[Bukit Panjang] Primary Schools

[preciousjam]

i’m torn between BPPS and Beacon…love the IT aspect in Beacon but also skeptical…Wanted to try for BPPS but worried about the balloting part and if my kids can cope with the school work. The only feedback I heard about Beacon is that one of my gf’s child actually had migrain problem and the doc was saying it could be due to the fact that he faces the computer for too long hours…any verification to this?

[vividlaurel]

Hi preciousjam,


I'm a PV at Beacon and my kids will be going there from Jan.

Here is what I know about Beacon and BPPS. A year ago I was in your shoes, torn between Beacon and BPPS. Here is what I learnt. The teachers at Beacon are very passionate and the pricipal and VPs are very hands on. I was told that computers start from Term2/3 for P1 and they still have a lot of emphasis on old fashioned writing and reading.

This year BPPS has further cut their intake. It was 360 in 2008, 300 this year and next year's cohort will only be 240. Given that half of their seats go to siblings, I am not too sure of how many seats will be available for the other phases, maybe 2C within 1 km will also go for ballotting. So unless you are eligible for an earlier phase or stay within 1 km of BPPS, I think it's a better idea to have an alternative school in hand.

If you want anything else about Beacon, let me know and I'll let you know. They are having an open house on 11 July from 9-12, so maybe you can go and have a look.

preciousjam:

i'm torn between BPPS and Beacon....love the IT aspect in Beacon but also skeptical...Wanted to try for BPPS but worried about the balloting part and if my kids can cope with the school work. The only feedback I heard about Beacon is that one of my gf's child actually had migrain problem and the doc was saying it could be due to the fact that he faces the computer for too long hours..any verification to this?

[preciousjam]

vividlaurel:

Hi preciousjam,


I'm a PV at Beacon and my kids will be going there from Jan.

Here is what I know about Beacon and BPPS. A year ago I was in your shoes, torn between Beacon and BPPS. Here is what I learnt. The teachers at Beacon are very passionate and the pricipal and VPs are very hands on. I was told that computers start from Term2/3 for P1 and they still have a lot of emphasis on old fashioned writing and reading.

This year BPPS has further cut their intake. It was 360 in 2008, 300 this year and next year's cohort will only be 240. Given that half of their seats go to siblings, I am not too sure of how many seats will be available for the other phases, maybe 2C within 1 km will also go for ballotting. So unless you are eligible for an earlier phase or stay within 1 km of BPPS, I think it's a better idea to have an alternative school in hand.

If you want anything else about Beacon, let me know and I'll let you know. They are having an open house on 11 July from 9-12, so maybe you can go and have a look.

Thanks for the insight....its good that you've started planning so early, I regretted not taking note of this and start PV early. i'm definitely in phase 2C and looking at the seats this year, seems like all schools are reducing intake. Its heartening to know that they at least still do the old school way method. Just a quick check, how do i find out if i'm within 1km? Lucky you informed me of the open house, at least an opportunity to see the school and get a feel of it...

[vividlaurel]

Yeah! Since I am not a Singaporean, I needed more time to get used to the system here, so was very kiasu!


There are some websites which tell you, I think you can find them in KP also. Which block are you in? I can roughly tell since I did duty last year during 2C so saw the maps. You can also get the information from the LTA website, but you need to pay. The schools will also have that information during registration so you kind of know where you stand.

preciousjam:

Thanks for the insight....its good that you've started planning so early, I regretted not taking note of this and start PV early. i'm definitely in phase 2C and looking at the seats this year, seems like all schools are reducing intake. Its heartening to know that they at least still do the old school way method. Just a quick check, how do i find out if i'm within 1km? Lucky you informed me of the open house, at least an opportunity to see the school and get a feel of it...

[hotfudgesoda]

Beacon having an Open House in 11th July 2009.


Anyone else going?

[preciousjam]

vividlaurel:

Yeah! Since I am not a Singaporean, I needed more time to get used to the system here, so was very kiasu!


There are some websites which tell you, I think you can find them in KP also. Which block are you in? I can roughly tell since I did duty last year during 2C so saw the maps. You can also get the information from the LTA website, but you need to pay. The schools will also have that information during registration so you kind of know where you stand.

at blk 239....goodie if you can help...i'm at a lost with this distance thing...

[preciousjam]

hotfudgesoda:

Beacon having an Open House in 11th July 2009.


Anyone else going?

i'm going....

[vividlaurel]

Is this near Zhengua Primary? You should be within 1 km, in fact within 0.5 km. Your child can just walk to school.....

preciousjam:

at blk 239....goodie if you can help...i'm at a lost with this distance thing...

[vividlaurel]

preciousjam, is it your son or daughter who will be in P1 next year?

[preciousjam]

vividlaurel:

preciousjam, is it your son or daughter who will be in P1 next year?

my son....ya zhenghua is just a block away...that's why i wanted beacon initially because of the walking distance. my parents just staying at blk 254 which is also nearby if i need their help to fetch the kids after school..