Cedar Girls Secondary School

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Hi Magical2Power,

Glad that finally someone care to respond. Maybe u can share more abt the programmes that u r currently doing. Teachers : students ratio. Stressful or not in terms of studies. Thanks for sharing…

[Magical2Power]

isetan:

Magical2Power:

[quote=\"tinkfirst\"]Hi, any students/ parents wish to share more about the VCA programme? TIA

Hi. I am a student of the IP programme. In what areas do you want to know more about the VCA programme?

Is it compulsory to join in the A Star Programme or SUTD programme during the course of study?[/quote]So far I have known, the answer is no. I have not heard of any programmes like this which are compulsory.

[Magical2Power]

tinkfirst:

Hi Magical2Power,

Glad that finally someone care to respond. Maybe u can share more abt the programmes that u r currently doing. Teachers : students ratio. Stressful or not in terms of studies. Thanks for sharing..

I'm not so sure of what you want to know exactly but I try my best to explain as much as I can.
So basically, there are 3 IP classes and each class has 27 students except for one class which is 26. Hence, for each lesson, a teacher would come into the class and teach. I guess that's the ratio you want. For the Integrated Programme, we have electives. Each student must choose to take at least 1 elective. One elective only last for one term so if you did not get chosen for a particular elective for a term, you can try again next term, as long as you manage to attend at least one elective. Those who have taken elective can choose to take elective again the next term if they are interested.
In the Integrated Programme, we have more group work (For example, graded assignments, performance task, in lessons etc.), which means more presentation. If you are worrying for that, don't worry! We will eventually develop our presentation skills as we get to present more. Also, we need to learn to work well with our group members. We also need to learn how to cope with independent learning by ourselves. (As we do not have much assessments books in bookstores as you might have realised, so we need to learn by ourselves) Of course, that does not mean that we cannot ask the teachers when in doubt.
I'm sorry but my exams are coming this Thursday. I need to revise so I cannot talk much more but basically that is the IP programme. I will try to come back later after my exams.

[tinkfirst]

Thank you very much Magical2Power for your valuable info. All the best to your coming Exams! Pls visit this thread and update us on IP when u r free. Cheers

[EllyInTheSkies]

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[isetan]

Dear EllyInTheSkies,


I applaud your courage and strong will during your 1st 9 months in Cedar.

Looking at what you have described, it was not really the picture that I understand during the open house held recently. Seems like not too easy to pull through. All the best to you and your classmates in your coming assignments.

[Snow Crystal]

EllyInTheSkies

Thank you for sharing. Hugs to a brave pioneer batch :hugs:
Your IP is new and it will take a few years to rightsize the program.
Have heard teething problems when other IPs start out couple of years ago too.

In terms of curriculum, the other IPs are no different from your IP - loads of assignments, projects and homework, teaching higher level stuff to Sec 1, teaching based on notes and no spoon feeding, working on tight deadlines resulting in lack of sleep etc. June and Sep holidays are somewhat spent on projects and homework etc. And most will tell you Sec 1 in IP is considered honeymoon year :faint:

However since you are already in Cedar IP, please press on. I really admire your batch's guts to bring up your review of the program to your school management. That is the correct way. They are probably also thinking of how to improve so your comments will definitely help them. The other IPs did the same. The first few batches gave feedback which improved them to current state. Imagine how the older IPs were like for the first batches! No other IPs to refer to then.

Teaching JC stuff to Sec 1 is really daunting especially with no textbook and just relying on notes. I guess the difference will be in the teachings. Some teachers are really effective, no matter how tough the lesson is while some may make you even more blur :scratchhead: . So do not afraid to seek the teachers' help outside lessons or discuss with friends. Also, you have noticed that your presentation skills and public speaking skills/confidence have improved. These are powerful future workplace tools! I guess by Sec 2, your time management skills will also improve. Change your mindset - other IPs are having similar program and toughness, spoon feeding will not bring you far in uni or life. I know it's a huge change from the structured learning in Pri Sch but you will be forced to become an independent, resourceful learner in years to come.Press on!

[isetan]

Snow Crystal:

EllyInTheSkies

Thank you for sharing. Hugs to a brave pioneer batch :hugs:
Your IP is new and it will take a few years to rightsize the program.
Have heard teething problems when other IPs start out couple of years ago too.

In terms of curriculum, the other IPs are no different from your IP - loads of assignments, projects and homework, teaching higher level stuff to Sec 1, teaching based on notes and no spoon feeding, working on tight deadlines resulting in lack of sleep etc. June and Sep holidays are somewhat spent on projects and homework etc. And most will tell you Sec 1 in IP is considered honeymoon year :faint:

However since you are already in Cedar IP, please press on. I really admire your batch's guts to bring up your review of the program to your school management. That is the correct way. They are probably also thinking of how to improve so your comments will definitely help them. The other IPs did the same. The first few batches gave feedback which improved them to current state. Imagine how the older IPs were like for the first batches! No other IPs to refer to then.

Teaching JC stuff to Sec 1 is really daunting especially with no textbook and just relying on notes. I guess the difference will be in the teachings. Some teachers are really effective, no matter how tough the lesson is while some may make you even more blur :scratchhead: . So do not afraid to seek the teachers' help outside lessons or discuss with friends. Also, you have noticed that your presentation skills and public speaking skills/confidence have improved. These are powerful future workplace tools! I guess by Sec 2, your time management skills will also improve. Change your mindset - other IPs are having similar program and toughness, spoon feeding will not bring you far in uni or life. I know it's a huge change from the structured learning in Pri Sch but you will be forced to become an independent, resourceful learner in years to come.Press on!

:goodpost:

[EllyInTheSkies]

Thank you Snow Crystal and isetan for the encouraging replies, we'll brave through the storms!

[zeemimi]

EllyInTheSkies


i have a DD in upp sec. What you have described earlier is what most of the Cedarians go through too … minus the indepth coverage of Biology, Financial course, Imagineering course. They too have high levels of stress, tight deadlines, insufficient sleep, mountains of assignments, CCA commitments, external commitments, expectations to meet, etc. Many reach home after the dark each day. They were learning upp sec stuff at Sec 1/2. My DD also had to travel all the way to VJC for electives after school. Holidays is a misnomer.

The IP program is reserved for the brighter lot of students who are deemed independent learners and capable of handling a higher level of everything, be it stress, amount of work, the depth of knowledge, etc. Students are expected to read up and do further research about what is being taught. Hence the rigours should not come as a surprise.

The IP program is a non-traditional route which exposes students to a greater amount of knowledge, beyond what the ‘O’ level student is required to know. Hence this would partly explain the additional weeks IP students are required to attend.

Take everything in good stride and count it a privilege to acquire more knowledge. Press on and enjoy yourself. Only when you can see the positive side of things can you enjoy your rigorous but fulfilling IP journey.