Newton Kindergarten
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Hi greenbean2011,
:welcome:
Erm, are u teacher/ committee from the school or r u a parent sending your child to the sch?? :? -
hi,
i am just an ordinary parent sending my child to Newton kindergarten this year, started only 1 week ago - 4 Jan 2011 (Tuesday). -
Oh, ok…I’m thinking of changing to newton kindergarten…my child is now at marymount kindy…
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hello smurf,
Marymount (mmk) is also a very good kindergarten !
difference is - Marymount is Catholic, whereas Newton kindergarten is Presbyterian denomination church based.
similarity – kids in both kindergarten all say grace, give Thanks to God for blessing food on the table, before the little children eat their meals, to fill their hungry stomach.
On 4 Jan 2011 Parents’ orientation day 1 at mmk, my friend shared with me how mmk is run very efficiently, like a clock !
She said - all mmk teachers are superb ! Not too old, but very experienced ! Her child is in Nursery, turning 4 this year.
She said for initial first 3 days, mmk Principal deployed all K1 and K2 teachers to help out – in both the younger pre-nursery play group, and Nursery sections. All teachers were deployed to help the young toddlers settle down. So in her son’s class - there are not 2, but 4 teachers helping out per class, for the first 3 days start school.
She said in total, there’re about 300 children at mmk, just for 1 session alone ! That’s a lot !
And all the mmk teachers are very experienced, loud but polite. All run like clock work effiently ! Amazing !
At mmk, there’re 4 nursery classes, 3 pre-nursery classes, 3 K1 and 3 K2 classes – are all max up to the brim, with 24 kids each class. And this is just 1 session. Amazing !
Mmk teaches English well ! Mmk English is strong.
K2 graduates from mmk can cope with English well.
For Chinese, mmk also have daily immersion enrichment lessons - at K1, K2. Mmk also conducts computer lab lessons for children too.
now, the differences … to help you decide whether the switch over to Newton kindergarten is worthwhile ……
a)\tthere is no computer lab at Newton kindergarten.
So, no computer lesson at Newton. But mmk has.
at Primary 1, students will learn to use computer in schools to type, create, edit, cut and paste simple pictures into simple word documents, or create very basic, v simple powerpoint slides.
if you transfer yr child to Newton, you can help yr child learn IT at home. But dun worry. Nowadays, young kids learn IT very fast !
Look at the way how kids nowadays press their mobile handphone keypad so fast - like no need to see, close one eye, kids also know precisely which button to press !
b)\tat K2, there is hanyu pin yin enrichment class at Newton.
Because hanyu pin yin is tested and examinable at Primary 1.
I’m not sure if you’ve same enrichment at mmk.
note:
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Hanyu pin yin is not taught within the regular K2 Chinese curriculum. Because MOE worry K2 kids got confused between English phonics sounds (be it Montessori phonics, Letterland phonics, Jolly phonics, or Zoo phonics) with Chinese hanyu pin yin.
So, hanyu pin is not inside the MOE syllabus for K2 curriculum. But when kids enter Primary 1, Yes, primary schools will teach hanyu pin yin.
If you want yr child to learn hanyu pin yin, then learn it outside under enrichment.
c)\tat mmk, K1, K2 kids have daily Chinese immersion, conducted by external vendor.
But Newton don’t have. Why ? because the 60% daily Chinese in-house built in curriculum taught at Newton has already incorporated this. Newton will teach kids Chinese vocab, learn to read and write. Hence, there is no need for extra daily Chinese immersion, by external vendor.
However, yr child may still need to go for Chinese speech & drama enrichment. This is different. The purpose of s&d is to build up confidence in a child - to speak / articulate clearly, coherently, confidently in front of audience. Not stammering.
S&D will help yr child at Primary 1 in Show and Tell, where kid holds a favourite toy in his hand and share with the whole class his favourite toy, or some other favourite topic of his to talk about.
Speaking & writing are different. Some kids can write well, but can’t speak properly. And vice versa !
d)\tNewton has Fast Track kids enrichment. Mmk don’t have.
Newton has Creative Art drawing, JLTP.
I’m not sure if mmk has.
e)\twhich kindergarten nearer yr house ?
you shifting house ?
unless got very good reasons to transfer, otherwise, stay put mmk.
changing kindergarten is traumatic for young child - esp. when he has got used to his form teachers, his classmates. The close, precious relationship bond has been built up overtime.
just for sharing
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my child currently has a classmate from mmk.
last yr, her classmate spent one yr at mmk.
But because family shift house to Newton, so transfer over, nearer to Newton. -
Hi greenbean2011!
Welcome to KSP!
Thanks for the brilliant sharing on Newton kindy and MMK! Told you you should post here to share with us your great insight and detailed research as a real KSP through & through. Already you are mistaken to be in the school admin. or in the school committee!
:rotflmao:
Looking forward to hear more from you and share more on the various topics of interest ok?
:celebrate: -
hello smuf,
a)\tif yr final decision is to come over Newton kindergarten from mmk, you can help smoothen the process of transfer over.
i)\tfortunately, children at this young age adapt easily, so not to fret.
ii)\tBut you need to explain to yr child why you’re transferring him to the new kindergarten. Let yr child be mentally prepared. Once you explain the situation to him - yr child will understand, even if child is as young as 2.5 yrs old. Young kids do understand many things. And once child understands why the need for the transition, he won’t kick up a fuss nor throw tantrum, cry, nor refuse to wear new school uniform.
if you’re a Christian parent, you can pray together with yr child or anoint olive oil on his forehead and pray with him first, before he begins his first day in a new school. Prayers always work wonders! Because God always hear our cries for help, from the bottom of our heart.
sharing
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Initially, I was concerned - when I transfered my daughter from another pre-school to Newton. Last yr 2010, she spent the entire year in nursery N1 in another pre-school, just after she turned 2. I worried she can’t get over her previous pre-school. So I explained to her the reasons behind why she is joining a new kindergarten, Newton.
On day one, 4 Jan 2011, I thought she’s going to kick up a fuss - like refuse to wear her new pink school uniform, scared or cry when she sees an unfamiliar new sch environment – unfamiliar school teachers, unfamiliar new classmates’ faces.
But Thank God she did not. In fact, she co- operated very well. On day 1, she did not cry, but obediently followed her new form teacher (FT) into the new class - ate her lunch quickly, and asked her FT for some more fried rice, 2nd helping, extra portion.
On day 2, she told me – Mommy, no need to follow me into class anymore. I know what to do, what to ask. So she settled down quickly last week, faster than I’d expected.
Time flies! In the blink of an eye, parents’ orientation first 3 days, first week 2011 over !
b)\tschool bus
different school bus pick up students, from different parts of SG:-
-\tone picks up students staying at Toa Payoh, Bishan, AMK.
-\t2nd one picks up those staying at Serangoon Garden, Hougang, Kovan, Geylang, Aljunied, Kallang, Whampoa, Balestier, Novena, Newton.
-\t3rd one picks up those staying at Bukit Timah, Upper Bukit Timah.
-\tothers.
for logistics, sch bus should not be an issue.
Sch bus operator also walk the extra mile !
Besides regular sch days, sch bus fleet organizer Auntie Ong is kind enough to - help you arrange transport even for those days when yr child goes for enrichment. At an additional costs, but it’s a small amount.
sharing
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Your child may fall asleep inside the sch bus, after a tiring day in school.
To prevent yr child from keep nodding his head as he falls asleep, you can put a small pillow inside his school bag everyday. Alert sch bus auntie. That whenever yr child wants to sleep, help him take out the small pillow from his school bag, gently put it underneath his head, lie his body flat on the sch bus, and let him sleep soundly till reach home – but very impt, remind auntie gently pls ensure that the safety seat belt must be strapped to yr child’s body / waist, at ALL times, even when child sleeps.
Last yr when my child turned 2, I let her take sch bus, train her independence from young. I put the small pillow inside her sch bag everyday. All got seat belts. Both driver and sch bus auntie are experienced.
c)\tCHARACTER Education, at Newton
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while focus on academics, also remember yr child’s
i)\tCharacter building, and
ii)\tfear of God.
In Proverbs 22 verse 6, the bible teach us:-
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Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old – he will not depart from it.
父母应该教孩子如何生活,
当他老, 他也 不偏离
In Proverbs 1 verse 7, the bible also teach us:-
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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
敬畏神是智慧的开端
from year 2015 onwards, the focus in Education is Character Education. This will come in a big way in schools, starting from pre-schools, primary schools upwards, all the way to Secondary schools.
Why the sudden focus in Character Education, after so many years ?
================================================
Today, our society realizes that they need to act on this fast, as many youths today have / adopt the I, me, myself, self-centredness attitude.
Newton kindergarten is Presbyterian denomination, church based.
Teaching is strict.
At Newton, kids are taught good, moral Character values from young.
Everyday, they go to the Assembly Hall and listen to bible stories, bible heroes, sing songs. Sometimes, they also watch cute, funny, cartoon animations DVDs like Fluffy learns Obedience.
From Mon – Fri, 3 times a week, the assembly is conducted in Mandarin,
at the children’s chapel. The remaining 2 times a week, the assembly is conducted in English.
The objective behind is to let kids learn good, moral values out of them like –
-\tObedience
-\tHonor your parents
-\tRespect for others/ Parents / elders / siblings at home, respect for Principal, respect for Teachers, respect for classmates.
be respectful by Not bullying, by using good manners, by helping those less fortunate, by expressing gratitude.
-\tResponsibility
be responsible by choosing the right action, by accepting consequences, by dealing with disappointment, by being a good listener.
-\tIntegrity
have integrity by being true to yourself, by being loyal to others.
-\tHonesty
-\tJustice
-\tFairness
be fair by Sharing, by taking turns, by co-operating.
example
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The toys in the classroom do not belong to yr child alone. They belong to the whole school. So, any children can also play with the toys. Eliminate the mentality - that toy is mine ! don’t touch.
Kids are taught to learn to share toys when play together, not grab all the toys to himself, and refuse to let other children touch.
-\tPatience
example
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kids are taught - do not snatch yr classmates’ toys.
Be patient. If you want to play the same toy, wait patiently for yr turn.
-\tPerseverance, Resilience, Determination.
Persevere by trying, by learning from yr past mistakes, past experiences, persevere by learning hard.
-\tSelf disciplined.
Be self disciplined by obeying parents, by doing yr daily chores, (example: keep yr toys properly after playing), by watching what you say.
-\tCompassion, Kindness, Mercy.
Show compassion, kindness by being forgiving, by being kind, by being helpful, by being considerate.
-\tThe 10 commandments – thou shall not steal, thou shall not tell lies, etc. -
Hello! :rahrah:
You sure don't sound like a mum with a kiddo that just started new kindy.. -
Hi Greenbean,
Thanks for the insight!
It was very useful!
My elder who was with MMK for very long has graduated, and I know that he enjoyed his days in MMK. The English standard is quite high but I couldn't said the same for Chinese. But the Chinese teachers are very nice and caring. My boy couldn't recognize Chinese words, but I guess it's partly my fault also, as I dun revise work with him. I left it to the school. I didn't even read Chinese story books to him. :oops:
Why I said the English standard is very high is because, he could read long chapter book ( but no understanding of the story lah) and he can recognize many english words, even words he never seen it before. I credit this to the phonics that he learned in school. Same as for Chinese, I didn't not revise English with him.but probably as what u said, Chinese is more difficult. (which I find it strange, because I find that English is more difficult!)
For computer lesson, I dun mind that newton dun have computer lab, in fact, I wanted to stop computer lessons for fear that he would be hooked up the computer games, but continue because I did not want him to be left out and play in class alone. I dun think MMK has Chinese immersion. They have Chinese immersion enrichment, and that is twice a week after school hrs.
MMK is nearer to us, quite near in fact, and we are Catholics. But we are on the lookout for other good preschools. And one thing that caught my attention is newton is 4 hrs, and MMK is 3 hrs, I would prefer longer hrs, can learn more thing.
Just want to check, do you how many classes they have for each level (from pre nursery to k2) for 1st session? And also, do parents have to pay for enrichment such as speech and drama, fastrack kids, etc...
Thanks!:) -
Hi green bean,
Your post has enlightened me! Especially the school bus part...take out the pillow, etc... :lol:
Very very useful tip!
One thing newton lose out the MMK is that MMK has very big and airy compound, no aircon is needed!
Saw your last post, you mentioned that the kids watch cartoon? Hmm, that's not what I want leh...prefer no TV around... -
hello smurf,
in the past, Newton kindergarten operated 3 hrs.
however, many parents are concerned. Parents feedback to Principal that 3 hrs daily is short. Parents worry their kids not learning enough, to meet challenging Primary 1 demands. They feel their kids go there, socialize a while for 3 hrs, play play, after that come back home.
At the same time, Teachers also feedback to Principal that they have so much to cover / to teach, but find it hard to complete within 3 hrs time frame daily. Teachers stressed up.
out of 3 hrs daily, almost 1 hr is gone. Gone into where ?
Gone into - getting kids to queue / line up to wash hands, eat lunch. Some kids need teachers to feed them. They can’t eat by themselves independently. There’re also other kids that can’t sit still, walk around the classroom absent mindedly, carrying the bowl in their hands, play with the bowl, walk around. Teacher got to run after the child, catch him, bring him back to the table, make him sit down, coax him into eating.
Then, teacher also squeeze in time to eat herself, besides just feeding kids. Teacher eat together with the kids. They call it lunch in classroom with teacher. Different days, eat with different teacher. On certain days, they eat with Chinese teacher, their form teacher. On other days, they eat with English teacher.
After makan, then teacher got to bring entire classroom of kids into toilet to pee, to change their soiled diapers, to wash hands again after visiting toilet.
Sometimes, time also spent / gone into bringing kids to the gym to exercise, to have fun, to ride bicycles, to play with bean bag, etc. Children need outdoor programme, to exercise, to breathe in fresh air. Then it’s healthy. Hence, effective, actual real learning time is < 2 hrs.
for kids in playgroup, 3 hrs ok. They’re still very young. After all, play is the main vocab for them.
But for kids in K1, K2 gearing up for the final last lap, the last 2 crucial yrs before entering Primary 1, 3 hrs not enough.
With this issue, Newton kindergarten proposed to MOE, to increase to 4 hrs. MOE approved. Hence, wef 2011, Newton become 4 hrs. Only at PG (playgroup) can still choose 3 hrs.
With an extra one hr everyday, Mon – Fri, 365 days per year, the situation different.
Teachers are happy ! Teachers now in full control of time. They can teach more English - by an extra half hr, or extend Maths by another extra half hour. Teacher has flexible time management. Today, she can teach this topic. Tomorrow, she can teach something else. Or if she can’t complete teaching this today, tomorrow still can continue.
Parents also happy ! Their child can stay longer in school, their child get to learn more stuff!
It becomes a win, win situation, for Teachers and Parents.
Besides Newton, Marris Stella is another kindergarten that has extended to 3.5 hrs, also wef 2011:-
http://www.marisstella.edu.sg/info.htm
How many classes at Newton ?
for both AM and PM sessions,
total 4 PG (playgroup) – ie. 2 per session
total 6 nursery – ie. 3 per session
total 4 K1 classes – ie. 2 per session
total 4 K2 classes – ie. 2 per session
all classes are named after Fruits of the Holy Spirit, like :-
Love, Grace, Joy, Peace, Patience, Mercy, Gentleness, Kindness, Generosity, Truth, Hope, Humility, etc.
Morning AM classes – very hot, popular, usually full house.
But you can still call up, put yr child on wait list.
Afternoon PM classes still got vacancy.
PM classes smaller, hence got good Teachers-kids ratio.
Enrichment class (optional)
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for school fees, refer Newton kindergarten website:-
http://www.newtonkindergarten.com/centres/?dxuid=SG010296&&pageid=269
All enrichment lessons incur additional costs, over & above the usual kindergarten school fees, paid on per Term basis.
Per term is 10 weeks.
a)\tFast track kids – is the same, identical programme taught at Pat school. $180 (before gst) per term. < $200 (after gst)
b)\tSpeech and drama (English) - $180 per term.
c)\tSpeech and drama (Chinese) - $150 per term.
all other enrichment lessons, pls call up school to inquire.
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