Marymount Kindergarten

[Style]

Halo power puff, I went for the registration and was given the am slot. You may want to call lilian up to check.


Anyone knows what comes after the registration. Is there any email add which I can send in MMK if I have any queries rather than calling cos the number always ring off n have to call afew times

[postpet]

Powerpuff: I was at the public registration and got confirmation on the spot. Maybe you want ask the teacher? Am slot for pre-N is fully taken up.

Power Puff:

Hullo postpet, I'm surprised you've got the confirmation of the session so soon. Did you go for the public registration on 18 Feb? I've registered my daughter for Pre-N 2013 under the earlier Siblings scheme but so far haven't received any word. I am expecting her to be placed in the 8.15 am session as my older boy is in that session.


You could get the office administrator Lillian to put you on waiting list for the earlier session (and perhaps gently remind her about it from time to time). I did that for my older boy too. It's still a long while to 2013. Hopefully some parents will read this post and do a swap with you. Take heart Hope to see you around next year.

[Power Puff]

Hi,


I was told that my daughter's place is confirmed in the earlier session (same as older son's) unless I have specified otherwise.

Anyway, the school's email add: [email protected]. You can direct your queries and feedback there although I personally prefer to call directly.

Do you have or know of other children who have graduated from MMK? Wondering how they are coping with P1. Am a little stressed now about preparing son for pri sch, trying to wean him off nursery play mode and start on reading and writing.

[3phds]

I have shortlisted this school and wondered about how they prepare children for P1. Wish to hear feedback from an ex-student’s parent. Thanks.

[Rea]

I’ve registered my gal for next year Nursery with MMK. Would love to hear comments on them cos’ I’m concerned with the class size which is 30 to two teachers. Hope parents with children from MMK will care to comment. And can anyone please recommend a playgroup around Bishan,Thomson area. Seems like its only childcare centres everywhere! Where have all the playgoup places gone? Thank you

[postpet]

Any parents interested to swop n1 am session for pm? My son in n1 pm session next year and I prefer am for logistics reason. Pls Pm me, thanks!

[piyobaby]

Hi Rea & postpet.....we have registered my son for mmk nursery next year too and have opted for PM session, there is a chance our kids could be classmates?!


Can any parents whose kids are in mmk currently share a lil on wat to expect for their curriculum cos I'm in a fix as to if it is a right choice to switch him from the current school.

[Rea]

Hi piyobaby, my daughter is also in the pm session. High chance for them to be classmates:) Actually I’m facing the same dilemma. It would be really helpful if parents of current student can update us.

[DesertWind]

Rea:

I've registered my gal for next year Nursery with MMK. Would love to hear comments on them cos' I'm concerned with the class size which is 30 to two teachers. Hope parents with children from MMK will care to comment. And can anyone please recommend a playgroup around Bishan,Thomson area. Seems like its only childcare centres everywhere! Where have all the playgoup places gone? Thank you

Hi Rea,
I am sorry to feedback to you that due to the large class-size, my boy could only last 6 months at MMK before I made the painful decision to withdraw him and switched him over to a MUCH smaller kindergarten.

My boy was in the Nursery class last year for Term 1 & 2 but due to his speech-delay, he was not able to catch up with his peers. Teachers feedback that he required one-to-one attention and the class was just too large for them to be able to pay him much attention (24 in the class).

During the 6 months there, I have observed that the kindergarten runs like clockwork and they are really very professional. The teachers are loving and the school-bus and security \"system\" is very good!

I can only say if your kid is developing well and able to follow teachers' instructions and be independant, MMK is a GREAT kindy! However should you feel that your kid may need more personalized attention, just be fore-warned.

Although very painful for me, but I appreciated the teachers' honest feedback about my boy and how they handled him. To the extend they told me straight in the face that they just gave him one toy to play by himself while the rest of the class played group games since my boy could not follow instructions and catch up. So my boy would really be wasting his time there. My boy LOVES going to MMK and to him, the large kindy was not an issue and he tried his best to follow. But it was not enough and I had to concede that due to the large size, it was just too bad he WILL get neglected. I had to pull him out.

All the best!

[Power Puff]

Hi,


My son's now in K1 and has been in Marymount Kindy since pre-nursery (my younger brother attended it too, about 30 years back!). My younger daughter will attending it next year.

We really love the school being up on the hill, its spaciousness and greenery. Don't let its outward rather run-down appearance fool you. It is non-airconditioned but well-ventilated. In fact, it is similar to most of the primary schools you see around in terms of environment and I feel that is important so that the transition from kindy o primary is easier. It has a small wading pool (not huge but the kids love it anyway), has two indoor playground and huge outdoor garden playground. The kids have gym classes and computer (for nursery and older only) classes. I like that such classes are built-into the curriculum and not put after school. There are additional enrichment classes in the afternoons(English speech and drama, Chinese immersion, Science classes) for those who are interested (altho my son's not enrolled in them). Most importantly, I feel the school provides a wholesome Catholic environment for my child - the school teaches good values which are applicable to any religion.

I don't recall seeing 30 pupils per class, at the most 22-24 ? The classes and school activities are well-organised. So far, my son's teachers and assistant teachers have been wonderful - caring, professional, speak good English and Mandarin. Even the non-teaching support staff are warm and helpful.

The school updates parents on the curriculum - termly themes and specific skills, concepts etc. for English, Chinese, Math and events through letters which are stapled in each child's parent-teacher communication exercise book - I like that I can write my concerns and queries in it, and the teacher always responds.

I was at first concerned that MMK's curriculum would not be as academically driven as other kindies (like PCF and even thought of transferring son to Newton Kindy earlier this year - didn't like claustrophobic albeit fully-airconditioned premises and uniforms). Let son stau put because he is happy and has friends. The MMK kids I've seen always seem to be happy and confident.

That being said, different children thrive in different environments. As long as my children are happy and safe, and learn good values and life skills, they'll be fine. As for the academic performance bit, the kids can attend specific enrichment classes (only if necessary) and more importantly, I try to revise with son what's been taught in school, read to him every night, help him improve penmanship.

Hope that helps. Son has swimming (more like waddling) tomorrow and he's looking forward to it