[Bukit Timah] Primary Schools

[DTJ]

phtthp:

tankee:

HPPS very hot this year

This year at end of Phase 2A, the most popular school is Rulang (after producing top PSLE student), followed by Henry Park.

but i'm not sure why HPPS suddenly so hot this year. Is it because more new condo built in Holland ? dynamics are changing !

Same sentiments. I was also wondering how come HPPS so hot this year - it was popular before but not as \"hot\" as this .... hmmm is it because some celebrity's child is there hence an extra boost to its popularity? Hehe :scratchhead:

[DTJ]

My Destiny:

Hi mummies, need some advice... We are staying within 1km from Henry Park but we got DS into Catholic under 2A1. Our plan was to withdraw from Catholic & try HPPS under 2C within 1km cos we hv a younger girl registering in 2014 & will kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Looking at HPPS current places left its very likely there will be balloting. Should we take the risk? We hope to minimize traveling for our boy as well... Thanks!

Stay on with Catholic High - in fact, i would say stay on with Catholic High for the full 6 years if you can - Catholic High is also another \"hot\" school - many parents \"dying\" to be in your position (hahahaha). What's more Catholic High has affiliation to its secondary section (which is equally good). HPPS does not have affiliation to any sec school.

[maisy]

Kagillus:

parents now register in early phase (alumni n old boys/girls ) to avoid uncertainty in phase 2c n supplement. As such the chosen school is not that close to any kid anymore as what government or school emphasize. There is still flaw in the policy to alumni or old boys girls phase. It should include home distance as well. For HPPS, early phase taken up by siblings studied in tt school, old boys girls n alumni, not implicating the nearby condos or distance as yet.

TRUE. If MOE really wants to put into practice what it preaches, then the whole registration phases should be tweaked to read (roughly) as such:-

Phase 1 : Siblings

Phase 2A1: Within 1 km (old boy/girl (alumni or not), child of School Advisory & Management committee & staff)
Phase 2A2: Within 1 km (for residents within 1 km and does not fall under the above classification ie not old boy/girl, not child of school committee but staying within 1 Km)

Phase 2B1: Within 1-2 Km (old boy/girl (alumni or not), child of School Advisory & Management committee & staff)
Phase 2B2: Within 1-2 Km (for residents living within 1-2km)

Phase 2C1: Staying more than 2 km (old boy/girl (alumni or not), child of School Advisory & Management committee & staff)
Phase 2C2: Staying more than 2Km

Phase 2C (Supp) : All PRs and Singaporeans not successful in earlier phases

Phase 3: Foreigners

This ensures that whilst priority is given to old boy/girl, school advisory & management committee, staff, distance is still KEY in the whole registration process.

High time MOE revamp the entire registration phases to ensure all children get to the school nearest to their home

PS: I think high time the schools remove the parent volunteer scheme. It doesn't make sense to volunteer just to get your child into the school and once in, the parent phase himself/herself out of the school scene. Instead, the school should focus on the \"parent support group\" as it is this set of parents who are consistently dedicating themselves to the school throughout the tenure of the child's education with the school

Ps2: Also i do not see any relevance between grassroots volunteers and primary school registration so that should go too

Just a suggestion - don't shoot me!

[THC]

DTJ:

My Destiny:

Hi mummies, need some advice... We are staying within 1km from Henry Park but we got DS into Catholic under 2A1. Our plan was to withdraw from Catholic & try HPPS under 2C within 1km cos we hv a younger girl registering in 2014 & will kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Looking at HPPS current places left its very likely there will be balloting. Should we take the risk? We hope to minimize traveling for our boy as well... Thanks!

Stay on with Catholic High - in fact, i would say stay on with Catholic High for the full 6 years if you can - Catholic High is also another \"hot\" school - many parents \"dying\" to be in your position (hahahaha). What's more Catholic High has affiliation to its secondary section (which is equally good). HPPS does not have affiliation to any sec school.

1bird in your hand is definitely better than potentially none especially with this year take up rate.

[My Destiny]

Thanks mummies for the advice. Think will most likely stay put at Catholic… We are not being greedy, just hoping for the convenience cos I really dread the traveling distance for DS… and I have to start monitoring the situation for DD already cos if I want her in HPPS then have to start fretting again…!

[Beansprout]

maisy:

TRUE. If MOE really wants to put into practice what it preaches, then the whole registration phases should be tweaked to read (roughly) as such...

Your policy doesn't work lah. Your policy mainly tackle on proximity of distance. Do you know how many rich people in Singapore? If base on distance, all the property nearby so called ' branded' school will be snatched up by 'rich' people Liao.

[Ribena48]

DTJ:

My Destiny:

Hi mummies, need some advice... We are staying within 1km from Henry Park but we got DS into Catholic under 2A1. Our plan was to withdraw from Catholic & try HPPS under 2C within 1km cos we hv a younger girl registering in 2014 & will kill 2 birds with 1 stone. Looking at HPPS current places left its very likely there will be balloting. Should we take the risk? We hope to minimize traveling for our boy as well... Thanks!

Stay on with Catholic High - in fact, i would say stay on with Catholic High for the full 6 years if you can - Catholic High is also another \"hot\" school - many parents \"dying\" to be in your position (hahahaha). What's more Catholic High has affiliation to its secondary section (which is equally good). HPPS does not have affiliation to any sec school.

CHS is an extremely \"hot\" school that everyone is dying to get a seat so stick to it. But as ou are staying far, why not rent a place at CHS. Just imagine what is it like if you are working at extreme outskirt areas like Tuas or Changi and you are staying at town area? Even if big foreign MNCS s you will not apply for the job right? So don't do that to the kids. I read somewhere parents getting kids wake up between 5 to 6 am to catch school bus ,the little ones damn poor thing ley. But if the 'hot' school that guarantee you a seat is far and within your place is also hot, like your case, then suggest rent a place lor. Imagine when people still sleeping or eating dinner comfortablly at home, your kid still on the road 'piang'. Before the battle starts, the soldier has already lost to the enemy in terms of energy and vitality Liao.! My view is rent a place near CHS. Henry Park is too risky to try. Or find another good school nearby.

[Scary]

Ribena48:

CHS is an extremely \"hot\" school that everyone is dying to get a seat so stick to it. But as ou are staying far, why not rent a place at CHS. Just imagine what is it like if you are working at extreme outskirt areas like Tuas or Changi and you are staying at town area? Even if big foreign MNCS s you will not apply for the job right? So don't do that to the kids. I read somewhere parents getting kids wake up between 5 to 6 am to catch school bus ,the little ones damn poor thing ley. But if the 'hot' school that guarantee you a seat is far and within your place is also hot, like your case, then suggest rent a place lor. Imagine when people still sleeping or eating dinner comfortablly at home, your kid still on the road 'piang'. Before the battle starts, the soldier has already lost to the enemy in terms of energy and vitality Liao.! My view is rent a place near CHS. Henry Park is too risky to try. Or find another good school nearby.

Personally, I find the journey challenging on rainy days. Stress on both exam + rainy days. Are you sending your child to school next year? Some parents find it ok to sleep on school buses but i prefer to sleep in my own bed.

[tankee]

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[jayphus]

maisy:

TRUE. If MOE really wants to put into practice what it preaches, then the whole registration phases should be tweaked to read (roughly) as such...

Nice hypothesis, I will also create my assumptions based on your recommendation.
1) Popular schools in high density estates (massive concentration of HDB, condos will be 100% filled by 2A2.
2) School bus operators will be protesting in front of MOE and demand for a revamp of this policy.
3) Property prices around popular schools will be driven up further in a desperate bid for parents to secure a place.
4) Alumni association / religious / clan membership will take a big hit. School funding will also be hit, doubts begin to surface if the schools are able to maintain or even upgrade the current facilities. No PVs? While some schools have no lack of parents dying to serve as PVs, other schools see this as a healthy relationship in getting parents involve in community activities. PVs also serve as feeder to PSG, which is an important component of the school's programme.
5) \"Lesser known\" schools will benefit from this policy as the take up rate will significantly improved. With majority of kids coming from the local neighbourhood, assimilation into the school culture richer / synergy better. Support for the school teams during zonal competitions will be partisan!
6) Actually, priority by distance fuels elitism. Just like in property, we will start labelling schools by district 9 / 10 / 11.

My conclusion, current system is not perfect, needs improvements, yes, and yet many considerations too.