Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary

[AhBa0]

just checking, over the P1 briefing. My wife asked me a qn, did they mentioned that from P3 onwards, the class size would be 40 instead of the now 30, so they merge the class??


Despite knowing that there are no "real" exams in P1 & P2, with the breakdown and the work that parents need to do with the kids before each grading, it is not totally true that there is no exams.

Just told my son that from term 2 onwards, he has to be more careful with his work and at least, be vigilant to pass us any notes from teachers/school so we know of any upcoming events.

btw, did any stayed and talked to the respective HODs? what were the issues/concerns? Pls share if willing.

[eskimo]

AhBa0:

just checking, over the P1 briefing. My wife asked me a qn, did they mentioned that from P3 onwards, the class size would be 40 instead of the now 30, so they merge the class??

They did mention the class size is 40 in P3. But not sure how its done. Maybe other parents here with older kids can shed some light?

I had a look again at the presentation slides for that day, and I think the key message to take away should be - don't be too focused on marks and results! (But as the presenter put it, easier said than done.)

Perhaps our focus should be that education is preparing our kids for the life ahead of them. As life is never perfect, we cannot ask our kids to be perfect too. Allow for mistakes and errors and hopefully, they will learn better from it. Taken in another perspective, perhaps we should ask, what is the worst case senario if my kid did not do well in P1? Is it failing our expectations, or the expectations of the kid? The child is too young now to understand the competition in the real world, but our actions may expedite it.

Coming back to tests, if anyone noticed, the four basic mastery of languages are listening, speaking, reading and writing 听说读写. All 4 components are tested, however, in varying degrees. For English, its 10%-15%-10%-65% for writing. Which means writing plays a very important part. But for MT, its less so, where the ratio is 15%-20%-30%-35%. Personally, I welcome this, as its true many kids are struggling with MT. Hopefully, all the recent changes (announced in early 2011) to the MT curriculum would help our kids to cope better.

btw, there is an excellent thread on how to help your kid in Chinese from here. If your kid is struggling with Chinese, I hope it can help you. http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=3878&start=2330

[zeemimi]

eskimo:

They did mention the class size is 40 in P3. But not sure how its done. Maybe other parents here with older kids can shed some light?

The number are classes fr P3 onwards are still the same, i.e. A-H. But H has traditionally been a smaller class with students mostly taking foundational subjects.

[deardear07]

For p1 and 2,no streaming n classes r placed randomly.but p3 onwards,kids t placed into specific classes with H being foundation?

[AhBa0]

Heard of a car accident last wed infront of kcpps. Hope

No one here is part of that.

[pinkapple]

so "streaming" is now done at Pri2 going to P3?

[AhBa0]

any parents volunteer in the wed/thurs excursions? my wifey did, but did not get confirmation back from school, so not sure whether to take or not take leave…

[mummy_ning]

Hi Ah Bao, I volunteered for the Wednesday field trip. No official reply. Just verbal reply to my hubby when he pick my twins up last week… Maybe can call the FT to double check?

[AhBa0]

My wifey called. They need two parents per class. And the children are supposed to ask parents not to take leave unless confirmed. Sadly for my wifey she needs 1 week notice so she burned a day. Just mis comms.

[gcy]

I just saw my son’s FT reply saying I wasn’t selected too! Disappointed! I realize the school communication is lacking at times. Just wish they will improve on that.