Cedar Girls Secondary School

[EllyInTheSkies]

-post removed-

[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.

[Snow Crystal]

zeemimi:

EllyInTheSkies


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.

Great post! :goodpost:
I guess in Cedar IP as the girls study alongside Express stream, they can feel the difference between the programs. Whereas in IPs with no Express course, they will assimilate into the rigorous program with no comparison and assume it is a normal way of life, thus have to adjust to it somehow and quickly.

You are right- IP is more for brighter lot and assumes they are fast learners with high adaptability. However the dynamics of PSLE preparation have changed whereby many kids are tutored or hand held to success. Thus the huge jump when entering IP. Those independent learners from young however adapt very well and thrive in IP.

[tinkfirst]

Thank you very much EllyInTheSkies, for your valuable informations of the VCA programme and the Yr 1 feedbacks to the school. I believe the relevant authorities will seriously look into the matter and improve on their flaws. After the open house this yr, my DD is striving very hard for this PSLE & look fwd to her Dream school… Cedar. All the best to your coming exams. Cheers:-)

[isabellalalok-unibellama]

:imanisland:

[NY1969]

Are u in secondary 3 now or belong to the IP program?