[Novena] Primary Schools

[karpai]

Thank you all!!


I have called Bukit timah primary, Danzhong and MGS. No vacancies was the answer. Among them I called 25 other schools with no success… I don’t know if it’s this that we are from abroad? Maybe I should go and visit Danzhong if you know there should be vacancies…

[jedamum]

karpai:

Thank you all!!


I have called Bukit timah primary, Danzhong and MGS. No vacancies was the answer. Among them I called 25 other schools with no success.. I don't know if it's this that we are from abroad? Maybe I should go and visit Danzhong if you know there should be vacancies..

hi karpai,
how about making a personal trip down to the few selected schools (selected based on distance to your home and the more neighbourhood the school is, the higher chance of a vacancy)? it is easier to turn down a phone call than a person you meet face to face with. read more about the school and convince them how they will make learning for your kid allrounded or what you can offer them. try writing a letter to them. try offering your 'services' - you can still be a parent volunteer after your kid has been accepted into the school. services you can offer can be anything native to your country and interesting to us - eg offer to organise a cultural/food exchange day etc (i do heard of korean mummies teaching teachers how to make kimchi or offering basic korean language teaching etc). however, if you feel that 6yrs of commuting to Balestier Hill Pri is more worth it, then maybe Balestier Hill Pri may just be your choice, then arrange to find an apartment nearer to the school thereafter.

and i think the school is DaZhong... better don't get the name wrong when speaking to the school's administrator

[Miracle Child]

[Moderator's note: Topics merged.]


Hi, I am new in this forum. My son is due to for P1 registration this year. we live near Lavender and are thinking of registering him for SJI Junior given that we are Catholics, and SJIJ is the nearest all-boys Catholic school near to us.

H/w, I have heard that SJIJ's standard is not too good and that the chinese level is poor. Anyone can share experience on this?

[smurf]

Indeed, the chinese standard is very low and standard so-so. but I’m keen to put my boy there cos we are catholics too.hahha.

[Miracle Child]

smurf:

Indeed, the chinese standard is very low and standard so-so. but I'm keen to put my boy there cos we are catholics too.hahha.

Thanks. Kinda in dilemma. We are considering between SJIJ and Hong Wen, which are the two schools nearer to our house. My son is strong in English but does not like to speak in Mandarin. If we put him in SJIJ, he will probably be quite comfortable there since I think the general feeling is that the children there tends to be more English (gut feel), but we are worried that we may end up pushing him further away from Chinese. If we put him in Hong Wen, we are not sure whether he can clique with the children there as we think the children there may probably be quite conversant in Mandarin (again, gut feel only). Sigh...headache.

Anyone else can comment on SJIJ or Hong Wen? Appreciate.

[ghostz]

mission schools always stress on well-rounded education. and yes, i think the stereotype that most of the kids there come from english-speaking families is true. depends on what you want. if me, if i were in your shoes being a catholic and all, i would choose st mike's anytime between the two.

[smurf]

Hi Miracle child,


if u want him to be strong in chinese, perhaps u can start to put him in chinese enrichment programme now to build up his foundation.

[Miracle Child]

smurf:

Hi Miracle child,


if u want him to be strong in chinese, perhaps u can start to put him in chinese enrichment programme now to build up his foundation.

Thank you to Smurf and Ghostz for your inputs. After much discussion with my hubby, we have decided that SJI Junior will be our first choice (the issue now is whether we can get our son in Ha!). We hope that being in a Catholic environment and attending catechism class every week will instil the right values and mindset...of course, we still have to play pour part as parents.

[daveh]

Hi all,


My 1st post in the forum after doing some of reading. I called SJIJ today to ask about the school open house and was informed there is none this year. Is this the norm for SJIJ?

I was keen to bring my son for such an event to allow him (as well as myself) to "get-to-know" the school to aid my decision.

Just wanted to get some confirmation since some admin staff are sometimes very un-informed.

DavH

[Miracle Child]

Pardon me if this is a question that had been asked before or that it sounds silly. Pls clarify whether my understanding is correct:-


1. For Phase 1 and 2A, all applicants will be successfully allocated ie. no balloting for these two phases?

2. Post Phases 1 and 2A, a certain % of balance vacancies will be alloted to Phase 2B and 2C?

3. For Phase 2B, if there are more applicants compared to vacancies, the allocation will be based on distance from the school? Eg. total vacancies allocated for Phase 2B is 100, there are 60 applicants within 1km, 50 applicants within 1-2km, and 30 applications beyond 2km
=> there will be balloting for the 50 applicants within 1-2km, and all beyond 2km will be unsuccessful. Is this interpretation correct?

4. Am I right to say then that if I live beyond 2km of SJIJ and is not successful in Phase 2B, I can forget about applying under Phase 2C? (based on past balloting history, Phase 2C is cut-off at balloting for 1-2km i.e. those beyond 2km are all not successful?)

Thanks in advance for any inputs/advice.