All about Transferring to Other Primary Schools

[IJJ]

jtoh:

i3mum:

Hi


Does anyone know if one can wait list for more than 1 school for P1? (for eg after the P1 registration, you did not get into the choice of your school)

yes you can.

I waitlisted mine at 2 schools. One was waitlisted right after P1 registration due to its proximity and after a year, that school did not have any vacancy for her, I waitlised her with another school (her current school) w/o withdrawing her name from the 1st waitlisted school.

[IJJ]

deminc:

Hi, I would like to transfer my P1 child to another school. I understand some of you have done so successfully. Do I just call up the prospective schools to ask? I'm thinking of either Pei Hwa, which is nearer to home or ACS, which has allied educators and a more educated staff that can accomodate my son's learning needs, but don't know if that is possible. Thank you!

Oh, my child was transfered to Pei Hwa in mid P2. I waitlised her at either end P1 or beginning of P2. I dropped by the school and placed her name with her result slip. If I remember correctly, the admin told me I was already late in submiting waitlist. They open the list somewhere 3rd quarter of the year annually. I was somehere #30 something by the time I placed my child's name, but, it is not on first come first serve. I am not quite sure how they do the selection tho, you may check with the admin.

[i3mum]

Thanks IJJ, I just pm you.

IJJ:

I waitlisted mine at 2 schools. One was waitlisted right after P1 registration due to its proximity and after a year, that school did not have any vacancy for her, I waitlised her with another school (her current school) w/o withdrawing her name from the 1st waitlisted school.

[IJJ]

mamemo:

hi parents, how to deal with 'emotions' of children who transfer in p2 or p3? I casually asked my ds whether I can transfer him to a nearer school next year, but was faced with violent objections, as friendships are formed already

I think it varies greatly between children. Mine was hesitant initially. I kept an open mind too. We visited the school, walked around abit (during school holidays, escorted), spoke to one of the staff (who is also a family friend) and spoke to a few of the existing students whom we know them personally. After a week, we discussed and made a decision together. I think it is important to listen to the child at this age. Although, ultimately, parents should have control, but the child's concerns should be respected and handled.

Mine had a superb FT in the new school. As she started in the new school in 2nd semester, the entire class had been together for 6 months already. She was the only new classmate. The teacher made extra effort to call us 1 week before the school reopens to speak to us. She assigned a buddy to my child and the buddy's group of kakis surrounded her everywhere for a long time. We never regret since.

[cnimed]

Thank you, IJJ!!

[worriedparent2]

Returning to Singapore soon after being gone for 10+ yrs. Contacted MOE about kids placement into primary school (P4 and P2). Waiting for reply. We are going to stay near the kids school so they can walk there. Should we contact the school ourselves or wait for MOE? Would MGS be a difficult school to get into? Just sitting duck. Cannot look for housing.


We are experiencing sticker shock (flats are so expensive! :!: ) and placement of kids into school seems sooooooo difficult. :stupid:

The kids are NOT shy so we are not worried about integration but they are very lazy for Singapore standard. Ha ha ha! Inherited from me. :lol:
Oh, regarding horror stories about calling school: I called a neighborhood school (no name school) once about registering my kids. The admin who picked up was soooooo rude. She said \"oh, you can apply but your kids need to take entrance exam. Many kids who attend US school think they are very good but when they take our exam, they fail badly and they need to take mandarin\" I told her but \"the MOE posted on their website ....\" She just went on saying how good Singapore standard is \"best education blah blah blah\". :x

[metz]

worriedparent2:

Returning to Singapore soon after being gone for 10+ yrs. Contacted MOE about kids placement into primary school (P4 and P2). Waiting for reply. We are going to stay near the kids school so they can walk there. Should we contact the school ourselves or wait for MOE? Would MGS be a difficult school to get into? Just sitting duck. Cannot look for housing.


We are experiencing sticker shock (flats are so expensive! :!: ) and placement of kids into school seems sooooooo difficult. :stupid:

The kids are NOT shy so we are not worried about integration but they are very lazy for Singapore standard. Ha ha ha! Inherited from me. :lol:
Oh, regarding horror stories about calling school: I called a neighborhood school (no name school) once about registering my kids. The admin who picked up was soooooo rude. She said \"oh, you can apply but your kids need to take entrance exam. Many kids who attend US school think they are very good but when they take our exam, they fail badly and they need to take mandarin\" I told her but \"the MOE posted on their website ....\" She just went on saying how good Singapore standard is \"best education blah blah blah\". :x

Hi worriedparent2,

I will be facing a similar situation as you next year end, i.e looking for schools.

I'm not sure if you know this, but returning upper primary students can request to take the GEP tests. If your child clear the test, then you can request for one of the GEP schools. At least one headache will be taken care of.

For Chinese, you will have to apply for exemption to MOE and school separately for your P4. PSLE exemption is not equivalent to exemption from taking Chinese lessons, I think. For lower primary, I have a feel it's more difficult to get an exemption. But do try and let me know.

Thanks.

[corneyAmber]

worriedparent2:

She said \"oh, you can apply but your kids need to take entrance exam. Many kids who attend US school think they are very good but when they take our exam, they fail badly and they need to take mandarin\" I told her but \"the MOE posted on their website ....\" She just went on saying how good Singapore standard is \"best education blah blah blah\". :x

Can't blame her... When a frog lives in a well, the only patch visible is the sky above. I can only agree that we set difficult-to-do-or-pass exams if one does not study for it but best education is loosely used. If best education = exam-savvy students, then I would have to agree with her because Singapore students excel everywhere in the world when it comes to exams, I am so proud of this fact but no Singaporeans have ever appeared in the Nobel Prize list before despite such a solid exam track record round the world. Sorry....I just need to crack a few jokes to complete my quota of laughter for today. :lol: :lol: :lol:

On a serious note, even if we are proud of our exam-savvy kids, we should not put other systems down by claiming it is the best unless there is a formal world-class research with ranking put on us. In the absence of such claims by a 3rd party, I think that kind of arrogance simply puts people off and it badly reflects on how we have been \"educated\". Just my 2 cts.

[worriedparent2]

Contacted MOE. Was told to fill in an online form and I need to have a Singapore address. Problem is I don't have one since I am waiting to get them in school then find something within walking distance.

Now I am in the egg or chicken comes first situation :? . If I find an apartment now and apply for school, there is a good chance there is no availability in nearby school.
School ..... housing ..... school .... housing :stupid: Maybe I buy a 3 rooms tent and bring it back so I have the mobility? :idea:

[joyfulsally]

Why don't you zoom in on the schools you would like your child to go to, check on availability and then look for units around the schools? Then you can \"kill 2 birds with 1 stone\". More work initially but will help a long way. :lol: