Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[hquek]

greggymum:

Hi I am a newbie to kaisuparents.com. Almost fainted when I read all the forum discussions on Pri 1 preparation.

My ds1 is born in 2004 and entering Pri 1 in 2011...I'm now worrying about which primary sch to register him.
My choices:
Nan Chiau Primary (cos my husband is an old boy)
Concern: we live in Serangoon and Nan Chiau is a 40 min bus ride away. Both of us are working, so we will depend on my mil to bring my son to school, also dun wish to have son waste time on school bus. Anyone living in serangoon and have children going to Nan Chiau?

Yangzheng Primary (10 min walk away)
Concern: not as \"famous\" a school as Nan Chiau? I am not sure, cos after surfing the school websites of Nan Chiau and Yangzheng, Nan Chiau's results are of cos better. But not sure of school facilities...

will appreciate any advice. Thank you!

Hi Greggymum,

It'll be best if you could visit both schools to see how comfy you are with the facilities, and even the environment. Talk to your neighbours, the neighbourhood gossips, I'm sure they may be able to offer some light into YZ school.

Your hubby being an old boy will confirm be able to get in, so consider carefully if you want to give up this chance. Nan Chiau is one of the more 'famous' SG schools and is under of the SHHK umbrella, so there will inevitably be some emphasis on Chinese (if your child hates chinese, another factor for/against). It is affiliated to NC Sec school so there may be some lightening of load when it comes to Sec School selection.

If you select Yangzheng, and if you are not a PV, you will have to evaluate what your chances are of getting into that school. If you fail at phase 2C, it's likely your child may be posted to an unpopular school that may be a distance away.

There is a pri school very near to where I stay, but even my neighbour (whose child was there) told me NOT to go there....so I am not even considering it. I feel that the school environment, culture and history is more important that just distance - but this is up to individual.

[greggymum]

Hi hquek,


thanks for the advice!

Actually I have already been to YZ primary to take a look around, the school's a little small, but gives a cosy feeling. Also due to its size, it is not going to be single session anytime soon. Anyone care to comment on the benefits of single session school?

Just to confirm, i checked out Nan Chiau Primary , and dun think it is affiliated to NC sec school. But my hubby being an old boy really gives the assurance of securing a place in Pri 1 registration. So now my only consideration is the distance ...will make a trip there one day and find out. BTW anyone knows when do Primary schools have open house?

[greggymum]

greggymum:

Hi hquek,


thanks for the advice!

Actually I have already been to YZ primary to take a look around, the school's a little small, but gives a cosy feeling. Also due to its size, it is not going to be single session anytime soon. Anyone care to comment on the benefits of single session school?

Just to confirm, i checked out Nan Chiau Primary , and dun think it is affiliated to NC sec school. But my hubby being an old boy really gives the assurance of securing a place in Pri 1 registration. So now my only consideration is the distance ...will make a trip there one day and find out. BTW anyone knows when do Primary schools have open house?

Hi sorry, just to correct myself. Both YZ primary and NC primary are currently operating as \"partial single session\" ie P1 and P2 in afternoon session and the other levels in the morning session. Found the info at the MOE website: http://www.moe.gov.sg/initiatives/single-session/#double-session

[hquek]

I understand that SHHK is looking into extending facilities in the schools under their care - so there may be some construction planned for NC and this would likely result in them being able to go single session in future.


I prefer single session cos when my younger goes to school, it’ll be easier since both will be in same session; and also my kids are morning kids, afternoon they usually take naps - so likely brain functioning slower; and I like the idea of finishing school in the early afternoon, do homework then and then can get good rest at night - if it’s afternoon session, likely homework to push to nighttime (else next morning sure to panic). Personal ideas really…

[chic_savvy]

I need some good advices as it will be my first-time enrolling my child to primary school. I mean the school curriculum and system nowadays are so different from my time (I'm 30 this year :rahrah: ) so I'm very very confuse. Here's what happen.


I have 3 choices of schools to enrol my gal in year 2011 (tat too soon to decide but if I have to become a PV in that school, I will need more time).

1) Opera Estate Primary - I was a former student there but distance can be a problem

2) Nan Chiau Primary - Within 1 km of my residency with good reviews of the school

3) CHIJ OLN - I stay no where nearby and I don't have any affiliations with the school UNLESS I become a PV (not guranteed placing either)

Among all, I hope very much for my girl to go to CHIJ OLN, reason being I like her to go to a one gender school especially when they will also include biblical teachings (I'm a free thinker btw).

I read that the registration, parents can only select one school and then only try to find alternatives if unable to enrol in first choice.

I like to make a final decision on one and say if I wanted CHIJ so much, I could be a PV in their school rite, though it's no guranteed.

What do you think parents? I like to hear your 2 cents worth :oops:

Btw, what phase am I considered in then for the individual 3 selections?

Anyone has kids in Holy Innocents? Any reviews?

[corneyAmber]

For Opera Estate, you can register your daughter under Phase 2A2 for former students.


As for Nan Chiau and CHIJ OLN, you are under Phase 2C. Hope that
helps.

Your best chance would be Nan Chiau since you are within 1km of the school.

[compvale]

Hi


For Nan Chiau, balloting is required though you may be staying within 1km. It has been so for quite a few year. No affiliation to Nan Chiau High. Both my kids are in CHIJ OLN and they are happy - not a stressful environment and affiliated to SJC subject to min T score of 200. They don’t attend biblical lessons on Fridays as only applicable to catholics. Not sure if parents can opt in.

[qms]

Hi chic_savy!

chic_savvy:

...(I'm 30 this year :rahrah: ) so I'm very very confuse. Here's what happen.

You are still a young parent. Not that far away, right?

chic_savvy:

I have 3 choices of schools to enrol my gal in year 2011 (tat too soon to decide but if I have to become a PV in that school, I will need more time).

Actually, if you need to enrol your girl in 2011, you need to apply for PV next year. So, strictly speaking, you don't really have a lot of time.

chic_savvy:

1) Opera Estate Primary - I was a former student there but distance can be a problem

You will be in Phase 2A2. Actually, how far exactly is the school from your house? You may like to register your girl in this school first during Phase 2A2, and monitor the situation when it comes to subsequent phases.

chic_savvy:

2) Nan Chiau Primary - Within 1 km of my residency with good reviews of the school

You will be in Phase 2C. Historically, balloting occurred in Phase 2C for those staying within 1 km. Perhaps you would like to apply for PV for this school, if it accepts PV. Alternatively, if you are a Hokkien, you may like to consider the SHHK route, albeit a bit late. But, no harm trying.

chic_savvy:

3) CHIJ OLN - I stay no where nearby and I don't have any affiliations with the school UNLESS I become a PV (not guranteed placing either)

You will be in Phase 2C. Like Opera Estate, you need to consider the distance travelled to CHIJ OLN should you send your girl there.

chic_savvy:

I read that the registration, parents can only select one school and then only try to find alternatives if unable to enrol in first choice.

Actually, you can register your girl in an earlier phase, withdraw and apply at another school in a later phase if the latter school's situation is favourable. At any one point in time, you should only register with one school.

Based on the above, my suggestion is as follows:

1. Apply for PV in Nan Chiau, or membership in SHHK. Try to get into Phase 2B.
2. Come enrolment time, register your girl in Opera Estate during Phase 2A2 first. When it comes to Phase 2B, monitor the situation and decide if you want to switch to Nan Chiau. If you decide to register her in Nan Chiau, withdraw her name from Opera Estate. You will then be able to register her in Nan Chiau.

Sorry, I wouldn't be insistent on sending my child to CHIJ OLN. Hence, I wouldn't subject her to long hours of travelling between the house and school. As such, this school is out for me. If you are really keen to send her to this school, you may like to try to get into Phase 2B, too.

BTW, you have not reported at the Newbie thread yet, right? Can you please report there? It's the SOP in KSP.com.

[BigDevil]

chic_savvy:

Among all, I hope very much for my girl to go to CHIJ OLN, reason being I like her to go to a one gender school especially when they will also include biblical teachings (I'm a free thinker btw).

Your profile indicated you have a younger boy.

If your DD does end up going to CHIJ, you will have to go through the selection headache again a few years later.

Just something for you to consider...

[qms]

BigDevil:

Your profile indicated you have a younger boy.

Wait! Chic_savvy, if your profile is correct, your girl was born in 2004, right? So, if she was born in 2004, you will need to register her next year, not 2011. She will start her P1 in 2011.

If this is the case, it is too late now to talk about PV application anywhere, unless you are doing for your boy.