NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)

[CuttleFish31]

ARP is Advance Research Project in their school with attachments with outside agencies like NUS, NTU, A*STAR, DSTA and some hospitals, and is their graduation requirement to complete an ARP during their year 5 or 6 and most will enter their projects into SSEF. From what i heard about those projects, they usually span around 6 to 9 monthes of research.


Im not very sure about the olympiads they have there, but they should have Bio, Chem, Math and Physics olympiads for the top or really interested students.

[holyaxile]

Hm…well, somehow I doubt the aim of the school is to grant only 3~5 hours of sleep a day so I’m guessing many people are wasting time and/or procrastinating with their work. NUS High is actually rather slack compared to what I heard from friends in schools like RI and ACS(I). But heck, I give up. If u insist NUS High is a high-stress school, go ahead.


Cheers,
Holyaxile

[Merlion]

holyaxile, have you considered transferring to other school since you think that NUSH is so slack for extremely high stress threshold person like you? Maybe you can be more involved in IMO training etc? By the way, did you get accepted by NUSH via DSA?

[Dharma]

Merlion:

holyaxile, have you considered transferring to other school since you think that NUSH is so slack for extremely high stress threshold person like you? Maybe you can be more involved in IMO training etc? By the way, did you get accepted by NUSH via DSA?

Hi Merlion,

Why be so hard on him? He is just a Sec 2 child.

[Merlion]

Dharma, I don't think I am unfriendly to him. I am simply trying to undertsand why a NUSH student feels that the school's life is slack, that's all. Don't be so sensitive.

[Dharma]

Merlion:

Dharma, I don't think I am unfriendly to him. I am simply trying to undertsand why a NUSH student feels that the school's life is slack, that's all. Don't be so sensitive.

Ok. I misunderstood your tone.

[Merlion]

I was at NUSH 3 days ago and have a chance to see Dr. Hang and some teachers. One of the teachers was surprised that student from NUSH felt that NUSH school life was slack compared to other schools. She thinks that it is not healthy. The student should let the school knows about his view and see if the school can do anything to help him to have a more colorful school life. Getting more involved in CCA or maths / science competition training might be ways to go. From my point of view, if a student keeps thinking that his school life is slack then it is time for him to think if he has made the right choice of school, especially for kids who can take stress.

[holyaxile]

Lol…I say school like is slack cos im a slacker, or to put it more nicely, a minimalist. A sizeable number of my friends take many extra modules and they enjoy it. "To each his/her own." NUS High caters to a rather wide range of students, unlike schools like Raffles Institution where, from what I heard from friends, they have no choice whatsoever in the subjects they take, other than 3rd language I think. I recall a teacher of mine saying, "Why settle for a B+ when you can get an A?" to which a friend replied, "So that we can hone other skills, such as sports." I find this rather true as a CAP of 3.5/5.0 is sufficient to ensure entry into several universities. And as I’m not aiming for a scholarship of any kind, I think I’m pretty much happy with what I’m studying now.


*Special note to parents: Please DO NOT force your child to enter a school simply because it is prestigious or they have good CCAs or anything. My parents tried to make me go to Raffles Institution since i got 272 for my PSLE but I "persuaded" them to let me go to NUS High.

Cheers,
Holyaxile

[Fluffy]

Its not surprise to hear from a NUSH student’s feedback that their school life is rather slack. I heard from a few parents whose children are currently in Sec 1 and Sec 2 that NUSH does not focus very much on CCA. Students are not motivated to participate intensely or excel in any CCA because the CCA teachers’s lack of inspiration and encouragement resulted in many students changing CCA each year. This is so different from other IP school such as RI, RGS, HCI or NYG etc who encourage their students to maximise their potential and excel in the CCA. The amount of CCA trainings, attendance and numerous competitions for the students in these IP schools far exceeded the requirement of NUSH’s CCA program. In addition, these students need to focus not only on Maths & Science but also humanitarian subject pledged at IP level, Philopsopy, IT, Research Education, Third Language etc. NUSH’s students who did not qualify for advance level in the Maths and Science subjects find themselves having alot of free time.


I think it is not wrong to suggest that the student who feels the school environment is too slack and did not maximise his potential should approach the school to help to increase his curriculum and activities especially when he is doing well academically. Bearing in mind that NUSH focus on Maths and Science and if his interest lies wider than Maths and Science subjects, he may want to discuss with his parents and consider switching to another school that could provide a more broader education.

[JHFMum]

Fluffy:

Its not surprise to hear from a NUSH student's feedback that their school life is rather slack. I heard from a few parents whose children are currently in Sec 1 and Sec 2 that NUSH does not focus very much on CCA. Students are not motivated to participate intensely or excel in any CCA because the CCA teachers's lack of inspiration and encouragement resulted in many students changing CCA each year. This is so different from other IP school such as RI, RGS, HCI or NYG etc who encourage their students to maximise their potential and excel in the CCA. The amount of CCA trainings, attendance and numerous competitions for the students in these IP schools far exceeded the requirement of NUSH's CCA program. In addition, these students need to focus not only on Maths & Science but also humanitarian subject pledged at IP level, Philopsopy, IT, Research Education, Third Language etc. NUSH's students who did not qualify for advance level in the Maths and Science subjects find themselves having alot of free time.


I think it is not wrong to suggest that the student who feels the school environment is too slack and did not maximise his potential should approach the school to help to increase his curriculum and activities especially when he is doing well academically. Bearing in mind that NUSH focus on Maths and Science and if his interest lies wider than Maths and Science subjects, he may want to discuss with his parents and consider switching to another school that could provide a more broader education.

I agree. I've a friend's son in NUSH and am surprised that there was no opportunity for immersion programme overseas and overseas CIP prog. Even nhd sch kids are given opportunity in these areas- I see that in my other friends' children. Though the focus of NUSH is on Maths and Science, there must be development in other aspects of the child as well to give him a total and enriching sch experience. NUSH, I believe do develop the other aspects but more could be done. CCAs is a natural platform for character development and values teaching provided there is rigour in the programme. We have the cream in NUSH and if they are under stretched, in areas other than Maths and Science, then we can be shortchanging the kids. Worse still, if the child ended up not among the upper band for maths and science, he will lead a \"slack\" life??

Well, parents need to know your kids very well and make informed decision. As a parent, I look for a school that provides a balanced education so that my child can develop fully. I don't believe that children need to do university math at sec sch level. Those gifted can, but usually at the expense of other development that is crucial. However, we should not complain bec NUSH is a sch meant to be different from mainstream schs. SO if we do not agree with their mission, then we just don't put our children there.