[Punggol] Primary Schools

[david59]

jlim:

When a child don't pay attention in class, so don't understand and can't do his work. :?

When parents can't teach the child, the parents panic, thus send the child for tuition. But do the child pay attention during tuition lessons too?
Then parents blame school, blame teachers for setting high standard questions.
If neighbourhood school cannot set higher standard questions for exams, then we can presume all these kids will fail their PSLE. :?:
And MTS is a government-aided school, like all the other clan-related schools, MTS will have a higher standard and try to help the kids to do well for their PSLE. Ultimately, the kids are the ones sitting the exams, stress or no stress!!
:celebrate:

I do agree that ultimately the child has to sit for the exam, stress or no stress.
I do not see anything wrong with a school setting very high standard. This is why I want to discourage parents who do not have the means and abilities to help their kids in their academic studies from enrolling in such schools.

However, there is also such a thing as streaming the kids into different classes, from the best class to the slowest learner class so that the teachers can peg varying degree of teaching according to their students' capability. Otherwise, it is like asking a kid to keep trying to jump over five feet when the kid can only manage 4 feet. Rather the kid should be encouraged to make incremental improvemnet gradually.

So also a truly great school is one that educates each and every of their students to make incremental improvement toward excellence.

[mrswongtuition]

During tuition (depending on large group or small group or individual), most kids will pay more attention than at school as the teacher will give more attention to the kids. That's why I limit my group tuition classes to 4-5 per class. More individual attention and it won't be another 'classroom'.


Kids will be kids. No matter how much parents nag at home, there'll definitely be some that will 'daydream' or 'zone out' during school lessons. These students will need consistent monitoring.

Some parents do not know how to teach their children. Honestly speaking, alot of parents are also too busy with work to have proper time dedicated to checking their children's work.

High standards are good if the appropriate support is given in school. The school can't expect to set high standards & leave students/parents to fend for themselves
As mentioned earlier, enrol your child in the school based on his/her 'stress appetite'. If you know your child can't take stress, enrolling him/her in a less stressful environment might be better.

By the way, I'm a teacher & private tutor. I'm not siding the school/teachers or parents/students. Just sharing what I observe and feel
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5875

[icewolf]

Hi,


Seeing alot of comments on Mee Toh. Just wondering anyone has any feedback on Edgefield especially those with kids already studying there.

Thanks in advance for your comments!

[mrswongtuition]

icewolf:

Hi,


Seeing alot of comments on Mee Toh. Just wondering anyone has any feedback on Edgefield especially those with kids already studying there.

Thanks in advance for your comments!

I currently have 1 student who was there for 1 semester in P1, then she transferred to another school. The mother did not have very good feedback about the school, I can't remember was it was about exactly though.

Another student of mine (took PSLE this year) is also from Edgefield. He's from the top class, and his mother really puts in alot of effort to teach him at home. He has no complains about his school and seems to be happy in the school. His results are very good, all subjects in nineties range. However, his younger sister seems to be struggling in the same school.

It's really dependent on individual kids. Do take time to visit the school & observe the students & teachers to make a more informed choice.

I personally prefer sitting outside the school to observe the teachers. Are they happy to rush home? Do they look very worn out? Tell-tale signs of whether your kids will get good teachers if enrolled there.

[heyhoe]

Anyone would like to share feedback on Greendale primary standards?

[mrswongtuition]

heyhoe:

Anyone would like to share feedback on Greendale primary standards?

You want feedback on academic or others?

[heyhoe]

mrswongtuition:

heyhoe:

Anyone would like to share feedback on Greendale primary standards?

You want feedback on academic or others?

Hi Mrs Wong,

I welcome all kinds of feedback. Thanks!

[mrswongtuition]

heyhoe:

mrswongtuition:

[quote=\"heyhoe\"]Anyone would like to share feedback on Greendale primary standards?

You want feedback on academic or others?

Hi Mrs Wong,

I welcome all kinds of feedback. Thanks![/quote]Based on what I see and hear from the students & their parents:
- Not very strong academically, does not push students. Homework given is very simple. Not much additional worksheets given.
- Has alot of hands-on activities & excursions, outdoor learning. One parent commented that the school mostly focus on 'fun learning'.
- My students who come for tuition usually score around 70+ for the exam papers I give them, but in their school exam, can score 80 - 90+. Think their papers are slightly easier (can't confirm this as parents have not passed me their SA2 paper).
- Teachers does not seem to be ready to help those with special needs (happen to have a special needs student coming to me for tuition). Teachers even suggested tuition instead of trying to help the student in school first.
- My students are generally happy there. Some parents are not happy that the school is not pushing them academically, but some are happy with that cos they said that their kids can't take stress.
- Teachers does not seem to maintain regular contact with parents. When I questioned the parent about what the teachers suggested for her special needs child, she just replied me that it was very hard to get hold of the teacher & the teacher suggested tuition during PTM.

Again, it's very subjective. It's best you speak to students & parents from the school to get a better idea. Visit the school if you can too.

Also, my students are in lower primary, so maybe there's not much stressing on academics yet?

[heyhoe]

Hi Mrs. Wong,


Thanks for your feedback. My kid is in Greendale primary 1 and my sentiments are exactly as what you’ve written.

As a FTWM, it is easier for me to cope with his scheduled work but can’t help worrying that he’s not progressing accordingly. In fact, I found the standard of his Topical Test 4(no SA2) was very easy as compared to other schools.

I’m in dilemma if I should transfer him to another school. If so, where? Sigh.

[mrswongtuition]

heyhoe:

Hi Mrs. Wong,


Thanks for your feedback. My kid is in Greendale primary 1 and my sentiments are exactly as what you've written.

As a FTWM, it is easier for me to cope with his scheduled work but can't help worrying that he's not progressing accordingly. In fact, I found the standard of his Topical Test 4(no SA2) was very easy as compared to other schools.

I'm in dilemma if I should transfer him to another school. If so, where? Sigh.

How are his results like?
If transfer to another school, you must have a good reason for the other school to accept your child if they have the vacancy.

Alternative is to push him from home. Set higher standards by giving other school's exams papers.

All I hope for my students in the long run is that they build good basics, do well for PSLE & move on to good secondary schools. If they can be stretched, I will stretch them during tuition. If they prefer to be in their comfort zone, then I'll just have to slowly nudge them out of it.