GEP - General Syllabus Discussion

[Mum101]

Hi Fairyprincess,


My answers to your questions:

- you mean there is an interview to get into sec sch via DSA? Does having a core CCA help? Just a member of a CCA, or must be a leader of some sort in the CCA?
>> Yes. All GEP pupils are required to attend DSA interview - no exemption. They are only exempted from GAT/HAST if they have aggregate score of 80% (excluding Social Studies) consistently from P4 all the way to P6 SA1. I heard RGS has group interview i.e. 4 or 5 girls in a group in front of 2 or 3 interviewers. So, they take turns to discuss and answer questions. For NYGH, there were 2 format. Those GEP girls who will get confirmed offers attend tea session with the Principal. These girls are all rounders i.e. above 80%, core CCA i.e. taking part in competitions, grade 5, 6 or 8 in 1 or 2 music instruments, student leaders and etc. The 2nd group will have to go for interview, that is, the girls are grouped into 5 to 6 from different GE schools. They were given a discussion topic or task (I heard one scenario was that the girls are supposed to build a country/city…they have to decide what role they want to take up and what are the things they will do to build the country/city, why and etc). It is a group work with the girls discussing their work and 2 NYGH teachers standing at the sidelines to watch. I know of some girls who scored 80% or above was rejected or on waitlist - but these girls get confirmed offer from RGS. But, there is also one girl who only applied NYGH but her result is 80% or slightly lower was offered Confirmed offer. So, it looks like NYGH is looking for all rounders and holistic children.

- your P6 boy has coped very well in GEP- what additional enrichment support does he go for?
>> He goes for Chinese enrichment cos he does not really like Chinese. He also goes for Math enrichment but it is something he does not need but wants because he could socialise with his friends. He is not the hardworking type. He hates homework so the criteria for him to go enrichment is that there must be no homework.

He is able to complete his project and homework assignments every week night plus weekends?
>> Usually they are given a period of time e.g. weeks to complete project. So, he uses weekends to do his project in parts. He can write well so writing essay is not a problem to him. I will help by proof reading and give him suggestions to enhance the content. As for homework, there is not much homework. They are given worksheets and it is usually 1 to 3 sheets. As he is strong in Math, he could usually complete within 30 mins or less.

How many days per week does he need to stay back in sch for project or cca or remedial?
>> Project: He has never stay back for project except P5 project (FPS) to prepare for competition and it was not more than 3 times. He used google plus document to discuss and update group report via online editing with his classmates - this was done only like not more than 5 times. Most of the group project is done in school.
CCA: 2 times a week. Once on weekday and once on Saturday.
Remedial: No remedial for him. He told me remedial can be quite alot for weaker students who did not meet baseline. Those scoring below 70 for each subject. So if you have 2 week subjects, you may need to stay for 2 days.

- how to prepare for PSLE within such short time frame from May of P6 till PSLE?
>> I think if the child can cope with GEP, doing PSLE is not a problem. After P6 SA1, there will be a lot of mock papers from past year papers as well as NYPS mock paper to do. They are really good and enough to prepare them.

Does NYPS teach GEP kids to be PSLE-savvy e.g. exam answering techniques etc
>> Yes, dont need to buy past year papers. NYPS teachers really prepare them.

- Does the GEP curriculum already teach PSLE syllabus, at a faster rate? Or is GEP curriculum totally different? then when do GEP kids learn the regular curriculum to score well at PSLE??
>> Yes, it covers PSLE syllabus and beyond. Especially for Math, GEP kids would not have problem to get A* for PSLE math. For GEP English, the format is more of Sec 1 or Sec 2 standard esp. comprehension - there are only Cloze Passage and Comprehension in GEP exams or test. So, you may want to let your child practice some mainstream paper to keep him/her in touch - don’t overdo cos they will get really bored…maybe just practice a few papers during holidays. For GEP Science, more in-depth which I find it’s beneficial for the child esp in Paper 2 or Section B - Free Response. As for GEP Chinese, it is above Higher Chinese. But NYPS GEP Chinese teachers are really well trained and experienced, they will guide our children…leave it to them…they will be most willing to give coaching during recess and after school if the child needs help.

[Fairyprincess]

Mum101:


Thanks for your detailed inputs. I really salute you…you are one COOL mum!!

I almost felt like puking reading what a GEP child has to go through (no offence to anyone)… but it seems like a lot of work and very very intense competition…but if they can thrive and enjoy the learning, then I think it really enriches them via breadth of exposure and experiences…

OK- I will continue to find out more…

[blessmum4]

Fairyprincess:

Blessmum4, Mum101,


Thanks for your useful inputs. I am waiting to speak to my gal's FT and GEP HOD for more info...

Meanwhile, based on your posts, can I clarify the following:

Blessmum4:
- \"80% of GEPs score above 250 in PSLE\"- that seems quite good- where did you get this info from?

Mum101:
- you mean there is an interview to get into sec sch via DSA? Does having a core CCA help? Just a member of a CCA, or must be a leader of some sort in the CCA?
- your P6 boy has coped very well in GEP- what additional enrichment support does he go for? He is able to complete his project and homework assignments every week night plus weekends? How many days per week does he need to stay back in sch for project or cca or remedial?
- how to prepare for PSLE within such short time frame from May of P6 till PSLE? Does NYPS teach GEP kids to be PSLE-savvy e.g. exam answering techniques etc
- Does the GEP curriculum already teach PSLE syllabus, at a faster rate? Or is GEP curriculum totally different? then when do GEP kids learn the regular curriculum to score well at PSLE??

Thanks very much for any comments from all wise parents!

Err...it wasn't me that gave the statistic.

[Fairyprincess]

Sorry Blessmum4- think it was "ooioo" who posted that comment…sorry sorry…

[CayennePepper]

Can i ask the veteran parents here- for kids not overly strong in English, is it tough to cope with GEP English?

My ds is very math-y but really not that good at writing, so we’re hesitant on this account…

[ooioo]

Fairyprincess:

Sorry Blessmum4- think it was \"ooioo\" who posted that comment...sorry sorry....

Hi This is what I gather from diff teachers, principal from diff schools after visiting them in the past. Some, not all schools will conduct open house the week next week, after this Saturday talk on GE Branch. All Principals of 9 GEP Primary School will be there this Saturday, you can ask them during Q&A but will get more info if you ask them 1to1.

Dun be shock that a high % of GEPpers dun score well during PSLE, some years are much higher.

IMHO this is attributed to sometimes having a large number of GEPpers and their parents that are basically \"boh chap\" (not all parents even know or bother with Kiasuparents), most GEPper parents who ask question at Kiasuparents do quite well, so I think you will be ok.

Must not forget that GEP is not really voluntary; my child went for a test and they send him to another school, it should not affect \"my time\" or \"my life\". Some parents tell the children, your father have money, no need to work hard, you still be towkay someday, the most I send you go private school or overseas

[ooioo]

CayennePepper:

Can i ask the veteran parents here- for kids not overly strong in English, is it tough to cope with GEP English?

My ds is very math-y but really not that good at writing, so we're hesitant on this account...

GEP test focus on English, logic, math and General Ability. You will need to pass a certain standard in English in the test to qualify for GEP.

Even if you score full marks in Math during the 2 rounds, but fail in English, MOE will let the current School and Teacher know (the child becomes High Ability but not GEPper).

So dun worry. There will be kids that are very good in Math, some very good in English, and some rare ones, 3 in 100,000, 1 or 2 per cohort, that are good in everything

[mcq]

GiftedGem:

mcq:

Hi parents,


My DS has just been offered a place in GEP. I'm a bit concern about the work load as he currently plays/trains tennis 5 times a week (3 wkdays + 2 wkends).

Would really like to get your inputs - do the kids have the bandwidth to be training 3 x 2 hours on weekdays, on top of their GEP schoolworks?

Thanks.

Hi. Are the tennis lessons in the afternoon or evening ? Normally, there are CCA and HCL classes held after school which will take up at least 2-3 days. There are also classes such as olympiad math, remedial as well. I know some of the parents sent their kids for tuition after school. Hence, It boils down to time management.

In my opinion, u may want to reduce the lessons on weekdays as there are times where the kids have to do couple of worksheets at a go. Math, being challenging, takes up the most time as compared to other subjects.

Thanks you very much GiftedGem, Mum101 & sleepy for sharing.

Could it be that some GEP schools are less demanding than others? While I do think it must be very mentally stimulating to be in such an environment, I do also enjoy seeing him trying hard & having fun with his mates during his training.

I stay over in the west, pretty close to ACSP, NYPS, NHPS and HPPS. Do you happen to know if one of these allow the kids more free time than others?

Thanks.

[Just4Fun]

CayennePepper:

Can i ask the veteran parents here- for kids not overly strong in English, is it tough to cope with GEP English?

My ds is very math-y but really not that good at writing, so we're hesitant on this account...

There will be lots of writings including project write-ups. So it could be a disadv if he is no good in this area. But for the fact that if yr DS got thr the GEP selection, he should not be that bad in writing ,right?

[Just4Fun]

Hi All current p4 parents,

Just wonder has any of yr DC got the report book yet ? Mine still pending…