Newton Kindergarten
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hi GuniBabe,
Auntie Ong reply she fetch students from Serangoon North to Newton kindy. However, she not sure if your child is currently in AM or PM session. So she say it’s better that you contact her directly at tel: 9455-3509.
you may ask her … is it possible to arrange for a a trial run school bus trip, to test out actual journey from your new house in Serangoon North to Newton? You can do the trial run anytime, no need to wait until shift house.
inside school bus, you can see many kids socialise / network amongst themselves. Some kids are siblings (one or 2 years apart). Once board school bus, the siblings start to throw handkerchief at one another. Others soon join in the fun, giggling, laughing all the way … soon, the whole school bus becomes like a fish market, very noisy, all the kids chit chatting, at the top of their voice.
as parents when you sit there watching, you smile… they are happy. Before you know, the school bus has reached, turned into Newton school compound. You ask – eh, why so fast, arrive school ? Thot journey was at least half an hr ? when kids have fun, entertaining one another, they din realize … how time flies ! Thus, you may take it positively … that school bus ride can be fun for kids.
after the trial run, then you decide - change or stay put ?
in changing kindergarten, may want to consider following factors:-
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a) you changing from 4 hrs Newton kindy to another 3 hrs kindy or child care centre around your new house in Serangoon ?
examine the new school’s core curriculum, in detail.
if change to a child care centre that runs from 7 am to 7 pm, that has got good enrichment meaningful programmes in the afternoon that benefit your child, then perhaps it’s worthwhile.
but if it’s those ccc where afternoon not much enrichment except sleep, wake up tea time drink milo, nibble some biscuit, sing some nursery rhyme then let just kids watch TV just to pass time till 6 pm or 7pm, then it makes no difference whether is it ccc or kindy ?
if change from 4 hr to a 3 hr kindy, how comfortable are you ?
after minus off (half hr makan, 15 mins toiletry, another 10 mins pack school bag, singing Good-bye teacher, Goodbye friends song), the 3 hrs kindy effectively is reduced to only … 2 hr to 2 and quarter hr kindy, everyday. As you know, 2 hrs pass very quickly. How much does a child learn everyday ? i not sure…
bottom line: if you change to new place where standard, quality >= Newton, then it’s fine! But if new place standard and quality < Newton, my 2 cents worth … maybe, stay put.
b) for crucial K1 / K2, what does the new place offer ?
at Newton kindy, for Kl - every Friday, form teacher distribute homework for weekend, under supervision by parents. Teachers give out workbooks for all 3 subjects in a green bag – containing English, Maths and Chinese.
English weekend homework – will cover phonics, english handwriting, usual vocabulary, nouns, verbs, etc – the usual components you find in English.
Maths weekend homework.
Chinese weekend homework - may cover Chinese strokes handwriting practise, plus some simple basic Chinese character reading & writing.
every Monday, pupils submit all weekend homework completed, back to their form teachers, for marking.
for K2 Term 1 start – got spelling.
every Monday is Chinese spelling (ting xie).
each week, kids learn how to write 6 new basic, elementary Chinese word characters, into a small jotter book.
come every Thursday, got English spelling. Pupils learn how to spell, write every 5 new words into a jotter book.
c) does the new place also teach, inculcate moral character values?
at Newton kindy, children are taught character building.
for N2 Term 2 currently
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week 1 and 2 – kids are taught Gratefulness.
week 3 and 4 – kids are taught Resist Temptation.
week 5 and 6 – kids are taught Humility, be humble to peers, friends, parents, teachers, around you.
week 7 and 8 – kids are taught Repentence.
week 9 and 10 – kids are taught Helpfulness.
one friend’s kid initially joined another church kindy.
after 1 term, the kid return Newton. I asked his mom what happen ?
she reply she prefer Newton kindy moral teaching…. She said on her child’s birthday celebration at the other kindy, after blowing out the birthday candles, the teachers forgot to teach the child basic values.
the teacher just cut cake, then very quickly distribute the cake to all kids in the class, then everyone start eating, busy chit chatting. The teacher overlook, forgot to teach the child something basic, … manners, gratefulness, thankfulness, honor and respect.
over at Newton, my friend said teaching different. She observed in silence that Newton teachers teach kids proper manners…
after blowing out the cake, Newton teacher taught the child Honor and respect. The form teacher taught the child by asking him the question – after you cut the cake, who are you going to give your first piece of cake to ? you give to your … Daddy and Mommy! Why ? because you learn to Honor your parents, with your first piece of birthday cake.
Who bought this nice, big lovely cake for you ? Your parents! They love you so much, they want you be joyful! To share your joy, celebrate with your classmates and teachers. So, the first piece of cake you honor goes to … your Daddy and your Mommy! Simple, small minute details can easily be missed out … but crucial, train a child good values.
there are parents who ever transfer out before, but return eventually.
d) does the new place offer similar enrichment to what Newton kindy offer ? If not, is it important to you ?
e) changing kindy may be traumatic to kids. It’s like uprooting a child from a place he is already familiar with, he is fond of.
your son currently happily settled down in Newton… let him be.
as his mommy, he happy means … you also happy.
f) Primary 1 – is your child going SAP school, or non-SAP school ?
some kids attending Newton kindy are heading for SAP schools like Ai Tong, Nanyang, Nan Hua, Catholic High primary, CHIJ St Nicholas, Maris Stella, Holy Innocent, Pei Chun (Toa Payoh), Pei Hwa Presbyterian, Hong Wen primary schools.
if your son going SAP school, maybe consider stick to a school where core curriculum with > 50% Chinese ?
g) if you decide to leave, perhaps leave in amiable mode… in the event you want to come back, because you prefer Newton. There had been cases where parents left, but come back again. -
hi GuniBabe,
if your child is currently in AM session - once you withdraw him, his seat will be given to the next one on the waiting queue list.
if you decide to return Newton kindy one day, his AM seat is gone! As you know, AM seats are very hot - snapped up readily. PM seats not so popular, so you may still find a PM slot, if you return.
repercussion:
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however if your son is used to waking up around 6 am type, it is difficult to switch his auto body clock, to attend PM session vacancy. Because if he is used to waking up 6 am, he will tend to feel sleepy, around 1 pm. And that is the time when the core lessons start, for PM session kids.
the only solution to retain your son’s AM seat in Newton kindy, while at the same time let you explore the new kindy nearer your house is … you continue to pay another term school fees at Newton. At the end of one term in the new school, you will know the answer. If $ can help you solve your dilemma, then let it be spent. -
thanks for your valuable insights!
DS is currently in PM session and should we switch, it'll also be to PM session as I try my best not to disrupt his routine.
I have no doubts about Newton kindy being a good school, that's why I have my reservations. The potential new school is Yio Chu Kang Chapel Kindergarten. I can't find much feedback on this kindy though. But I know they place emphasis on values as well.
Spoke to FIL, who sends and pick up DS to school everyday and he enjoys the time he can bond with his grandchild and will want DS to continue with Newton.
So problem is solved for now but age is catching up with him, so I want to factor in the alternative of taking school bus. Will call Auntie Ong for trial when we need that option.
Thanks so much for sharing! In time to come, both my kids may take the school bus and I can just imagine the \"fish market\" you painted in the school bus! -
any parent here send kids for ApplePie Chinese speech and drama enrichment at Newton kindy for N2, K1 or K2 level ? is it effective ?
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also are there any K1 / K2 parents send kids for Newton enrichment like:-
- Fast Track kids
- Science exploratory enrichment by Cheery Pies,
- John Langheir critical thinking skill ?
- Hanyu pin yin
any feedback for any of the above ? -
dear parents,
our Newton kindergarten provides a good, Chinese speaking oriented conducive environment.
from day 1 since our kids joined this kindy, the Principal and form teachers had brief them and encouraged them to speak more Mandarin often to the teachers and classmates, except during English and Maths lessons.
besides academics, we feel blessed that our kindy also teach our kids self discipline and Chinese moral values like li, yi, lian, ci meaning ... good mannerisms, loyalty, integrity, filah piety, endurance, perseverance, honour and showing respect to parents, to elders, to teachers, to people in authority. In class, our kids are also constantly taught to remain humble and be polite at all times, show humility, show / expressing kindness, mercy and compassion to the less fortunate and sick folks.
many of us place our kids here, with an objective in mind. We chose Newton, inspite being aware that our school core curriculum comprises (60% chinese, 40% english), instead of the usual, normal (50% chinese, 50% english) kindergarten ... which one can find plentiful / abundant in SG.
we hope that our kids will learn to appreciate Chinese culture, learn to master Chinese, esp. during the key, foundational kindergarten years. Besides, some of them also going to SAP schools, where Chinese is taught as first language there in primary schools.
here is sharing of how ... a young pupil overcome her fear of Chinese,
she is now a young buddy passionate Chinese writer. During kindergarten days, she hated Chinese. Parents may read, learn some tips from her story, to help your own child.
Read this success story from zaobao, on a RGPS girl learning chinese.
http://www.zaobao.com.sg/fk/fk110420_008.shtml
因一本卫斯理小说 小六生从讨厌华文
到创作万字小说
（2011-04-20）
早报导读
[时事漫画] 普京：俄将斥巨资推行武器现代化
[中国早点] 等待法律面前人人平等
[人物面对面] 杨荣文谈\"左二代\"行动党候选人
[新加坡大选] 单选区对阵［图］
联合早报网招聘 Freelance网络新闻编辑
报道／王舒杨
摄影／林国明
她才11岁，却已经写出1万2000多字的华文小说。她曾经怕华文、恨华文，可如今自己却成了华文世界的小小创作者。当很多她的同辈仍在华文书海里苦苦挣扎，她却已在岸边玩沙，乐在其中。
一个孩子可以有多少潜质？一位老师的影响可以有多深？一对父母在孩子小时的点滴培养可以去到多远？小说《真相》的作者——莱佛士小学高才班小六学生潘睿祺，可说是一个典范。
当11岁的潘睿祺兴奋地从房间跑出来时，当她饶有兴趣翻开作业本向记者展示杰作时，当然还有当她谈论起“卫斯理”时……看得出，她的世界是如此充满着新奇与快乐。
时间倒转两年前，却是完全一番不同的景象。潘睿祺的父亲，国大法学院副教授潘来发，对当年的“苦难”记忆犹新：“以前她的华文差，每次学校要听写、习字和作文时，我们一家就好像世界末日一样。可别觉得这都是因为我们做父母的疏忽。我们一直很重视她的华文，买书给她，和她一起看华语电视剧，能做的我们都做了，可是一看到华文功课，她永远就是哭。”
然而，睿祺上小五那年，父母突然发现女儿开始爱上了华文。到底发生了什么事？潘来发和妻子迷惑不解。
老师出钱买奖品奖励学生
翻开睿祺的作业本，看到密密麻麻的红色批改，原来“真相”就是她的老师——莱小高才班华文老师钟丽琴。当钟老师在睿祺小五那年接过班时，睿祺的华文成绩在班上属中等。但老师很快发现，“睿祺虽然懂的字不多，却能通过浅显的字句呈现特别生动的景象。她的日记也特别可爱，图文并茂。”
钟丽琴给每篇优秀的日记一个“奖”字，而学生每积累十个“奖”，钟老师就自己出钱为她们购买奖品。正是老师发给自己的第一份奖品——卫斯理小说《访客》，改变了潘睿祺对华文世界的看法，将她引领上华文创作的道路。
睿祺说：“刚拿到钟老师送我的书时，我心里想，啊……谁会去读呢？拿去卖掉算了。结果有一次打羽毛球时感觉太闷了，就坐下来随手翻出这本书读了一下，结果没想到它那么有趣！”
采访时第一次听到学生竟然曾经想把自己的赠书卖掉，钟丽琴佯装愤怒，嘴角却仍然挂着笑容。的确，除了事无巨细的圈点和批改，活泼开朗的钟老师本身也因某种亲和力而让学生喜爱。正如潘来发所说：“她们两个更像是朋友。”
画小漫画搭配评语
钟丽琴还根据睿祺的日记内容画上小漫画，搭配容易让学生倍感枯燥的评语。她指出：“睿祺本身很努力，作业誊写得很认真，我看得出她仔细读过我的评语。其实我对每个学生的作业都这么批改，但不是所有学生都会去看。一大堆红字，很多人一看就晕了。”（顽皮的睿祺赶快补充说：“我也晕了很多次了哦！”）
钟丽琴自谦地说：“我真的没做什么。她的文字所拥有的画面感，不是我能教出来的，我只是帮她修改文字。如果这全是我的功劳，那我所有的学生都早就写小说了。”
要说睿祺进步神速的华文水平有什么“副作用”，那就是母亲因此所蒙受的经济损失。原来，卫斯理的文字对当时的睿祺来说难如登天，但扣人心弦的情节让她欲罢不能，只好硬着头皮读下去，“逼”得自己的华文进步神速。读完钟老师送的两本卫斯理后，睿祺又自己去买了另两本。
睿祺说：“以前，妈妈买很多中文书给我，可是当时觉得太难读了，所以一本也没有读。读完卫斯理以后，再翻开那些书，又发现都太容易了，不想读了。结果这些书始终都没读到，害得妈妈浪费了很多钱。”
保持作品的天然
看到学生一天天进步，钟丽琴尤为欣喜，但她当时并不知道，学生已经开始酝酿着一件更让自己吃惊的事情。去年5月假期过后，睿祺发来的一封电邮让她“吓了一跳”：“当时，睿祺在电邮里告诉我，‘钟老师，我开始写小说了。’说真的，我真的吓了一跳。我没想到她会走得这样远。
“这件事也给我很大的启发，让我意识到孩子的潜能。发给他们华文书看也只是抱着一个很简单的想法，希望他们知道华文书中有很多有趣的好作品。完全没有想到，竟然激发他们自己创作！”
为了不影响孩子的创意，用心良苦的钟丽琴决定不要一开始就参与更改小说，而是等到其基本成型后再帮忙修改文字。“每个人都有他的天赋和能力，我想保持她作品的天然。”
从小听父亲自编故事 种下想象的种子
睿祺从小就喜欢听故事，而讲故事的人正是父亲潘来发。在车里，在路上……潘来发自编的故事，在幼小的睿祺心中种下了想象的种子。风趣的潘来发说：“我什么都讲，军事、历史、法律……唉！我真后悔当时没把每天讲给她的故事录下来啊，如果录下来，何止一千零一夜！”
得力助手是Google Translate
不过，创作灵感是有了，但对于一个从小在英文环境里长大的小五生来说，用华文写作谈何容易？睿祺经常先用英文构思，然后再用华文表达出来。作为网络原住民，睿祺的一个得力助手便是Google Translate。遇到不知道如何用华文讲的词，睿祺就上网找答案。
除了老师，睿祺的父母也成了女儿作家的左膀右臂：“妈妈爸爸帮我查字典。妈妈还特地弄多一台电脑帮我Google Translate。”
提到写小说的困难，顽皮的潘睿祺还借访问机会正式“抱怨”：“时间不够用啊！我有很多功课，尤其是华文功课哦！”由于作业完成时通常已经入夜，小作家不得已只好在晚上10点多才开始写小说。“爸爸不让我太迟睡，可是我那么多灵感，一定要写啊！”
尽管华文创作对于睿祺来说并不容易，她却从来没有想到要放弃。“我想了那么久才写出来的，花了那么多心血，怎么能说放弃就放弃呢？”
已开始撰写第二篇华文小说
如今，也创作过英文故事的睿祺已开始撰写第二篇华文小说。她说：“这是个关于百花毒的故事。我是在看了《搜神传》之后想出的一个故事。”目前，睿祺的家人和老师有意为她出版小说《真相》。
《真相》内容简介
悬疑小说《真相》中，主人公维琪是女作家李淑慧的超级粉丝，在意外听说偶像神秘失踪后的一次旅途中，竟然遇到李淑慧和某神秘男子，于是开始了一段不凡的追觅。而随着维琪一步步向事情的真相迈进，畅销作家不为人知的另一面被逐渐揭开……
Hope after reading this, our chinese can also improve......
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can any K1 or K2 parent share … how do you prepare your child for Pri 1 problem sums ? Thanks for sharing
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hi,
recommendation to Newton parents ….
besides relying on our kindy school teachers to teach children Chinese, we can complement teachers at home, help our kids go up learning curve faster ! DIY method (do it yourself).
for those with kids going SAP schools - to equip kids a strong foundation in Chinese, can consider buying / reading ‘Si Wu Kuai Du’ books (published in Hubei). Chinese standard higher than our SG Chinese!
‘Si Wu Kuai Du’ is an excellent series. It comes in a set of 7 books. It teach parents systematically from scratch, train child recognise chinese character words.
out of 7 books, book 1 is most important - gives teaching instructions to parents. Once the child can master fundamentals, child can proceed slowly, read long chinese novels like … san guo yan yi, water margin (sui gu zuang), intellectual wisdom war strategies of Zu Ge Liang, etc.
picture of the 7 books:-
http://www.sgshinekids.com/22235201162455535835.html
feedback:-
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=21547 -
hi,
some of you write in to ask me ... am i a staff of Newton kindergarten ... so, can help to register your child into Nursery?
wish to clarify ... I am NOT a staff.
i am only an ordinary parent, whose child happen to study in this kindy.
I am just like any one of you. However, i don't mind sharing info with you, since we're all parents, anyway. -
Hi! I've been actively reading up on all i can on Newton Kindy as I plan to enrol my gal for N2 next year. Can any of the parents advise on the Pri 1 preparedness for children from Newton Kindy?
My older gal is currently in a church kindy, and I realised that she is far from being ready for P1 standards! Her reading skills are not there (can't even read instructions on preschool activity books I buy for her) and the school gives her only 2 pages of homework a week.
I have to do alot of coaching and extra lessons at home myself as I am panicking that she will not be able to cope with current P1 standards. To make things worse, she will be going to St Nick's nxt yr!
Hence i want to be sure that Newton kindy will be able to get my little one prepared for P1 in the future, and I need not face the stress I'm facing now with the older gal!
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