PSLE 2009 RESULTS!!

[girlmum]

westmom:

James makes it sound like it's the end of the world if one don't get to the IP or be in the top 5%! We all know it is not just mere academic, to be successful in life. I have friends who were at the top in my cohort but where are they now, earning financially lesser than some who were just average ! As Kathysg2009 said \"It is not as if only 5% of population is going to get chance for University education\"!
The BIGGer prize behind PSLE is actually the \"sanity\" level of parents in supporting their kids to do their best based on their ability & individual learning style.

Totally agreed with u, westmom! My DD can't made it to IP, does that mean it's the end of the world. I DON'T THINK SO! Academic is important but it's not just THAT. It takes much more in life to be successful. How one intreprets as \"Successful\" may differ from others. I know of people who were from ITE and they are doing great in their career, drawing good $.

[James Ang]

For those who have read this book called Blue Ocean Strategy, I tend to see IP as being \"Blue Ocean\" where resources and opportunities abound for students compared to \"Red Ocean\" where competition is stiff.


Positioning and focus are key ingredients to get into the \"Blue Ocean\" by PSLE/GEP/DSA routes of course!

[James Ang]

girlmum:

westmom:

James makes it sound like it's the end of the world if one don't get to the IP or be in the top 5%! We all know it is not just mere academic, to be successful in life. I have friends who were at the top in my cohort but where are they now, earning financially lesser than some who were just average ! As Kathysg2009 said \"It is not as if only 5% of population is going to get chance for University education\"!
The BIGGer prize behind PSLE is actually the \"sanity\" level of parents in supporting their kids to do their best based on their ability & individual learning style.

Totally agreed with u, westmom! My DD can't made it to IP, does that mean it's the end of the world. I DON'T THINK SO! Academic is important but it's not just THAT. It takes much more in life to be successful. How one intreprets as \"Successful\" may differ from others. I know of people who were
from ITE and they are doing great in their career, drawing good $.

A system is a system, a good system ensures society functions optimally. I applaud late bloomers and successful people who made it due to diligence and risk-taking. As I say, it is better late than never. A headstart is always good, for kiasu parents. See the kiasu father who volunteers as traffic warden for two years in hope of getting his son into NYPS, I certainly cannot match it, but I applaud his efforts. And I know my son will not get into NYPS because I am not making effort in that direction.

[ChiefKiasu]

James Ang:

For those who have read this book called Blue Ocean Strategy, I tend to see IP as being \"Blue Ocean\" where resources and opportunities abound for students compared to \"Red Ocean\" where competition is stiff.


Positioning and focus are key ingredients to get into the \"Blue Ocean\" by PSLE/GEP/DSA routes of course!

Dear James, Harvard Business School's \"Blue Ocean Strategy\" is referring to the need for entrepreneurs to look for markets that are niche with little competitors and hence large margins rather than to follow others and engage in fierce competition with the hordes that are trying out-do each other selling true-and-tried products with known successful business models.

I would interprete the PSLE situation using this \"Blue Ocean Strategy\", but in a very different way than you have put forth. The \"known market\" in this case is really \"going the IP way for \"guaranteed success\"\". Few would deny at this time that IP is the best \"business model\" for students to adopt if they are to achieve academic excellence in future. Hence everyone is competing tooth and nail at PSLE just to corner the \"IP market\". Would that not be the \"red ocean\", a sea of red blood and sweat?

A \"blue ocean\" strategy would be to teach our children to look beyond what everyone else are trying to achieve, so as to leap frog ahead of others towards one's goal while others are still fully engaged with the technicalities of PSLE success. If our children can formulate their own goals based on what their hearts tell them, then we should teach them how to look beyond the \"regular solutions\" and just make decisions that will accelerate their progress towards these goals.

Bill Gates and so many others dropped out of college to follow their own dreams and have attained great success doing so. This is what \"blue ocean\" is all about. And it is a very risky strategy, infinitely fulfilling if one is successful, but the risk of failure is much greater than those that go on the well-trodden paths.

I don't believe that parents, myself included, would recommend such a \"blue ocean\" approach to our children's education, especially if they already possess the faculties for academic excellence. However, for those who have trouble keeping up with the crowd because they are gifted in other ways, the \"blue ocean\" strategy is probably the saving grace for them to apply their gifts. As a parent said this morning, \"talent + hardwork = outcome\". The \"blue ocean\" strategy is about how we can, as parents, encourage our children to dare to be different and work hard in honing their talents and look for opportunities to apply their talents usefully, instead of being mired in the trap of forcing them to achieve academic excellence and being all upset if our children do not do well in their exams.

[James Ang]

Blue ocean is a good concept, I am glad to see/hear your interpretation Chief.


At some points of our lives, even part of experiences, they are like battles for success/survival, such examples as even in an office situation, the weak ones get \"eliminated\" through transfer/retrenchment or bypassed for promotion (promotion usually viewed as positive). Sad to say, this form of competition is slowly but surely brought to school level as school \"management\" is trained to be systematic and process oriented. I am sure kiasuparents forum has brought alot of benefits to kiasu parents here, where there are many open discussions and much sharing of useful links and expertise. And glad to hear the Chief speaks with good depth and substance.

Let's just wait for this Thursday big day!

[Augmum]

james

wow.......so many arrows targetting at u....... :? prompt me to read the previous postings.

[ChiefKiasu]

Augmum:

james

wow.......so many arrows targetting at u....... :? prompt me to read the previous postings.

I respect James for what he does, and for standing up for what he strongly believes in. We are engaged in a friendly discussion of differing opinions, and everyone is entitled to their own. No arrows pointing anywhere, Augmum

[James Ang]

ChiefKiasu:

Augmum:

james

wow.......so many arrows targetting at u....... :? prompt me to read the previous postings.

I respect James for what he does, and for standing up for what he strongly believes in. We are engaged in a friendly discussion of differing opinions, and everyone is entitled to their own. No arrows pointing anywhere, Augmum

Thanks Chief. This is the era of lifetime learning, and I must say I learnt many things from Chief and other experts here. In fact my students taught me stuffs too, over many years, I learn to use new technologies and applications, all taught by my students. Haha, the students today are awesome, don't think they cannot do big things as many have aspirations and are taught useful stuffs in schools and enrichment etc. Our kids are well brought up and can help to realise what their parents could not achieve in the past due to lack of opportunities. Many of my students can play violin and piano, take part in music competitions, do Maths and Science intelligently and take part in Maths olympiad competitions, local and international. I am humbled by their abilities, don't underestimate our talented kids!

[KSP]

48hrs to 2009 PSLE Results......

[mathsparks]

James Ang is surrounded by lots of talented kids who go to IP schools, have musical talents and take part in Olympiad competitions. I wonder if his comments would still be the same if he conducts CDAC tuition or volunteers to teach below average kids. Would his opinions still be the same if he has children who are average like most of ours are. :?