GEP 2012 - Screening & Selection

[Nebbermind]

Actually if u want to know about the programme, u go to the sticky topic above...many things said...n prolly repeated....

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=30

Or the newer one where mostly current P 4 parents shared their kids' journey
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=34856

[Fairyprincess]

Thank you Nebbermind…this weekend will be doing "homework" for me. I have also emailed DD form teacher to seek an appt with her on this…

[jtoh]

Fairyprincess:

Hi all,


For numbers- I am not entirely sure for NYPS- but in my gal's class alone- 8 kids got invited for GEP- 5 boys and 3 gals. She belongs to the \"high achiever\" type of class, and there are 4 such classes in NYPS- if each class has 8 kids that qualified, that will be 32 just from the 4 classes, not counting kids who got in from the remaining 7 \"regular\" classes.

I know NYPS takes in 100 kids for 4 GEP classes annually, but I also heard NYPS students only make up 1 class e.g. 25, so my numbers above do not really tie up.

I also heard the boy:gal ratio is 75%:25%

Anyways, if there are other parents who child is already in GEP- P4 to P6- pls kindly share your view on the following:
- how has your child cope in GEP so far?
- do parents have to do a lot of coaching and support (and tuition?)?
- what are the real benefit of GEP? Is it using GEP DSA to get into sec sch- if yes, what is the average cut-off marks the kids must maintain?

I am really undecided about my gal going for GEP. As it is, NYPS already pushes each child well towards good results, GEP is a huge additional pressure source in my opinion...sigh sigh....(my problem is my hubby thinks differently, he said since she qualified, she should be able to cope- that is so easy to say.....)

PLS HELP GIVE INPUTS!! Thank you all.

If you're considering GEP because of the perceived benefit of DSA via GEP, I say better put that at the bottom of your list bec policies can change anytime. Enter GEP because you want your child to have a different exposure to studies, to stretch his/her abilities. If scoring well in PSLE is your priority, then you're better off doing drills in mainstream bec GEP doesn't spend much time preparing a student for PSLE.

[Nebbermind]

Yes, shouldn’t be looking too far ahead coz u still need to work hard to be accepted for dsa or get into the top schools.

Gep is somewhat like a cross country run compared to running on the straight road. There will be moments of challenging terrain but the experience is more enriching vs monotonous running on the track.

[jtoh]

Nebbermind, I like your cross country analogy.

[polkadot]

Fairyprincess:

Hi all,


For numbers- I am not entirely sure for NYPS- but in my gal's class alone- 8 kids got invited for GEP- 5 boys and 3 gals. She belongs to the \"high achiever\" type of class, and there are 4 such classes in NYPS- if each class has 8 kids that qualified, that will be 32 just from the 4 classes, not counting kids who got in from the remaining 7 \"regular\" classes.

I know NYPS takes in 100 kids for 4 GEP classes annually, but I also heard NYPS students only make up 1 class e.g. 25, so my numbers above do not really tie up.

I also heard the boy:gal ratio is 75%:25%

Anyways, if there are other parents who child is already in GEP- P4 to P6- pls kindly share your view on the following:
- how has your child cope in GEP so far?
- do parents have to do a lot of coaching and support (and tuition?)?
- what are the real benefit of GEP? Is it using GEP DSA to get into sec sch- if yes, what is the average cut-off marks the kids must maintain?

I am really undecided about my gal going for GEP. As it is, NYPS already pushes each child well towards good results, GEP is a huge additional pressure source in my opinion...sigh sigh....(my problem is my hubby thinks differently, he said since she qualified, she should be able to cope- that is so easy to say.....)

PLS HELP GIVE INPUTS!! Thank you all.

Fairyprincess, like you and most of the parents, we were concerned when our boy was selected for GEP. After much thought we decided to give it a try. It turned out to be one of the best decision! Although he had to change school and missed his pre-P3 friends (that was the only reason why he refused to go into GEP at first), he thoroughly enjoyed GEP! It was stimulating and enriching and broaden his mind.

The concepts he learnt was of a deeper depth as compared to the main stream. They were required to do a lot of research online and involvement with peers for projects. He approached DH when he had problems with Maths and Science but most of the time he was able to resolve by doing more advanced reading and research via internet.

Throughout the 3 years he had zero tuition except came to Aug in P6 when he felt inadequate for higher Chinese (he was scoring around 80% for the subject), he asked to go for Chinese tuition. That was the only tuition he had to brush up his Chinese comprehension.

Being in GEP does not guarantee success in DSA. That is the misconception that people have. GEP students still go through PSLE. They only started to prepare for PSLE around May in P6, which is far behind as compared to the mainstream. I heard they start to gear up for PSLE even in P5! GEP students are not guarantee that they are top scorer in PSLE. So if you want you kid to perform well in PSLE, you may want to re-think about GEP.

We have the same thinking along the line as your husband. Since he could emerge on GEP list, there must be something that we don't know. LOL.

It';s an opportunity that not every child has. Have faith in your child. If things don't work out, can always return to mainstream. So far, to my knowledge, none of my DS 's friends drop out.

Hope that helps.

[2bb]

Lock,


My son is also in Rulang, he got selected round 2 as well. Really don’t know what to do now, I like Rulang, school is aggressive and push well to their pupils. But giving up this, is it a bit waste?

Hard to decide! Don’t like him to face daily pressure under high demanding GEP. His incoming pressure will be my problem! I am kind of reluctant to place him there.

[Lock]

2bb:

Lock,


My son is also in Rulang, he got selected round 2 as well. Really don't know what to do now, I like Rulang, school is aggressive and push well to their pupils. But giving up this, is it a bit waste?

Hard to decide! Don't like him to face daily pressure under high demanding GEP. His incoming pressure will be my problem! I am kind of reluctant to place him there.

There will be a briefing in school on Mon, 6.30pm. I highly suspect the Sch is going to counter offer the selected students to stay on in Rulang. Will see what is the Sch offering before making a decision.

[marcolisa]

Lock:

2bb:

Lock,


My son is also in Rulang, he got selected round 2 as well. Really don't know what to do now, I like Rulang, school is aggressive and push well to their pupils. But giving up this, is it a bit waste?

Hard to decide! Don't like him to face daily pressure under high demanding GEP. His incoming pressure will be my problem! I am kind of reluctant to place him there.

There will be a briefing in school on Mon, 6.30pm. I highly suspect the Sch is going to counter offer the selected students to stay on in Rulang. Will see what is the Sch offering before making a decision.

Hi Lock & 2bb,

I will go to the briefing tomorrow too. Will see what Rulang offer?! My son want to know who has gone into GEP. Can u PM me yr DS or DS name & class (Lock, I hv PM u my son name yesterday ) & we can meet & discuss tomorrow?

[ooioo]

Last year top PSLE girl is from Rulang right? Think she was also selected for GEP but stayed. Dun think she would be top if she went GEP as its not PSLE focus.