2011 Request for Advice on Selecting Secondary Schools

[phankao]

OrangeJuice:

Phankao, I forgot to ask at njc whether we have to pay a fee for the boarding program, I am pretty sure we must but can I check with you how much does it cost for the student to stay at the boarding house each term ? Thank you !

When my son boarded in year 1 in 2010, it wasn't very expensive. Around S$60 (maybe less) per month. They only boarded for 10weeks last year. This year's boarding -year 2 was more expensive bc lesser funding from MOE. ;(

[HappieNewbie123]

Hi,

I’ve attended Dunman High’s open house this year. One of the students there took me around for a tour around their school. My parents could not understand english and asked if he could explain what he had explained(in english) in chinese. But what surprised me is that he could not speak chinese and had to ask for another student for help!! The student then explained to us that he could not speak chinese!!If that is so, then why the school says that the students there are quite good in chinese??

[phankao]

HappieNewbie123:

Hi,

I've attended Dunman High's open house this year. One of the students there took me around for a tour around their school. My parents could not understand english and asked if he could explain what he had explained(in english) in chinese. But what surprised me is that he could not speak chinese and had to ask for another student for help!! The student then explained to us that he could not speak chinese!!If that is so, then why the school says that the students there are quite good in chinese??

maybe he's exempt from chinese.

[VitoRelax]

OrangeJuice:

Phankao, I forgot to ask at njc whether we have to pay a fee for the boarding program, I am pretty sure we must but can I check with you how much does it cost for the student to stay at the boarding house each term ? Thank you !

Afaik, the boarding program is heavily subsidized. So don't worry ...

[VitoRelax]

Augmum:

Everyone gets above GPA of 3.0 ??
Am curious how is the computation of the grading system like in NJC ?
So what's raw marks in order to qualify for 4.3 ??

Not everyone gets GPA above 3.0 but mostly (in JH1 & JH2 no sure about senior level)

This GPA is like American Universities system. Not an accurate reflection but just a guide.

It goes something like this (example only):
If you get A+, you will get 4.5 points
If you get A, you get 4.0 points
If you get B+, you get 3.5 points
If you get B, you get 3 points

So at the end of day, you average out against the weightage to see what is your average mark GPA.

So, for example one student may mis 1 mark for every subjects to get A, the other may just be exactly on the A marks. Those 2 students may be same standard but their GPA differs ...

I suppose you get the drift ...

[VitoRelax]

OrangeJuice:

Hi everyone, went to NJC open house yesterday, had a comprehensive tour (not crowded, prob becos DSA over) and spoke to the students and teachers there. The students there are pleasant and humble and some teachers even took the initiative to speak with me. I like the fact that the class sizes are small there around 24 and I kinda like the boarding program which the kids a chance to be independent and a taste of hostel life (in universities in the future maybe ?)


Phankao you are right. There is no alternative O level program there, the njc students told me that the teachers monitored their grades v closely and if extra lessons are conducted to help the weaker ones to catch up. I asked some JH3 students if they have heard of anyone \"kicked out\" of the school becos of weak academics, they said they didnt know of such case(s).

In anycase, my DD was quite comfortable there, she spoke to some of the students there and particulary liked the humanities program, she even thought abt which core CCA to take if she were to be admitted by the school (if she can make it ....) It was a good experience for her. But we are still keeping our options open to our schools, so Mommy here will keep reading posts on KSP.

I also visited DHS website and am impressed with the achievements, watched the video and was wowed by the school's facilities. DHS kinda reminded me of NYGH, in a good way of course


THANKS to all the helpful parents on this forum, keep your comments/views coming !

I think NJC is good except that the course are sometimes run a haphazard manner, not so smoothly run like a Primary school where everything is established. If you can take that, NJC is fine ...

[phankao]

VitoRelax:

Augmum:

Everyone gets above GPA of 3.0 ??
Am curious how is the computation of the grading system like in NJC ?
So what's raw marks in order to qualify for 4.3 ??

Not everyone gets GPA above 3.0 but mostly (in JH1 & JH2 no sure about senior level)

This GPA is like American Universities system. Not an accurate reflection but just a guide.

It goes something like this (example only):
If you get A+, you will get 4.5 points
If you get A, you get 4.0 points
If you get B+, you get 3.5 points
If you get B, you get 3 points

So at the end of day, you average out against the weightage to see what is your average mark GPA.

So, for example one student may mis 1 mark for every subjects to get A, the other may just be exactly on the A marks. Those 2 students may be same standard but their GPA differs ...

I suppose you get the drift ...

er... max is 4.3. Where to get 4.5. hmm. .... okie, I did a search - I have this reverse section of my son's performance report in my documents, so have uploaded it for you to refer, lah.

At this link:
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6248999184_92d344e71f_o.jpg

[Helping--Hand]

jtoh:

Helping hand, LOLMum's right. There will always be negative comments about any school. Take some of them with a pinch of salt because sometimes there's gross generalization, perpetuated hearsay or just a different perspective of issues.


It's good that you're taking an active interest in your future school. Don't get too frustrated. Things will work out. For all you know your T-score might just get you into the school you're eyeing. Good luck!

Thank You, LOLMum and jtoh. I am just expressing my thoughts ^.^ :udawoman:

[LOLMum]

hehe, we also dont want you to miss out a good school just because of a few negative remarks.


would be nice to know which school you would be going to later.

[Helping--Hand]

LOLMum:

hehe, we also dont want you to miss out a good school just because of a few negative remarks.


would be nice to know which school you would be going to later.

er... would you like to help me with CHIJ Toa Payoh Secondary and Zhong Hua Sec School, TKSS and TKGS.
These are the possible schools i would enter. (around 235-240)
My standards are not that high like you mummies and your children