School Of The Arts, Singapore

[carmen21]

My DD is going for DSA - Ballet in June. Will be going to open house on 30 April 2011. We went to the MOE Excel fair on last Sat and spoke to some students from SOTA as there have a booth there. The students are helpful and speak very well and cheerful. I ask if they have any CCA but the girl says no but there do have camps which is really fun. We can actually feel their positive and happy attitude. Really hope my DD can get into SOTA as she really love ballet.

[dramamama70]

Carmen21 - pls let us know all about your experience in June Also, may I ask, what grade is your daughter in and which ballet school is she with currently? TIA!

[ppnqq]

Needs clarification - for students at SOTA, do they have to take all forms of art (visual arts, theatre, dance, music etc) or they only take what they are good at?


Another question : If a child is talented in art, eg, good in drawing comic but no background, no special art/sch attended, only drawing at own free will at own free time, but is always being selected by the teachers to draw for the class notice board etc. Any chance for them to get in?

Thank you.

[TREX8]

Hi ppnqq, the following is based on my understanding during the open symposium. Hope it helps and if parents with kids in the school already can help confirm.

ppnqq:

Needs clarification - for students at SOTA, do they have to take all forms of art (visual arts, theatre, dance, music etc) or they only take what they are good at?

No, they take only the artform that they are admitted under. Students (regardless of art form) will be put into a form class of 25 students and they will do the academic subjects (eg. Languages, Math, Science etc) together. There is a common time slot for artform - then kids who are doing Art/Dance/Theatre Arts/Music will go to their respective art form class. I understand that there are \"after-class hours\" for Dance and Music as there are one-to-one sessions with their artform teachers.

ppnqq:

Another question : If a child is talented in art, eg, good in drawing comic but no background, no special art/sch attended, only drawing at own free will at own free time, but is always being selected by the teachers to draw for the class notice board etc. Any chance for them to get in?

SOTA said that as long as you put in an application form, you will be given a chance to audition. So I suppose this child stands on even footing as any other child going for audition. This child should be able to put together a portfolio based on his/her art work (either those done by his/her own initiative or those pinned up in class). The rest depends on his/her performance (I think they need to do on-the-spot drawing, take the compulsory writing test and interview) during the audition.

[ppnqq]

How about Arts? What will they be doing and learning under Arts?


Mind sharing what are the 16 subjects pls? TIA.

[carmen21]

dramamama70:

Carmen21 - pls let us know all about your experience in June Also, may I ask, what grade is your daughter in and which ballet school is she with currently? TIA!

I will defintely share my experience after the open house on 30 Apr and audition in June. My DD is currently a Grade 5 student under CSTD in Crestar. My DD may not be a pro dancer, award winner or participate in many performances but she have a strong passion and positive attitude towards her dream so hopefully will help in the audiition.

[TREX8]

carmen21:

dramamama70:

Carmen21 - pls let us know all about your experience in June Also, may I ask, what grade is your daughter in and which ballet school is she with currently? TIA!

I will defintely share my experience after the open house on 30 Apr and audition in June. My DD is currently a Grade 5 student under CSTD in Crestar. My DD may not be a pro dancer, award winner or participate in many performances but she have a strong passion and positive attitude towards her dream so hopefully will help in the audiition.

Tell your DD 加油！My personal opinion is that SOTA does not just look at paper qualification (as in what grade is your child's for piano or ballet). That's why there is no minimum requirement for level of achievement in their application criteria.

During the break-out session for theatre arts, the speaker mentioned that alot depends on the audition. So alot depends on your DD's performance on that day, what does she have to show (rather than what the paper qualification says that she has attained), the interview and writing exercise.

My DD went for the Theatre Arts audition in March and she had a fun time. Since your DD is passionate about ballet, she will enjoy the audition as it will be the meeting of like-minded people and she would take away some valuable tips from the teachers during the session.

[ppnqq]

Thank you TREX8 for the info.


Btw, is this the only website for SOTA?

http://www.sota.edu.sg/TheSOTAEducationExperience/EducationalPerspective/tabid/76/Default.aspx

I remember previously before I stumble upon the above website, I ever stumbled on a website which is black for it's background with photos of SOTA's students drawing arts and display of some of the art pieces but now I could no longer find it. Been searching for the past few days already. Anyone knows about this website?

TIA.

[sandunes]

ppnqq:

Needs clarification - for students at SOTA, do they have to take all forms of art (visual arts, theatre, dance, music etc) or they only take what they are good at?

They only specialise in one discipline. However, they do have opportunities to try out other art forms too under other periods. I forgot what is that \"subject/period\" called. At times, the school will open up slots for students who are interested in other medium as beginners depends on the school's needs (eg art students to learn beginning violin, violin students can learn viola/ bass) . Students sign up for them on their own accord.
[quote]Another question : If a child is talented in art, eg, good in drawing comic but no background, no special art/sch attended, only drawing at own free will at own free time, but is always being selected by the teachers to draw for the class notice board etc. Any chance for them to get in?[/quote]Of course! Just make sure your child prepares his/her portfolio according to the Talent Camp requirement (see SOTA online). Be confident, friendly and be yourself during the TA. All the Best!

[Faun]

ppnqq:

How about Arts? What will they be doing and learning under Arts?


Mind sharing what are the 16 subjects pls? TIA.

16 subjects :!: How so and why so?

Do the students follow the IB middle school program syllabus and use the IB textbooks or do they follow the lower sec curriculum of the MOE?

I heard sOTA starts the kids on IB straight away but in ACSI, also Sports School, they follow the MOE curriculum for year1 and 2 and start iB style only in year 3 And 4 they call pre- IB years. They go full swing IB in year 4 and 5.

Would appreciate if any SOTA parents can clarify this.