[Geylang] Primary Schools

[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:

[ChiefKiasu]

VooVoo:

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

My daughter's a 2005er. No need PV for me 'cos my son's already in Kong Hwa.

Kong Hwa is OK... but lots of take-home homework, and practically spelling and dictation every week right off the bat in Primary 1. I was full of praise for the school when my son came home with his first show-and-tell assignment... until I saw that not only will they be graded for the exercise, they will be doing it with specific marks for delivery, clarity, content, .... etc :shock: ! The best way to kill interest in a doing something is to get tested for it.

My other beef is that they don't have a very strong athletic or other non-academic enrichment programmes.

[VooVoo]

ChiefKiasu:

VooVoo:

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

My daughter's a 2005er. No need PV for me 'cos my son's already in Kong Hwa.

Kong Hwa is OK... but lots of take-home homework, and practically spelling and dictation every week right off the bat in Primary 1. I was full of praise for the school when my son came home with his first show-and-tell assignment... until I saw that not only will they be graded for the exercise, they will be doing it with specific marks for delivery, clarity, content, .... etc :shock: ! The best way to kill interest in a doing something is to get tested for it.

My other beef is that they don't have a very strong athletic or other non-academic enrichment programmes.

Thanks, Chief...this is quite disappointing.... :?

I'd like my child to be more \"well-rounded\" rather than be focused just on academic achievements...of coz, not easy...at the end of the day, academic achievements are pretty important too...

Am wondering if there are any good \"well-rounded\" schools? :lol:

[horse]

Thanks Chief,


We are staying in Tampines, so not 2km from CHIJ Toa payoh. My husband and child are both Catholic. My child is born in the year 2003. Hope we don't have problem getting in any of these two sch.

ChiefKiasu:

CHIJ Toa Payoh is quite a bit more popular than Canossa Convent. You have to make sure you are staying <2km from CHIJ Toa Payoh if you do not have other means of getting into the earlier phases. Canossa Convent has not required balloting for any phase in the last 2 years.

In terms of academic achievements, CHIJ Toa Payoh has also been more consistent compared with Canossa Convent. It is notable, though, that one of the top 10 students in last year's (2007) PSLE is from Canossa Convent. The question is whether this is a one time thing or if the school has really become better in producing such students.

Both schools provide excellent character development for girls.

[VooVoo]

Chief,


Could you share more details on the impending renovations and timelines of KHS? I hope it is ready when my child enters P1 in 2012...(provided I manage to get in)

[JR mum]

Hi,


Anyone has any info on Haig Girls? understand it used to be quite a good school but noticed no one vote for it being their preferred school and enrolment also not fantastic. Any insights from anyone?