
Chinese Language 79.6% (81.1%)

And for GEP selection last year, about 30 students got through the first screening and 9 were selected in the second round. Not a small achievement for a school with only (approx) 180 students.

I have the impression most of his classmates were doing well in school. Some were pretty advanced readers. Pros and Cons. Pros as in it encouraged my son to pay more attention to his work. One classmate even went around to compare results. Cons as in the weaker students might lose self-esteem. One was quite badly affected (in my view) that he leashed out at those top scorers in class. However, the above is solely based on observation from my son's class only.

In terms of demographic, I believe Keming has more HDB dwellers than BTPS since it is being surrounded by mostly HDBs. At least from what I observed, there is quite a high percentage of BTPS students staying in private or landed properties. Some even have (employed) chauffeurs to fetch them. Besides, there is also a small number of foreigners (Koreans, expats, Japanese, Indonesians) in BTPS. But the kids are generally rather fine, not arrogant.

However, the school is located within landed properties. Not really within 5-minute walking distance for most, unless they live in the private properties nearby.

[Yogini]

Many thanks, chamonix! Your info is really helpful!

[janet88]

HI chamonix,

I agree with you.
BTPS has quite a lot of foreign students esp Indonesians. This group is generous with donations.

[tungsten]

tankee:

School / Total Vacancy / Vacancy for Phase 1 / Number of Children Registered


Bukit Timah Primary School 180 180 48
Henry Park Primary School 330 330 86
Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) 210 210 69
Nanyang Primary School 390 390 111
Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School 330 330 175
Raffles Girls’ Primary School 300 300 89

looks like peihwa is hot this year. Should I try mgs for my daughter this year? We are staying 1km from peihwa but with 1 to 2km from mgs.
Any Advise is very much appreiciated. We are Singaporean. I have two youngers son that will need to go to school in the next few years. Therefore peihwa is a good choice. But I want the best for my daughter too.

[BigDevil]

tungsten:

looks like peihwa is hot this year. Should I try mgs for my daughter this year? We are staying 1km from peihwa but with 1 to 2km from mgs.

Any Advise is very much appreiciated. We are Singaporean. I have two youngers son that will need to go to school in the next few years. Therefore peihwa is a good choice. But I want the best for my daughter too.

MGS had balloting for those within 1km last year, whereas Pei Hwa had balloting for those between 1 and 2 km. So you might not even have a chance to try for MGS, while Pei Hwa is a sure bet since you are within 1km.

[janet88]

Looks like Pei Hwa is very hot this year. OMG, we are monitoring school vacancies like stock market. Nanyang has 2 classes more for P1 than Pei Hwa and yet take up yesterday was just 111.


It was necessary to ballot for MGS (within 1km) last year, so it’s not advisable to try for MGS esp when you have 2 younger boys. Pei Hwa will be better and safer because you’re staying within 1km. All the best.

[Luanee]

janet_lee88:

Looks like Pei Hwa is very hot this year. OMG, we are monitoring school vacancies like stock market. Nanyang has 2 classes more for P1 than Pei Hwa and yet take up yesterday was just 111.


It was necessary to ballot for MGS (within 1km) last year, so it's not advisable to try for MGS esp when you have 2 younger boys. Pei Hwa will be better and safer because you're staying within 1km. All the best.

But I guess NYPS will have a larege number of phase 2A applicants as compared to PHPS, judging from last year's figures..

[janet88]

Hi Luanee,

That's the difference between Nanyang and Pei Hwa.
Pei Hwa has high take up for Phase 1, Phase 2B/C but Nanyang take up rate at Phase 2A is very high.

It's crazy and stressful :frustrated: for parents in Phase 2C, but I do wish you all the best in your choice.

[metz]

janet_lee88:

HI chamonix,

I agree with you.
BTPS has quite a lot of foreign students esp Indonesians. This group is generous with donations.

Hi Janet,
Many Indonesians? Hmm, not really sure about that. But for my son's P1 class this year, there seems to be a good mix of foreign kids.