National Junior College (Junior High)

[psle_stressed_mum]

33mama,

NJC is only IP

[moonee]

33mama:

Do you know what is the intake for NJC for IP per year now? Do they take in non-IP too?

200 including DSA

[Dnls_mum]

psle_stressed_mum:

Can anyone advise me whether any of your sons are in NJ? I noticed that there is a high ratio of girls to boys. How are your sons coping in such an environment?

I am in a dilemma about which school to choose. Although I have read here that NJC has a very good environment, and I want my child to have a fun childhood, I am also worried that he may not be well prepared for his A levels. After all, HCI has an established track record in both the secondary school and JC level, but NJC has not even had their first batch of 6 year students sitting for A levels.
In addition, while I like the boarding school concept in NJC as it teaches the kids to be independent, I am actually very worried about my son's addiction to computer. I have heard stories that some kids continue with their own activities even after lights out! Aren't there some controls around these kids?
As for HCI, I have personally heard from 2 concerned parents with kids there about a particular Chinese teacher who gave their kids a hard time as they were not good in Chinese. I had thought that being in a chinese environment would be good for his inadequate Chinese.
Hope to get some views from parents with kids in these schools.

I cannot really understand your concern. Why do you think being in NJ could mean not a fun childhood? Why would NJ be different from any other school? My son is having lots of fun activities in NJ and these are well thought out and planned by the school. Let me share my experience.

My son is in JH1. He is one of 5 boys in his class of 24. He is very happy and is doing very well in school. Being in an environment with less boys, he not only mixes with boys in his class but also boys in the entire level.

He does not have data plan for his iPhone (we intentionally made it so even though the phone would have been cheaper if we paid just $5 more per month for the data). Thus he can only access Internet when there is wifi. He can't do that in his room at boarding school. No wifi there. He brings a laptop to boarding but it is not loaded with games ( we reformatted the old laptop for him), and so with no Internet access, the computer is only used for work. If one gives their kids data plan and computer loaded with games, one will only have oneself to blame if he plays non stop.

Why would being in NJ in particular mean he won't be prepared for A levels? NJ has been a JC for many years. While it started the 6 yr IP not long back, it has had the 4 yr IP for some time. In terms of playing too much, it happens everywhere. It truly depends on your child.

What activities are being carried out after lights out? Hanky panky :yikes: ? My DS says that lots of his friends are mugging till 1-2am during the exam period, ie after lights out. He goes to bed by 11pm each night. After lights out, he is usually listening to music before he sleeps. So unless he is bluffing.... :xedfingers: , sounds ok to me. Hmmm, am I too naive? Well we have a gd relationship and I trust him. :). Maybe things will change as they get older? I'll wait and see :xedfingers:

But if you think HCI can better prepare your kid, then send your kid there. It is definitely a very good school. Bad teachers? There are some everywhere. But there are good teachers too. Such is life.

[Jennifer]

psle_stressed_mum:

Can anyone advise me whether any of your sons are in NJ? I noticed that there is a high ratio of girls to boys. How are your sons coping in such an environment?

I am in a dilemma about which school to choose. Although I have read here that NJC has a very good environment, and I want my child to have a fun childhood, I am also worried that he may not be well prepared for his A levels. After all, HCI has an established track record in both the secondary school and JC level, but NJC has not even had their first batch of 6 year students sitting for A levels.
In addition, while I like the boarding school concept in NJC as it teaches the kids to be independent, I am actually very worried about my son's addiction to computer. I have heard stories that some kids continue with their own activities even after lights out! Aren't there some controls around these kids?
As for HCI, I have personally heard from 2 concerned parents with kids there about a particular Chinese teacher who gave their kids a hard time as they were not good in Chinese. I had thought that being in a chinese environment would be good for his inadequate Chinese.
Hope to get some views from parents with kids in these schools.

My boy is JH3 this year.

NJC has been preparing her students for A levels donkey years ago. Just bcos The Straits Times does not do free publicity for NJC A levels results does not mean NJC curriculum is not comparable to other JCs.

Personally I do not like RI or HC, simply becos of the bad reputation some Alumni have been giving the institutions. Something in the system must be wrong to be producing such infamous persons. Academic results vs holistic character development- which one you think is more important?

The misconception of HC being a good environment to immerse the child in Chinese language is very wrong. I live along Bt Timah Rd and take public buses. Everytime I see HC students on the public bus, they are speaking in English only. I have also heard HC students complaining about the Chinese teachings.

NJC boarding programme is not for the whole year for each of the 6 years IP. Almost everyday, there are compulsory study sessions after dinner.

I understand from my boy that some children stay up after the 11pm lights out. Why? Some play, some catch up on sch work.

As for computer addiction, there are many measures we can take to resolve the issue. Nothing much to worry about.

[33mama]

Thanks, psle_stressed_mum & moonee!


do you know also the % allocated for dsa?

[moonee]

33mama:

Thanks, psle_stressed_mum & moonee!


do you know also the % allocated for dsa?

40 percent for dsa, 60 percent for psle posting (dnt know whether foreign students included) but thats an estimation cos those offered dsa hv not confirmed acceptance till end of october so final number unknown.

[Dnls_mum]

moonee:

33mama:

Thanks, psle_stressed_mum & moonee!


do you know also the % allocated for dsa?

40 percent for dsa, 60 percent for psle posting (dnt know whether foreign students included) but thats an estimation cos those offered dsa hv not confirmed acceptance till end of october so final number unknown.

Are they taking in so many thru DSA this yr? I recall from discussions of KSP forum last year that they gave out about 40 COs only. That is only about 20% of the total 200 intake.

[psle_stressed_mum]

:thankyou: Jennifer and Dnls_mum

[moonee]

do you know also the % allocated for dsa?[/quote]


40 percent for dsa, 60 percent for psle posting (dnt know whether foreign students included) but thats an estimation cos those offered dsa hv not confirmed acceptance till end of october so final number unknown.[/quote]

Are they taking in so many thru DSA this yr? I recall from discussions of KSP forum last year that they gave out about 40 COs only. That is only about 20% of the total 200 intake.[/quote]

checked with my dd, she heard 30 COs offered this yr dsa so base on her estimation,could be 50 foreign students, So total 80

[Nebbermind]

juz curious, any diff in the uniform of the jr yrs vs the snr yrs in NJC?