Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[cherrygal]

SP Mum:

Dearl All,

Need some advice on St Margaret Primary and Marymount Convent School. Say if distance is not an issue, which is a better school? Anyone with kids in these schools to provide insights (school culture, quality of teacher, homework load, etc.)? My girl in P1 is offered a place in both schools, which to choose? Thanks.

You said your gal is offered a place in both schools? What are you waiting for? Of coz St Margaret's!

Marymount is OK but dunno why most parents only wait till Phase 2C Supp to apply for it as a last resort.

Choose Marymount if you want a Catholic environment. St Margaret's is not a Catholic school... dunno which Christian denomination... :?

[smurfynut]

cherrygal:

You said your gal is offered a place in both schools? What are you waiting for? Of coz St Margaret's!


Marymount is OK but dunno why most parents only wait till Phase 2C Supp to apply for it as a last resort.

Choose Marymount if you want a Catholic environment. St Margaret's is not a Catholic school... dunno which Christian denomination... :?

St Margaret's is Anglican.

[SP Mum]

Hi Cherrygal & Smurfynut,

thanks for your responses. Seems like St Margaret is the obvious choice… is St Margaret better because of academic performance or emphasis on character building?

[phtthp]

parents shift to within a kilometre of Red Swastika school, a popular primary school in Bedok North St 3.


http://www.edvantage.com.sg/edvantage/news/news/725976/Parents_move_to_be_near_brand_name_schools.html

[cherrygal]

SP Mum:

Hi Cherrygal & Smurfynut,

thanks for your responses. Seems like St Margaret is the obvious choice.... is St Margaret better because of academic performance or emphasis on character building?

Best if you can visit the Parents Networking thread and ask the respective parents with kids in there. I think most of them will tell u to choose St Margaret's. Overall brand name of SMPS is better based on history and alumni. All schools have emphasis on character building and academic performance nowadays.

[SP Mum]

Dear Cherrygal

Thanks very much for your advice. Will check on the respective school networking thread.

[DD Mommy]

cherrygal:

DD Mommy:

Hi Cherrygal. Thanks for your reply! I am hoping to get my girl into St. Nic or CHIJ AMK but my chances are almost 0 as my eligibility seems to be in Phase 2C. Am staying in Punggol now but planning to change my address to my mum's place in Bishan soon. Have you heard of Kheng Cheng Primary? Any good advice will be greatly appreciated

St Nic's is the CHIJ located in AMK. You could try to volunteer and be eligible for Phase 2B. But they only take in PVs who live within 1km. Think even your mom's Bishan address is out of the 1km. But even doing all that does not guarantee you a seat coz balloting is very hot.

Another good school in Bishan would be Kuo Chuan Presbyterian depending on which part of Bishan. This one is easier to get in.

Sorry, no knowledge on Kheng Cheng. You can visit the Parents Networking Group and ask those parents.

Ok. Thank you!!!!!

[phtthp]

SP Mum:

My girl in P1 is offered a place in both schools, which to choose ? Thanks.

St Margaret has thick Anglican history and has a Secondary school.
St Margaret Sec is a strong value added school.

Marymount only primary school, but has a caring environment.
academic - both about the same.

for convenience into Sec 1, i'll choose St Margaret since got affliated Sec school.

[SP Mum]

phtthp:

SP Mum:

My girl in P1 is offered a place in both schools, which to choose ? Thanks.

St Margaret has thick Anglican history and has a Secondary school.
St Margaret Sec is a strong value added school.

Marymount only primary school, but has a caring environment.
academic - both about the same.

for convenience into Sec 1, i'll choose St Margaret since got affliated Sec school.

Hi phtthp,
Thanks for advice. :thankyou:

[janet88]

phtthp:

SP Mum:

My girl in P1 is offered a place in both schools, which to choose ? Thanks.

for convenience into Sec 1, i'll choose St Margaret since got affliated Sec school.

Hi phtthp,
We think alike where primary schools are concerned...having affliated sec school. My daughter's school increased the cut off point to 220 (for affiliated pri) with immediate effect. I hope this won't be increased for the next few years or I will faint.

With PSLE getting tougher, an affiliated sec school makes more sense. At least there is a safety net.