Catholic High (Primary)

[JonC]

@24HrMum

You are right, I agree. There are students who cannot cope, leaves the school themselves. Some as early as during P1. After 3 months in P1, if you are the "on" type, you will know if you kids "can" or "cannot", I mean in any school also the same.

@24HrMum & jojolulu
Another route is get in during P4 via GEP or after PSLE.

[chschs]

jojolulu:

Hi Parents, I am new to the forum and am not sure if this is the right thread to ask this question, very sorry if not, and would really appreciate some advice


I am hoping to send my son to Catholic High, and am intending to move within 1km of the school as well as signup for the parent volunteer scheme so that I could be eligible under Phase 2B.

As this move to 1km of school will potentially wipe out our savings, just wanted to do some fact finding first as would be a major decision.

1. Is the school very selective with parent volunteers? What would boost our chances?
2. So far, how is the \"acceptance rate\" for the PVs. Do most people get a slot or do many leave disappointed? The statistics make it out to be very scary, as in have to ballot even if you live within 1km of school in Phase 2B, but are the odds still reasonably good or is it a heart stopping gamble?

Really hoping someone can advise, am hoping the parent network group here might have some ex parent volunteers who can share your experiences. Thanks.

Hi jojolulu,

I think it is too drastic an action for you to take. Catholic High (CHS) had the least vacancies available in 2010 (P1 for 2011) after initial phases - only 9 left for P2B. This year (P1 for 2012) the situation is slightly better as they increase 1 class (240 intake) but the odds are still pretty low.

You did not mention why you want to choose CHS. You seem really keen so perhaps you should call the school and enquire about PV. Sometimes they already have certain projects in mind and if you can convince them you are the right person for those projects, perhaps they will let you know \"the acceptance rate\". You should also check the history of CHS's P2B balloting so that you know your chances as a PV in P2B (but be aware that it fluctuates from year to year). Check with the school if they know the P1 intake for your son's year.

[24hr-mum]

its also heartbreaking if the parents spend so much effort to get the child in, but the child cant cope and have to leave or cant stay back after psle…will strain the parent-child relationship too

[chschs]

JonC:

@24HrMum & jojolulu

CHS Pri to Sec, students figure somewhere around a third to less than half, even with lowered points, the rest of CHS Pri either go to IP schools and other schools.

As for ballot, unless you are the lucky type who always win lucky draws, strike 4D or toto type. Even so, the balloting process is very stressful. I have seen and talked to those parents in school before, phew!!!

Hi JonC,

I wonder which group is bigger - the \"top\" PSLE students leaving CHS or the \"average\" students not qualified to stay at CHS.

There will be some upcoming changes at CHS:-

1) Increasing COP for affiliated students to 240 (I heard it used to be 220), so the \"discount\" is 10 points from the normal 250 COP
2) New JC (IP) for CHS, St Nic and SCGS - this will help to retain some top PSLE students who want to take the IP route

[chschs]

JonC:

@chschs


P1/P2 usually same teacher unless teacher left school, P3 different set of teacher, P4 another set of teacher (because of the GEP movement), P5/P6 same teacher (but some classes do change). No fix rule, school make the final decision.

So 2 sets of P5/P6 teachers sign on 2 yrs each (P5 to P6), not so stressful for teacher, 2 year kanna 1 time PSLE. But some good teachers sign on P6 again the following year.

That's an interesting point about teachers taking turn for P6. Yes it's certainly the most stressful year for primary

Keeping my fingers cross that the P1/P2 teachers will stay the same

[chschs]

24hr-mum:

its also heartbreaking if the parents spend so much effort to get the child in, but the child cant cope and have to leave or cant stay back after psle.....will strain the parent-child relationship too

We should support and encourage our child. Staying in CHS does not mean you will have success in future. Leaving CHS for another school might turn out to be a blessing in disguise. I think teachers play a very important role. There are good (& bad) teachers in every school. As long as our kids are lucky to meet competent teachers who are passionate about teaching kids, the school itself is not so important.

[michyms]

JonC:

@24HrMum & jojolulu

CHS Pri to Sec, students figure somewhere around a third to less than half, even with lowered points, the rest of CHS Pri either go to IP schools and other schools.

As for ballot, unless you are the lucky type who always win lucky draws, strike 4D or toto type. Even so, the balloting process is very stressful. I have seen and talked to those parents in school before, phew!!!

JonC, thanks for this info. I'm reading this thread out of curiosity as my ds will be going in a few years time as my hb is an alumni from the secondary school. My hb mentioned that when he went into Cat High secondary from a neighbourhood primary school, quite a large majority were not from the primary school. There was only one express class (1 express and 5 SAP classes) was the safety net for students from the primary school who could qualify for the express stream. But it's also sad to be in that class, cos always kenna compared to the SAP classes. Sure low self esteem. :sad: any idea if the number of secondary classes are the same now?

[michyms]

24hr-mum:

for cath hi, yes, even if its within 1km, you have to ballot. for this year i think it is 18 parents will be kicked out for 2b. not sure if next year will the sch increase the intake.

you must be prepared that you may not get a place after all the shiftting n volunteering. and try again at 2c. if 2c fails, be prepared for other schools that still hv vacancy. if u do research you will know whc sch.

whcc is why i gave up Cath hi and in the end went for Maris Stella cos within 1km no need to ballot...cos my hubby dont want to spend $ and still take a risk.

my other reason is the internal cut off for own boys to stay back in cath hi sec is quite high, and i will be very stressed out cos i already hving problem push my boy to do work....

Wise move I wouldn't take a risk either.

[michyms]

jojolulu, one of my friends went to the PV talk and she mentioned that PV are expected to do \"projects\" and this involves a fair amount of financial investment as well. I think both 2B and 2C have very heart stopping balloting statistics. IMHO, it's really not worth the risk if you have to move house and commit yourself beyond financial means just to get to school. Being in CH doesn't guarantee academic success for any kid. Ultimately it's very much up to the parent and child to make the best of whichever school they are in. I'm sure your ds can do well in another school as well

[JonC]

@chschs

Not sure about 220, those years before my DS is 225.

My DS first batch to kanna the 230, outside student is 247.

This years P5 or next year’s P6 will be 240 because they will be the first batch of IP.