CHIJ Family of Schools

[cherrygal]

Mum2jj,

If I were you, and worry about the distance etc, I would just move house rather than throw away a good school option. If you moved to Braddell area, it would be near Maris Stella and CHIJ TP.

It is more problematic to stay in hougang, make your son wake up so early and make your daughter go to a less popular school when you can easily put her in a better school.

You can solve both problems with just one move. Unless there are issues you didn’t mention, moving is the easiest solution.

But if for some reason you cannot move house now, then just bear with the distance or ferry them to school in the mornings. I would rather do that than sacrifice Phase 2A2 entry into CHIJ TP. You can move house later if necessary.

[princesskaris]

Yes Cherrygal, somehow i can’t find much info about CHIJ OLGC online. Yesterday, I had a talk with my neighbour whose girl is currently in that school and she shared with me that the school is quite academically focused and the girls have compulsory swimming lessons (not really an issue but just sharing here). Their classes are streamed based on math results. but she did share that I can try other schools like rosyth and PLMGS too. Btw, rosyth is within 1-2km from my home too but I dare not dream of it cos I think within 1km also must ballot… Stressed.

[cherrygal]

PrincessKaris,

Just apply PV at PLMGS and OLGC. See which one you will get selected. Then work on it from there. If you can’t get to PV at either school, it will be harder to get into PLMGS at Phase 2C so you might then want to just apply at OLGC coz it is so much safer for citizens at your distance category.

Forget Rosyth if you are not within 1km. They have also stopped taking in PVs.

All the schools are academically focused nowadays. Both OLGC and PLMGS are relatively good Christian schools that develop strong values in the girls.

[princesskaris]

Cherrygal, I'm so grateful to have your suggestions. I highly think that's the best solution for me too. My neighbour said I'm super kiasu when I asked her about her girl's school. She thought my girl is due for P1 registration next year.. Haha but shes right because that probably explains why I'm at this forum too


Yes, rosyth is out but I've checked its school website recently. The school is taking in PVs for this year. Registration has just ended in Feb 13, if I remember correctly.. So there might be chances of them taking in PVs next year too (which is for kids born in 2009).. Hmm..

[cherrygal]

It’s not too early to prepare coz parents of 2009 babies must register for PV duties this year. Must do the checks now to decide the best strategy.

[GardensBay]

Hi all: I'm brand new to this forum. We must be from exactly the same primary school we're trying to get our kids admitted into right? (i.e. not simply one of the IJ schools). Can someone please confirm? TIA!

[cherrygal]

It depends on which Phase you want. For Phase 2A1 (paid alumni member) / 2A2 (general alumni), you have to apply at the convent that you graduated from. That is, if you were from CHIJ OLGC, you can only apply for OLGC under the alumni route. But if you are Catholic, you are eligible to apply at all Catholic schools under Phase 2B.


Only exception is if you attended CHIJ St Nicholas Secondary but came from another primary school. CHIJ St Nicholas is the only convent that is a full school (under 1 principal). So those who only attended the secondary section are eligible to apply their gals under Phase 2A1 / 2A2 for CHIJ St Nicholas Primary despite coming from another primary school themselves. Lucky gals…

[GardensBay]

Thank you for your reply


Lucky gals indeed!!!! For St Nick's, there was 1 yr that no balloting required even for Phase 2B - I think in 2009. After that year (esp 2012) it was quite madness...

I'm from one of the IJ schools but my Alma Mater is too far from my home. St Nick's is my 1st choice but looking at the balloting rate and we're abt 2km away - it's much too risky. Correct?

There are other Catholic schools which are nearer than my Alma Mater - including Mary Mount Convent. It's not an IJ though but hubby is not too fussed. Our pref is Catholic school... but more importantly all-girls school. Yday I shared with hubby some of the readings/advice I saw on moe/kiasu website etc... and he said worst case is a good co-ed school near our home - cos I mentioned the distance from school-home is very impt. Can't imagine poor little girl spending so long commuting

[Crester]

cherrygal:

If you refer to phtthp's analysis of girls' schools in this link:

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=487&start=1570

PLMGS' performance is on par or slightly better than CHIJ Toa Payoh. CHIJ OLGC's performance is not available but I believe it is somewhere around CHIJ OLN's standard. So yes, PLMGS will be more sought after than OLGC. But if you do get to PV for PLMGS, then go for it.

Hi parents,
Just chance upon this forum, PLMGS(Pri) is a good school. Their PSLE results compared to the schools mentioned above is better.
School just renovated it's campus with new extension building, bigger hall and others.
Just my 2 cents worth....

[cherrygal]

GardensBay:

Thank you for your reply


Lucky gals indeed!!!! For St Nick's, there was 1 yr that no balloting required even for Phase 2B - I think in 2009. After that year (esp 2012) it was quite madness...

I'm from one of the IJ schools but my Alma Mater is too far from my home. St Nick's is my 1st choice but looking at the balloting rate and we're abt 2km away - it's much too risky. Correct?

In 2009, there was no balloting for those living within 1km. After that, it was crazy even for citizens living within 1km. 31 applicants for 18 seats in 2012.

You cannot even get to ballot at St Nicks if you live outside 1km.

If you don't want to risk it at all, Marymount Convent at Phase 2B or 2C is a shoo-in. Even OLGC, OLQP, OLN, Katong are quite risk free at Phase 2B. CHIJ TP will ballot within 2km for Phase 2B and within 1km for Phase 2C.