Singapore Chinese Girls' Primary

[mummy of 3]

It feels like Japan & Hong Kong System after watching ‘Being a child’.

[phtthp]

the school selecting from the best!


http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20120112-321483.html

The New Paper
Saturday, Jan 14 2012

FIRST, they apply for the opportunity - with a $25 application fee.

Then they sit for three tests - each lasting 45 minutes and all within 3 hours.

Those who do well enough are then called in for an interview, with only the best accepted.

No, these aren't young graduates looking for a job.

They are children fighting for limited transfer spots in Primary 1, at the super-popular Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS).

Many children have gone through this gruelling procedure in the past few years, with another batch of hopefuls sitting for it this Saturday.

But some parents, including those whose children have been through it, are saying: Enough! Why put our children through this just for the chance to study in your school?

Reviewing policy

Anxious parents have been voicing their concerns about this for some time on Kiasuparents.com, a networking website where parents share their experiences on bringing up their children.

The school says it is now reviewing its policy after receiving feedback from parents.

One mother of a Primary 3 pupil who went through the test two years ago regrets putting her daughter through the process.

Her daughter had just started primary school in January 2010, but was also an SCGS transfer hopeful.

The girl was put through an admission test, which is part of the standard drill for potential transfers, with about 20 other Primary 1 pupils.

They sat for English, Mathematics and Mother Tongue papers that lasted 45 minutes each, with short breaks in between, on a Saturday morning.

A check with the school confirmed that the tests include writing compositions and exercises suitable for primary school pupils.

The mother, who declined to be named, told The New Paper through the site's forum: \"My girl didn't make it. She said the papers weren't easy and I didn't want to stress her further.\"

Her daughter is now in Primary 3 at Fairfield Methodist School (Primary).

The mother had written on the forum two years ago that her daughter found the tests really tough.

She had said then: \"I am extremely worried as to how she has done! I wish the school will reveal the number of vacancies.\"

Other parents have also raised their concerns that the SCGS transfer admission test is too tough on Primary 1 hopefuls.

Another Kiasuparents.com user, whose daughter took the test, described the papers as being of a \"high standard\".

The user added: \"My daughter told me then that she had to write compositions for both English and Chinese, and she was only in Primary 1.\"

Even parents whose children didn't have to take the test are uncomfortable with it.

A housewife with a daughter in Primary 3 at SCGS told TNP: \"Having to take tests for three subjects in a day may be way too much for Primary 1 pupils to cope with.

\"It should be spread out over three days, or the pupils should be given a few hours of rest between each test.\"

SCGS is believed to be the only primary school to hold an admission test for potential transfers at the Primary 1 level.

The school said the test has been conducted twice a year since 1995.

An SCGS spokesman told TNP in an e-mail reply that the admission test is conducted to fill \"a small number of vacancies\" that may arise at the start of each school year.

Pupils who make the cut after taking the test are then called for an interview.

The spokesman said the interview was for the school to \"speak to the pupils to find out more about their needs and whether they are ready and enthusiastic about a transfer\".

The process is, however, under review.

Said the spokesman: \"After considering feedback from parents, we will review our process in our continued focus on holistic education.\"

The reply did not provide details on the review.

Reasonable

But some parents have no issues with SCGS having such a test.

Assistant accountant Teo Poh Yap, 33, who has a daughter in Primary 1 in Woodgrove Primary School, felt that it's reasonable to have an admission test for Primary 1 transfer pupils.

Said Madam Teo: \"The test is a good gauge of whether transfer students can cope with the education system of elite schools.\"

A father whose daughter is sitting for the test this Saturday is actually excited about it.

He said this is because he has already made sure that his daughter is well-prepared for the test.

The businessman, who wanted to be known only as Mr Goh, 47, told TNP yesterday: \"I feel the test is necessary. Even if it is indeed difficult, parents should not be complaining as it is set by those who know the standards of the SCGS system best.

\"I am very comfortable with the idea. If she makes it, she makes it. But if she doesn't make the cut, so be it.\" he said of his daughter who is currently studying in a neighbourhood school in the west.

[mumto2]

My dd went for the tests last yr for admission to P2 this yr. She did well enough to be selected for the interview. After the tests, i asked dd how was it and she said it was ok. We wanted to transfer her from her current SAP school to a school with affiliation so as to reduce the stress at PSLE.


During the interview, she was asked general questions about her hobbies and the subjects that she likes. The final question was "Do you want to transfer to SCGS?" My dd, very innocently, said "It is not me. It is my mummy. I prefer my xxx primary school. I love my school and teachers very much." Well, she blew her chance. But to us, it was just trying to see whether she can get in. If she gets in, good. If not, her current school is good too though very academic focused. At least, i know that she loves her current school very much and at the yr of her P1, she was selected the best model student of her class!

I did ask her a few days ago whether she wants to try again for SCGS. Her answer is still a No. LOL!

[jtoh]

mummy of 3:

It feels like Japan & Hong Kong System after watching 'Being a child'.

Is this documentary still being screened? Or can we watch it off the internet?

[mummy of 3]

jtoh:

mummy of 3:

It feels like Japan & Hong Kong System after watching 'Being a child'.

Is this documentary still being screened? Or can we watch it off the internet?

I watched the repeat documentary from Channelnewsasia @ 12am-5am on 1 of the Saturday. 1hr each for the show. This are the 5 countries: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and India. Among these 5 countries, Singapore is the most fortunate to get a place for our child.

[phtthp]

here, only transfer case need to take test. so far, only SCGS.


other countries like Japan, China - not just transfer case take tests.

[jtoh]

mummy of 3:

jtoh:

[quote=\"mummy of 3\"]It feels like Japan & Hong Kong System after watching 'Being a child'.

Is this documentary still being screened? Or can we watch it off the internet?

I watched the repeat documentary from Channelnewsasia @ 12am-5am on 1 of the Saturday. 1hr each for the show. This are the 5 countries: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and India. Among these 5 countries, Singapore is the most fortunate to get a place for our child.[/quote]Thanks.

[phtthp]

if ask end K2 / P1 pupils write minimum 5 lines English compo, ok.

but if ask them write Chinese compo, tests standard ... ya, a bit high.

those who sat for last Sat tests, can kindly share & feedback format of the compo ?

i) is it based on 1 big main picture, OR
- based on 4 small pictures, which kids may have to think first & then arrange into the correct logical sequence of events one by one, before can start writing OR
- no picture at all ? just give a topic and ask pupils to write free style ?

ii) are there helping vocab key words provided at the bottom, give clue to help child write the compo OR
- no clue given, just write according to the picture ?

iii) how long is time given to write compo, out of 45 mins ?

[KT11]

Mummies who have girls in SCGPS P1 now, can you advise what must the child learn/know before entering P1 in this school?


Thanks!

[becknat68]

Hi,

i m new to this chatroom and i have a question about SCGS and i hope that mummies who were old girls of SCGS or who have DDs in SCGS will not take offence to this question of mine. I have heard that SCGS is a school that teaches the girls to be 'tai-tais. I do not know how true this is, i have heard it from someone whose DD is also in SCGS; the principal actually told the girls this : " In life, there are 2 of the 3 things that you must possess… they are brains, good looks and money…, without any 2 of these 3 qualities, you will not go far in life." I was v shocked when i heard this but then again, i wasnt sure if this was really what the principal told the girls or if this is just some malicious rumours gg about the school. Have any mummies heard about this ? I have intended to send my DD to SCGS but i feel that perhaps i should really find out more about the school (other than just looking at affiliation etc). Really appreciate any input /feedbacks of mummies who have DDs in the school, thanks!!