Triple Sciences

[david59]

James Ang:

I believe your girl is in Integrated Program, because you mentioned Year 5, so I am sure you are not talking about O levels. There is a difference in \"strategy\" depending on whether your girl is in IP or doing O levels.


Let's discuss a bit about O levels, the exam taken by Special/Express stream to get into JC using a criteria called L1R5. In L1R5, the student must include a first language (English or HMT) and a Humanity subject. If an O levels student chooses triple pure science, he/she will have only 1 humanity subject normally the combined humanities. The sole humanity subject will thus become the weakest link in the L1R5 score because it is compulsory to include the first language and humanity, no matter how good the triple science and double maths are (only 1 maths or science is compulsory for L1R5). Naturally, to mitigate the risk of getting a poor L1R5, the ideal O levels subject combination is double pure science, double maths (to learn as much maths and science as possible), double humanities (to mitigate poor humanity outcome) and double first language (to mitigate poor first language)

In the Integrated Program there is no such risk. I suggest that IP students learn triple pure science to gain more knowledge and build a strong foundation in science as well as increase future career options involving science including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, life science, even engineering! (many O levels students are actually avoiding Physics by choosing Pure Chem and Pure Bio double science combination, so how can they become an engineer if without a basic grasp of Physics? ).

My student from NYGHS recently graduated Year 4, with distinctions in triple science, she'll move on to HCI to do Year 5 and 6.

Maybe I can just contribute a little of my daughter's experience in this Triple Science thingy.

We made a huge mistake when we chose Anderson Secondary School for our elder girl after her PSLE. She was clearly very gifted in languages in Primary; especially English but she struggled to do well in Mathematics in Secondary. When it came to streaming in Sec 3, we realised to our horror that because Anderson Sec stresses hugely in the Life Science, there was only one class for the Art Stream. In the end, she had to struggle in the Add. Maths n Physic ( she dropped out of Physic eventually) in the Triple Science Stream through \"O\" level.
However, when it was decision time to choose Arts or Science in JC, our daughter made up her mind to go Arts even though Science Stream is the more prestigious in the eyes of most students and parents. We gladly affirmed her decision and it was the right choice bcos she just cruises along all the way to Uni. and doing excellently, reading English Literature.

Hope this little contri. is of some help. :?

[csc]

[quote]Maybe I can just contribute a little of my daughter's experience in this Triple Science thingy.


We made a huge mistake when we chose Anderson Secondary School for our elder girl after her PSLE. She was clearly very gifted in languages in Primary; especially English but she struggled to do well in Mathematics in Secondary. When it came to streaming in Sec 3, we realised to our horror that because Anderson Sec stresses hugely in the Life Science, there was only one class for the Art Stream. In the end, she had to struggle in the Add. Maths n Physic ( she dropped out of Physic eventually) in the Triple Science Stream through \"O\" level.
However, when it was decision time to choose Arts or Science in JC, our daughter made up her mind to go Arts even though Science Stream is the more prestigious in the eyes of most students and parents. We gladly affirmed her decision and it was the right choice bcos she just cruises along all the way to Uni. and doing excellently, reading English Literature.

Hope this little contri. is of some help. [/quote]
Thanks, David. Your contribution is of great help.

Interest plays a great part in the subject combination. Both my kids have no interest in Science - and I doubt they ever will.

[daisyt]

Hi david59, thanks for your sharing, its indeed very useful. :celebrate:

[James Ang]

daisyt:

James Ang:

In the Integrated Program there is no such risk. I suggest that IP students learn triple pure science to gain more knowledge and build a strong foundation in science as well as increase future career options involving science including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, life science, even engineering! (many O levels students are actually avoiding Physics by choosing Pure Chem and Pure Bio double science combination, so how can they become an engineer if without a basic grasp of Physics? ).

Thanks James. Your advice sounds resonable. I would feedback to my girl. Thanks again !

BTW, do you have students strong in humantities but yet still take triple Science ?

In NYGHS, the students do Integrated Humanities which is double-weighted (2 subjects weight) so I suppose this helps them to strike a good balance between the science and arts. In IP, the students belong to the top 5% of the PSLE cohort, so it is unlikely that the students are weak in science, so doing triple science helps them to build up a strong foundation in general science, so that their future career options can be maximised.

[i30]

Thanks James!

After reading your advice, I am more confident that my daughter has made the right decision. My daughter also choose triple science for sec3 next year. She likes humanity, enjoy reading and writing, however, the MSG was poor especially History. She does not like bio much, however, the MSG for math and science was very good. This left her no choice but to pick triple science. Hope the IP courses still balance her interests and performance.

[daisyt]

i30:

Thanks James!

After reading your advice, I am more confident that my daughter has made the right decision. My daughter also choose triple science for sec3 next year. She likes humanity, enjoy reading and writing, however, the MSG was poor especially History. She does not like bio much, however, the MSG for math and science was very good. This left her no choice but to pick triple science. Hope the IP courses still balance her interests and performance.

Hi i30, sorry to ask, what is MSG ? :oops:
Which school is your daughter in ?

[i30]

hi daisyt, MSG = Mean Subject Grade. In some schools, the higher the better, while in others, the lower the better. In NYGH, the perfect score is average 1.0. My dd in NYGH.

[daisyt]

Hi i30, MSG = Mean Subject Grade, can I say, its the average subject score for the whole level ? :?


Sorry, :oops: I still do not understand, what this MSG can affect your dd's decision on choosing subjects ? Sorry if I sound a bit blur :oops:

[KiWee]

My dd has chosen double science and double humanities. For L1R5, R1 has to be a humans subj, at least she can have 2 choices. She needs to get better grades for R2 & R3 (Math, Sc & Humans), therefore she may need tuitions for Math & Sc. As L1 is also very impt, my dd is also thinking of EL & HCL tuition. Are 4 tuitions too time consuming for a Sec 3 student? She is mugging her CCA/CIP points this sch hol.

[mrswongtuition]

My sis had tuition for the following:

- Chem
- Physics
- A maths
- E maths

And she had 'tuition' with me:
- English
- Geography
- Literature

She got A1 for CCA Thanks to the numerous competitions & performances.
She is also in an orchestra playing the violin. They have practises once a week.

Time management is impt. My sis is not the top scorer type, but she manages her time quite well (with nagging by me). She still has alot of time for R&R (hang out at shopping centres after school with friends, probably once a fornight).