[Geylang] Primary Schools

[Ljas1370]

Hi Mr ChiefKiasu


I intend to sign up as a parent volunteer for my K1 son who is going to primary school in year 2010. I am staying within 1 km away from Kong Hwa school but outside 2km of Geylang Methodist School. I’ve not decided which school I shd work as parent volunteer. I heard that Kong Hwa is going to shift temporary to Maha Bodi (current temporary premises at circuit road in Year 2009). They are going to renovate the school which takes about 2 years to complete. Now I’m at a lost which I shd pick for my second son. My elder son is in Machperson Primary School. He is born in the Year of Dragon and was balloted out when I registered him in Kong Hwa School in Year 2006. I did not join Parent Volunteer during that time becos Kong Hwa School has more than enough parent volunteers during my elder son’s time. So they are not able to take in anymore PVs. But now for my second son, I was selected by them to work as PV. I heard the standard of Geylang Methodist is the same as Kong Hwa School. May I have your advice on this. Tks so much


I need your advice on which school to

[ChiefKiasu]

Ljas1370:

... I am staying within 1 km away from Kong Hwa school but outside 2km of Geylang Methodist School. I've not decided which school I shd work as parent volunteer. I heard that Kong Hwa is going to shift temporary to Maha Bodi (current temporary premises at circuit road in Year 2009). They are going to renovate the school which takes about 2 years to complete...

1. Kong Hwa is indeed going to shift temporarily to Circuit Road next year for at least a couple of years so that they can renovate the current premises which is clean but rather old.

2. Geylang Methodist is also an above average school, but if you have no other affiliation to the school (eg. if you are Christian, or can get into the school in Phase 1 or 2A), in my humble opinion, you are better off doing PV in Kong Hwa since you stay <1km to that school. Your chances will be pretty good getting into Kong Hwa.

3. Academically speaking, KH has the edge over GM due to its SAP school status. If you prefer your child to go deeper into the Chinese language, KH is the way to go.

[Ljas1370]

Hi, If you lived within the vicinity of the following schools, which would you choose?


1) Kong Hwa School
2) Tao Nan School
3) Ngee Ann Primary School
4) Geylang Methodist School
6) Tanjong Katong Primary School
7) MacPherson Primary School
Saint Stephen School

[Fettuccine]

I would choose Tao Nan if I live within 1km of the school. Unfortunately, I am at 1.2 km away


My current preferred schools include:
1) Maha Bodhi School
2) Tanjong Katong
3) Kong Hwa School

Wishing for the Phase 2A2 numbers to be more merciful...

[Ljas1370]

Hi Fettuccine, I presume you’re staying around East Coast Area. Base on my opinion, Ngee Ann Primary School is better than Tanjong Katong Primary School. Moreover Ngee Ann is affliciated to Ngee Ann Secondary School (good sec school). Another school you may consider is Saint Stephen School which is afflicated to St Patrick’s School & St Joseph’s Institution. But SSS students are not very good in Chinese. Majority are Anh Mohs in the School. But it still base on your child’s capability. I notice alot of parents just register their child in top school without thinking whether the child is able to cope anot. At the end of the day, the one that suffers is the kid and the parents will get stress by the competition in school.

[Fettuccine]

Ljas1370:

Hi Fettuccine, I presume you're staying around East Coast Area. Base on my opinion, Ngee Ann Primary School is better than Tanjong Katong Primary School. Moreover Ngee Ann is affliciated to Ngee Ann Secondary School (good sec school). Another school you may consider is Saint Stephen School which is afflicated to St Patrick's School & St Joseph's Institution. But SSS students are not very good in Chinese. Majority are Anh Mohs in the School. But it still base on your child's capability. I notice alot of parents just register their child in top school without thinking whether the child is able to cope anot. At the end of the day, the one that suffers is the kid and the parents will get stress by the competition in school.

Hi thanks for your message. Ok lah, I will tell you everything. All the schools you mentioned are not too bad, in fact we qualify for phase 2B under Saint Stephen. But because I have a boy and a girl and expecting another girl, I opted this boys' school out. Don't wanna go through P1 registration stress again.

I would choose Tao Nan if I have a choice because I had heard good feedbacks from my friends (who have kids in the school) and also due to its chinese culture emphasis (I'm from chinese school). As for the academic excellence, good to have excellent records, but not the main reason. Most importantly, both TNS and TKPS are nearest to our home.

Hubby like the school Maha Bodhi cos of the buddhist origins/founder, plus the coming new school facilities. I was impressed when I visited the current circuit road campus on adhoc basis, and seen/heard good things about the teachers and that kids not as stressfull as before (from parents). From the General Office to the cleaner I spoke to, all receive a curious parent positively and politely.

Tanjong Katong primary is quite ok. We also visited the school adhoc one day. Two teachers are kind enough to entertain our queries and speaking with them, I thought they are energetic and enthusiastic teachers. Its CCAs are interesting as well. Only thing I worry is discipline and behaviour as I had heard that international kids can be naughty...(I could be wrong).

As for Ngee Ann Primary, overall not too bad. Very kiasu, I visited the school adhoc. Was ok with everything except for the teachers there. Its ok not to entertain visitors but at least greet the parents when they see one? Also heard not so nice remarks about the teachers there. Its boasting of top PSLE results in their front gate does not appeal to me.

Kong Hwa, like TNS, is a good school with good records, and with chinese emphasis. I do not worry about the homework or whatever stress. Cos if kid really can't cope just change to the next nearest neighborhood school. By P5 and P6, all kids will be stressful for sure.

I wouldn't look at academic performance as a whole. I'm more for discipline, character development, interesting CCAs, and the chinese culture that I hope my kids will be instilled with, including the teachers that will be teaching our kids. Affiliation to secondary schools is not a must . If PSLE result is good, should have no problems with getting into good secondary schools.

I am also planning to visit Eunos Primary this coming open house, or maybe even adhoc before the event. Will review here again if someone asks.

My final choice of primary school will all depend on the numbers available for phase 2C (1-2km). Will choose for the highest chance and nearest one. I think - most likely Tanjong Katong Pri...but will never know maybe we are lucky at maha bodhi for ballot...

Whats your decision on your choices?

[Ljas1370]

Hi, Athought Tao Nan & Maha Bodhi are both good SAP School but I’ll not consider as I’m staying outside 2 km - too far. My choice will be Kong Hwa as I’m within 1 km but the problem is that Kong Hwa will be temporary shifting Maha Bodhi current premises at circuit road as they’ll be renovating their current premises. Headache.

Frankly speaking I’ll not consider Ngee Ann too. Find the vice principal very arrogant. When I register for my elder son in Year 2006 under Phase 2C, She told us (parents staying outside 2km) did not have to apply as there there’ll be balloting for Phase 2 C those staying outside 2 km. I’ll not consider Tanjong Katong too although the school is good in sport. I happen to be at the school during their recess and notice the children run about and fighting nobody discipline them. Maybe you’re right foreign student are more mischeiveous.

[ChiefKiasu]

Absolutely agree that academic performance is but one yardstick to measure the quality of a school. And some of my relatives have been through the entire Canossian and St. Anthony's Convent systems and are doing very well today. They are confident, and very caring for others. Not sure about their quality of Chinese teaching, though :).

[VooVoo]

Chief Kiasu,


How would you personally rate Kong Hwa amongst the SAP schools?

[VooVoo]

Hi, does anyone has a baby born in 2005? Am thinking of applying to be PV....now? :lol: