[Tampines] Primary Schools

[jedamum]

gajidouma:

hi jedamum

Every time when people talk about Poi Ching School, you redirect them to the link you posted. Whenever time I clicked on that link it brings me back to the same thread. But then, the discussion is discontinued or diverted by your post. I know you mean well... could you please check your link

:? Is that the case? cos i checked my link everytime i post a redirect link. perhaps the admin may want to check what is wrong with what you highlighted. In anycase, the redirection is to reduce the amount of duplicate threads - mods are supposed to merge the threads so that discussion is not disrupted by 'diversion' to the 'parent' thread.

[ChiefKiasu]

gajidouma:

...hi jedamum


Every time when people talk about Poi Ching School, you redirect them to the link you posted. Whenever time I clicked on that link it brings me back to the same thread. But then, the discussion is discontinued or diverted by your post. I know you mean well... could you please check your link or it is just my browser problem.... coz I really want to hear other parents feedback on Poi Ching School which will help me make some important decision.

Thank you.

gajidouma, I'm the one who have been merging your threads, not jedamum. I'm sure lots of people want to find out more about Poi Ching, but it requires someone who really knows about Poi Ching to speak up. I suppose we all just have to wait patiently until that happens

[gajidouma]

Hi jedamum and Chief, sorry for my mis-understanging. It is just that whenever time I saw that \"........ please click here\" post, I thought I am not allowed or not advised to discuss that particular School in this thread... thus confused.


Thank you for the clarification. :salute:

[ManyHatsLady]

Thanks.

Has been browsing KSP for the last few days, must say that KSP is really informative.
though Poi Ching i stand quite high chance, but still have to prepare "backup plan", just in case. Anyone has info abt Yumin and Qiaonan?

Thanks.

[amylqf]

kanghu:

Hi.

Anyone can recommend any good Before and After School care centre on the east?

I am staying in Simei. School care in Bedok, Tampines would be good.

I have heard a lot of stories that many before/after school care centre have kids whereby they are very bad mannered. I certainly don't want my kids to mix with too many of these kind of kinds. So, I am trying to find a relatively good centre whereby they would filter the kids quality and minimize this kind of bad mannered kids.

Any suggestion?

Also, what should I expect for the cost of a before/after school care centre?

Thanks.

Hi, which area in simei do you stay?
I know there is a simei student care @simei street 4.
not sure about the price, may couple of hundred per month.

[ManyHatsLady]

need someone living near Poi Ching to look after my child next year. Anyone?

[amylqf]

kanghu:

Hi.

I am contemplating registering my son to Poi Ching Primary School next week.
I am qualified and have done the PV service.
They called us up to register next week and don't have to ballot even though we are staying in Simei which is more than 1 km away.

I like the school due to its emphasis on Chinese and of course English - both being mandatory first language.
The facility also looks good based on my visit to the school during PV.

My concerns are:
1. Will there be too much home work?
This is a SAP school. I am concerned that there are so much school work that I have to spend all my time sitting with the kid just to see through he does the homework and help him out in case he has problem. I understand I would have to spend some time with the kid for school work but hopefully not too much (what is too much? more than 2 nights is considered too much to me).
Can anyone share any experience on this with Poi Ching?

2. Is there any small van school bus service which bring my kids direct from Simei (yes, I am staying in Simei) to the school instead of the big standard school bus which will make long distance travel routing through all neighborhoods to pick up many kids before reaching school?
What time does the kid normally finish school for Primary One?

3. Does the school mix good and poor students together?
I know that schools nowadays try not to name the classes as A, B, ... F with A being the best class and F being the poorest class. They try to name them using some words/phrase which make it not so obvious which is a better class and which is not. But I also heard there are schools whereby the litterally mix the top student with middle standards students and then the middle standard students with the poor students. I really don't quite like the later idea. Which is the case for Poi Ching?

4. How does the school care for kids who are slower learner?
Do they push parents to have the kids go for tuition classes?
Do they have some tuition class or special arrangement to help them?
I am asking this because my first kid is ok on his learning progress but my second son who will register the year after is a bit slow in his learning.

Any advices are, especially from parents who have kids in Poi Ching studying, will be very much appreciated.
Thanks.

Hi,

I will try to answer your questions in my blog:
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/blogs/amylqf

except for your question 3. I know that Poi ching has an entry test on the 1st orientation day. but I have no idea what class is the best and how they classify the children.
I also never bother to ask the teacher. I think it is too early to tell at the primary 1 level.

As long as the teacher is good, I am happy.

[amylqf]

[Moderator's note: Topics split and merged.]


Since quite number of anxious parents were asking about feedback of Poi Ching Primary school, I am thinking to post a Q&A here, so that hopefully it will help you in making decision of chosing right school for your child.

1. For whom?
SAP school only teaches Chinese and English language, therefore there is lesser chance for you to see other race or foreign students study there.
Some of the chinese children with weak chinese foundation and background will not opt for Poi Ching as their parents are worry about the higher chinese subject.

2. Chance of getting in?
At the east side (tampines/bedok/pasir ris), Poi Ching is one of the SAP school. Except for Poi Ching there is another SAP school, Red Swatika (bedok), which hardly has PV vacancy (at least during my year of registration). St. Hilda is even more competitive (balloting might take place even if you are PV, but live more than 2km). so that makes me chose Poi Ching. Because once you are selected as PV, according to past year record, it is almost like guarantee to get in (although no one will guarantee to your verbally, of course).

3. Principle and teachers?
So far, I am happy with the school. The Principle had done numerous changes around the school while I was doing my pv there:
-School PE uniform has been changed to quickdry material.
-Adopted \"Yun Yu Shi Zi\" from China.
-Installed window around the staircase, so that the floor won't be wet during rainy day.
-Library shelf are changed from metal to customized wooden shelf.
-Engaged volunteer to conduct parent workshop and activity.
Teachers show their concern for the students and open to parents' feedback.

3. Homework?
For english and math homework, occasionally has few pages of homework. like at least two times a week.
For chinese, daily homework. School works hand-in-hand with parents. not only children have home work, parents also have home work which are to help the child do recite, revision and ting xie. Parents must sign the worksheet everyday to make sure the child's work is done.
Regarding the workload, it really depends on your child. If the child is fast, few pages of work shouldn't be a problem. If the child likes to take her/his sweet time to do things, it might take longer time to finish.

4. School bus.
Transport company that works with Poi Ching have quite no. of van to fetch the children from different areas. The vans are relatively in new condition. I am not sure about other location. for example,
My place to school is about 2km. My child leave home around 11:40am and come back about 6:35pm. Normally the school bus takes 40 mins on the road whereas I only takes 10 mins to drive to school. You see the difference? I would recommend if there are car pool around your area, so that it will be win-win situation for both parents and child.

The school bus cost $75/month for my case. As you may knew, school bus fee for June and December holiday must given in advance with Jan and July's fee.

5. How does the school care for kids who are slower learner?
So far, my child's teacher never request me to sign up any tuition classes. She just highlight to me my child's weakest area during the parent meet session. There are extra enrichment/tuition class recommend from the school, but that was optional.

For other details, please refer to school website:
http://www.poichingsch.com/

Above are just my personal opinion. All other poi ching's parents are welcome to give feedback on other areas, such as CCA, student care, etc..

[ChiefKiasu]

Thanks amylqf! You have come to save the day!

[amylqf]

You’re welcome, Chief.


I am glad that my afternoon’s effort to post this blog is appreciated.

Thanks for the encouragement.