Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary

[dyh]

janet_lee88:

Hi Jennifer,

I did consider transferring my son out of Pei Hwa, pref to a school which has an affiliated sec. Not successful doing so as these schools already have a high wait list.

My daughter will not and nor will she be able to fit well into Pei Hwa culture. It's not worth the try doing so. She's not the artsy type but character wise very strong. Like what you mentioned, not a good fit. I totally understand that.

At the end of the day, all kids will sit for PSLE...the same exam nationwide. But when a school strives on pushing its students to score A*s as well as 6 years of pressure is not for every child. I pity my son actually.

Even though PH may push the kids very hard in general, it also depends on the class the kid is in. if the kid is in say, the lower half of the cohort, i heard that the workload is much easier, and teaching is slower too. but if we parents only want our kids to go to the top classes, then obviously we are also partly responsible for the pressures the kids face. so for me, if my kid has tried his best and yet he still ends up amongst the bottom classes because everyone else in PH is so smart, it is alright for me....

the only thing that matters is the PSLE.

[janet88]

Hi dyh,

All parents want the best for their kids, but not all kids are able to live up to expectations. As such, there are many kids who are visiting psychiatrists now.

My son is in an average class. Hubby and I feel that as long as he can stay put, it’s tantamount to putting in effort. It will be a bonus if he moves up but we are ok with where he is.
In Pei Hwa, I feel that there is much pressure on the students to perform and be resilient.

PSLE matters, but the 6 years of primary school life is more important.
Don’t you think so ?

[Jennifer]

janet_lee88:

In Pei Hwa, I feel that there is much pressure on the students to perform and be resilient.

I feel that this is a good quality to nurture in our children. It is inevitable that stress level wld be higher for the future generation. The sooner the young gets used to this, the better. Just my 2 cts.

janet_less88:

PSLE matters, but the 6 years of primary school life is more important. Don't you think so ?

This is why we are considering a sch transfer. #2 is unlike #1 who can sit down to spend more hours in a desk bound activity. #2 likes the outdoors and we have a hard time balancing his life and academic results. It's either we move nearer to sch (to cut down on travelling time) or change sch.

[dyh]

janet_lee88:

Hi dyh,

PSLE matters, but the 6 years of primary school life is more important.
Don't you think so ?

yes, balanced school life is impt, that's why no need to worry too much about exam results during p1 to p5 too much lor.

[dorisp]

Am getting myself familiar to all these as my turn will come when DS goes to Primary 1 in 2013. He is my first and only. Ultimately which school he goes to will depend on which school accepts our PV application. :roll:

[janet88]

Hi Jennifer,

My son is used to Pei Hwa culture, but it’s good for him to learn to be resilient to face the future challenges.

Do you stay far from the school ? My #2 can’t sit down for long. She will get her work done and then run off to do other stuff. Hopefully she will have no problems adjusting to P1 next yr.

[verykiasu2010]

dyh:

janet_lee88:

Hi dyh,

PSLE matters, but the 6 years of primary school life is more important.
Don't you think so ?

yes, balanced school life is impt, that's why no need to worry too much about exam results during p1 to p5 too much lor.

by P6 it is too late to remedy

[janet88]

Verykiasu,

Agree, agree.
P1-2 are the important 2 years to build foundation. There are 2 'jumps' - P3 and P5. Results may dip at P3, as subject depth will be tougher. P5 is the year schools start to prepare students for PSLE, as P6 is usually for revision. Not much teaching is done according to a cousin whose son is in P6 this year.

[verykiasu2010]

janet_lee88:

Verykiasu,

Agree, agree.
P1-2 are the important 2 years to build foundation. There are 2 'jumps' - P3 and P5. Results may dip at P3, as subject depth will be tougher. P5 is the year schools start to prepare students for PSLE, as P6 is usually for revision. Not much teaching is done according to a cousin whose son is in P6 this year.

P3 will add in new subject - Science

P3 will have GEP testing for selection

P5 will determine whether to continue / drop HMT

P6 - DSA : some schools ask for P4 results too....almost all schools ask for P5 & P6.

Some DSA starts at P5 (!!)

and PSLE will test all the stuff from P3 onwards .....

at end of P4 school briefing, principal stressed that PSLE preparation starts at P5

P6 June holiday will have extra lessons

P6 term 2 & 3 will have supplemental lessons in the afternoons

By July of P6, all syllabus would have been completed

August : revision with full papers

[janet88]

Hi dyh,

It's too late at P6, at least not in current education context. Foundation is built at lower primary. Since your son is in Pei Hwa, I guessed you would have realized that consistent revision is important. Most parents follow the school website closely for Term 1, 2 and 4 to plan exam time-table.

Hi verykiasu,
Thanks for updating all these vital info.
My neighbour told me there is a talk for parents about subject banding at the end of P4. :frustrated:

Cousin's wife told me she had planned to quit her job in Jan to coach son for PSLE this year, but realized that he has many days to stay back after school for extra lessons, esp June.