Compare RGS vs NYGH
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I chanced upon this thread and found it really amusing. As an ex-RGS/RJ mom with a NYGH dd & a ACSI ds, I guess I'm in a pretty good position to comment.
Firstly I'm very happy with my dd's school, even though it might have seemed 'nice' for both of us to have come from the same alma mater. DD's school environment is excellent - good balance of English & Chinese (which is important for the next few decades), good peer role models (CCA seniors teaching juniors who need help in academics), caring principal (friendly, cares for the whole well-being of the child) and good character education. I especially like the 4 traits of simplicity, prudence, respectability & diligence. I think this balance of academic excellence and character development is the way to go. No regrets at all on her choice. And if she were to do her selection again, I'd still say go for NYGH.
My own alma mater is also a great school, of course. During my school days, we did school selection even before knowing the PSLE score!! I have benefited from 6 years of the Raffles school program. Those years have taught me to be confident, outspoken, excellent, achievement-oriented - many of the traits needed to succeed in my eventual profession.
My one migiving about my alma mater is its over-emphasis on excellence and high ability performance, and lack of emphasis on overall character development. This was very apparent during the open house talks, and in subsequent talks I've attended. There is of course nothing wrong with wanting to be the best. But being in an environment where everyone is pushed to be the best, and being drummed in ever so often that you are the 'best', without enough emphasis on character traits, may eventually churn out academic students with little empathy for society at large - those who are perhaps not so 'smart' academically but nonetheless 'smart' in other ways.
These are my views solely so I hope I did not offend anyone. At the end of the day, both schools offer great environments for studies, CCA and leadership opportunities. The parents and the child are at the best position to consider where the child will thrive best in, and whether the school environment brings out the best in the child. The 'best' here may mean different things to different people. For my dd, the 'best' are the character traits that I hope will carry her through not just student life, but adulthood. I'd like her to couple academic excellence with humility and empathy.
On a lighter note, what does my ACSI ds say about gals from the 2 schools? He said 'no comments', as he doesn't dare to offend either his very opinionated mum or outspoken sister
Actually perhaps the truth of the matter is he is more keen on more ladylike and softspoken girls from other schools .....?? -
sinoboy:
Don't read too much into the result of the survey which was done in 2004. A lot has changed. The sample size is small and perhaps made up of a lot of teenagers who have different needs during that stage in their lives. RI and ACS boys like other Singaporeans would prefer girls from overseas when they grow up IMHO. These overseas girls are much more realistic and desirable than RGS or NYGH ones.
realistic and desirable? hmm what does that mean... i know singaporean guys tend to like malaysian girls cos they are more 'simple' and less demanding.
back to the topic, I think sec sch has little bearing on how marriageable one becomes! Should go to the sch for schooling's sake, not so much on future marriage value?
Anyway, the schools of yesteryear that we as parents are familiar with probably have changed somewhat. Whilst some of the values and key characteristics might remain, a lot of what a school's culture is depends on the current teachers, and current cohort. So all our impressions formed 20+ years ago might be misrepresentations... -
Like Gleemom, I too was an RGS/RJC girl with now a daughter in NYGH now.
It is funny how I always assume that my daughter would follow my steps to go RGS too, especially she has a CO from both schools.
Unfortunately, like what Gleemom has written, I too have misgivings about "its over-emphasis on excellence and high ability performance, and lack of emphasis on overall character development." I spent the best 6 years of my schooling life in RGS/RJC and made lifelong friends there. But sadly, it is not the same RGS now.
We feel very much at ease at NYGH. The principal hardly harped on being the best of the best even though she knows she has the cream of the crop in her school. I feel that NYGH takes care of the girls not only academically but in other aspects as well and that the girls would grow up in an environment that is not so obsessed with being the best all the time.
I was surprised to find 4 of my RGS/RJC classmates also putting their daughters in NYGH, mainly due to the same sentiments that Gleemom and I have.
That’s just my personally opinion - no hard feelings please -
I asked my nephew who is in ACSI what he thinks of Nanyang vs RGS girls. His reply
Nanyang girls are cheena and dependent . Raffles girls are more adaptable and independent -
My dd is in nygs and is enjoying her school life very much there. So are her friends. And there are some RI boys besides HC boys who try to ‘friend’ them on FB. Hmmn…so we can’t speculate about how these girls’ [RGS or NYGS] relationship status will be like in future. Character and chemistry play big role.
Just my feedback based on my knowledge. -
stetan:
It doesn't really matter that the boys think of NYGH girls as being cheena and dependent. We know that our dds are feisty, independent and very bright. It's good that the boys keep away from them before they reach Sec 4 anywayI asked my nephew who is in ACSI what he thinks of Nanyang vs RGS girls. His reply
Nanyang girls are cheena and dependent . Raffles girls are more adaptable and independent
I almost forgot to add, we are also very proud of their bilingualism; nothing cheena about it. -
stetan:
I have the impression that ACSI boys like girls from MGS and SCGS better. In Year 5&6, many of their schoolmates would be ex-MGS and SCGS girls.I asked my nephew who is in ACSI what he thinks of Nanyang vs RGS girls. His reply
Nanyang girls are cheena and dependent . Raffles girls are more adaptable and independent
By virtue of their JCs, there'll be a number of RI/RGS pairings and NYGH/HCI pairings. -
jtoh:
All these answers are clearly out of the stock type in this era. There's no clear trend, just feel free to choose any race or nationality.
I have the impression that ACSI boys like girls from MGS and SCGS better. In Year 5&6, many of their schoolmates would be ex-MGS and SCGS girls.stetan:
I asked my nephew who is in ACSI what he thinks of Nanyang vs RGS girls. His reply
Nanyang girls are cheena and dependent . Raffles girls are more adaptable and independent
By virtue of their JCs, there'll be a number of RI/RGS pairings and NYGH/HCI pairings. -
Edureach:
All these answers are clearly out of the stock type in this era. There's no clear trend, just feel free to choose any race or nationality.[/quote]Of course the kids are 'free to choose any race or nationality'. Anyway we're talking about schools and not race nor nationality? All these comments are tongue in cheek observations. Don't take it so seriously.
I have the impression that ACSI boys like girls from MGS and SCGS better. In Year 5&6, many of their schoolmates would be ex-MGS and SCGS girls.jtoh:
[quote=\"stetan\"]I asked my nephew who is in ACSI what he thinks of Nanyang vs RGS girls. His reply
Nanyang girls are cheena and dependent . Raffles girls are more adaptable and independent
By virtue of their JCs, there'll be a number of RI/RGS pairings and NYGH/HCI pairings.
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stetan:
What a coincidence....that's the same comment from my nephew as well....though he is not from ACSI but SJI.I asked my nephew who is in ACSI what he thinks of Nanyang vs RGS girls. His reply
Nanyang girls are cheena and dependent . Raffles girls are more adaptable and independent
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