Review of Secondary/IP Schools

[daisyt]

turquoise:

Hi daisyt,

Thanks for sharing with us your daughter's experience. It's much appreciated. Is your daughter in RGS?

No lah, she in RVHS.

[joconde]

I’m curious to know if non-SAP/IP sch admits students via DSA ? I’m talking abt schs with standards below HCI, RI, RGS, RV, etc, but above the average neighbourhood sch. Eg , catholic high, SJI, crescent girls, even bukit panjang high govt. Seems to me nobody apply DSA to these schools. Is it they don’t have DSA excercise or nobody interested ?

[daisyt]

joconde:

I'm curious to know if non-SAP/IP sch admits students via DSA ? I'm talking abt schs with standards below HCI, RI, RGS, RV, etc, but above the average neighbourhood sch. Eg , catholic high, SJI, crescent girls, even bukit panjang high govt. Seems to me nobody apply DSA to these schools. Is it they don't have DSA excercise or nobody interested ?

Oh yes there are, I know of two cases DSA for Anderson Sec.

[turquoise]

joconde:

I'm curious to know if non-SAP/IP sch admits students via DSA ? I'm talking abt schs with standards below HCI, RI, RGS, RV, etc, but above the average neighbourhood sch. Eg , catholic high, SJI, crescent girls, even bukit panjang high govt. Seems to me nobody apply DSA to these schools. Is it they don't have DSA excercise or nobody interested ?

Yes, there are. If you check the MOE website there's a long list of schools that take in DSA applications. A lot of them are for niche sports/aesthetics etc.

[Fairy]

lizawa:

phankao:

I heard that for DSA - my friend's son was interviewed at HCI in Chinese! And he wasn't very comfortable with that. Did that happen to any of your boys?

The interview was bilingual. According to my son (he went through the interview last year), there were a panel of 3 interviewers interviewing 3 P6 students at the same time. Any of the interviewers can ask questions (one of them would ask in Mandarin), and any of the 3 students can choose to answer first. If you choose not to voice your view, also fine.

In my son's case, there were 3 interviewers to 1 interviewee. He did not mention about being interviewed in Chinese.

[Fairy]

Fairy:

In my son's case, there were 3 interviewers to 1 interviewee. He did not mention about being interviewed in Chinese.

Overall, his interview experience at HCI was a very pleasant one. They even ended the session by saying they'll see him next year at HCI. His interview at RI (2 interviewer to 3 interviewees) was not as pleasant though as the inteviewers were not as 'friendly'. For reasons I do not wish to share, we chose RI and have never look back. I think we've made the right choice.

[Jennifer]

For those parents with children in an IP sch now, is it difficult to find tuition that caters to IP pupils? Or are the IP pupils able to sail through the IP programme with sch support coupled with their own hardwork? TIA your inputs.

[Fairy]

Jennifer:

For those parents with children in an IP sch now, is it difficult to find tuition that caters to IP pupils? Or are the IP pupils able to sail through the IP programme with sch support coupled with their own hardwork? TIA your inputs.

In my son's school, parents were told by the year head not to 'load' the child with extra tuition as the school's curriculum is already taxing enough. They are supposed to approach the teachers for help if needed. Of course, it will be a lot easier for someone who has 'help' at home. He can easily clear his doubts as they arised.

[Jennifer]

Fairy:

Jennifer:

For those parents with children in an IP sch now, is it difficult to find tuition that caters to IP pupils? Or are the IP pupils able to sail through the IP programme with sch support coupled with their own hardwork? TIA your inputs.

In my son's school, parents were told by the year head not to 'load' the child with extra tuition as the school's curriculum is already taxing enough. They are supposed to approach the teachers for help if needed. Of course, it will be a lot easier for someone who has 'help' at home. He can easily clear his doubts as they arised.

Fairy, thanks for the info.

[Fairy]

Jennifer:

Fairy, thanks for the info.

Not to worry too much though. My son does not have any help outside school. He's totally on his own & coping fine. Of course, don't compare to those who are ferried to/fro schools or project meetings/tuitions and those who have parents who can teach them or are able to afford quality home tutors. These kids definitely have it easier. With all the nurture, intelligence and the right environment, they MAY shine brighter. But, nobody says the world is fair anyway. Better learn how to work with constrains & limited resources from young. :lol: