SMO Junior

[Dharma]

sunflower:

phankao:

Actually, even if his credentials are non-existent, I'm sure the results of his training are? If he manages to train up students who can do well, that's his credentialas already, aren't they?

Hmm…not too sure about that. Would we allow someone who has only “O” levels to teach advance Maths? (Just giving an example only, yet to find out his credentials myself). I’m just being cautious as the website didn’t state his credentials, whereas most other websites do, especially of the main trainer or founder (unless founder not doing any training).

I think most enrichment centres have students who perform well in competitions (whether they “boast” about it is another matter). So to me, having a few students who did well in competitions is no big deal. There are many other factors involved as well. If I'm not wrong, RGPS does engage external trainers (not Maths Hub) to prepare their students for Maths competitions as well. I’m always sceptical about listing students who get awards, just like Mindchamps or Adam Khoo (having testimonies etc, etc...), am still not too convinced. Just my personal opinion.

Hi sunflower,

Although Michael is not a degree holder .... to be fair to the man ... he has exceptional talent in competition maths and I agree with phankao that the fact many kids trained by him go on to do well in SMOPS is already a credential itself.

My older child was selected by RGPS for maths olympiad training in 2007 under Dr Spario Soon (10 lessons - from Jan to Apr) but she continued w/ Maths Hub. The fact that RGPS does not engage Maths Hub for Maths Olympiad training doesn't mean anything. This year,2 RGPS girls who won platinum had gone to Maths Hub, one of them was placed 6th and 10th at SMOPS and APMOPS respectively.

I am not here to promote Maths Hub ...my child doesn't go there for Maths Olympiad anymore due to her tight schedule. As a parent, I am just sharing ....

[Fairy]

MdmKS:

sunflower:

trainer or founder (unless founder not doing any training).


I think most enrichment centres have students who perform well in competitions (whether they “boast” about it is another matter). So to me, having a few students who did well in competitions is no big deal. There are many other factors involved as well. If I'm not wrong, RGPS does engage external trainers (not Maths Hub) to prepare their students for Maths competitions as well. I’m always sceptical about listing students who get awards, just like Mindchamps or Adam Khoo (having testimonies etc, etc...), am still not too convinced. Just my personal opinion.

It depends on the students right ? They also said that. My child went to Maths Hub for Maths Olympiad training, but there was never any solution given for the paper he praticed each time, so there was no way we could learn and tried and coach him at home since soluntions are not available. Don't know if it is worth continuing.

Hi MdmKS,

Do you mean the Maths Olympiad trainer did not go through with him the solutions? I did not send my kids to any Maths Olympiad training. However, I have a friend whose child from neighbourhood school trains at Maths Hub since P5, became a Platinum Awardee in Hwa Chong's Maths Olympiad & recently, also invied to special round of SMO Junior. Through his Maths Olympiad achievements, he was laid red carpet towards the doors of NUSH, HCI & RI! Many of my children's friend also attending lessons at Maths Hub, some of them already in the school team. ie. also received training from the school's own MO trainer!
I was not aware of the existence of this centre until recently......

[phankao]

Fairy:

MdmKS:

[quote=\"sunflower\"]trainer or founder (unless founder not doing any training).


I think most enrichment centres have students who perform well in competitions (whether they “boast” about it is another matter). So to me, having a few students who did well in competitions is no big deal. There are many other factors involved as well. If I'm not wrong, RGPS does engage external trainers (not Maths Hub) to prepare their students for Maths competitions as well. I’m always sceptical about listing students who get awards, just like Mindchamps or Adam Khoo (having testimonies etc, etc...), am still not too convinced. Just my personal opinion.

It depends on the students right ? They also said that. My child went to Maths Hub for Maths Olympiad training, but there was never any solution given for the paper he praticed each time, so there was no way we could learn and tried and coach him at home since soluntions are not available. Don't know if it is worth continuing.

Hi MdmKS,

Do you mean the Maths Olympiad trainer did not go through with him the solutions? I did not send my kids to any Maths Olympiad training. However, I have a friend whose child from neighbourhood school trains at Maths Hub since P5, became a Platinum Awardee in Hwa Chong's Maths Olympiad & recently, also invied to special round of SMO Junior. Through his Maths Olympiad achievements, he was laid red carpet towards the doors of NUSH, HCI & RI! Many of my children's friend also attending lessons at Maths Hub, some of them already in the school team. ie. also received training from the school's own MO trainer!
I was not aware of the existence of this centre until recently......[/quote]
So the Math Oasis - also no review? Any parents send before? Have good/bad experience to share?

[Ykiasu]

My P5 son is attending his 3rd Mo centre. Went thru Maths Oasis (had a young chap taking his class, class was too fun n rowdy, I doubt he learnt anything) Went on to a centre in Tanjong Pagar, didn't like it there becos could not understand what the trainer wants him to do! :stupid: Now at Global . . . still surviving n happy. I guess the trainer makes a world of difference

[MdmKS]

Ykiasu:

My P5 son is attending his 3rd Mo centre. Went thru Maths Oasis (had a young chap taking his class, class was too fun n rowdy, I doubt he learnt anything) Went on to a centre in Tanjong Pagar, didn't like it there becos could not understand what the trainer wants him to do! :stupid: Now at Global . . . still surviving n happy. I guess the trainer makes a world of difference

Hi Ykiasu, Any good track record from the current one? What is their rate per hour and how many students in a class?

Wonder how Rosyth PS create so many awardees every year? I understand they engage a coach from vendor, anybody know who their coach is?

[phankao]

Ykiasu:

My P5 son is attending his 3rd Mo centre. Went thru Maths Oasis (had a young chap taking his class, class was too fun n rowdy, I doubt he learnt anything) Went on to a centre in Tanjong Pagar, didn't like it there becos could not understand what the trainer wants him to do! :stupid: Now at Global . . . still surviving n happy. I guess the trainer makes a world of difference

Er, so who's the good trainer in Global?

TIA!

[sunflower]

MdmKS:

It depends on the students right ? They also said that. My child went to Maths Hub for Maths Olympiad training, but there was never any solution given for the paper he praticed each time, so there was no way we could learn and tried and coach him at home since soluntions are not available. Don't know if it is worth continuing.

Hi MdmKS, I'm curious, no solutions given for the questions during lessons in Maths Hub? :? Then how your child learns? Or is it possible your child didn't write down the solutions discussed in class?

[sunflower]

Dharma:

Hi sunflower,

Although Michael is not a degree holder .... to be fair to the man ... he has exceptional talent in competition maths and I agree with phankao that the fact many kids trained by him go on to do well in SMOPS is already a credential itself.

My older child was selected by RGPS for maths olympiad training in 2007 under Dr Spario Soon (10 lessons - from Jan to Apr) but she continued w/ Maths Hub. The fact that RGPS does not engage Maths Hub for Maths Olympiad training doesn't mean anything. This year,2 RGPS girls who won platinum had gone to Maths Hub, one of them was placed 6th and 10th at SMOPS and APMOPS respectively.

I am not here to promote Maths Hub ...my child doesn't go there for Maths Olympiad anymore due to her tight schedule. As a parent, I am just sharing ....

Hi Dharma, thanks for sharing. Actually, my point is that some award winners didn't win solely because they were sent to a particular enrichment centre only. Many RGPS award winners were also trained in the school by Dr Spario Soon (Interactive Math Exploration Centre - Learning Interactive, http://math.com.sg), which is the external training centre engaged by the school. In fact, I've heard of some really kiasu parents (from other schools) who send their children to several enrichment centres to prepare their children for this kind of competitions. So, I would say that there are many factors that contribute to a child winning a competition, and one very important factor is the child's aptitude in maths.

[Dharma]

Hi sunflower,


Definately having aptitude in particular field (maths, in this case) is crucial …together with passion and also lots of practice is the key to success, I guess.

These kiasu parents u r talking about … must be SUPER KIASU …wonder whether their kids have time to breathe.

There won’t be a need for enrichment centres if schools like RGPS start preparing kids early for these competitions, maybe from P4 onwards on a continuous basis.

[lizawa]

Dharma:

Hi sunflower,



There won't be a need for enrichment centres if schools like RGPS start preparing kids early for these competitions, maybe from P4 onwards on a continuous basis.

I don't know about other schools but in my daughter's schools, only selected pupils / selected classes go through such continuous training from P4 onwards. So for those who do not get this chance through the school, enrichment centers will be the other avenue.