Surviving Normal stream

[schweppes]

mathsparks:

thanks, schweppes. this nephew is now in poly 1st year. his younger one will be starting sec1 next year. not much parental guidance for both of them since young coz both parents worked...even after the mum was retrenched....haiz. we do talk to them, but with the older one at 19yo, there seems to be a gap so cant communicate much, but the younger one, yes. we try to help since he's the same age as my son.

Oh, I see. Thanks for the explanation.

Good to read that nephew1 is in 1st yr poly. At least, he is in school. Agree that it may be harder to communicate and connect with him as they usually tend to have their own ideas at this age. At this stage, they listen to friends and a lot depends on peer influence. Still, all is not lost as he is in his first year. His yr 1 semester 2 exams will probably be in Feb 2010, so get him to pace himself.

In the poly, there is a mix of project work, tests and exams. You may wish to encourage him to work hard for the project work and common tests. This will help to pull up his average marks, especially since some students fumble during the final exams.

Also, polys usually organise Open House to parents of 1st year students. Encourage his parents to go to the Open House. Alternatively, if need be, get the parents to have a chat with his form teacher (sometimes they are known as Care Person, Personal Mentor... depends on which poly). Poly students do listen and hear what their lecturers say/ advise, even if they tend to \"tune out\" what their parents say... :stupid:

As for nephew2, since he is at a more impressionable age, he is also likely to be easily malleable. So, will hopefully be more \"obedient\" and listen to his aunt

[schweppes]

mathsparks:

yep agreed there's always hope and with lotsa private institutions with tie-ups with foreign u, even those who cant afford to spend so many years overseas can get a degree too, albeit a not so recognised one, but a stepping stone to a career nonetheless. After which, how a person performs in the workplace, will determine his future not the uni he grad from.

There are plenty of options out there. With Spore promoting itself as an edu-hub, there are lots of private institutios with tie-ups to foreign uni.

However, before anyone signs on the dotted line, do TALK, DISCUSS with people in the industry (example, HR personnel, poly lecturers) or friends or colleagues who have gone thru the courses/ programs. Don't go into any program blindly. Do the relevant research and background checks first.

[kitty2]

I’ve friends who chose sec school for her kids by checking whether there are noramal/normal T stream in those schools.If there are,they would not choose those schools.I wonder whether any parents here did the same thing as them?


By the way,i’ve a friend who was from ITE and worked hard by taking part-time poly course for 5 years and even proceeded to NUS.He was graduated with a degree with his hard work.

[autumnbronze]

loner:

autumnbronze & schweppes,


Hv forwarded yr write up to a young teacher. Hope she will feel inspired ..... :love:

Oh.... THANK YOU !!

[autumnbronze]

VitoRelax:

loner:

I hv been crying the whole afternoon after watching it.

[quote=\"VitoRelax\"]
To all Teachers & \"Problem\" Students, this is for you:

http://www.MakeADifferenceMovie.com/

Enjoy this movie ... (prepare a tissue paper to wipe your tears ...)



:udawoman: :udaman:

Am glad you like it. For a moment, I thought nobody watch this post of mine ?[/quote]Well I watched it too

Thanks for sharing.

[pinky]

I have a similiar tale to share:

My son is in Sec 1 express stream, he has 4 other Primary school classmates who live nearby. Out of the 4, 1 in RI, 1 in HCI, 1 in RGSS and
the 4th in N(A) stream in a neighhourhood school. Very often the 3
smart kids' mothers will never forget to remind me that any other schools
except HCI, RI, RGSS are termed 'neighbourhood' schools eg
a.'my elder son is in BPHSS and his brother in RI, aiyoh, the school work
is so much different, neighbourhood school is like that lah, no choice\"
b. 'my son's results for mid year exam was so good that he was exempted
from year end exam, only good school like HCI will offer this'
c. 'your son's homework a lot or not hah? my son in RI so much, poor
boy can only sleep at 12 midnight almost everyday. I heard other
schools very relax one, your son also ar?'
d. 'I won't let my son mix with that N(A) boy, you know lah, those children got attitude problem, you must also watch out for your son,
otherwise express become N(A) too late already

Sometimes they even said that in front of my son so I would explain
and encourage my son not to bear any grievances towards these mothers
because they are actually quite 'pathetic' for being so close-minded.
Not surprisingly, their kids display the same high-and-mighty attitude to
my son, one even said \" you will never win me because my school is
a scholar school\" :shock: They no longer talk or acknowledge my son even if we meet at the void deck. It was pretty sad and pathetic too.

Fortunately, my son takes that as a catalyst to work harder and I am so
proud that he received a good progress award this year from the CDC/CCC.

Anyway, I will continue to encourage him to do better both academically
and in character and constantly remind him that pride goes before a fall and hard work and perserverance will pay in the end.

[corneyAmber]

pinky:

I have a similiar tale to share:

My son is in Sec 1 express stream, he has 4 other Primary school classmates who live nearby. Out of the 4, 1 in RI, 1 in HCI, 1 in RGSS and
the 4th in N(A) stream in a neighhourhood school. Very often the 3
smart kids' mothers will never forget to remind me that any other schools
except HCI, RI, RGSS are termed 'neighbourhood' schools eg
a.'my elder son is in BPHSS and his brother in RI, aiyoh, the school work
is so much different, neighbourhood school is like that lah, no choice\"
b. 'my son's results for mid year exam was so good that he was exempted
from year end exam, only good school like HCI will offer this'
c. 'your son's homework a lot or not hah? my son in RI so much, poor
boy can only sleep at 12 midnight almost everyday. I heard other
schools very relax one, your son also ar?'
d. 'I won't let my son mix with that N(A) boy, you know lah, those children got attitude problem, you must also watch out for your son,
otherwise express become N(A) too late already

Sometimes they even said that in front of my son so I would explain
and encourage my son not to bear any grievances towards these mothers
because they are actually quite 'pathetic' for being so close-minded.
Not surprisingly, their kids display the same high-and-mighty attitude to
my son, one even said \" you will never win me because my school is
a scholar school\" :shock: They no longer talk or acknowledge my son even if we meet at the void deck. It was pretty sad and pathetic too.

Fortunately, my son takes that as a catalyst to work harder and I am so
proud that he received a good progress award this year from the CDC/CCC.

Anyway, I will continue to encourage him to do better both academically
and in character and constantly remind him that pride goes before a fall and hard work and perserverance will pay in the end.

Wow...this sounds so bad. I am glad that your son has a good mother to guide and coach him along. :celebrate: The journey is still long and character building is important other than academics.

[pinky]

to ks2me,

thanks for your compliments, I am sure many mothers out there will do
the same too. Yes, I strongly believe that character-building is very important and not just academic pursuits.

[corneyAmber]

pinky:

to ks2me,

thanks for your compliments, I am sure many mothers out there will do
the same too. Yes, I strongly believe that character-building is very important and not just academic pursuits.

You deserve them. I am sure your child will make the difference for himself and for you.

[pinky]

so to all parents of kids in express/N(A)/N(T) and in neighbourhood schools (ie non RI, HCI, RGSS-can't resist quoting from the mother )

we all can make a difference, so don't give up :celebrate: