DSA 2012

[Fun fun]

I have been following this thread on dsa in preparation for next year :roll: Boy, was I stressed out after reading all the posts. :yikes:


Sure is worried whether my ds will be able to make it to dsa :frustrated:

[isetan]

Hi,


Just to check will the results of DSA posting out before or after PSLE?

[leeven]

[quote=\"GoodDad


I am a newbie but have been following this thread for quite some time. I have really enjoyed reading postings from some parents who share their frustration, joy, achievements, advice without reservation.

With the recent few postings, I felt that some of us have forgotten the very essence of GEP. It is a curriculum that is designed to stretch the minds on a wide range of topics. GEP is NOT about accelerated learning for the PSLE and not meant to compare the gifted from the mainstreamers. Is it vigorous - yes because it is meant to challenge .. more advanced ? - perhaps depending on the context. Being gifted is a blessing and not a ticket to success. Above all, gifted kids needs to be nurtured, and as John Hays Hammond says it “Character is the real foundation for all worthwhile success”.

GEP kids are given advantages such as access to a special DSA category (while it doesn't guarantee you a DSA spot, it certainly increases your chances compared to mainstream kids applying through the Academic route). Whether this is desirable or not, I will keep my opinions to myself.

Let's not forget the main objective of the GEP and that is to provide a type of education that allows the intellectually gifted to thrive. it is not about the marks or the grade (>80% or <80%) but all about differentiated learning.

In all fairness, the mainstreamers don't have it easy either - the current mainstream primary school syllabus is stifling and far from ideal. All the students should have an opportunity to experience an education system that is less rigid and one that encourage creativity.

As a parent whose child has experienced the GEP, I see its value. However, in preparation for PSLE, I understand that it is mundane and offer no challenge going through past year exam papers but I tell my son to look on the bright side of things - take PSLE as part of life that everyone student has to go through in Singapore and challenge himself to work towards achieving good results. Look forward to the few months after PSLE where he can explore his learning and quench his thirst to his hearts content. Peace to all [/quote]

Well said. As a parent of a GEP boy, another challenge that I have learnt to manage is “failure”. It was a triple blow to my DS when he was rejected by the 3 schools that he had applied for DSA, while most of his classmate has gotten at least 1 to 3 DSA CO. I guess it was the parent has to be blame as we had set the expectation too high. My DS scored 76% for his SA1, silver for SMOPS and school team of a popular sport that has won several zone and national awards. The whole family nearly gone into depression. Luckily, DS able to pull himself up and done well enough in PSLE to go to his current IP school and is doing well now.

In summary, to me it is not easy to be a GEP student, it is more challenging to be GEP parents[/quote]

I totally agree . The stress and workload and subject difficulty they have cannot be compared with mainstream.

[leeven]

isetan:

Hi,


Just to check will the results of DSA posting out before or after PSLE?

CO/WL/Rejection will be give earlier but the actual posting process is after PSLE

[Essential]

Anyone can share the dsa question

[leeven]

jtoh:

Africa is a continent comprising many countries. So there is no capital of Africa as such. Unless they asked for the capital of a specific African country.

this is the answer they expected from the student and students did say this.

[isetan]

leeven:

isetan:

Hi,


Just to check will the results of DSA posting out before or after PSLE?

CO/WL/Rejection will be give earlier but the actual posting process is after PSLE

many thanks.

[yarna]

leeven:

GoodDad:

[quote=\"pitterpatter\"]

I am a newbie but have been following this thread for quite some time. I have really enjoyed reading postings from some parents who share their frustration, joy, achievements, advice without reservation.

With the recent few postings, I felt that some of us have forgotten the very essence of GEP. It is a curriculum that is designed to stretch the minds on a wide range of topics. GEP is NOT about accelerated learning for the PSLE and not meant to compare the gifted from the mainstreamers. Is it vigorous - yes because it is meant to challenge .. more advanced ? - perhaps depending on the context. Being gifted is a blessing and not a ticket to success. Above all, gifted kids needs to be nurtured, and as John Hays Hammond says it “Character is the real foundation for all worthwhile success”.

GEP kids are given advantages such as access to a special DSA category (while it doesn't guarantee you a DSA spot, it certainly increases your chances compared to mainstream kids applying through the Academic route). Whether this is desirable or not, I will keep my opinions to myself.

Let's not forget the main objective of the GEP and that is to provide a type of education that allows the intellectually gifted to thrive. it is not about the marks or the grade (>80% or <80%) but all about differentiated learning.

In all fairness, the mainstreamers don't have it easy either - the current mainstream primary school syllabus is stifling and far from ideal. All the students should have an opportunity to experience an education system that is less rigid and one that encourage creativity.

As a parent whose child has experienced the GEP, I see its value. However, in preparation for PSLE, I understand that it is mundane and offer no challenge going through past year exam papers but I tell my son to look on the bright side of things - take PSLE as part of life that everyone student has to go through in Singapore and challenge himself to work towards achieving good results. Look forward to the few months after PSLE where he can explore his learning and quench his thirst to his hearts content. Peace to all

Well said. As a parent of a GEP boy, another challenge that I have learnt to manage is “failure”. It was a triple blow to my DS when he was rejected by the 3 schools that he had applied for DSA, while most of his classmate has gotten at least 1 to 3 DSA CO. I guess it was the parent has to be blame as we had set the expectation too high. My DS scored 76% for his SA1, silver for SMOPS and school team of a popular sport that has won several zone and national awards. The whole family nearly gone into depression. Luckily, DS able to pull himself up and done well enough in PSLE to go to his current IP school and is doing well now.

In summary, to me it is not easy to be a GEP student, it is more challenging to be GEP parents

I totally agree . The stress and workload and subject difficulty they have cannot be compared with mainstream.[/quote]let's not compare - it is not the right spirit to foster. I do not think this is what is meant in the previous 2 postings by GoodDad and pitterpatter. We have to remember that this forum is shared by GEP parents/students and those from the mainstream - let's not cause friction and add to the frustration.

[yarna]

h530251:

How come only RGS, NYGH and NUSH ? No other schools to DSA meh ?

[/quote][/quote][/quote]


True, not much of choice for GE girls in IP school until now. My DD is now in NUSH Y2. During her time, only 5 of them from RGPS GEP (including top RGPS girl in 2010 PSLE) in NUSH. Almost 70% cohort in RGS, 15% in NYGH and the rest in SOTA.[/quote]

Actually, if you got into NUSH, does it mean that you will definitely get into NUS later ?[/quote]

No it is not a straight through option. NUSH students will need to apply. Admission dependent on their result. I asked the principal during open house - majority of their students get into science. A handful to the professional program like medicine and law.

[yukilei]

Fun fun:

I have been following this thread on dsa in preparation for next year :roll: Boy, was I stressed out after reading all the posts. :yikes:


Sure is worried whether my ds will be able to make it to dsa :frustrated:

Fun fun,

I started following this thread since last year too, when my DS was in P5. Don't feel so stress... This thread provides lots of info, definitely a good channel to keep you well informed. This will help you to prepare for your DS DSA too. Enjoy your reading.