School Of The Arts, Singapore
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dasalo:
My dd seems rather nonchalant as I think she's not that confident of making it to the express stream. But I believe she'll be happy to get into sota. I'm the one who's excited for her
They will feel like they are in wonderland, so much so it worries the parents. Y1 parents say something, would like to know how your DC feels going to SOTA.
She gave me the form on Monday evening and I logged in (on my own) within the hour. No second thoughts about it. She did ask me yesterday if I printed the verification slip. 
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melteo:
How does yr dd feel about going to sota? If she's excited and has the passion for va, just go for it! Since she has been selected, she definitely has the potential to excel. She'll have lots of opportunities to grow in her art form. They are all talented I'm sure no one will be despised. She'll be able to showcase her high quality work in a few years time if she's in sota! :rahrah:Hi to all parents,
URGENT!!!
Now that it is time to confirm DSA to SOTA with only a few days left, we are actually not so sure to accept or not. My girl is given CO for VA but after the tour at SOTA, we realised that the art standard is very high and so are the expectations. My girl just likes to doodle, sketch for fun NOT into the realistic life drawings that we saw in SOTA. She may not be able to produce such high quality work. Because of that, will she be treated harshly
/ despised by the art teacher and fellow classmates? Academic wise, I am not so worried. -
melteo:
Dont worry, my Dd who has a CO from SOTA also just like to doodle and her favorite is pokemons. SOTA has a stringent selection process, your Dd has CO means they have found your Dd capable.Hi to all parents,
URGENT!!!
Now that it is time to confirm DSA to SOTA with only a few days left, we are actually not so sure to accept or not. My girl is given CO for VA but after the tour at SOTA, we realised that the art standard is very high and so are the expectations. My girl just likes to doodle, sketch for fun NOT into the realistic life drawings that we saw in SOTA. She may not be able to produce such high quality work. Because of that, will she be treated harshly
/ despised by the art teacher and fellow classmates? Academic wise, I am not so worried.
I read from this forum that all the students are very happy but if she is at the bottom of her art class, I worry she may actually be sad and despised.
Also, are there many assignments and presentation work? Is it comparable to other secondary schools? She is practising her grade 5 piano. Once she enters SOTA, will she have time for her personal piano practices? I am sorry for so many questions...I really just want my daughter to have a happy school life.
A big thank you!!! -
blitz:
Glad to know that's your 'only' grouse haha. Perhaps they were exceptionally busy when you called? The education experience for 'potential' students was held last Friday. With osl etc it must have been a hectic period. pssst.. one of the speakers during the parents info talk also reads this forum :censored: perhaps she'll investigate your grouse hahaYeah, the new principal.....
I hope she is nice and approachable and most importantly, not create rules that will take away the creativity spirit of the kids in school. As it is now, their shoes are fantastic. Some draw on their own shoes.
:xedfingers:
My only grouse now is the admin staff picking up the phone. They almost never do for the first 2 tries!!
:rant:
About the new principal, someone replied that she's an approachable person. That's good to know. But I'm still sad that Mrs Chew is leaving sota. From what I've read about her and my impression of her, I believe she's an excellent leader. -
melteo:
Is it you or your dd is worried? If its you, than pls cast that worry of yours aside. Importantly, your dd must know what she is in for and that burning passion in her furthering of knowledge in arts must not 'die'.Hi to all parents,
URGENT!!!
Now that it is time to confirm DSA to SOTA with only a few days left, we are actually not so sure to accept or not. My girl is given CO for VA but after the tour at SOTA, we realised that the art standard is very high and so are the expectations. My girl just likes to doodle, sketch for fun NOT into the realistic life drawings that we saw in SOTA. She may not be able to produce such high quality work. Because of that, will she be treated harshly
/ despised by the art teacher and fellow classmates? Academic wise, I am not so worried.
I read from this forum that all the students are very happy but if she is at the bottom of her art class, I worry she may actually be sad and despised.
Also, are there many assignments and presentation work? Is it comparable to other secondary schools? She is practising her grade 5 piano. Once she enters SOTA, will she have time for her personal piano practices? I am sorry for so many questions...I really just want my daughter to have a happy school life.
A big thank you!!!
Yes, SOTA VA's art standard is pretty high. Quality work comes with practise, knowledge and guidance over time. You will not be harshly critised/despised by anyone except for teacher's advise which may sound harsh sometimes but the right attitude towards it is the key to progess. Go take a look at some of the artworks featured by the graduating student at the SOTA gallery on the ground level, is on now till.....sorry, I don't know the ending date. Admission is free.
Academic is the hardest IMO, if you can conquer that, half the battle is won. VA is one faculty which is the hardest to get in as there are many applicants and is the most relax faculty IMO. No worries to your dd taking G5 piano, she'll have alot of time in Y1 (My dd1 took her G8 in her PSLE year). There will be alot of presentations and assignments, but I don't know if they are comparable to mainstream schools. Time management is key in SOTA. I'm sure your dd will learn how to allocate time for her personal music practise in the weekday and go full on weekends with your guidance of course.
Just to encourage you further, my dd2 was actually a wait list applicant. She went for her TA with just mediocre artwork like craftworks, pokemon drawings, artworks she did during her P5 and 6 yrs. Some of her peers brought life size canvas drawings, computer graphics work etc..... she was not intimidated at all. I believe in her and know her potential, and you know what? She went from a WL student to a AGP (artistically gifted Programme) student in the next 2 yrs after proper guidance from the SOTA teachers.
Remember, at the end of the day it is your dd's choice and how much passion she has for her art form. Have I allay your fears? :xedfingers:
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PROUDY MUM:
Hi!Dear All
My DD is thinking of selecting SOTA Dance Faculty instead of her other 2 CO from PRESTIGIOUS main stream school ,
will the Y1 students face difficulties with the changes after 6 yrs in the main stream school and habits ?
My son finishing his Yr 1 soon.. it was really a great experience for him and we parents as well.. Just attended their Year 1 Open Classroom yesterday, and u can see they are so happy together, and not shy of public speaking/ presenting their works.
Most kids should not have problem adjusting to the IB system, as the school will guide them along. I think your may concern now is which to choose = an Arts-specialized school, or the PRESTIGIOUS mainstream school (IP). I would say both education system is good, only you and your DD needs to re-affirm if Arts (Dance) is what she likes. Beside this speciallized Arts program, you have to know the difference between the IB and IP (A level) programs differences. I (as parent) has chosen for my son SOTA as I think the IB programs will benefit my son better (as the school always say that the journey/process of IB is more important then the end result/product). My son was not \"clear\" on the IB and IP programs, he is only very sure that he likes his Arts (music) a lot. Therefore he has chosen SOTA himself.
So my advice now is sit back and discuss with your daughter again. Is dance really her passion (hopefully not parents want them to do)? Although we know that SOTA students that finish the IB program can still apply to local Uni, etc (normal courses), but we have to be prepared that mostly their path (and future jobs) will be related to their Arts programs (this is still the main objective of SOTA, to train students in their Arts form). So as a parents, are you able to accept this (I can see your concern when you mentioned PRESTIGIOUS above, hehe...)? We have to be realistic (or shall I say Kiasu), do you want your child to be a Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, etc. OR do you allow her to pursue her passion in the Arts form (eg. become a Professional Dancer)? Of course she may still become a Doctor, Lawyer, etc (as IB program is more recognized in the world now), but imho the likelihood is very low if she choose SOTA. So as a KIASU parents, are you prepared? (No hard feeling, am joking..). We always want the best for our children. I thinks kids nowadays has a better life, they have the options to do/learn what they like, not like us last time where we are \"force\" to study hard for a degree by our parents, in order to have a good higher paid jobs.
Back to my experience as 1st year student's parent/what I have observed on my son learning experience :-
(1) My son is more independent now. I have always guide him to be independent since Pri 4 (eg. going out/taking bus/MRT by himself, etc). He can now plan by himself on his daily routines. SOTA school's hours is really packed (8am to 5pm), except Wedn (starts late at 9am) and Fri (finish earlier at ~2.3opm). As we are staying at Pasir Ris, he has to leave home latest 7am, and he will back usually ~6.30pm. So almost 12 hours daily... same as adults working hours! So your child really needs to be self-independent/ self-discipline..
(2) Projects/ Learning : I just have to ensure that he finishes his school projects/homeworks. The normal learning in class, and homeworks is sufficient to keep him busy or well-learned. He did not have to study at all (read textbooks/theories) during the normal days, only some \"last minute\" revision before the exams (this I have to \"force\" him). So everyday is a learning journey for him, exams results is not important to me. I only expected him to pass his level, to score with disctintions is a bonus.
(3) Arts (Music) : Of course he has improved a lot on his piano, with all the speciallized musics subjects in SOTA. This kind of exposures you would not get it in mainstream schools (or shall I said lesser maybe). You can see also from the teachers (with many different backgrounds) which can teach/give them many different exposures.
Overall he is happy when he is in school = happy at home.
Hope it helps with some shared experience here. Not very good in writing, will share whenever I can.
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kaka:
Agreed, you shouldnt be worry now since your DD has been accepted by SOTA (you should only worry if she is not selected
Dont worry, my Dd who has a CO from SOTA also just like to doodle and her favorite is pokemons. SOTA has a stringent selection process, your Dd has CO means they have found your Dd capable.melteo:
Hi to all parents,
URGENT!!!
Now that it is time to confirm DSA to SOTA with only a few days left, we are actually not so sure to accept or not. My girl is given CO for VA but after the tour at SOTA, we realised that the art standard is very high and so are the expectations. My girl just likes to doodle, sketch for fun NOT into the realistic life drawings that we saw in SOTA. She may not be able to produce such high quality work. Because of that, will she be treated harshly
/ despised by the art teacher and fellow classmates? Academic wise, I am not so worried.
I read from this forum that all the students are very happy but if she is at the bottom of her art class, I worry she may actually be sad and despised.
Also, are there many assignments and presentation work? Is it comparable to other secondary schools? She is practising her grade 5 piano. Once she enters SOTA, will she have time for her personal piano practices? I am sorry for so many questions...I really just want my daughter to have a happy school life.
A big thank you!!! ) I am sure the teachers will guide her along in her Arts (VA), and she will definitely performs in her own way/style. As you know, Arts /VA is very \"subjective\", I am not sure on how you can determine those \"high quality\" works that you have seen at SOTA VA showroom. I think every arts pieces is unique, there is no 'High\" or \"Low\" quality works. As long as your DD put on efforts to express herself, she will be fine.
As for her music learning, she can still continue as usual. Do take note that the school time is quite pack in SOTA (almost daily 8am to 5pm), therefore she might be too tired to continue after class hours.
As you can see, most of the students there are very happy in school. Therefore welcoming your DD to SOTA, and has an enjoyable time in SOTA. -
PROUDY MUM:
Just happened to see this and hope it's not too late.Dear All
My DD is thinking of selecting SOTA Dance Faculty instead of her other 2 CO from PRESTIGIOUS main stream school ,
will the Y1 students face difficulties with the changes after 6 yrs in the main stream school and habits ?
My daughter in VA Yr2. 1st year is honeymoon year. 2nd year starting to get tough academically. One of her schoolmate (also yr2) was from GEP. She selected SOTA (Dance) and rejected CO from 2 or 3? prestigious IP schools. My daughter’s primary school top scorer also chose SOTA (VA) instead of RGS. What I can see from these 2 years is that the students are all a happy bunch, despite the long hours. Maybe because they are doing what they are passionate in.
My little advice to those whose children are not so academically inclined is to please ensure your children brush up their English. Analysis, Research and Communication (ARC) subject requires good English and critical thinking skills. Hmm...think along the lines of GP essays. Students have to pass ARC as it's one of the criteria for promotion.
There’s also Art Theory. Although this is not a major component in the overall VA subject in the 2nd yr, it requires the same critical analysis and detailed observation skills to do well.
Literature is another tough one, and is compulsory for IB. Maths/Science/IHSS (Integrated Humanities) is similar to any other mainstream or IP schools.
Oh yes! I’ve encountered a number of children (both boys and girls) in top IP schools, either friends' children or acquaintances, and realised that SOME teachers do not really teach or they give you notes and expect you to self-study. In fact, many go for tuition to fill in the gap. So…if your child is a self-starter and an independent learner, then go for IP schools. If they have a burning passion in certain art form, I’ll say go for SOTA. -
Just want to elaborate a bit more on Analysis, Research and Communication (ARC) that I’ve mentioned in my post above, as I was a little confused when my daughter started SOTA. There isn’t an English subject per se where you’ll be tested on grammar, vocabulary, summary writing, comprehension etc like in any other secondary schools.
You’re supposed to have acquired essential English skills prior to SOTA, competent enough to be able to write GP style essays. This is similar to JC, which instead of formal English lessons, it’s GP and you’re assumed to have sufficient skills (already trained via “O” level English) to write and present arguments coherently with good English. -
sunflower:
:goodpost:Just want to elaborate a bit more on Analysis, Research and Communication (ARC) that I've mentioned in my post above, as I was a little confused when my daughter started SOTA. There isn’t an English subject per se where you’ll be tested on grammar, vocabulary, summary writing, comprehension etc like in any other secondary schools.
You’re supposed to have acquired essential English skills prior to SOTA, competent enough to be able to write GP style essays. This is similar to JC, which instead of formal English lessons, it’s GP and you’re assumed to have sufficient skills (already trained via “O” level English) to write and present arguments coherently with good English.
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