2009 GEP Screening And Selection

[TwaTau]

yukilei:

Hi, need some advice. I heard from my son's form teacher that children in GEP program will not be taught on maths & science syllables. The children will only be spending time on doing projects. & because of this, most GEP students couldn't do well in PSLE. Is it true? No matter how gifted the children are, shouldn't the GEP teachers also go through the maths & science topics? I couldn't imagine how is my son going to know about digestive system if the teacher does not teach him & expect him to go in depth. Beside this, currently, when the children are in the mainstream, the teachers will let them practise maths & science assignments. Does that mean that in GEP, there's no practise on such at all? Intend to send my son to Henry Park. Is there any parent with children in Henry Park to share your experience. worrying mum....

My son is in Henry Park GEP P4 this year. Their syllabus is similar to the mainstream, but further in depth and width. Additional topic is the Social Science. They do get alot of worksheet for Maths and Science that are more challenging than what you can get from assessment books. For Science, the teacher cover the fundamental and the kids have to do alot of self research on the topics. Somehow, the curriculum is able to tickle the inqusitive instinct of the child to dwell into the subject. Trouble is you can't find much books that explain the subject at their level, so alot of research is require and some help from us parent to explain also. He also read alot of Horrible science book and I even get a Secondary Chemistry book for him because he was very keen in the subject. Englsh and HCL seems to be more difficult as well.

[yukilei]

Hi TwaTau, thks for the info. How about the teachers? My son’s FT said that the teachers might not be helpful cos these grp of children are gifted & they expect them to know lots of things. Did you mention before that your son has to stay back in school very often? My son is looking forward to this GEP prog, but when he heard that he has to stay back, he hesitated… What do they stay back for? Does your son find it stressful? I’m a working mum, so he needs to take school bus back, but I dont want him to stay in school till 5pm. Looking forward to hear from you.

[JHFMum]

Herbie:

Anyone out there with kids in NYPS's GEP?


Can comment whether it is streeful?

Please advise.

Cheers!

My dd is in NYPS (P6). If I'm not wrong, all GEP centres offer the same curriculum. So if the child finds it stressful, it is not the sch but the curriculum. NYPS is very vibrant, in terms of CCA and they develop the children well in CCAs, esp the sports and performing arts. As NYPS is a single session sch, the GEP kids need not stay back extra for GE prog, every child is dismissed at 1.30pm, except for CCA days.

Initially my dd did mention that her friends' mum are mainly housewife. However, after having to work much harder (as cf to P1-3) in her P4-5, she came to the revelation that it's probably better to have a very busy mum as she has grown to be more indept. P6 was quite a breeze.

We were asked to fill in a GEP survey two weeks ago, honestly, I only had good things to say about the prog.

I encourage parents to let the children try especially if the latter want it. Kids are resilient and they will quickly bounce back when face with difficulty. For those who are busy like me, remember kids are resourceful and they will find solutions to their problems. Your child has passed very stringent tests, don't deprive them of the opportunity by being overly protective.

[vlim]

JHFMum:

My dd is in NYPS (P6). If I'm not wrong, all GEP centres offer the same curriculum. So if the child finds it stressful, it is not the sch but the curriculum. NYPS is very vibrant, in terms of CCA and they develop the children well in CCAs, esp the sports and performing arts. As NYPS is a single session sch, the GEP kids need not stay back extra for GE prog, every child is dismissed at 1.30pm, except for CCA days.


Initially my dd did mention that her friends' mum are mainly housewife. However, after having to work much harder (as cf to P1-3) in her P4-5, she came to the revelation that it's probably better to have a very busy mum as she has grown to be more indept. P6 was quite a breeze.

We were asked to fill in a GEP survey two weeks ago, honestly, I only had good things to say about the prog.

I encourage parents to let the children try especially if the latter want it. Kids are resilient and they will quickly bounce back when face with difficulty. For those who are busy like me, remember kids are resourceful and they will find solutions to their problems. Your child has passed very stringent tests, don't deprive them of the opportunity by being overly protective.

hi jhkmum.. you are right.. don't deprive them of the opportunity by being overly protective

[cluelessmama]

JHFMum:

Your child has passed very stringent tests, don't deprive them of the opportunity by being overly protective.

I think I need to hijack this sentence, and repeat it to my overly protective hubby. :lol:

[sautille]

Hi I'm a newbie to this forum and found the discussion here rather interesting.


Perhaps I could share my two cents worth with parents who are still deciding whether to accept the GEP offer.

1. GEP is a very rigorous and mature programme. It has been in place for many years. The government has pumped in significant resources (e.g. a dedicated GE branch, comprising many senior specialists) to develop our \"gifted\" students. I think you should try not to miss it if your children are given the opportunity. (For the record, I am NOT from MOE :lol: )

2. I refrain from using the word \"stressful\" to describe GEP as it seems to suggest that mainstream programme is not. GEP is designed to challenge the participants so that they can think deep and broad. My son who is in P5 GEP this year found the programme fun and highly stimulating. He enjoyed it tremendously.

3. Don't be unduly worried about whether your children can cope with the programme. As JHFMum has rightly pointed out, they have passed very stringent tests. They thrive in challenging environment. Have confidence in them!

As to what extent parents can help their children cope with the programme, I, for one, have neither the intellectual capacity nor the time to help my son academically. What I found useful is to guide him in time management, e.g. in prioritising tasks, drawing up a time table for his activities, etc.

4. I noticed that many GEP students are also talented in non-academic areas such as music and sports. Some (and not an insignificant number) not only participate in GEP but have also joined JSA too. My observation so far is that they are all coping pretty well. Again, time management is key and parents play an important role in this.

5. For children who need to change school, my humble opinion is to choose a GEP centre nearest to your home. Don't waste time traveling on the roads. I understand that GEP is the same across all centres and GEP teachers are centrally trained by MOE. Between the perceived \"prestige\" of a GEP centre and a couple more hours of sleep each day for my children, I would choose the latter.

6. For children who are reluctant to join GEP because they are \"attached\" to their current school, my advice is to look at the situation from a different perspective. Whether they join GEP or not, they will have to part with their teachers and classmates one day. This is life. Why not be more open to making new friends in new school while still keeping in touch with friends from old school?

Two years ago, it was a hard decision for me to let my son go into GEP because I wanted him to develop another non-academic talent. At that time I was convinced that he would spend all his time on academic subjects and would have no time for other things. I have been (gladly) proven wrong. It's my daughter's turn this year. It's a no brainer for me this time!

Whatever your (or your children's) decision is, all the best!

[Herbie]

Can someone also share yr GEP experience at RGPS? And also info on CCA activities



Thanks!

[sleeping beauty]

Herbie:

I heard of one case, stay at Katong, 1st choice ACS and 2nd choice CH. And he got in CH instead.

This is probably because the number of available vacancies in ACS is very limited. In my child's year, I heard that there were fewer than 5 places left as the other vacanies had already been filled by the P3 ACS boys who made it to GEP. Do check with the school at the briefing to see how many vacancies are left so that you can better gauge your chances of getting in.

[john.09525316]

4. I noticed that many GEP students are also talented in non-academic areas such as music and sports. Some (and not an insignificant number) not only participate in GEP but have also joined JSA too. My observation so far is that they are all coping pretty well. Again, time management is key and parents play an important role in this.




I know that in Nan Hua there are 5 GEP students doing quite well in their study and at the sametime there are also the member of JSA (Junior Sport Academe). so study well and play well.[/quote]

[TwaTau]

yukilei:

Hi TwaTau, thks for the info. How about the teachers? My son's FT said that the teachers might not be helpful cos these grp of children are gifted & they expect them to know lots of things. Did you mention before that your son has to stay back in school very often? My son is looking forward to this GEP prog, but when he heard that he has to stay back, he hesitated.. What do they stay back for? Does your son find it stressful? I'm a working mum, so he needs to take school bus back, but I dont want him to stay in school till 5pm. Looking forward to hear from you.

I find the teachers there nice, but are firm to the children. The teachers are not handoff and will provide guidance to the child who need help and if my DS and myself :?: have problem with some of the questions (mainly maths and occasionally science) from the worksheet, he typically bring back to school and get help from the teacher. I am not saying the teacher will handhold the children all the way. There is effort needed from the child on their school work, and that is what the programme was meant to be, to stretch them. The first semester need some getting use to for both child and parent, after that it was autopilot for my DS, as in we can be abit more handoff. The programme did make him more confident, which he was lacking before, mainly due to the project work in which they have to cooperate with each other and do presentation of their work. So it is also a good character building curriculum.

My DS stay back in school on 3 days, CCA, HCL and IRS. We also enrol him in the Maths olympiad, that means another day of extra time in school. Usually about 3-4pm they are release. He was taking school bus as well, but the extra lesson gave us some headache as the school bus coming back to my place has fixed timing. You might want to check their school bus operator on this, and if they are not helpful, an email to the GEP HoD will straighten things up. :nunchuk: My wife pick him up initially but eventually, he \"graduated\" to public bus, as it was quite a pain for us. Actually staying back in school is quite comfortable, as their library are pretty cosy and there is alot of space the kids can run about. Of course we are also very concern about whether he will be too tire, but children are very adoptable and they will get use to it soon.