Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[anytanz]

Scary:

Which were the good primary schools last time? Nanyang, Aitong, etc weren't one in my school days.

Both my husband and I came from neighbourhood primary schools. My husband was top 3 in his school for PSLE and 26 out of 33 in my class got into SAP. My primary school was along the same stretch as Queenstown Prim last time. IMPO, go for the nearest primary school if possible. Your child will have more time to sleep and do his/her work. Plus, can save $$ on transport
You never know. Queenstown may be as popular as Nanyang 20 or 30 years down the road.

if queenstown does ever become popular my kids will thank me. otherwise they will probably face the same headache i have when they register their kids for school! hahha

[BB3825]

phtthp:

BB3825:

(we are coming from Msia) just pray hard that can get in Rulang.

if your child is Not a Singapore citizen, slim chance for Rulang.
SC kids staying > 2 km are given priority to enter first, before any PR kid staying less than 1 km, under Phase 2C.

We are Singaporean now.
We hope to provide the better school for our kids if there is a chance

[janet88]

Hi anytanz,

Work pressure is driving many crazy. It’s worst if both husband and wife work. After long day in office, still have to coach kids in their schoolwork and THAT is no walk in the park any longer.

1) Register for P1 is first stress.
2) After that, making sure child is ready for P1.
3) School starts, child brings home work that dinosaurs like me don’t comprehend.
4) parents pull their hair out trying to get kids to understand.
The list goes on…

[lchunleo]

sorry I dun where to post this question so forgive for posting here. hope to get alternative opinion here. I am in a dilemna (though a bit early to think) on choosing school like catholic high which is in bishan wich I am alumini vs nan chiau which I am not but stay within 1 km if u r me which one u will choose and why? thks

[cherrygal]

Hi Ichunleo,

Just choose Catholic High at Phase 2A2. Guaranteed seat in a branded school - all boys, SAP, Gifted. What are you waiting for?

You may not even get a place in Nan Chiau even if within 1km. Let’s assume you want to join the Hokkien Huay Kuan (4 years service) or volunteer to get into Phase 2B, that’s still not a guaranteed seat.

If you have a younger girl, then worry about that later. Put the boy in Catholic High first. Pple will kill for that seat. hahaha and Bishan is not that far from Sengkang. Very fast by car.

[lchunleo]

cherrygal:

Hi Ichunleo,

Just choose Catholic High at Phase 2A2. Guaranteed seat in a branded school - all boys, SAP, Gifted. What are you waiting for?

You may not even get a place in Nan Chiau even if within 1km. Let's assume you want to join the Hokkien Huay Kuan (4 years service) or volunteer to get into Phase 2B, that's still not a guaranteed seat.

If you have a younger girl, then worry about that later. Put the boy in Catholic High first. Pple will kill for that seat. hahaha and Bishan is not that far from Sengkang. Very fast by car.

Thanks alot cherrygal, haha..perharps i should state that i totally rely on public transport (don't own a car, and even with car, one can get jam in the heavily loaded traffic )..yes, perharps my question sound like a no-brainer question (haha...), but i am concern if my child can cope with it (). My two children are boys but just trying to keep my option open but i can't eliminate all the risks...sign..:(..just a tot because my first born is in year of tiger (low birth rate) and with spore citizen priority, this will change the competition??

a slight deviation, i have to take mrt from sengkang to serangoon -> change to circle line to bishan -> alight and walk/jog/run to the school (~600 m away) unsure how long it takes to go to school and if by school bus, lagi worst..go merry go round and high cost.

[lchunleo]

just to add on, single sex school tend to remove competition as well as only one gender can go in.

[WTS]

lchunleo:

cherrygal:

Hi Ichunleo,

Just choose Catholic High at Phase 2A2. Guaranteed seat in a branded school - all boys, SAP, Gifted. What are you waiting for?

You may not even get a place in Nan Chiau even if within 1km. Let's assume you want to join the Hokkien Huay Kuan (4 years service) or volunteer to get into Phase 2B, that's still not a guaranteed seat.

If you have a younger girl, then worry about that later. Put the boy in Catholic High first. Pple will kill for that seat. hahaha and Bishan is not that far from Sengkang. Very fast by car.

Thanks alot cherrygal, haha..perharps i should state that i totally rely on public transport (don't own a car, and even with car, one can get jam in the heavily loaded traffic )..yes, perharps my question sound like a no-brainer question (haha...), but i am concern if my child can cope with it (). My two children are boys but just trying to keep my option open but i can't eliminate all the risks...sign..:(..just a tot because my first born is in year of tiger (low birth rate) and with spore citizen priority, this will change the competition??

a slight deviation, i have to take mrt from sengkang to serangoon -> change to circle line to bishan -> alight and walk/jog/run to the school (~600 m away) unsure how long it takes to go to school and if by school bus, lagi worst..go merry go round and high cost.

Go to the the catholic high parent networking forum to get more info... You can also try to get the contact number of the school bus driver who pick up catholic high student at around your place to find out the cost and how long is the duration from your place to school and by what time your boy must be ready.

[iggy]

Hi ichunleo

Besides distance, is there any other reason why you would choose nan chiau? Its good to know what one prefer and doesnt.

[lchunleo]

iggy:

Hi ichunleo

Besides distance, is there any other reason why you would choose nan chiau? Its good to know what one prefer and doesnt.

well, imho, i think it has both pri and sec sch and a good established chinese culture which i like which is similar to catholic.