Catholic High (Primary)

[phankao]

So far, p5 is always to China. And not every boy. It’s only a selected group.

[NicHei]

Hi Phankao, Any idea what is their selection criteria?

[chschs]

Hi parents of Catholic High,


My boy is in P1.

In Jan, we got a school letter that mentioned "All P1 pupils will have the opportunity to be exposed to a range of games and activities during their PE lessons. At the end of Term 2, those identified with talents in either a Sports or Aesthetics CCA will be strongly encouraged to join the respective CCA formally at the beginning of Term 3."

My boy was invited to join the Band in Jan but we turned it down as my boy does not have a strong interest in music. He is very sporty so we waited … we got an invitation letter at end of Term 2! But … it is again one of the 6 Aesthetics CCA (for those P1 parents who attended the Orientation, you would know the principal kept asking us to sign our child to one of these 6 CCA during the Orientation).

Some of his classmates do not even get an invitational letter.

So CCA is not about the child’s interest anymore?

Even if the school wants only those identified with talents, it should not have an invitational letter that lists only 1 choice (I am not 100% sure but when we chat with some parents, it’s either their kid no letter or given 1 choice). It would be better if they list down all the CCAs (only 12 for P1) and put a tick against those that the child could select based on their PE performance. I believe as CHS places a high priority on its 6 Aesthetics CCA (it was very obvious during the P1 Orientation), even sporty kids who did well during PE have no chance to choose a Sports CCA.

For those parents with older boys, could you share how it was like during P1 for your kid’s CCA selection?

For other P1 parents, could you share if I was wrong about the above (i.e., your boy got more than 1 CCA choices at the end of Term 2).

Thanks!

[phankao]

I think they started this "intense marketing" of CCAs in P1 only recently. During my boys’ time, they only went round asking if any boys wanted to join such-and-such CCAs. Mine’s sec 2(no longer in cath high), and P6.


Unlike your boy, ours went to ask the teachers-in-charge to join their CCAs at the end of p1 and thus developed their musical journey that way.

But if you are talking about schools only picking WHO they want and not the other way around… yeah, welcome to the real world of school CCA these days. Many years ago, I realised that already, but it wasn’t even as intense as going down to the P1 level as it is now. I think the Aesthetic CCAs are really lacking in volunteering members. ;D

[meiah]

My ds2 P3 now received his letter for basketball in P1. According to him, the whole class had to go for trials and in the end only 3 were given the letter. After which, during CCA from then till now, they have been eliminating members. He is still in basketball.


He also received Aesthetics letter later on, I think last year. My ds 1 ever received wushu letter in P3. But we did not accept.

[chschs]

phankao:

I think they started this \"intense marketing\" of CCAs in P1 only recently. During my boys' time, they only went round asking if any boys wanted to join such-and-such CCAs. Mine's sec 2(no longer in cath high), and P6.


Unlike your boy, ours went to ask the teachers-in-charge to join their CCAs at the end of p1 and thus developed their musical journey that way.

But if you are talking about schools only picking WHO they want and not the other way around... yeah, welcome to the real world of school CCA these days. Many years ago, I realised that already, but it wasn't even as intense as going down to the P1 level as it is now. I think the Aesthetic CCAs are really lacking in volunteering members. ;D

hi, thanks for the info. It is not due to lacking in \"volunteer\". During Orientation, the Aesthetic CCAs performed in front of the parents and our kids. I was impressed. I even asked my ds about that particular Aesthetic CCA (the one that he was eventually selected due to his \"talents\") but he said he was not interested. When he got his invitation form, I told him ... \"Remember what we saw during Orientation?\" and kept checking with him a few times over the next few days before the deadline but he gave a firm \"No\".

But there were parents who selected that Aesthetics CCA and have been attending it since Term 1 (only sports CCAs start at Term 3) ... at least 2 boys got \"kicked out\". I am sure there are more who got kicked out as I did not ask around the class or cohort.

So it's really about \"talents\" ... not \"interests\". But even then, how would they know if P1 kids are \"talented\" or not if they are only given 1 choice (e.g., a boy could do equally well in Aesthetics and 2 or 3 sports) but if he is only given 1 choice ... how to find out?

[chschs]

meiah:

My ds2 P3 now received his letter for basketball in P1. According to him, the whole class had to go for trials and in the end only 3 were given the letter. After which, during CCA from then till now, they have been eliminating members. He is still in basketball.


He also received Aesthetics letter later on, I think last year. My ds 1 ever received wushu letter in P3. But we did not accept.

Yes, even at P1s they \"kicked\" out members. It is sad CCAs have to be this way esp for Primary students.

Do any parents have kids taking Table Tennis or Tennis at CHS? Would like to find out more.

Thanks!

[phankao]

chschs:

phankao:

I think they started this \"intense marketing\" of CCAs in P1 only recently. During my boys' time, they only went round asking if any boys wanted to join such-and-such CCAs. Mine's sec 2(no longer in cath high), and P6.


Unlike your boy, ours went to ask the teachers-in-charge to join their CCAs at the end of p1 and thus developed their musical journey that way.

But if you are talking about schools only picking WHO they want and not the other way around... yeah, welcome to the real world of school CCA these days. Many years ago, I realised that already, but it wasn't even as intense as going down to the P1 level as it is now. I think the Aesthetic CCAs are really lacking in volunteering members. ;D

hi, thanks for the info. It is not due to lacking in \"volunteer\". During Orientation, the Aesthetic CCAs performed in front of the parents and our kids. I was impressed. I even asked my ds about that particular Aesthetic CCA (the one that he was eventually selected due to his \"talents\") but he said he was not interested. When he got his invitation form, I told him ... \"Remember what we saw during Orientation?\" and kept checking with him a few times over the next few days before the deadline but he gave a firm \"No\".

But there were parents who selected that Aesthetics CCA and have been attending it since Term 1 (only sports CCAs start at Term 3) ... at least 2 boys got \"kicked out\". I am sure there are more who got kicked out as I did not ask around the class or cohort.

So it's really about \"talents\" ... not \"interests\". But even then, how would they know if P1 kids are \"talented\" or not if they are only given 1 choice (e.g., a boy could do equally well in Aesthetics and 2 or 3 sports) but if he is only given 1 choice ... how to find out?

I know about the Orientation bc I was there watching my son perform in the CO.

[meiah]

chschs:

phankao:

So it's really about \"talents\" ... not \"interests\". But even then, how would they know if P1 kids are \"talented\" or not if they are only given 1 choice (e.g., a boy could do equally well in Aesthetics and 2 or 3 sports) but if he is only given 1 choice ... how to find out?

Go bug the cca teacher! My ds 1 went after his form teacher, strings teacher in p2. Joined the cello when in p3. After syf, he bug again to change to violin, end up in section 2. Then bug again, finally in section 1. And stayed there for 2 years to p6. Now he is in the music elective in sec sch.

[phankao]

meiah:

chschs:

[quote=\"phankao\"]

So it's really about \"talents\" ... not \"interests\". But even then, how would they know if P1 kids are \"talented\" or not if they are only given 1 choice (e.g., a boy could do equally well in Aesthetics and 2 or 3 sports) but if he is only given 1 choice ... how to find out?

Go bug the cca teacher! My ds 1 went after his form teacher, strings teacher in p2. Joined the cello when in p3. After syf, he bug again to change to violin, end up in section 2. Then bug again, finally in section 1. And stayed there for 2 years to p6. Now he is in the music elective in sec sch.[/quote]Too bad they don't have Strings in Sec, huh? Can bug the Principal more or not? Last time I used to bug him, but still \"no go\". ;( Anyway, it really doesn't concern me now, since my boy not in CHS sec - but yours is. Would give way more performing opportunities.

How is the MEP in CHS sec? Have alot of chance to perform or not? My boy has lunchtime recitals, including ensemble performances and external recitals and concerts plus exam recitals of course. He really enjoys the ensemble performances.