[Marine Parade] Primary Schools

[Augtsh]

pumpkin_pie:

yeoh_tt, dun give up! I will enrolling my boy in 3yrs time under 2B <1km and I alrdy feel the heat now!

Hi pumpkin pie. You need to start working the ground in order to secure a phase 2B recommendation in 3 years time if thats your intent. What's your plan? PV, Clan or Grassroot work? Have fun.

[pumpkin_pie]

Augtsh:

pumpkin_pie:

yeoh_tt, dun give up! I will enrolling my boy in 3yrs time under 2B <1km and I alrdy feel the heat now!

Hi pumpkin pie. You need to start working the ground in order to secure a phase 2B recommendation in 3 years time if thats your intent. What's your plan? PV, Clan or Grassroot work? Have fun.

Hi Augtsh, actually Im not sure what else should I be doing to increase my chances. My hubs is a member of SHHK, so going by that route, though I know that doesnt guarantee us a recommendation letter. Lately I heard getting tougher and tougher. Do you know what is the \"criteria\" to get the letter?

Your child in TNS now? How's the school system and teachers? Hope not too stressful. Is TNS going to change to single session soon?

[pumpkin_pie]

Oh another qn…


Looking at phase 2B, 76 applicants (<1km) applied out of 47 vacancies. So assuming these 29 applicants (<1km) who didnt get balloted continue in Phase 2C, and since distance plays a part, does it mean these 29 will get in safely under phase 2C’s 47 vancacies? And the rest are for those who stay >1km??
Im not sure how the distance priority part is played. Anyone can advise? tks!

[qms]

pumpkin_pie:

So assuming these 29 applicants (<1km) who didnt get balloted continue in Phase 2C, and since distance plays a part, does it mean these 29 will get in safely under phase 2C's 47 vancacies?

No. In P2C, everyone within the distance category is equal.

pumpkin_pie:

And the rest are for those who stay >1km??

P2B is for PVs/GRLs/Clan members. There are others staying within 1 km who are none of these. They are only able to apply at P2C.

[pumpkin_pie]

qms:

pumpkin_pie:

So assuming these 29 applicants (<1km) who didnt get balloted continue in Phase 2C, and since distance plays a part, does it mean these 29 will get in safely under phase 2C's 47 vancacies?

No. In P2C, everyone within the distance category is equal.

pumpkin_pie:

And the rest are for those who stay >1km??

P2B is for PVs/GRLs/Clan members. There are others staying within 1 km who are none of these. They are only able to apply at P2C.

Ah yes, silly me forgot abt those who are not 2B but stay <1km! :slapshead: ok, now I feel even more heat!

My hubs actually is old boy of ST Stephen but will I be silly not to try a pl in TNS when it's just 5mins walk away n he is SHhK member?
Somehow I dun feel too good after reading the comments in the ST Stephen thread. Plus I heard ST Stephen boys are rather weak in mandarin which I do not like.

[mlee01]

Probably my first post here, had joined for a few years monitoring but with vested interest this year because my elder son is registering for P1 this year.


I had his registered in Ngee Ann in Phase 2B (PV), now struggling with the idea whether to pull him out and ballot for Tao Nan. Quite a struggle for me and my wife. We stay within 1km of both, TN is much within 500m while NA is just below 1km. It would be ideal if we can get him to TN as we can walk him to and back school.

oh btw, I called the TN school this morning - of the 52 applicants, 50 are within 1km, 2 between 1-2km.

Looks like a lot of other parents like us waiting till the last day to decide.

[tankee]

hi mlee01


IMHO, stays with Ngee Ann.

Balloting within 1km for TNS is confirmed, and more within 1km will definitely be registering over these 2 days. My guess is the odds would probably be close to 2 applicants for 1 place.

You have to consider the fact that if you failed to secure a place in TNS, your remaining options will be very limited and perhaps much further from your place.

[mlee01]

Hi Tankee


I know you are a grandmaster on this forum and really appreciate your views.

I would only decide to go for TN only if there is at least 2/3 chance of getting there. This was the ratio for Phase 2B and 2C last year, unfortunately it got tougher this year and it was just over 60% this year.

Frankly speaking, my main criteria is not so much the reputation of the school as I feel both school are fine. My wife actually prefers NA because while doing PV work there, we see a mix of races and languages whereas TN is predominantly Chinese.
My consideration are:
(1)distance from my house, TN is still "walkable" in 7 min my speed for him maybe 15 min just like the library but that we are always lazy and prefer to drive

(2) transport- I live in Telok Kurau, bus 15 drops him off directly in front of school and he can board from the same bus stop without needing to cross the road (bus loops round at Amber circus), whereas for NA, bus stops on Marine Parade road and he has to cross the main road. I know many parents do not like this, but I prefer him to take public bus as early as Pr 1 to make him be independent.

I know proximity would be negated as I have heard rumours TN would move to another location in the east for a few years, but my younger daugher can benefit from this.

(3) amenities nearby - my son love to read and can spend quite a few hours in the library which is just nearby, he can also drop in at the library to do his work or rest.

I know lots of other parents are at this similar stage of indecision. All the best to whatever you decide.

[tankee]

hi mlee01


do plan ahead and see if you have a contingency school that would have places in phase 2Cs.

and if both you and your wife are ok with the contingency plan, then go try your luck at TNS. if not, better stick with the sure place at Ngee Ann. Important that you have your wife’s agreement & support, or it may turn into a torn in your relationship.

good luck !

[mummyks]

Huh? put in a whole year effort in Ngee Ann and already got a place, now wants to flight for an insecure place in TN?


52 is just Day 1 number, usuallly only 60% of total, end up could be around 90. I already decided not to take this extra stress, better secure my girl in CHIJ. I am within 1 km. haha…