Maris Stella High

[ailina]

Hi VVJJ


so you are the one with the twin boys enrolled. my sis been checking with the school for available vacancies to enrol my nephew under phase 2C this friday. Hope his parents finally decide to put him there and able to secure a seat for him. Cross our fingers though they stayed within 1km from the MSHS

[t9699.08694yahoo.08694com.08694sg]

VVJJ:

Hi, my sons are also successful in securing a place next yr. They are rather weak in Chinese. Initially, i was thinking of enrolling in either SJI or MSHS. Decided on MSHS as i wanted them to be able to converse more in their mother tongue language. Any parents with ideas how the kids are coping in school with Chinese?


School's asking if i wanted to place my twin boys in same/different class next year. Any comments from parents with twins as well?

Oh.. based on my understanding, if you place the kids on waitlist, if successful, it will be meant for 2011. Meaning, the boy will be in P2 upon enrollment. However, I believe it's worth the wait, given the reputation of the school...

For my boy, who did not speak a word of Chinese, his Chinese is now his strongest subject. I spoke to his form teacher last term and she was telling me that they adopt a no exception rule to Mandarin speaking. She only converses in Mandarin and if the student does to speak the language then he cannot request to go out and play or to go toilet. It works....all the boys in the class speak fluent Mandarin...even a Filipino Chinese boy..
Where English is concerned, their standard is as good...they teach using Stellar Worksheets which is what NYPS uses as well.

But me being the Kiasu, I send my boy for Chinese tuition...my tutor, who taught me also when I was a student, told me that for children with no foundation in Chinese, Higher Chinese is actually an easier way to understand cos it actually has a better foundation.

From not being able to speak or write, he's scoring full marks now for his ting xie and for his exam last term, he got 93%....I went to school to see their test paper..got comprehension :!: ... :shock: yet he managed so well.....I'm so proud of the little fella :udaman:

[Merlion]

MSHS is way too under rated because (1) Their test paper not available in market (2) They do not offer GEP. Their PSLE result has been 100% almost every year. They are very strong in both chinese and english.

[VVJJ]

Hi Ailina,


Yes, it's my twins who gotten a place... hence no balloting.. it was a lucky shave as i'm also worried about balloting given i'm staying more than 2km away.
Rest assured those within 1km should have no problem securing a place. When I'm there last week registering for my boys, there are less than 10 applications within 1km. One thing good is the school actually display how many parents have registered and the distance. Hence, if you go on day 3 for registration this week, you should have a good feel of the chances. Good luck...

Hi T2,
Thanks so much for the insight on how classes are conducted. My boys are very playful. Hence, i'm glad and hope the environment will be able to \"tone\" them down. And yes, I really wish their chinese can be better. I've been coaching them but it seems they don't have a interest in it..

[t9699.08694yahoo.08694com.08694sg]

Eh, no probs...don't worrie, my boy also very playful...but he has since toned down alot....the teachers at MSHS keep in close contact with the parents so they will definitely update you on your boys progress....


For Chinese, you can cultivate their interest with movies and songs...also, it's good to let the boys do a form of sports...my kids are into swimming...any sports that involve right side and left side coordination cos this helps to exercise the brain....they will then be able to tap into the left and right hemispheres of their brain...it improves their school work and teaches them focus...

School system these days very tough...we must do all that we can to ease them thru...end up we stress :roll:

[2DMommy]

VVJJ:

Oh.. based on my understanding, if you place the kids on waitlist, if successful, it will be meant for 2011. Meaning, the boy will be in P2 upon enrollment. However, I believe it's worth the wait, given the reputation of the school...

Entrance exam is required. The boys will be tested on all the subjects in 1 day. From there, they will select a few boys for each level. My boy told me that there were about 40 boys taking the entrance exam for his level (Pr 2 going for Pr 3). For Pr 1 to P2 level, the numbers are even more. The exam normally takes place end of the year.

[t9699.08694yahoo.08694com.08694sg]

I know of some P1 parents who get in within the first month of school term…this way, no exam needed but it’s all based on first come first served basis. And a bit of shuffling…but must mentally prep your kid cos if he’s already started in another school, not having recess in the canteen may not be too pleasing to him. In MSHS, P1-P2 is all catered in…means they have their recess in the class and can only go out to play when they finish their food. Even if you opt out of the catered food, you will have to pack for him and he cannot go to the canteen.


I know there is a new rule for entrance exam…I think before, you have to take the exam to want to be considered for short-list but now, only if there is vacancy, they’ll let you take the exam…it’s on their website…

[tiredmama]

Miracle Child:

Hi all,


My son will be in P1 next year in MSH.

Orientation is on 7 Nov 2009. Can parents accompany the child for orientation? Thanks.

HI... I am so excited to see so many replies on this thread !! Thank u very very much to all the feedback.. been v useful to read and get 1st hand info ! I am a little new to this site and am not v sure if I am posting @ the correct page if I just use the reply function :?:

Chief.. than for all the hardwork in setting up the parent support grps.. much appreciated :udaman: :udaman: :udaman:

I am curious to know for those with sons there, the amt of HW given and expectations of the teachers ? I have heard differing stories :?
Thanks everyone for being so helpful & forthcoming.. Looking forward to meeting some of u at orientation !

[tiredmama]

VVJJ:

Hi Ailina,


Yes, it's my twins who gotten a place... hence no balloting.. it was a lucky shave as i'm also worried about balloting given i'm staying more than 2km away.
Rest assured those within 1km should have no problem securing a place. When I'm there last week registering for my boys, there are less than 10 applications within 1km. One thing good is the school actually display how many parents have registered and the distance. Hence, if you go on day 3 for registration this week, you should have a good feel of the chances. Good luck...

Hi T2,
Thanks so much for the insight on how classes are conducted. My boys are very playful. Hence, i'm glad and hope the environment will be able to \"tone\" them down. And yes, I really wish their chinese can be better. I've been coaching them but it seems they don't have a interest in it..

Hi VVJJ... so u are the parent with twins !!! :celebrate: I heard that there is a pair of twins hence, no further balloting is done ... Congrats too .... My son is also going in next year... very excited for him.. tho i already have a girl in P2 ....

[Miracle Child]

VVJJ:

Hi, my sons are also successful in securing a place next yr. They are rather weak in Chinese. Initially, i was thinking of enrolling in either SJI or MSHS. Decided on MSHS as i wanted them to be able to converse more in their mother tongue language. Any parents with ideas how the kids are coping in school with Chinese?

Hi,

My son is good at recognising chinese characters but does not like to converse in mandarin. Every time we try to talk to him in mandarin, he will reply in English. I understand from a friend that MSH will help and provide intensive holiday lessons to children who are weaker in Chinese. We had also initially thought of SJIJ since it is nearer to us, and similar to you, we thought a \"more chinese\" oriented environment would probably be more beneficial to him.
:celebrate: