Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:17:19 GMT

ningy — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 06:17:19 GMT

We’re staying in the East, when my DD1 was in P5, we already discussed with her and shortlisted 2 sec schools. Our 1st choice is in Bukit Timah while the 2nd choice is in the east; so I quickly call a few school buses (got info from KSP and also the sec sch during open house) and check on the pick up time and amount. To our surprise, the difference bet existing pri sch (east) bus pick up time and the sec sch (bukit timah) is only about 15 min ('cos got expressway). The $$ is exactly the same (though 2 ways for pri sch and 1 way for sec sch).

This yr, she is in Sec 1 and she’s okay with going to bukit timah by sch bus in the morning and spending about 1 hr travelling back home via public bus. Since she agreed and make the choice, she didn’t complain; so it’s important that your child has to be involved in the final decision. Youngsters nowadays can easily entertain themselves during the long bus journey.

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 11:30:18 GMT

kiddo — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 11:30:18 GMT

My DS travel 1 and half hour to reach home on public transport ....

so it can be done but may not be everyone cup of tea...

Because we like the quiet and lay back ambience of the north living and the busyness of the east where his sec school is

works out very well........

trained independent, alertness and discipline.........

and he make another batch of new friends from a different part
of SG

:celebrate:

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:16:07 GMT

bigfoot — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:16:07 GMT

Be prepare that your child will be in school the whole day. Your child CCA will definitely \"eat\" into the time in the afternoon. Even when there are no CCA, there maybe enrichment, learning journeys, CIP, workshop, remedial lesson, etc.... Of course distance is important. You do not want your child to spend too much time travelling every day. On the other hand, getting into the \"right\" school to suit your child learning is also important. Like what others had pointed out, find out more about the secondary school before making a choice. I had seen so many so called good school but teachers not as committed as those in the neighbourhood school.

Generally, I think if it is less than 30 min travelling time, it should be fine. Anything more than 30 min, I suggest you consider moving house. I know we would do that for our kids.

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:18:30 GMT

mrswongtuition — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 06:18:30 GMT

Another thing to note: Try to find out the open houses of the schools you, your wife and your child are interested in to visit the school and get a ‘feel’ of the school.

From there, three of you can sit down and discuss your top 5 choices, followed by top 10 choices.

Having seen the school and try out the travelling route would allow your child to make a better informed choice too. (Bear in mind, some kids don’t mind long distance on public transport and some might. So your child’s ‘tolerance’ level for long distance travel will be tested when you actually make the trip using the mode of transport he/she would use daily.)

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:47:56 GMT

Nebbermind — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:47:56 GMT

I know coz my boy did not go to the school we wanted him to...and he seems to enjoy school alot more now!!

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:05:30 GMT

ppnqq — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:05:30 GMT

Nebbermind:
Another thing, do not omit your child in the discussion of school selection. How he/she feel is very important!!

Yah, it is also very important to respect your child's view. After all, he is the one attending the school, not the parents! :cheeky:

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:31:25 GMT

Nebbermind — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 03:31:25 GMT

Another thing, do not omit your child in the discussion of school selection. How he/she feel is very important!!

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:50:55 GMT

totemlim — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 15:50:55 GMT

Thanks! You guys offer a rational voice, and I appreciate it.

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:04:30 GMT

ppnqq — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:04:30 GMT

Yes, no need to be so heat up over such thing. Do not ruin the relationship because of this 'part and parcel' of life. Afterall, your wife is just trying to do some planning for YOUR child.

And yes, like what the rest had suggested, do plan.

I would suggest to plan for TWO lists. One, the few good sec sch which both your child and your wife prefer to go to - IF your child manages to get really good results. Congrats.

2nd one (the 'contingency' list, just in case :xedfingers: ), list all the average, still-not-too-bad sec sch which both your child and wife find it acceptable - IF your child manages to get average results. Not too bad after all!

Sorry, I do not purposely meant to leave you out when I mentioned about getting your child and wife to list the sec schs but from what you had mentioned earlier on, I thought you are ok with any sch. If no, ok, then the THREE of you shall discuss AMICABLY on the choices of schs. Lol.

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 01:04:04 GMT

Herbie — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 01:04:04 GMT

Hi, PSLE result will decide which sec sch to go to… as parnets we can plan but it really depends on the kids performance at PSLE.

Like wat titank has suggested, list down thegood sec schools of yr choice and categorised them based on distance from home.

Cheers!

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:10:52 GMT

totemlim — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 00:10:52 GMT

Thanks for the advise, both of you.

I do agree I'd broken it down too clinically... now the way you described, I can accept that.

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:54:04 GMT

titank — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:54:04 GMT

totemlim:
My dear wife and I had a late night argument that left both of us frustrated as we really cannot see eye-to-eye on this one... I just want to have 3rd party perspective on this. Perhaps I really don't understand something...

Ok, the argument... my wife made a remark \"there is no good secondary school near our place!\"

My thoughts on this:
- it doesn't matter there is no good sec school near our place
- what matters are the PSLE results. Even if there are good schools nearby, if results no good also meaningless
- if results are good, she can go any school she wants
- no doubt we won't want to put her to a school that's too far, but moderate distance is OK by me

Her thoughts:
- when we need to put down 1st/2nd choice, there are no good schools near our place
- we can't send our child to a school that's too far away. Sec school activities are quite busy

Any comments?

So simple, ask your wife list down the top 5 choice of seconday schools. Wait for the PSLE results then say. If really the secondary school is far, then the kid have to train to take public transport by means of MRT or SBS buses.

List out the good secondary schools in terms of 1Km to 10Km!

Reply to Cannot understand - Diff on approach over Sec Sch issue on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:20:41 GMT

3Boys — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 15:20:41 GMT

The last thing you want to do is have a logical argument with your wife :lol: :lol:

But seriously, you've possibly broken it down too clinically. Yes, the primary issue is the PSLE result, after which all else can be worked out. However, your wife already has aspirations for your child, and is planning a further step ahead. I.e. she is already thinking that your place of residence will constrain your child's academic pursuits. Just start from there, and work out hypothetical scenarios of how to deal with the eventuality of your daughter doing brilliantly.....

My 2 cents