[Bukit Merah] Primary Schools

[Dino]

Hi all,


I am new and had a few questions. Appreciate all your replies. Tks

1) Any 1 knows/ can confirm at which level RMPS and GESPS offers higher Chinese? Some say RMPS is P3, some say P5 and some say P2 for GESPS.

2) Is higher chinese really that impt??? will my kid be disadvantaged not having studied higher chinese?

3) What ccas are RMPS and GESPS strong in?

Many Thanks.

[qms]

Dino:

1) Any 1 knows/ can confirm at which level RMPS and GESPS offers higher Chinese? Some say RMPS is P3, some say P5 and some say P2 for GESPS.

You may like to note that both RMPS and GESPS are not SAP schools. Hence, regardless when the schools start offering HMT to students, the students will only be \"officially\" tested from P5.

From what I understand, GESPS offers HMT for students from P2 whereas RMPS offers HMT from P3. As mentioned above, even though students may be taking HMT, they will only be tested normal MT. It is only from P5 that they will need to sit for HMT papers.

Dino:

2) Is higher chinese really that impt??? will my kid be disadvantaged not having studied higher chinese?

HMT gives the student maximum three points off their T-Score if he or she chooses certain secondary schools. So, not sure whether you consider it as important or having an advantage.

Dino:

3) What ccas are RMPS and GESPS strong in?

RMPS is strong in its Chinese Orchestra and uniformed groups. I think GESPS offers a wider range of CCAs than RMPS. Correct me if I am wrong.

[Dino]

Tks for the quick replies.

[breezy]

Dino:

Hi all,


I am new and had a few questions. Appreciate all your replies. Tks

1) Any 1 knows/ can confirm at which level RMPS and GESPS offers higher Chinese? Some say RMPS is P3, some say P5 and some say P2 for GESPS.

2) Is higher chinese really that impt??? will my kid be disadvantaged not having studied higher chinese?

3) What ccas are RMPS and GESPS strong in?

Many Thanks.

Hi Dino,
1) GESPS offers Higher Chinese starting P2.

2) The advantage of taking higher chinese at the PSLE is a possible 1 to 3 points cut to the PSLE aggregate (1- Pass, 2- Merit, 3- Distinction) should your child decides to apply for a SAP secondary school. Other than that, the intrinsic gain will be the expanded vocab/ techniques in the usage of Chinese.

A student taking Higher chinese will be required to sit for BOTH normal and higher chinese exam.

You may like to note that textbooks used for normal and higher chinese are different - meaning, the vocab differs. There are cases of students taking higher chinese doing not too well in normal chinese due to the lack of exposure to the vocab covered in normal chinese textbooks.


3) GESPS' niche CCAs are: Basketball, Band, Choir & Scrabble.

Hope this helps

[Barley longan]

Hi Ariel, thanks for sharing. I have the reverse situation - near to CHIJ. I missed Zhangde’s open house.


Do you know what’s the student mix at Zhangde? How about teachers and academic homework for lower primary? Anyone else with information on Zhangde, hope you can share. Thanks!

[Dino]

Hi Breezy,


Tks.

I have been hearing lots of stories like doing higher chinese helps in the MT, the earlier the kid do higher chinese will be better and many more. As such, it sort of creates an impression that higher chinese is a must have.... the eariler the better.....

but of course i also understand that its no good subjecting the kid to too much stress at a young age.... Things may just backfire..... and ya there are no SAP schools in bukit merah area.

btw any of ur kids in either GESPS or RMPS?????

Is GESPS or RMPS goignto have open house???? I went to kellock open house yesterday....

Cheers

[nemofc]

tot 30 June for GESP?

[Dino]

Is it…


then i have missed it…

[breezy]

Dino:

Hi Breezy,


Tks.

I have been hearing lots of stories like doing higher chinese helps in the MT, the earlier the kid do higher chinese will be better and many more. As such, it sort of creates an impression that higher chinese is a must have.... the eariler the better.....

but of course i also understand that its no good subjecting the kid to too much stress at a young age.... Things may just backfire..... and ya there are no SAP schools in bukit merah area.

btw any of ur kids in either GESPS or RMPS?????

Is GESPS or RMPS goignto have open house???? I went to kellock open house yesterday....

Cheers

U r most welcome, Dino.

My sons (1 in sec 3, 1 in P6) went/goes to GESPS.

The elder boy did Higher Chinese only from P5 (as during his time, it was only offered from P5) whereas the younger one started when he was in P2. We come from an English speaking background but my younger boy didnt face much difficulty in picking up Higher Chinese. In fact, I feel that taking the subject at a younger age did him good as he could take his time to build up the foundation.

I do share your concern though, on stressing the kids at a young age. U'll be the best judge on whether your little one can take it.

NYGH, RV, HCI and NanHua are some SAP schools popular amongst GESPS students.

GESPS' open house (which was more of a fun-fair called \"Fiesta\") was held on 30 June.

[qms]

Dino:

I have been hearing lots of stories like doing higher chinese helps in the MT, the earlier the kid do higher chinese will be better and many more. As such, it sort of creates an impression that higher chinese is a must have.... the eariler the better.....

IMHO, Chinese standard in RMPS is not high. You may want to take this into consideration.