DSA 2012

[jtoh]

Zekezachzoom:

Thanks snow crystal for your advice. Nope, I am not setting my eye on RI knowing that it is going to be tough and put unnecessary stress to my DS. My only concern is knowing that his weaknesses in his languages, he may not be able to attain good TScore for a tier one secondary schools. Hence, have to look for some viable alternatives for him.


I am not really keen on sports DSA as I do not want my DS to be just a \"work horse\" to be trained to bring in the medals to the schools and study becomes secondary

Hi. Snow Crystal's right in that it's easier to get a place through sports if your son is top of his field in a sport, compared to trying to secure a place academically. But ultimately you and your son have to decide if he's willing to commit for 4-6 years to a sport he may or may not have the passion for down the road. As your son seems to be strong academically, I say go for the academic route. If he passes the selection test, his strong leadership and sports skills will stand him in good stead for the interview stage. Be selective. Choose just 1-2 schools he's very keen on.

[verykiasu2010]

only DSA for the school you genuinely do not mind getting in


don’t go for any school just to secure a DSA offer

no need to DSA for the school you are sure to get in via PSLE S1 posting

[En-joy]

my daughter got into RGS last year via dsa sport. For parents who are keen to try this route, I must share that it can be very stressful becos school training and private training were going like 4 times a week in June hols (when everyone else is mugging like mad). July was competition time, Aug was dsa sports trial, Sept was school prelims and Oct was PSLE.


i was constantly debating if we have made the right move all since March to August, but I did not express my worry to my daughter, so as not to cause her more anxiety.

so for those who are interested, your child has to be very disciplined becos he has to study very hard after training (which could take up 40% of his time) and it can be very tiring. not much time to rest at all, no slack time, every minute counts.

i was very stressed becos had she not been successful in her dsa, a lot of time will be wasted while her friends can study at a more humane pace.

so parents, think carefully. unless you are very sure your child has an added competitve advantage (so that he can stand a much higher chance in the midst of hundreds), otherwise, academic result is the crucial one. it can be a big gamble and you can lose Time

once you have decided to go for it, you must persevere all the way and be extremely supportive! it can be quite a rollercoaster ride : emotionally, mentally and physically

all the best! :rahrah:

[Coddington]

The child has to feel SWEET + fun after doing all these DSA thingy.

Not the parents.

[En-joy]

yeah, thank goodness she loves her sport so much! she took her trainings as breaks from studying

[Coddington]

Agreed with you.

In Secondary & High school level, first and outmost,
the child MUST like it, whether it’s sports, arts,
robotics, any CCA. Otherwise they won’t do well.
Not about whether the parents like it or not.

Same for my ds & his fren…,chess, swimming, Olympiad Math,
robotics, volleyball, football, cross-country…
effort, stamina, time, endurance, commitment are all needed…
etc…and somekind of luck at the end…etc.

[sweetiepie]

Hi, need some advice from parents whose kids had tried Dsa in Guzheng. My dd has learnt Guzheng at home for 2 years and just gotten her grade 8 merit. She did not join the school or participated in any competition. Does she have chance trying Dsa Guzheng at duman high? Wat other schools have Dsa Guzheng?

[MummySTay]

sweetiepie:

Hi, need some advice from parents whose kids had tried Dsa in Guzheng. My dd has learnt Guzheng at home for 2 years and just gotten her grade 8 merit. She did not join the school or participated in any competition. Does she have chance trying Dsa Guzheng at duman high? Wat other schools have Dsa Guzheng?

NYGH.
I know of a girl who DSAed successfully.
She had Guzheng Grade 9, Distinction.
Had taken part in and won lots of individual competitions.

[sweetiepie]

I dun think bb stands a chance in NYGH. Any other school?

[phankao]

MummySTay:

sweetiepie:

Hi, need some advice from parents whose kids had tried Dsa in Guzheng. My dd has learnt Guzheng at home for 2 years and just gotten her grade 8 merit. She did not join the school or participated in any competition. Does she have chance trying Dsa Guzheng at duman high? Wat other schools have Dsa Guzheng?

NYGH.
I know of a girl who DSAed successfully.
She had Guzheng Grade 9, Distinction.
Had taken part in and won lots of individual competitions.

The NYGH one must be Ong HaiRou? In Sec 2 this year? SHe's extremely good. Has been groomed for competitions both local and overseas since very young.

Dunman High - there's Ng Murong, who should be in Sec 4 this year? She also won many competitions, but didn't manage to make it past preliminaries in the last nationals.

I think they are under the same instructor.

There should be others.