School of Science and Technology

[ngbrdad]

BlurBerry:

ngbrdad:

Just curious to know what is the 2k equipment that students need to buy ?

Thinking of this as an option for DS2 2 years later as it may be his cup of tea.
One of DS1's classmates who is going to SST says something about Macbook pro. IS that the 2k for ?

Yes the $2k+ is for the MacBook plus service, support (for 4 years) & software pack. The model & spec depends on what is offered by NCS for that particular year. SST has inhouse Apple Care Centre so students need not bring their \"Learning Device\" to other centres.

SST students only have textbooks for Maths and Chinese. Other subjects are online notes given by the teachers.

Can only buy fr NCS thru the school ?
What if one can find cheaper deal elsewhere ?

[BlurBerry]

[quote]Can only buy fr NCS thru the school ?

What if one can find cheaper deal elsewhere ?[/quote]Yes some parents did that. Either they already hv one at home that meets the school's requirement or they prefer to buy their own. But they still need to let the school install all the necessary software. For the 2011 batch, NCS offered a package for those who preferred to buy their own -- $500+ for the service, support and software. Not sure if the new batch of students will have a different set of deals.

[Alchemist]

Any parents here who appealed post PSLE - any updates on the status of the appeal?


Dear Blurberry - You have described in the past that your son appealed for SST post PSLE - he went for interview day after the appeal. Did you try and find out before the results - what kind of a waiting list there was and what was your son’s ranking on the same.

Just curious - going by your experience we would really need to wait till the posting day to find out for sure - but some indication of whether there was good or weak chances of success, would be reassuring.

If you do not mind sharing - was your son’s score above 250? (would understand if you wish to keep this info private, on behald of your son :-))

I thought I could be quite relaxed about this appeal business - but it is quite tension inducing too …

[BlurBerry]

Ours wasn’t an appeal case because he didn’t go for the DSA. Last year they opened up for post-PSLE application.


My son got 250 so we thought maybe good enough to give it a try.

There were so many students applying that we worried about his chances. That’s why we were so stressed during the interview.

My son kept a rather low profile in primary school - didn’t take part in any competitive CCAs or joined robotics or media clubs. It was tough to convince the interviewers why they should pick him and not others. His only plus point - he has been doing consistently well in science and maths.

I also described him as being one who enjoys taking things apart to study how they work (which probably also describes half the kids in Singapore).

To make it worse, they told us that there were only a few places left but hundreds of applicants. Said would inform us ‘anytime’ before S1 posting. Because it was ‘anytime’, we craned our necks everyday to look out for any communication. Checked - email, phone calls, sms, letter box. Desperate.

We got their call just 1 day before posting date. Made a mad dash to the school to pick up the letter of offer…like I was afraid they would change their mind.

If you say it was a miracle he was picked…yes, it was.

[Alchemist]

BlurBerry:

Ours wasn't an appeal case because he didn't go for the DSA. Last year they opened up for post-PSLE application.


My son got 250 so we thought maybe good enough to give it a try.

There were so many students applying that we worried about his chances. That's why we were so stressed during the interview.

My son kept a rather low profile in primary school - didn't take part in any competitive CCAs or joined robotics or media clubs. It was tough to convince the interviewers why they should pick him and not others. His only plus point - he has been doing consistently well in science and maths.

I also described him as being one who enjoys taking things apart to study how they work (which probably also describes half the kids in Singapore).

To make it worse, they told us that there were only a few places left but hundreds of applicants. Said would inform us 'anytime' before S1 posting. Because it was 'anytime', we craned our necks everyday to look out for any communication. Checked - email, phone calls, sms, letter box. Desperate.

We got their call just 1 day before posting date. Made a mad dash to the school to pick up the letter of offer...like I was afraid they would change their mind.

If you say it was a miracle he was picked....yes, it was.

I think I did a bad job in describing what he does. They asked me how his typical day was - and I gave such a daft answer describing him. Actually I omitted to say so many things about his interest in science - there are so many times we have caught him having taken things apart - sometimes not being able to put them back though . I did not mention all that. And I had this feeling that the interviewer was very curt towards me.

I think I did not 'sell' my son at all - and I am very disappointed at myself. He really does like the application of science in real life.


I thought I could be cool - but I am really quite tense. This is the one school that my son always wanted to go to. Problem is his marks throughout the years were average - but he scored 252 for PSLE. He also has high distinctions for UNSW and even a medal (way back in P3) for Computer Skills. This year he has managed Distinction in Science for UNSW as well (altho Maths was just Credit). But as you say - there must be so many kids who have better than that and good school results.

Like you I am jumping every time the phone rings, checking email frantically. SIGH....... maybe like they say in the saying - I must set the desire free, if it is his fate he will get. Otherwise, not.

I will still silently hope for a miracle every night..........

[BlurBerry]

Now that you’ve mentioned it, I do remember knocking myself after the interview because in my nervousness I blabbered away like nobody’s business. The bit about his interest in taking things apart (ha ha…and not being able to put them back together again) was the only thing I could think of.


Wow, your son has done well. You must be very proud of him.

It is good that your son is no stranger to these external competitions. My son said the Australian Maths Competition was compulsory for Sec1 and it’s part of the year’s assessment plan.

I really hope your son gets a place in SST.

[Bbee]

Hi vidhyalog

Your son has done really well and you have done your best too.....we are all nervous at interviews, don't we? Like in BlurBerry's case, I feel that your ds stands a good chance (Congrats BlurBerry :)).
We applied for my ds too, but not a squeak so far, but then again, we did not meet the 250 mark, so.........
Keep hoping.......we are still abt 3 weeks away from posting results, so there's still good chance for your ds.
All the best to your ds

[ngbrdad]

You mean parents need to attend the interview too ?

Wow SST must be the only school doing that.
Letting the parents experience the stress and anxiety of the interviews that the kids faced.

Good luck to everyone waiting for a reply from SST.

[phtthp]

or maybe the school may call up parents, just to ask a few qns to find out more about their son ?


if that's the case, definitely chance is high bec parents will know what to say & how to say, in case the child don't know how to put across

[Alchemist]

Thanks Bbee. I hope so too. Normally I talk a lot but somehow when They interviewed me I was tongue tied. Missed out so many things I cd have said. Anyways too late to cry over spilt milk.