Cedar VS St Nicholas

[carebear]

CupNoodle:

Cedar there is no affiliation to VJC, unless you are in IP program.

Your DD should qualify for Cedar IP, although I think this year the COP for Cedar IP may increase as more people are attracted to IP.

[carebear]

ManU123:

VS and Cedar IP is not a new IP but will be building upon the success of VJC IP which has immensely popular and very difficult to get in, over the years.

VS and Cedar IP are starting in 2012.
Previously both schools offered O level.
So considered new.
If get into VS or Cedar IP, should be almost 100% guaranteed go to VJC, cos it is a seamless education from Year 1 to Year 6.

[twilight]

Both schools offer dual track though, so there is still a risk of being removed from IP and asked to go to express stream if requirements are not met.

ManU123:

VS and Cedar IP is not a new IP but will be building upon the success of VJC IP which has immensely popular and very difficult to get in, over the years.

Just to add on, Cedar and VS teachers have been attending training conducted by VJC, so I guess they should be competent in teaching the IP way.

[daranic]

I have the same concern as CupNoodle.


CupNoodle, I am in almost the same position as you. My DD has 252+1 and she is choosing Cedar IP as 1st choice. However, I see that the chance of getting in the IP track is not high.

She wants to choose Cedar ‘O’ level track as 2nd choice. I have no objection but I felt that with her score, she should try SNGS as 2nd choice. I am in a dilemma over SNGS or Cedar ‘O’ level. Personally, I’d prefer SNGS for its SAP, ie it will be more towards the Chinese culture.

So, have you or your DD decided which sch to go for?

[twilight]

There are certain critical differences between SNGS and Cedar O levels. Cedar focuses a lot on L1R5 and therefore, most students only take 8 subjects, or at most 9 with 3rd language, which is why it is quite unlikely to produce the top scorer for O levels, but its mean L1R5, which shows the general performance of the whole cohort, was 2nd for 2010 O levels, after SCGS. I’m not sure what the ranking of SNGS is. However in SNGS, even triple science students take two humanities so the majority of the students will take 9 subjects. With 3rd language, some can have up to 10 subjects and usually the top scorer for O levels will have 10 A1. But with the change in syllabus and SS becoming a pure subject, I’m not sure how all these would change. I still highly believe Cedar will continue to focus on L1R5, their best 6 subjects instead of taking as many subjects as possible, unless MOE implements some other rules regarding subject combination.


Both schools are good schools though. So ask your dd which school culture and atmosphere she prefers, if she attended the open house. Otherwise, you can consider distance as well. A long commute to school on a daily basis can be quite tiring.

[tiggermum]

Can only comment on SNGS:


-strong ‘O’ level program. If I remember correctly, during one of the parents’ briefing session, it was revealed that one third of the girls are admitted to the Top 5 JCs - RJC/HCI/VJC/NJC/TJC.

-SAP school. Many programs to expose students to bilingual and bicultural environments. My niece, who used to read only English novels, now reads Chinese novels too. (She’s now in sec 2 of SNGS)

-Upgraded campus at AMK Ave 2 will be ready in June next year, so can enjoy new facilities.

[CupNoodle]

Thanks for all who have replied and help to advise. Have finally decided on the below 1st 3 choices:

Cedar IP
Cedar O level
St Nicholas O level

Reason: Seems like both are good schools, and
Most of DD friends are choosing Cedar. Distance wise, Cedar is also nearer for us.

end of the day, a lot is still depend on the child
Hope for the best! cheers!

[phtthp]

St Nick vs Cedar


St Nick emphasise on 2 very important crucial traits & aspects - the pillar and foundation of Character and Leadership. St Nick teaches with compassion from the heart. It all begins from the ... HEART.

another attraction - St Nick is (SAP + religious) school.

SAP school brings forth teaching of important, strong good character moral values education in Sec school girls like heavy emphasis on:-
\"Courtesy, Righteousness, Integrity, Sense of Shame, Loyalty, Filial Piety, Humanity and Love\".
(pinyin: li, yi, lian, chi, zhong, xiào, rén, aì), besides good exposure to good strong Chinese roots, values system & culture.

Catholic religious background also step in to intervene, to help teach pupils what is - patience, love, care, humility, noble character, compassion, mercy, kindness, ie. community Servanthood leadership (before you can lead others, you learn to serve others first. humble yourself, be a servant first. Put others before self. Not say 'i straightaway want to be a leader now, but i don't like to serve'.), the way Jesus love mankind & illustrate by example living a simple, humble life style himself, serving the sick, the poor and the needy orphans, children, widow or handicapped (deaf, blind, mute, dumb, paralysed can't walk). Even when Jesus was very tired, he never murmur, never complain. Serve with humility, serve with no reward expected, serve from your heart with love, give generously from your heart.

thus at St Nick - there is double dosage or double blessings on character building formation aspect, best of 2 world. Once an IJ girl, always an IJ girl - wherever you go.

for past few years, a trend had also been established. CHIJ St Nick had been consistently producing a number of top O level students.

2010: Chia Pei Yun, with 10 A1
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1103728/1/.html

2009: Lai Kai Rou, with 10 A1
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20100112-191380.html

Singapore Top O level students are dominated by female (video in Mandarin):-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=V2JpWrz4z5c&NR=1

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1029869/1/.html

13 other Top O level girls all come from St Nick, listed by MOE:-
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20100111-190988.html

2008: Haw Sue Hern, with 11 distinction
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/401821/1/.html

2007: Cheng Yuxi, 9 A1
Oong Pin Fang, 9 A1

http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2008/01/results-of-the-2007-singaporec.php


another major difference:-
for CCA, girls who like gymnastics - St Nick allows you to continue excelling in this field of specialisation. But Cedar doesn't. Cedar only has Modern dance (very limited choice), but not Artistic nor Rhythmic gymnastics. Cedar CCA has a lot of Track & field sports. Cedar even has a soccer field to train girls in playing football. Unless Cedar is willing to open up new CCAs in order to draw & attract more primary school P6 talents into her school. CCAs also plays a crucial part during decision making process, to select which Sec school to go.

St Nick rhythmic gymnast - Cecilia Chia Shing Eng tackle hoop and ribbon section:-
http://www.teamsingapore.com.sg/content/dam/MajorGames/OlympicGames/Singapore2010YouthOlympicGames/CommemorativeBook/Gymnastics.pdf

2010 Alicia Lim RG floor exercise (youtube):-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6uFy2-CXVA

Alicia Lim on beam balance (Artistic gym) :-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1FIWl8k0Kw

Pang Hao Yi floor exercise:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy0womUJBLY

another difference (for those who appreciate Chinese culture music):
if you want to play erhu, pipa, xiao (flute), Chinese orchestra music instrument - St Nick has Chinese orchestra. But not Cedar.

St Nick offers:-
\"Sports & Games including Athletics, Artistic Gymnastics, Badminton, Hockey, Netball, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Swimming, Table-Tennis and Trampoline, etc.\"

St Nick has been very strong in rhythmic gym, hockey, track n field, badminton.....
SYF results for this year:-
String - Gold With Honour
Choir - Gold with Honour
Chinese Orchestra - Gold With Honour
Chinese Dance - Gold
Modern Dance - Silver

for IP track - both are just as new. so one can't really tell as of now, which is better or stronger (except for Chinese) ?

only difference is Cedar start one year ahead first (Jan 2012 next year) whereas St Nick start one year later, Jan 2013. Only time & tide can truly differentiate a clear difference between these two new IP programme, that takes off their maiden flight soon.

for different school, the Sec IP curriculum is different. They are not the same.

at last Sat Cedar open house, 2012 will take in 100 IP Sec 1 students, out of Total 9 Sec 1 classes:-
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=7176&start=380

Cedar Best Practices award:-
http://app.sis.moe.gov.sg/schinfo/SIS_SearchDtls.asp?strCode=3004

Cedar has an excellent track record in both Academic and CCA areas. It has been a Band 1 school since 2003, achieving value-added results since 2002. In 2007, 98.3% of its graduating pupils qualified for JCs and 92.4% achieved distinctions for their CCAs. In recognition of its commitment towards excellence in education, the school received the prestigious School Excellence Award and was recertified for Singapore Quality Class (SQC) in 2006. Cedar also recertified the Business Excellence (People) Award in 2008. Harnessing on the school's strengths in accurately identifying, monitoring and developing each pupil's strengths and potential, programmes at Cedar Girls are customized to the abilities and interests of the pupils so as to develop their potential to the fullest.

another difference in these 2 schools:-
- Cedar allow DSA into Secondary 1 via academic subject(s).
but St Nick No - strictly rely on psle result (at least when she kick off pioneer batch 2013).


similarity from these 2 schools:-
if your child doing the IP Programme in school but cannot cope subsequently, then she can rejoin the class that is taking the O level track. This is the safety net, giving peace of mind.

if you join St Nick - another attraction coming up is a brand new, huge Junior college campus (4 storey high) is awaiting you when you reach Yr 5 / 6. your sister school SCGS girls and brother school Catholic High boys will join St Nick sisters and all study together for A level, university bound. As of now, the Principals from these 3 Sec schools are working extremely hard hand in hand together, looking forward excitedly for the birth of the new school, dawn of a new era.

St Nick Development award:-
http://app.sis.moe.gov.sg/schinfo/SIS_SearchDtls.asp?strCode=7118

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=6716&start=90

St Nick pupils learn respect and dignity for individuals, sisterly love, humility, gratitude and compassion. Every pupil succeeds in school and opportunities are given for her to hone her leadership competencies.

FAQ:
to get in St Nick - anyone DSA based on academic areas (which subject) or CCA (which ones)?

answer:
St Nick commencing IP curriculum, January 2013 :-
===================================================

a) St Nick offers only Sports & Games for DSA exercise.
there is no DSA for academics, only the PSLE results.

b) school's Sports & Games includes Athletics, Artistic Gymnastics, Badminton, Hockey, Netball, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Swimming, Table-Tennis and Trampoline.

c) in 2013, besides having the 6 years IP programme, we also have 4 years programme leading to GCE O Level.

if your child joining the IP programme in our school in 2013 cannot cope subsequently, then she can rejoin the class that is taking the O level track.

[Zhuge]

just some comments.


i read from the newspapers that st nicholas top o level student in the past 3 years were all recruited from a selangor’s top primary school…

cedar is the ONLY school that has remained Band 1 throughout in singapore…

i also like to comment that cedar has malays, indians, eurasians n other races…good environment for a child’s upbringing in multi-racial singapore…

track and field allow mass participation while gymnastics cater to a small no of students…

and cedar are the B Div football champions…this feat is almost unthinkable of being achieved by the top schools…in fact, most could not field a football team…as football is the most competitive sport in the schools sports calendar…

[twilight]

Hm yes the top scorers have been Malaysians for the past 3 years. It’s been reported in the Malaysian newspaper too.


Cedar’s B Div football champion title is an even more incredible achievement, considering that football was a new CCA only formed this year.