GEP 2012 - Screening & Selection

[jtoh]

shine:

Hey Nebbermind, thanks for prompt reply!


Oh, just to add, my girl is a disciplined and independent worker. She breezes through her school work with no tuition and minimum guidance from me.

Reading through some of the GEP threads scares me as it seems parental support is heavily needed and I’m not prepared to do that, neither do I believe in tuition. The hotly debated beliefs about GEP classes having so called small class size, better resources/teachers etc do not bother me at all. We always have the internet and library to fall back on if she wants/needs to be enriched in her quest for knowledge.

I know GEP classes venture into a lot more “outside” stuff, but I do not wish my girl to study just for the sake of having to full-fill assignments requirements and stress over deadline/marks or even spending the bulk of her time researching on topics that may not necessarily interest her. I want her to fully enjoy her learning process and have lots of spare time to play and do things she likes.

She’s in a normal neighbourhood school, is well-liked by her teachers and popular among her peers. So, I’m really not sure and am more concerned about how would the change of school impact her, as she is a rather sensitive child.

Much appreciate any thoughts re my concern abv. Thanks.

Hi shine,

I would say that parental support is needed more in terms of emotional support - to help the kid settle into a new school, new friends, new environment; to help her cope with the demands of a more challenging syllabus. There is no need to help her academically, in terms of homework or projects etc. You can guide her along like showing her how to use the internet for research etc, but really, there's no need to be hands on. Your dd sounds independent so she should be able to manage. Just be there for her emotionally.

The kids are exposed to a broader and deeper range of material and I believe they do find it very interesting. As for the stress over deadlines and marks, that is self-imposed to some extent. Deadlines are made known way in advance. But as the concept of projects is a little alien to 10 year olds, some only start working on them at the last minute, burning the midnight oil and stressing themselves out. This is where parents can help to guide the child. Marks - Is it very important to you to be at the top of the cohort? If not, and you're happy to do your best and enjoy the process, there shouldn't be much stress over marks.

The most important thing here is your dd happy to go to GEP if she is accepted? Having the correct attitude is half the battle won. If you and your dd are having doubts, then think it over carefully.

[Nebbermind]

shine:

Hey Nebbermind, thanks for prompt reply!


Oh, just to add, my girl is a disciplined and independent worker. She breezes through her school work with no tuition and minimum guidance from me.

Reading through some of the GEP threads scares me as it seems parental support is heavily needed and I’m not prepared to do that, neither do I believe in tuition. The hotly debated beliefs about GEP classes having so called small class size, better resources/teachers etc do not bother me at all. We always have the internet and library to fall back on if she wants/needs to be enriched in her quest for knowledge.

I know GEP classes venture into a lot more “outside” stuff, but I do not wish my girl to study just for the sake of having to full-fill assignments requirements and stress over deadline/marks or even spending the bulk of her time researching on topics that may not necessarily interest her. I want her to fully enjoy her learning process and have lots of spare time to play and do things she likes.

She’s in a normal neighbourhood school, is well-liked by her teachers and popular among her peers. So, I’m really not sure and am more concerned about how would the change of school impact her, as she is a rather sensitive child.

Much appreciate any thoughts re my concern abv. Thanks.

Coincidentally, I was told that the GEP curriculum is rather scaled down as compared to, say, those grad 2 yrs ago. This is according to those who have siblings in the program too. So perhaps it's better to check on the newer posts, esp those who started GEP this yr.

As for parental involvement, it's more for guiding them (for projects etc). Like I said before, many boys are at least a yr or so behind the girls in maturity so some tend to fool around and not take things too seriously. And for thsoe who are yr-end kids, they are effectively only P3(!!) when they start GEP, so take another yr off in terms of maturity. But if your kid is independent, then not much to worry about.

The other parental support is the emotional part. Many will be transferred to GEP schools...so new environment, new friends, new routine etc. Those outgoing ones cope better. Also, personally, I think the newer GEP teachers will end up taking the P4s. Some of them are not tuned in to that kind of challenges yet so may not be as good or as patient. And if they donch like you, they can donch like you for one whole yr!! For our case, the teachers got better with each yr...P6 was the best...my boy really enjoyed!!!

Anyway, the kids will have spare time lah...GEP is not mugger paradise!! I dare say those kids (GEP or mainstream) who donch have spare time are those who have to attend all sorts of enrichment, academic or others.

[Nebbermind]

Just to add on.


There are some kids who just love to learn new things…but not sit-down exam type. They can get multiple CO for DSA despite not doing particularly well in SA coz they brains contain plenty that is beyond the classroom.

This is where the problem comes in. Some feel that they could do better remaining in mainstream. Close one eye also get Band 1…work abit harder and get A*.

In GEP, you cannot close one eye…maybe OK for Common Tests but not so for SA. You must at least work abit harder coz getting 80+ is not as easy. So you have to really support and reassure your kid if she is easily affected by the less than stellar grades in GEP.

[FireflyMom]

Nebbermind:

And for thsoe who are yr-end kids, they are effectively only P3(!!) when they start GEP, so take another yr off in terms of maturity. But if your kid is independent, then not much to worry

My girl is a year-end-end kid and I'd be really worried if she managed to get in. Anyway, I know it's premature to ask this but I thought better ask first before the results are out when everyone else will be asking which-school-to-transfer-to questions

I know in the GEP programme, you have to do lots of projects. My girl had only done 3 projects this year and it was a lot of grief. Reason being that, no matter which group you're assigned to, there will be children who are free riders. They either said they had no time to do it or their parents could not care less and so they didn't care too. In the end, my girl and the rest (sometimes only with one other classmate) would always have to finish up the projects. Once, 2 other kids told the rest in the group they had to study for the upcoming test and hence had no time for the project. I told my girl to reflect the situation to the teachers but my girl said it was useless because the teachers would not care. The teachers would probably say you whine too much and have no teamwork spirit. Is this true? Or is there a different situation in the GEP? Some say you might want to split up the work so that everyone can be held accountable. But if that someone really refuses to do it, wouldn't that make your project incomplete and the teacher might even fail it?! :stupid: :frustrated:

Please advise.. Thank you in advance.

[Nebbermind]

For yr end kids…I guess they will somehow manage…with a little bit more help from us!


My personal take of GEP is that it is not about the outcome, the results…it’s about the process. So for those who free-ride/freeload…they are just missing out…who eventually gets to experience the enriching process? And you bring it along to the next phase.

[NotKiasu]

Nebbermind:

For yr end kids...I guess they will somehow manage...with a little bit more help from us!


My personal take of GEP is that it is not about the outcome, the results....it's about the process. So for those who free-ride/freeload...they are just missing out...who eventually gets to experience the enriching process? And you bring it along to the next phase.

Nebbermind, well said! Go GEP route is not about getting better PSLE result, seldom do I see Geppers in the top list. It is about their \"special\" needs and exposure provided.
My DS face the same problem with project as well. Think in GEP with more projects, they will find a solution for themselves. :evil:

[jtoh]

NotKiasu:

Nebbermind, well said! Go GEP route is not about getting better PSLE result, seldom do I see Geppers in the top list. It is about their \"special\" needs and exposure provided.
My DS face the same problem with project as well. Think in GEP with more projects, they will find a solution for themselves. :evil:

Which top list are you referring to?

[shine]

FireflyMom:

I know in the GEP programme, you have to do lots of projects. My girl had only done 3 projects this year and it was a lot of grief. Reason being that, no matter which group you're assigned to, there will be children who are free riders. They either said they had no time to do it or their parents could not care less and so they didn't care too. In the end, my girl and the rest (sometimes only with one other classmate) would always have to finish up the projects. Once, 2 other kids told the rest in the group they had to study for the upcoming test and hence had no time for the project. I told my girl to reflect the situation to the teachers but my girl said it was useless because the teachers would not care. The teachers would probably say you whine too much and have no teamwork spirit. Is this true? Or is there a different situation in the GEP? Some say you might want to split up the work so that everyone can be held accountable. But if that someone really refuses to do it, wouldn't that make your project incomplete and the teacher might even fail it?! :stupid: :frustrated:

Oh yes! Same experience. In the end, she and another friend (girl) completed the remaining last part of the project. The boys… heck care… all go play liao! :faint:

[shine]

:thankyou: jtoh and Nebbermind for all your detailed responses. Really appreciate it.

Nebbermind:

Anyway, the kids will have spare time lah...GEP is not mugger paradise!! I dare say those kids (GEP or mainstream) who donch have spare time are those who have to attend all sorts of enrichment, academic or others.

:rotflmao: this is so funny.

[shine]

Nebbermind:

This is where the problem comes in. Some feel that they could do better remaining in mainstream. Close one eye also get Band 1...work abit harder and get A*.

Love this bit. No stress!! (For me and my girl ). I can continue to enjoy my life.

Nebbermind:

In GEP, you cannot close one eye...maybe OK for Common Tests but not so for SA. You must at least work abit harder coz getting 80+ is not as easy. So you have to really support and reassure your kid if she is easily affected by the less than stellar grades in GEP.

Yah, I'm worried about this part. She is quite sensitive by nature. She’ll be VERY happy and excited when she scored full marks in assessments. I sometimes have to tell her never mind lah, minus half mark/one mark only. Next time don’t make the same mistake again lor! If really go GEP, then STRESS for both of us! :slapshead: