DSA 2012
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[quote=\"GoodDad
I am a newbie but have been following this thread for quite some time. I have really enjoyed reading postings from some parents who share their frustration, joy, achievements, advice without reservation.
With the recent few postings, I felt that some of us have forgotten the very essence of GEP. It is a curriculum that is designed to stretch the minds on a wide range of topics. GEP is NOT about accelerated learning for the PSLE and not meant to compare the gifted from the mainstreamers. Is it vigorous - yes because it is meant to challenge .. more advanced ? - perhaps depending on the context. Being gifted is a blessing and not a ticket to success. Above all, gifted kids needs to be nurtured, and as John Hays Hammond says it “Character is the real foundation for all worthwhile success”.
GEP kids are given advantages such as access to a special DSA category (while it doesn't guarantee you a DSA spot, it certainly increases your chances compared to mainstream kids applying through the Academic route). Whether this is desirable or not, I will keep my opinions to myself.
Let's not forget the main objective of the GEP and that is to provide a type of education that allows the intellectually gifted to thrive. it is not about the marks or the grade (>80% or <80%) but all about differentiated learning.
In all fairness, the mainstreamers don't have it easy either - the current mainstream primary school syllabus is stifling and far from ideal. All the students should have an opportunity to experience an education system that is less rigid and one that encourage creativity.
As a parent whose child has experienced the GEP, I see its value. However, in preparation for PSLE, I understand that it is mundane and offer no challenge going through past year exam papers but I tell my son to look on the bright side of things - take PSLE as part of life that everyone student has to go through in Singapore and challenge himself to work towards achieving good results. Look forward to the few months after PSLE where he can explore his learning and quench his thirst to his hearts content. Peace to all
[/quote]
Well said. As a parent of a GEP boy, another challenge that I have learnt to manage is “failure”. It was a triple blow to my DS when he was rejected by the 3 schools that he had applied for DSA, while most of his classmate has gotten at least 1 to 3 DSA CO. I guess it was the parent has to be blame as we had set the expectation too high. My DS scored 76% for his SA1, silver for SMOPS and school team of a popular sport that has won several zone and national awards. The whole family nearly gone into depression. Luckily, DS able to pull himself up and done well enough in PSLE to go to his current IP school and is doing well now.
In summary, to me it is not easy to be a GEP student, it is more challenging to be GEP parents[/quote]
I totally agree . The stress and workload and subject difficulty they have cannot be compared with mainstream. -
isetan:
CO/WL/Rejection will be give earlier but the actual posting process is after PSLEHi,
Just to check will the results of DSA posting out before or after PSLE? -
Anyone can share the dsa question
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jtoh:
this is the answer they expected from the student and students did say this.
Africa is a continent comprising many countries. So there is no capital of Africa as such. Unless they asked for the capital of a specific African country. -
leeven:
many thanks.
CO/WL/Rejection will be give earlier but the actual posting process is after PSLEisetan:
Hi,
Just to check will the results of DSA posting out before or after PSLE? -
leeven:
I totally agree . The stress and workload and subject difficulty they have cannot be compared with mainstream.[/quote]let's not compare - it is not the right spirit to foster. I do not think this is what is meant in the previous 2 postings by GoodDad and pitterpatter. We have to remember that this forum is shared by GEP parents/students and those from the mainstream - let's not cause friction and add to the frustration.
Well said. As a parent of a GEP boy, another challenge that I have learnt to manage is “failure”. It was a triple blow to my DS when he was rejected by the 3 schools that he had applied for DSA, while most of his classmate has gotten at least 1 to 3 DSA CO. I guess it was the parent has to be blame as we had set the expectation too high. My DS scored 76% for his SA1, silver for SMOPS and school team of a popular sport that has won several zone and national awards. The whole family nearly gone into depression. Luckily, DS able to pull himself up and done well enough in PSLE to go to his current IP school and is doing well now.GoodDad:
[quote=\"pitterpatter\"]
I am a newbie but have been following this thread for quite some time. I have really enjoyed reading postings from some parents who share their frustration, joy, achievements, advice without reservation.
With the recent few postings, I felt that some of us have forgotten the very essence of GEP. It is a curriculum that is designed to stretch the minds on a wide range of topics. GEP is NOT about accelerated learning for the PSLE and not meant to compare the gifted from the mainstreamers. Is it vigorous - yes because it is meant to challenge .. more advanced ? - perhaps depending on the context. Being gifted is a blessing and not a ticket to success. Above all, gifted kids needs to be nurtured, and as John Hays Hammond says it “Character is the real foundation for all worthwhile success”.
GEP kids are given advantages such as access to a special DSA category (while it doesn't guarantee you a DSA spot, it certainly increases your chances compared to mainstream kids applying through the Academic route). Whether this is desirable or not, I will keep my opinions to myself.
Let's not forget the main objective of the GEP and that is to provide a type of education that allows the intellectually gifted to thrive. it is not about the marks or the grade (>80% or <80%) but all about differentiated learning.
In all fairness, the mainstreamers don't have it easy either - the current mainstream primary school syllabus is stifling and far from ideal. All the students should have an opportunity to experience an education system that is less rigid and one that encourage creativity.
As a parent whose child has experienced the GEP, I see its value. However, in preparation for PSLE, I understand that it is mundane and offer no challenge going through past year exam papers but I tell my son to look on the bright side of things - take PSLE as part of life that everyone student has to go through in Singapore and challenge himself to work towards achieving good results. Look forward to the few months after PSLE where he can explore his learning and quench his thirst to his hearts content. Peace to all
In summary, to me it is not easy to be a GEP student, it is more challenging to be GEP parents -
h530251:
[/quote][/quote][/quote]How come only RGS, NYGH and NUSH ? No other schools to DSA meh ?
True, not much of choice for GE girls in IP school until now. My DD is now in NUSH Y2. During her time, only 5 of them from RGPS GEP (including top RGPS girl in 2010 PSLE) in NUSH. Almost 70% cohort in RGS, 15% in NYGH and the rest in SOTA.[/quote]
Actually, if you got into NUSH, does it mean that you will definitely get into NUS later ?[/quote]
No it is not a straight through option. NUSH students will need to apply. Admission dependent on their result. I asked the principal during open house - majority of their students get into science. A handful to the professional program like medicine and law. -
Fun fun:
Fun fun,I have been following this thread on dsa in preparation for next year :roll: Boy, was I stressed out after reading all the posts. :yikes:
Sure is worried whether my ds will be able to make it to dsa :frustrated:
I started following this thread since last year too, when my DS was in P5. Don't feel so stress... This thread provides lots of info, definitely a good channel to keep you well informed. This will help you to prepare for your DS DSA too. Enjoy your reading.
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Is the nygh dsa interviewfor mainstreamer still ongoing? Anyone has any idea.
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GoodDad:
Well said. As a parent of a GEP boy, another challenge that I have learnt to manage is “failure”. It was a triple blow to my DS when he was rejected by the 3 schools that he had applied for DSA, while most of his classmate has gotten at least 1 to 3 DSA CO. I guess it was the parent has to be blame as we had set the expectation too high. My DS scored 76% for his SA1, silver for SMOPS and school team of a popular sport that has won several zone and national awards. The whole family nearly gone into depression. Luckily, DS able to pull himself up and done well enough in PSLE to go to his current IP school and is doing well now.
I am a newbie but have been following this thread for quite some time. I have really enjoyed reading postings from some parents who share their frustration, joy, achievements, advice without reservation.pitterpatter:
[quote=\"Kiasucy\"]
It is never an apple to apple comparison. Not forget the GE subjects are rigorous and more advance level. English is pitched at Sec level, which is unfair to them if you want to compare with mainstreamers. To achieve Eng 70+ is consider not bad and GEP students have to work very hard to achieve above 80% then again there are students at 80% in the past merely got WL for the DSA to RI, or rejected by HCI. They take the same DSA entry test to NUSH, NJC, and many others. No special advantage! There exists GE students who do not have any DSA offer at all in the past. To achieve 80% and above in GE subjects are tough. If GEP students have could achieve above 80%, they are more likely to do well in PSLE.
Mainstreamers are given sufficient foundation building and well prepared for PSLE and if they work hard also, likewise they can also get into the top school.
With the recent few postings, I felt that some of us have forgotten the very essence of GEP. It is a curriculum that is designed to stretch the minds on a wide range of topics. GEP is NOT about accelerated learning for the PSLE and not meant to compare the gifted from the mainstreamers. Is it vigorous - yes because it is meant to challenge .. more advanced ? - perhaps depending on the context. Being gifted is a blessing and not a ticket to success. Above all, gifted kids needs to be nurtured, and as John Hays Hammond says it “Character is the real foundation for all worthwhile success”.
GEP kids are given advantages such as access to a special DSA category (while it doesn't guarantee you a DSA spot, it certainly increases your chances compared to mainstream kids applying through the Academic route). Whether this is desirable or not, I will keep my opinions to myself.
Let's not forget the main objective of the GEP and that is to provide a type of education that allows the intellectually gifted to thrive. it is not about the marks or the grade (>80% or <80%) but all about differentiated learning.
In all fairness, the mainstreamers don't have it easy either - the current mainstream primary school syllabus is stifling and far from ideal. All the students should have an opportunity to experience an education system that is less rigid and one that encourage creativity.
As a parent whose child has experienced the GEP, I see its value. However, in preparation for PSLE, I understand that it is mundane and offer no challenge going through past year exam papers but I tell my son to look on the bright side of things - take PSLE as part of life that everyone student has to go through in Singapore and challenge himself to work towards achieving good results. Look forward to the few months after PSLE where he can explore his learning and quench his thirst to his hearts content. Peace to all
In summary, to me it is not easy to be a GEP student, it is more challenging to be GEP parents[/quote]GoodDad, Like you, as a parent of a gifted child, I am constantly challenged. Being the parent of a gifted child is a tough job, because these children are \"different\" - they are wired differently and they think with much depth and breath. This is not to say that they are better or worse than any other child, but rather that they present unique challenges as well as opportunities for themselves and to us as parents.
In our home, we like to engage our son in daily discussions. This can be over simple matters like how did your day go, daily events unfolding around us and around the world.. We want him to grow up to be a well rounded individual - to recognise humility and practice empathy. However, I liken our discussions with him a \"dokusan\" which means a verbal combat between a Zen Master and his student. The one problem I have is distinguishing who from who.
GoodDad - thanks for being frank and for sharing your experience. I am happy to know that your son is accepted into an IP program and is doing well.
If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in
- Rachel Carson
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