River Valley High School [*IP]

[WeiHan]

pepper spice:

Justsay, your case is quite similar to mine. Son only got slightly better t-score than your daughter. He badly wanted to go RV. I warned him of Higher Chinese and him being borderline case. He bravely applied, got in, and survived the system relatively well (no tuitions in primary / sec schools). I do not know his ranking in this school, he did not receive any awards (except some SMO thingy, some cert of distinction in math) but with average scores of 75+, I am satisfied. The school also gives him opportunities in CCA, math talent program etc, I feel he is getting quite a wholesome education (definitely not neglected). The only exception is in leadership, son is too lazy and bochap to be a leader, so he prefers to be a follower most of the time and be “small group leader” only. LOL. Fine for me cos not everyone is born to lead.

Mid of this year, he said he is worried of the low standard of Chinese in his class (esp boys, including himself, mostly cannot make it to minimum B4). I asked him if he wants Chinese tuition, he assured me no need, school teacher is doing enough to guide them. To me, if school teacher is doing enough and my son is still B4 or C grade, I think it is because my son’s foundation is not good or he is not hardworking enough, not because teacher neglected him. But I find SAP school is good, tho Chinese is not his strong subject, he does not hate Chinese, Chinese literature or Chinese history. Recently, he even told me about 鸿门宴 ， 三十六计走为上计。 Boy, I was so pleased..
Sorry, a bit long-winded, random and off-topic.

With an average score of 75+, your son should be doing very well. Was he exempted from examinations as other RV parents were talking about?

SMO is Singapore Mathematical Olympiad. Your son should be quite a small talent in maths. RV won't even waste a small potential. As long as he shows some potential, he is given a opportunity. I have looked at the list of students participating in various academic competitions. It appears to me that RV pushes as many students as possible-the objective doesn't seem to be just for prizes but to allow as many students as possible an opportunity for additional exposure.

The cert for distinction you mentioned should be either Australian Maths Competition or American Mathematics Competition. Both of which, RV allows as many students as possible to take part every year. The high value-added by RV is not accidental to me and to MOE which they have recognised.

[MandyMummy]

WeiHan:

SMO is Singapore Mathematical Olympiad. Your son should be quite a small talent in maths. RV won't even waste a small potential. As long as he shows some potential, he is given a opportunity. I have looked at the list of students participating in various academic competitions. It appears to me that RV pushes as many students as possible-the objective doesn't seem to be just for prizes but to allow as many students as possible an opportunity for additional exposure.

True, in terms of maths and science olympiads, I think RV is very well represented as compared to DHS. It is a good sign as RV is grooming more talents in these areas.

[pepper spice]

Weihan, for the past 2 years, son has to guai guai take EOY cos his HMT will always pull his GPA down In terms of overall marks, he is ok cos his math and geography will rescue him.

I think saying my son has flair for numbers is more appropriate (I dare not use the word “talent” - big or small, cos I know there are many parents in this forum whose kids are of medal-winning calibre), but I am glad he achieved whatever he has achieved without intensive drilling or external coaching (except training provided by school).

[pepper spice]

Weihan, mind if I ask if you have some vested interest in RVH (alumni? child in RVH?) Becos you seem to know quite a lot about this school. It is ok if it is not convenient to disclose and sorry if my question appears too blunt.

[WeiHan]

pepper spice:

Weihan, mind if I ask if you have some vested interest in RVH (alumni? child in RVH?) Becos you seem to know quite a lot about this school. It is ok if it is not convenient to disclose and sorry if my question appears too blunt.

I stay in the west and use to seeing quite a number of RV students, some are neighbours. I like the students behavior. Another schools that I like are DHS and VJC. I just like the kind of students they produced. Will send my kids there if they can make it.

I am not sure I have answered your questions. just add on abit. Actually, all I know about the schools are open information, not insider information. It just took me some general interest in education to know these much about schools.

[Acer9911]

Has anyone heard of any successful appeal cases?

[Belle2011]

WeiHan:

Has anybody taken a peep at the sec 1 list during registration day? Is RV enrolment still 400 and the boy girl ratio still 2:1 or there is slightly increase of boys this year?

I think more girls than boys.
What are the books used for sec 1 lit and history? And is the lit in english or chinese?
Thank-you.

[pepper spice]

@Weihan, yes, question answered. Glad to hear your comment that the students are well behaved. That is very important to me, given that teenagers at this age tend to be rowdy.


@ belle2011, no history textbook (notes provided by school). English language arts (I think study 2 literature books, cant remember titles). Chinese got to read 西游记, got to subscribe to 少年文摘 and readers’ digest.

[Belle2011]

pepper spice:

@ belle2011, no history textbook (notes provided by school). English language arts (I think study 2 literature books, cant remember titles). Chinese got to read 西游记, got to subscribe to 少年文摘 and readers' digest.

Thank-you for sharing.
I didnt buy the chem, physics and bio O-level textbooks during the registration day. Is it necessary to buy? Or notes will be given?

[pepper spice]

The 3 science books are kept at home, 2 years later still in pristine condition. I do not think son uses them.