Catholic High (Primary)

[OrangeJuice]

TinyMAMA:

You do not need to wear the CHS socks.

All my 3 boys have been wearing plan white socks (with the grey patch below).

They will do fine.

thank you TinyMAMA (what a cute name )

[CrossTalk]

Here, thanks to all mummy’s talk about uniform buttons, socks… very useful information. Now understand why buttons need a long discussion, finally bought all the items needed for the new start of my boy… looking forward to his 1st school day in CHS…

[CalMat]

Hi!

Need some feedback from parents with boys in Cath High.
My son is able to get in via Phase2A1 next year and I’m looking forward…

However, hubby is having 2nd thoughts and worries about it being pressure-cooker, etc. He is more inclined towards this other boys’ school, but I’m not as keen as it’s not strong in Chinese (I’m from a ‘Chinese’ school, and I feel that there is just something a little different from the so-called ‘English’ schools)
I also feel the other school’s environment is a little too lax for my liking : P
(It’s PSLE pass rates for various subjects is about 1/2 of Cath high’s).

However, parents from that school have been posting great remarks about that school… how they love that school…how the environment is nurtering, etc.

Any parents here can help me ‘convince’ my hubby that Cath High is more than just a school that is good in its academic achievements?
Better still if the examples are your own experiences and not just hear-say…
: )

Thanks!

[JonC]

2A1 is either old boys or school advisory / management committee.


From your description, your DH doesn’t seem to be from CHS.

Anyway, it is difficult to answer your question, some parents like the school (ahem, me too) but I also know there are some parents who doesn’t like the school.

It’s not easy to get into the school, if you give up the place, there is always some happy parents/child waiting to grab the vacancy. Why not just try out first for 1 yr to see it for yourself. Be a more involved parent (in their school work and activities), you will have a fruitful year.

Why I say try 1 year, because any school you go, the first few months, most parents are panicky.

By the way, which other boy school that your DH intend to register your child, can get into the other school in the first place?

[OrangeJuice]

need some advice here, my son is starting P4 next yr at CHS because he has opted for the GEP. I am concerned as to what sort of CCA he can take as I get the impression most of them are full (?). I suspect he will be asked to choose an aesthetic CCA as he is not into competitive sports and he plays the piano. DS is Ok with concert band or strings ensemble.


I would be grateful if someone cld advise me how often and when are these 2 CCA conducted.The school website indicated Wed and Fri but I noted that concert band practices also take place on one of the weekday mornings before school assembly. Can someone help me to give me a clearer picture ?

Thank you v much !

[jheng]

CalMat:

Hi!

Need some feedback from parents with boys in Cath High.
My son is able to get in via Phase2A1 next year and I'm looking forward....

However, hubby is having 2nd thoughts and worries about it being pressure-cooker, etc. He is more inclined towards this other boys' school, but I'm not as keen as it's not strong in Chinese (I'm from a 'Chinese' school, and I feel that there is just something a little different from the so-called 'English' schools)
I also feel the other school's environment is a little too lax for my liking : P
(It's PSLE pass rates for various subjects is about 1/2 of Cath high's).

However, parents from that school have been posting great remarks about that school.... how they love that school....how the environment is nurtering, etc.

Any parents here can help me 'convince' my hubby that Cath High is more than just a school that is good in its academic achievements?
Better still if the examples are your own experiences and not just hear-say....
: )

Thanks!

We were away for the past few years & ds started school with CHS in P4 only. So far he is catching up well and doesn't feel stressful even tho he used to be in an internationl school. So if my ds is doing ok, all others Spore kids will be fine!! Anyway, P1 is honeymoon year so no worries when he goes to P2 he will get use to it, kids have the ability to adapt to the enviornment very quickly, your ds will do great in CHS.

As JonC mentioned you have nothing to loose for your boy to attend the school for 1-2 years and you evalute from there. But if you pass up this opportunity to get him in via 2A1 you might regret later......

[CalMat]

JonC:

2A1 is either old boys or school advisory / management committee.


From your description, your DH doesn't seem to be from CHS.

Anyway, it is difficult to answer your question, some parents like the school (ahem, me too) but I also know there are some parents who doesn't like the school.

It's not easy to get into the school, if you give up the place, there is always some happy parents/child waiting to grab the vacancy. Why not just try out first for 1 yr to see it for yourself. Be a more involved parent (in their school work and activities), you will have a fruitful year.

Why I say try 1 year, because any school you go, the first few months, most parents are panicky.

By the way, which other boy school that your DH intend to register your child, can get into the other school in the first place?

Hee hee... You are v good indeed... can read btw the lines.
But no... hubby is not on school advisory / mgmt comm.
Just that he attended CHS (sec) and as you know CHS is a 'Full School'. So once he's in the alumni, we can opt for CHS under Phase 2A1.
And the other boys' school is the pri sch that he attended.
So we are very fortunate to have 2 schools to choose for our boys.

But shy to name the other school... then it becomes a direct comparison.
It's not a bad school.... just that they don't achieve the same type of results. : P (and I cannot get over my own psychological barrier that the school is weak in Chinese)

Around us we have contacts with kids in the other boys' school. But no friends with kids currently in CHS. And with the posts from parents of the other school singing praises of that school.... I'm worried that I might have a harder time convincing hubby that CHS is a good school beyond the academic aspect. (not that he is against the idea of CHS, he is just worried abt it being a pressure cooker).

Hee hee... if only I had daughters instead. Then just send to my alma mater! (the \"girls' equivalent\" of CHS... ha ha ha)

Sigh... I really don't want to give up the place at CHS! :sad:

[phankao]

CalMat:

But shy to name the other school... then it becomes a direct comparison.
It's not a bad school.... just that they don't achieve the same type of results. : P (and I cannot get over my own psychological barrier that the school is weak in Chinese)

Around us we have contacts with kids in the other boys' school. But no friends with kids currently in CHS. And with the posts from parents of the other school singing praises of that school.... I'm worried that I might have a harder time convincing hubby that CHS is a good school beyond the academic aspect. (not that he is against the idea of CHS, he is just worried abt it being a pressure cooker).

Hee hee... if only I had daughters instead. Then just send to my alma mater! (the \"girls' equivalent\" of CHS... ha ha ha)

Sigh... I really don't want to give up the place at CHS! :sad:

How is CHS primary a \"pressure-cooker\" environment? It feels manageable. Have had 2 boys gone thru' CHS pri - one now in another secondary school, and one just going into CHS sec next week.

[phankao]

OrangeJuice:

need some advice here, my son is starting P4 next yr at CHS because he has opted for the GEP. I am concerned as to what sort of CCA he can take as I get the impression most of them are full (?). I suspect he will be asked to choose an aesthetic CCA as he is not into competitive sports and he plays the piano. DS is Ok with concert band or strings ensemble.


I would be grateful if someone cld advise me how often and when are these 2 CCA conducted.The school website indicated Wed and Fri but I noted that concert band practices also take place on one of the weekday mornings before school assembly. Can someone help me to give me a clearer picture ?

Thank you v much !

Both CCAs should be 2x per week officially. If I'm not mistaken, Mondays & Fridays are supposed to be CCA days - around 2-5pm. Some CCAs end a little earlier, eg. I think Strings end at 4.30pm. And I'm not sure if Strings has Monday practices, or just Friday practices only, which was the case when my elder boy was in Strings in CHS primary until 2 yrs ago when he graduated. My younger boy who was in Chinese Orchestra had usual practices on Mon/Fri when in pri school.

Next yr is SYF year, and during SYF years from Jan-April, practices tend to be at least 2x or 3x a week in the afternoons, depending on the CCA. There would also be morning practices several times a week - those involved in morning practices would be able to skip assembly.

But if your son is not in the SYF team, then he might not need to go for all the practices. They won't put him in the SYF performing team unless he already has been in band or strings and is competent with a certain instrument.

Check with your son which he prefers. For Concert band, unless in percussion, all the instruments require \"blowing\"(or buzzing). Most boys can pick it up fairly quickly in a few months. For strings, it'd be either violin, viola, cello, double bass. There may be percussion too(but not always needed). He would have to learn either of these instruments formally to be good enough to perform though.

Hope that helps!

[OrangeJuice]

phankao:

OrangeJuice:

need some advice here, my son is starting P4 next yr at CHS because he has opted for the GEP. I am concerned as to what sort of CCA he can take as I get the impression most of them are full (?). I suspect he will be asked to choose an aesthetic CCA as he is not into competitive sports and he plays the piano. DS is Ok with concert band or strings ensemble.


I would be grateful if someone cld advise me how often and when are these 2 CCA conducted.The school website indicated Wed and Fri but I noted that concert band practices also take place on one of the weekday mornings before school assembly. Can someone help me to give me a clearer picture ?

Thank you v much !

Both CCAs should be 2x per week officially. If I'm not mistaken, Mondays & Fridays are supposed to be CCA days - around 2-5pm. Some CCAs end a little earlier, eg. I think Strings end at 4.30pm. And I'm not sure if Strings has Monday practices, or just Friday practices only, which was the case when my elder boy was in Strings in CHS primary until 2 yrs ago when he graduated. My younger boy who was in Chinese Orchestra had usual practices on Mon/Fri when in pri school.

Next yr is SYF year, and during SYF years from Jan-April, practices tend to be at least 2x or 3x a week in the afternoons, depending on the CCA. There would also be morning practices several times a week - those involved in morning practices would be able to skip assembly.

But if your son is not in the SYF team, then he might not need to go for all the practices. They won't put him in the SYF performing team unless he already has been in band or strings and is competent with a certain instrument.

Check with your son which he prefers. For Concert band, unless in percussion, all the instruments require \"blowing\"(or buzzing). Most boys can pick it up fairly quickly in a few months. For strings, it'd be either violin, viola, cello, double bass. There may be percussion too(but not always needed). He would have to learn either of these instruments formally to be good enough to perform though.

Hope that helps!

thanks v much for your detailed answer, phankao, v helpful indeed !
do u know what are the chances of a new P4 joining robotics as a CCA ? Sorry for asking so much, I am trying to avoid headaches ahead as my son has private music lesson on wed afternoons at home and on fri evenings he has to attend yamaha music lesson too, so I am hoping he will land a CCA that exclude staying back on wed and fri...thanks in advance !