Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[mummy of 3]

Laya:

thanx mummy of 3. but will u pls explain on what grounds u selected Radin Mas?

I prefer a mixed school :lol:

[janet88]

I personally prefer all girls school for my daughter. She is in CHIJ Toa Payoh.

[Laya]

thanx for ur replies. other than gender criteria, which will be a better choice in terms of academic performance, personal development, etc.,

[qms]

Laya:

thanx for ur replies. other than gender criteria, which will be a better choice in terms of academic performance, personal development, etc.,

Different people have different criteria. You should ask yourself and your husband what is important to both of you for your girl. What is important to another fellow forummer may not be important to you.

It will be easier for forummers here to advise you if you are able to list down your considerations.

[Laya]

i mean past psle performances, top scores, no of students scored above250/260…

[hoskins8h]

Laya:

i mean past psle performances, top scores, no of students scored above250/260.....

CHIJ Kellock seems to have better PSLE results (plus affliation to CHIJ St Teresa). The following data are from public sources.
Year / % A-A* for EL/MA/SC/CL / Reported Mean PSLE

CHIJ Kellock
2009 69.4% 56.5% 50.5% 84.4% 216.4
2008 71.8% 57.1% 51.5% 83.1% 220.2
2007 67.7% 60.2% 47.8% 80.6% 217.5

Radin Mas
2010 58.4% 46.1% 50.9% 81.2% 202.2

A very important comment on the reported mean psle scores. CHIJ Kellock is likely to have reported for those taking 4Standard subjects (ie no foundation students) whilst Radin Mas is for all students. The difference between the 2 methods is big for most average schools (small for very top schools since few students take foundation subjects).

One would have thought that the national average t-score is 200 but from various school slides, the national average for 4S students is about 207 and that for All (including foundation) is perhaps 195-198 range. but many schools report \"average\" of 4S scores. The other implication of a national average below 200 is that should avoid taking foundation subjects if one can help it (ie must at least be able to pass all subjects).

My estimate based on 2009 Kellock % and 2010 Radin Mas % is that the Kellock is only better by 7 points.

[Laya]

Hi Hoskins8h,


Thanx a lot. This infn will sure be helpful for me. u, kiasuParents forum members are doing a great job in helping others like me.

[janet88]

Choosing a primary school is important for the child’s foundation. Teachers who can motivate and inspire students really help…however, not all teachers in popular schools are all able to do that. There is a handful who punishes students who are proactive :x

A friend gave me a booklet of Eng compos which was compiled by her daughter’s school teachers. The teachers selected the ones which were of good quality and got the students to type them out. The school isn’t popular but the teachers are dedicated.

[jcmum]

Hello Parents


I am new here.
I am a full time working mother to a 6 year old who will be involved in this year’s P1 registration exercise.

Hope you can all kindly give me some feedback and pointers.

I am considering the following schools:
1. St Margaret’s
2. Canossa Convent Primary
3. CHIJ Katong Primary
4. Tao Nan
5. St Hilda’s Primary

Any feedback on these schools?

Which one is better?

Reasons for my shortlist:
I am a member of an Anglican church, hence I would have some form of affiliation to St Hilda’s and St Margaret’s. I am also staying within 1km of St Hilda’s.
I am an old girl of Canossa Convent.

As for Tao Nan and CHIJ Katong Primary, we have just bought a place within 1km of the school. Not sure if that qualifies us for 1km within the schools, and if yes, how are the schools and what are my chances of getting my kid in there?

I have a kid whose academic ability is testsed to be at about P2 level BUT she is also mildly ADHD and dyslexic, hence I am worried about her fitting in Tao Nan and St Hilda’s (I think I am almost guarenteed a place in St Hilda’s).

I want a school where she can excel to the best of her ability, yet enjoy school life and have an holistic view of life and school. Is that too much to ask?

Her interest is in gym, speech and drama, and dancing, and I noticed only CHIJ Katong Primary have these in their curriculum, but was told it is a lousy school?

Waiting for your kind advises.

MTIA

[jtoh]

Hi jcmum,


As you mentioned that you child is mildly ADHD and dyslexic, why don’t you call up the schools you’re interested in and ask them if they provide assistance in this area. Some schools send their teachers for training in how to manage kids with ADHD and dyslexia and this would be more beneficial for your dd.