Returning S'porean kids from China

[mommyNg]

allegro, thanks for sharing! Did you just come back from Shanghai? I may have plans to move there, so your advice will be very useful!


1. Which schools would you recommend in Shanghai that have strong English and Maths? Have you heard about YK Pao school (that has an international division) and would you recommend it? How about Dulwich? How would you compare them? Especially if you have plans to move back to SG in the future.

2. I suppose the LoA scheme experience may differ depends on the individual schools? My dd1 went back this summer hols for P1 and the teachers and staff were very helpful. I emailed the teacher earlier in the year and sent her some dd1’s pictures and my dd’s short write-up about herself and she "introduced" my dd to the class so that when she is back she is no "stranger" to the classmates. The admin staff even offered to lend us their "spare" school uniforms since they said it didn’t make sense for us to buy new sets since we were only there for a short period of time. But I agree with you that it is hard to get worksheets and tests on a regularly basis when we were overseas, but I assumed the teachers are really overwhelmed with work at school, though my dd form teacher usually is pretty good in responding to emails.

3. So back to my question, which schools in Shanghai would you recommend that would best facilitate the moving back to SG by P4? How difficult is it to be able to enroll the kids to good SG secondary schools (such as those with IP programs) when they come back? And what should we do to help the kids? Would it be better off to enroll them in international schools instead of local neighbour schools (assuming $$$ is not an issue)…?

4. Lastly, probably a less examined but no less important issue, do kids have problems adjusting to the social demands when they move back to SG, e.g. cliques that they can’t break into, target of (relational, for girls) bully, way of teaching and communication, etc.?

Thanks!!!

[Poonie]

Thank you all for your tips and advice. My kids are in lower primary. What are the costs per annum for the various types of school? If we opt for local chinese school, will they be able to understand the Math and Science questions?


About maid - is it better to get a xiao ah yi there or bring our own maid from Singapore. Heard xiao ah yi is about SGD300. Is that true? Do they have a poor reputation? Someone advised me to make a copy of their ID but is that good enough security? As for our own maid from Singapore, do I continue to pay levy?

[allegro]

MommyNg, sounds like you are based elsewhere right now?


1. YK Pao and Dulwich - different as chalk and cheese. YK Pao tries to position themselves as the best of both worlds - local (rigorous) curriculum + international (angmoh) standards. I think they're still trying to live up to it. Friends who send their kids there say it's over-rated and over-priced.

Dulwich, together with SAS, are the 2 most highly-regarded international schools in SH so far. Pricey too. Sg friends there report their kids have not much affinity for chinese, pretty much the same way as sg kids here.

There're local schools with int'l division like Shanghai United and Shanghai High, but the verdict is still out if they're good enough to seamlessly transit the child back to Sg system.

Moving back to Sg - my kids have no problems assimilating, but maybe coz they're still young?

Poonie, legally you cannot bring your maid there to work. China will never issue work visas for foreign maids when they hv such a huge population of ppl trying to find work. If you do, you run the risk that other ayis will report on you and the family could get deported. Not worth it.

It was something I grappled with, tried to work around, in the end I just settled with hiring an ayi from Anhui. Yes they have their peculiarities, a lot of pride, and different ideas of what maids are. But overall my ayi was reliable, honest and a great cook. Over there, we always moan and joke about our ayi horror stories, end of the day, it boils down to luck and patience. Pretty much like our maid situation here too.

Yup I photostated her ID and got her home tel nbr etc. I hired her through word of mouth.

Salary - in SH, be prepared to pay RMB 1,800 to 3000 for an ayi. More if they'd worked for angmohs. Most of us hire ayis from the neighbouring provinces, not local shanghainese.

[Poonie]

Allegro, thanks.


S$300 to S$600 to hire an ah yi is not cheap! I presume this is live-in maids you are referring to.

Is the emphasis in Chinese very high in the middle-path type of schools? Is Soong Chin Ling School a middle-path type?

[allegro]

hi Poonie, Soong Ching Ling is world class. Not middle of path. It’s actually right up there, ivy league, i think better than our top preschools in sg.


There’s a local division which a lot of guanxi is needed to get in, and there’s an international div which a lot of money is needed to get in. If budget is not a problem, do visit the school and register early. I heard of cases where they "misplaced" registered forms, so you should pay fees as early as poss (not just deposit) to secure a place.


Yr other qn: Yes, chinese is strong in local schools with international division. English somewhat weaker but I think you can always beef up at home.

[Poonie]

allegro:

hi Poonie, Soong Ching Ling is world class. Not middle of path. It's actually right up there, ivy league, i think better than our top preschools in sg.


There's a local division which a lot of guanxi is needed to get in, and there's an international div which a lot of money is needed to get in. If budget is not a problem, do visit the school and register early. I heard of cases where they \"misplaced\" registered forms, so you should pay fees as early as poss (not just deposit) to secure a place.


Yr other qn: Yes, chinese is strong in local schools with international division. English somewhat weaker but I think you can always beef up at home.

Allegro (you play an instrument?)

Thanks for the info. Will check out the fee, that is if there is a Soong Ching Ling in the place we are going to. I only know there is one in Shanghai.

[mommyNg]

Thanks allegro!


Do you know what it means when your friends said YK Pao is over-rated? Which local schools with international division would you recommend that is more closely matched to SG standards? I would prefer somewhere in Puxi if possible… I also heard there is another elementary school very near jingan temple that is supposedly very good. Do you know about it?

Hmm… Soong Ching Ling kindergarten? They have one branch at Puxi, right? Is for 4-6 years old? How does it compare with the Julia & Gabriel in Shanghai? Oooo… and the fees at Soong Ching Ling kindergarten is expensive! 120,000 RMB per year for kindergarten and above!! Any other good preschools around Puxi?

Thanks!

[wa_si_kiasu_lau_peh]

Thanks for all the info from many parents here. I’m going to accept a new job in China (Chengdu, anyone from this forum working there now?). I actually plan to apply LOA for my 2 kids, question is how do i apply for it? just talk to the school directly?


Also if anyone in Chengdu can recommend me which school over there is good so that my kids can continue their education.

[mommyNg]

Hi I think you have to submit a form to the school and then pay a year of school fees (usually) in advance. LOA must be renewed every year (not automatic). The form can be found on MOE website:


http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/returning-singaporeans/#leave-of-absence

I'm still waiting for more responses about schools in Shanghai!!!
*hint hint Allegro*

thanks!

[allegro]

Hi sorry for late response… haven’t been checking back lately.


Mommy Ng, I sent you a pm.

For the daddy relocating to Chengdu, you can apply for LOA by downloading the form, and paying whole year fees at the school. You have to do it by Dec if I’m not wrong. Can call and check. Pls insist on a receipt and do KEEP the receipt! It’ll also be helpful to find out who’re the teachers and get their contact details, email etc.