DSA 2023

[AHsDad]

Hi Su27


Congrats on ur daughter’s achievements, both sports and academics. Don’t mean to dampen ur hopes but it’s likely an uphill battle for school to make exceptions (at least RGS for sure). NYGH is top school nearer to ur home anyway so can try luck writing in, I have no idea on their culture…

just a glimpse of RGS…, they reduced CCAs in recent years to dedicate more resources to leadership programmes. To enter NSG for non-school CCA, need to apply as School Adult Rep thru CCa head n approved by Principal. U will SOLELY be responsible for the team manager meetings and bring ur girl to the NsG comps. If ur girl gets into national team, there is a scheme to allow for exclusion from PE, subject to GPA requirements and letter from NSA that u undergo min 20hrs of training a week (must include the schedule). Whatever it is, still die2 must have a school CCA.

Sports CCA generally may have trainings up to 3 times weekly, especially in NSG season, so it would be wise to take up a “chill” CCa in case ur girl has weekday trainings.

All the best to your girl

[lakaik]

su27\" post_id=\"2097059\" time=\"1675952658\" user_id=\"80180:

Dear all.

As a parent of a P6 girl, almost all are asking me if I am DSA-ing her into a good school. Frankly, I didn't know much about DSA until now. As a result, I did not prep my kid to excel in something worth DSA-ing. She excels well in a sport that is not sought after.

She does Taekwondo with an external club. Her primary school HPPS does not have a TKD CCA. Since P1, she has been a podium finisher (50% gold medals, 45% silvers, 5% bronze) in all domestic competitions (sanctioned by STF) held here, and a couple of overseas competitions.

P1 she did not win anything at NSG cos she was the youngest competitor amongst the participants. P2 she fought back with a bronze, P3 and P4 covid, P5 last year she won gold. She also won 2 gold medals at last year's Pesta Sukan. She is aiming to go for the National Youth Team selection next year. Her coach said she may stand a good chance at being selected. Her coach is also the secretary of STF. So his words carry some weightage.

Last year P5 SA2, she got AL7 for 4 subjects. Merit in higher Chinese.

I have checked. TKD is not a CCA in most secondary schools. The ones having it, are very far from where we are at holland area.

May I ask if I can write in to school principals stating my daughter's strength in the sport, which may bring glory to the school? Does that help?

Or perhaps there is nothing to DSA in my situation. Better focus and rely on academics to get into good schools.

Any advices will be apprceiated by this blur father.

Thanks.

My personal opinion - DSA is not a die die must try route. AL7 is very good, she will eventually manage to enter a good school with her PSLE result, and with no commitment. Try DSA only to her target school (School that she is aiming thru PSLE score or her dream school), don't use DSA to enter a school for the sake of securing a seat only. There are many DSA students who tried the schools that are not their target school and ended up regretted as their PSLE result can get them into their dream school. Few of my DS's friends are in this situation, e.g. DSA to MS but PSLE score AL6, somehow many of my DS's friends score better in PSLE than their school's result.

[yellowbus1010]

floppy\" post_id=\"2097066\" time=\"1675959878\" user_id=\"97579:

For team sports, schools choose based on what they need / want. It may be a team sport but not every player is the same due to each individual’s skill set, playing position etc. if the school is looking out for a striker in football, but you are a goalkeeper, or the school wants a GS / GA for netball, but you are a WA without height / shooting skills, it won’t happen even though everyone may be playing in the same team.

NSG carries a lot of weight for SOME sports as not all sports are competitive outside of the schools’ sports scene, especially at the primary level (eg hockey, floorball, volleyball). For extremely competitive sports with well established age group competitions (eg badminton, table tennis, swimming), external comp will probably carry more weight as the level of competition can be much higher (especially those with international participation).

Thank you so much for the reply! Is it necessary to be in a winning team? Even in winning teams, there are so many players, so it goes back to the basics, real talent I guess.

[Imp75]

yellowbus1010\" post_id=\"2097090\" time=\"1675995524\" user_id=\"200744:

Thank you so much for the reply! Is it necessary to be in a winning team? Even in winning teams, there are so many players, so it goes back to the basics, real talent I guess.

Yes so during trials the coach will ask them to perform a series of movements to assess their potential.for certain group sports, height and size are considered advantageously too.

[su27]

Thank you all for the advices.


No lah. RGS, NY, MGS, these are out of reach. Afterall she only scored AL7 for P5 SA2. PSLE is a whole different game. I am expecting her score to drop to AL9-10.

Not die die must DSA, otherwise i would have my kid trained in tennis, badminton, fencing, gymast etc those glamourous sports. Just that since everybody is talking about DSA, I thought I can do something so that I won’t be shortchanging my daughter too much (since I read other parents are up in arms over it).

We are thinking of St Margaret, SCGS, or Nan Hua, realistically.

She will continue her passion in TKD. Hopefully one day, can join National Youth Team. Then ask for transfer of Sec school =p. But then again, maintaining a passion with 4 subjects, vs 8 subjects in secondary school will be different.

[Vamos]

Do schools accept DSA applicants not in their domains? Will these schools consider DS if they are the top rank & national squad? Could we approach these schools directly? Looking for kind and helpful advices.

[floppy]

Vamos\" post_id=\"2097245\" time=\"1676096702\" user_id=\"200806:

Do schools accept DSA applicants not in their domains? Will these schools consider DS if they are the top rank & national squad? Could we approach these schools directly? Looking for kind and helpful advices.

Similar question to the previous. The answer is No.

You can choose to apply under something more generic, like leadership or choose something similar, which would be your best bet. You cannot approach schools directly (nor will it be entertained).

[AHsDad]

Vamos\" post_id=\"2097245\" time=\"1676096702\" user_id=\"200806:

Do schools accept DSA applicants not in their domains? Will these schools consider DS if they are the top rank & national squad? Could we approach these schools directly? Looking for kind and helpful advices.

Sorry it’s quite a clear No

[Vamos]

Thank you floppy and AHsDad! I tot independent schools have more freedom and leeway to admit students with special talents. Heard from someone that it could be possible.

[phtthp]

Vamos\" post_id=\"2097305\" time=\"1676114184\" user_id=\"200806:

Thank you floppy and AHsDad! I tot independent schools have more freedom and leeway to admit students with special talents. Heard from someone that it could be possible.

Vamos,

Have you ever logged into a DSA portal before ?

When u apply for DSA,
u need to apply under a specific domain. It is compulsory for P6 students to apply DSA, under a specific domain. Otherwise, your DSA application gets rejected, become void.

If u not sure,
go to MOE School Finder website, under that specific Secondary school which your child (son / daughter) is interested in, click on that Dropbox on an available listing of various domain which u can choose to apply under, then u will understand. Whether independent (eg. ACSI + MGS + SCGS / Hwa Chong + NYGH / RI + RGS ) Secondary schools or otherwise, all follow this same method set by MOE for DSA purpose -
that is,
u have to apply, under a domain.


But,
if are referring to another different group of Independent schools like (SG Sports School / the one located in Orchard road near Dhoby Ghaut MRT station that handle specialized Performance Arts talent intake / NUS High), these unique schools conduct their own in house assessments, to pick their right, suitable candidates. This one, MOE don't interfere in their selection choices. You may call up the school directly, to inquire.