[Hougang] Primary Schools

[Flaggy]

Hi everyone

I’m new and so glad to see this web now (though a bit late).

I’m also having headache which to send my gal to, Holy Innocents (between 1 to 2km) or CHIJ OLN (<1km).

My 2 gals are born in 2002, 2004 and a boy 2008. My concerns were things like whether 1 session or 2 sessions school is easier for me and if I send my elder gal to CHIJ, i need to go thru this P1 registration again for my boy. My gal is strong in Chinese so HIPS will be good. But on the other hand, I also think that CHIJ english speaking environment will improve her English Lang. I’m under phase 2C for both schools, so if she can’t get in HIPS, she may even lost her seat in CHIJ, then Punggol Pri will be my last resort (also <1km).

I missed the open house visit for CHIJ, how’s the environment? Small?How’s the principal and teachers? I called up today and i spoke to a lady which maybe the admin, to see if any chance to visit the school this weekend, she’s not friendly and helpful at all. Give me impression i’m nuisance and she jus want to hang up the phone.

Is HIPS school work v heavy? Do they emphasize on work play balance and character building?

Thanks in advance for any information provided.

[ChiefKiasu]

Flaggy:

...I'm also having headache which to send my gal to, Holy Innocents (between 1 to 2km) or CHIJ OLN (<1km)...

At this point in time, it's actually quite easy for you decide... since you do not stay within the 1km hotzone to Holy Innocents (HIPS), you are unlikely to even get a chance to ballot in Phase 2C. Demand for HIPS has gone off the charts this year. It will have to be OLN for you. If you want HIPS for your son, you need to remember to PV before 30 June 2013.

[MMM]

For those staying within 1km of HIPS, I’ve the following questions :

* Is it necessary to apply to be a PV to gain a place in the school even though the house is within 1km?
* If not a PV, does that mean can only try under phase 2C? If so, base on historical trends, are there likelihood of balloting?
* Anyone know how to join as PV in holy innocent?
* Holy innocent is affiliated with Holy Innocent High school? Is it a good school?

I also have the following question on Rosyth. I think the location my friend is looking at is probably within 1-2 km of Rosyth. Based on historical trends, are there a good chance of applying as a PV and getting in during phase 2B within 1-2km?

[Stressed-Father]

Dear Parents,


From Hougang Pri’s website, seems like there were already 123 <1Km app for 122 vancancies. Anyone has any other take-up rate from other Hougang schools to share ? Thanks.

[mum2one]

I was thinking of registering in the afternoon, (I'm within 1-2km from HIPS and Xinmin) but didn't get round to doing it today bcos ..


Called HIPS before the afternoon Ph2C session, it was already 48 registrations <1km for 45 places.
Called Xinmin after that. Supervisor said already 110+ registrations <1km for 117 places.

As at 2325 hrs, teletext on 1st day phase 2C shows :
HIPS : 54 for 45 seats
Xinmin : 127 for 117 seats
Hougang Pr : 135 for 122 seats
CHIJ OLN : 77 for 88 seats

(Incidentally, I have never used the teletext before until now! Wah ... never really monitor something so diligently as this P1 thingy LOL!)

So I suppose my choice is pretty clear now. (Go one big circle, but at least I feel I've done some work to appease my 'guilt' of not being kiasu enough for my child to get into the earlier phases. At best now I know I can avoid balloting and not prolong the agony. :oops:
By the way, if there's any consolation for those who are affected, Xinmin Pr is not affiliated to Xinmin Sec, (good Sec sch) and HI High School, whether affiliated or not, is NOT known to be the preferred secondary school of choice in Hougang, and definitely not for 'kiasu' parents iygwim.

Actually, for Hougang residents, you may want to check out the new schools in Sengkang or Punggol. The biggest advantage besides having new facilities, is they usually offer single session even for P1 & 2

[sweetpea]

[Moderator’s Note: Threads merged.]


Hi,
Anyone has any child there? How’s the school and principal / VP like? TIA!

[KS_me]

icebaby:

yes, highly like in Phase 2C hougang pri will have balloting for within 1km.

Hi Icebaby,

how is your registration so far? Now everyone is into balloting phase :?

[awesome_mummy]

is montfort jnr sch really that bad? im surprised to see that they still hv so many vacancies even after phase 3… (im new here and just started researching abt pri schools)…


seems like in these days, unless u stay within 1km or 1-2km for those better schools, else totally no chance at all for outside 2km… is this true?

[Hao]

Hi CK, new to KS Parents.com…any idea whr can i gather feedback on the standard of HIPS, ie CCA, overall PSLE results, etc. Understand that this is a SAP sch and is hot in Hougang area but appears that results not that fantastic cos unlike other SAP schs, they seldom produce top PSLE students, but i am not sure abt its overall PSLE results though.


Hubby was an old boy so not a prob for my boy to get in but hope to gather more inputs before we decide. Thks.

[ChiefKiasu]

Hao:

Hi CK, new to KS Parents.com.....any idea whr can i gather feedback on the standard of HIPS, ie CCA, overall PSLE results, etc. Understand that this is a SAP sch and is hot in Hougang area but appears that results not that fantastic cos unlike other SAP schs, they seldom produce top PSLE students, but i am not sure abt its overall PSLE results though.


Hubby was an old boy so not a prob for my boy to get in but hope to gather more inputs before we decide. Thks.

If your hubby is an ex-HIPS student and you are staying in its vicinity, I would say that you can save a lot of headache for P1 registration by just going for HIPS. It's a good school, and very popular in the Hougang area, so you should count yourself lucky.

To get more info, just check the earlier part of this thread, or wait for someone with children currently in HIPS to tell you about it. You can also read the school's website through this http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/school/holy-innocents-primary-school, or call up the school to keep track of when they are going to have an open house for parents (probably in June next year).