Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[mum2b]

need help/advise from experienced parents…


which one is better:
1) current home >2km CHIJ OLQP, eligible for ph 2B (past history guaranteed in)
2) shift to TP area <1km CHIJ TP, eligible for ph 2B (past history guaranteed in)

in term of school "quality" (teachers, peers environment, secondary sch affiliation, etc) which one is better from the above 2 schools? i had the impression that TP is better than OLQP, is it true?

another question: if i were to shift <1km from St Nic (ph 2B), is it too risky? if not in, ph 2C Marymount convent. is it a good plan or a foolish one? anyone know how many ppl within <1km register to st nic on ph 2B last year, and how many space available on that phase?

many many thanks…

[jtoh]

mum2b:

need help/advise from experienced parents..


which one is better:
1) current home >2km CHIJ OLQP, eligible for ph 2B (past history guaranteed in)
2) shift to TP area <1km CHIJ TP, eligible for ph 2B (past history guaranteed in)

in term of school \"quality\" (teachers, peers environment, secondary sch affiliation, etc) which one is better from the above 2 schools? i had the impression that TP is better than OLQP, is it true?

another question: if i were to shift <1km from St Nic (ph 2B), is it too risky? if not in, ph 2C Marymount convent. is it a good plan or a foolish one? anyone know how many ppl within <1km register to st nic on ph 2B last year, and how many space available on that phase?

many many thanks...

Of all the schools, St Nick's probably has the best reputation and is going IP as well, so that's a major plus factor. If you can't get in at Phase 2B to any of the schools, it is not difficult to get into Marymount at Phase 2C.

I have the impression that TP is better than OLQP but maybe some of the other parents can give you a better idea. Or you can browse their respective school forums to assess.

[janet88]

Hi mum2b,

I am staying nearer to IJ OLQP (chestnut).
I am a former student at IJ TP, so I qualify under Phase 2A there. If I had registered my gal at OLQP last year, she will be under Phase 2C.

St Nic is the only SAP school among IJ group of schools.
It’s hard (and unfair) to say which IJ is better. IJ Kellock is doing a good job too.

[mum2b]

thanks jtoh n janet.

that’s why, it’s a headache. actually we are going to upgrade anyway, but TP flats are definitely more costly.
i also know that St Nic is so h-o-t, that’s why if we move there for that purpose and not in (even though we have plan B at Marymount), i can’t imagine how i felt, staying so near but yet so far and unreachable.

[janet88]

mum2b:

thanks jtoh n janet.

that's why, it's a headache. actually we are going to upgrade anyway, but TP flats are definitely more costly.
i also know that St Nic is so h-o-t, that's why if we move there for that purpose and not in (even though we have plan B at Marymount), i can't imagine how i felt, staying so near but yet so far and unreachable.

St Nic is so very hot...and very stressful too.
That feeling of so near yet so far is frustrating...I understand those parents staying minutes walk away and yet can't get child into school.

I wait for my gal outside school gate...once talked to a mother whose daughter is in P1. She told me she had wanted to register her daughter in another primary school in Toa Payoh but out of 1km, so no choice :x but register her in CHIJ TP. Honestly when I heard that, I felt rather pissed. Although IJ TP may not be a top school, but this isn't the way to talk.

[mum2b]

If I were u, I also feel bitter with such comment. Should have been more considerate when making comments.


Janet, do u know if there’s any before/after school care within IJ TP or nearby? So far, r u happy with the school environment, the teachers, peers and curriculum? How does the school do compared to ur son’s school (I suppose PHPS is hotter and thus more stressful)? sorry for that noob question, coz I dun know much about the school, hope u dun mind.

[janet88]

mum2b:

If I were u, I also feel bitter with such comment. Should have been more considerate when making comments.


Janet, do u know if there’s any before/after school care within IJ TP or nearby? So far, r u happy with the school environment, the teachers, peers and curriculum? How does the school do compared to ur son’s school (I suppose PHPS is hotter and thus more stressful)? sorry for that noob question, coz I dun know much about the school, hope u dun mind.

There is not before/after school care for IJ TP...apologies as I'm not very sure if there is any nearby.
Girls in IJ TP have always been speaking English since my days...they detested Chinese.

The principal is warm & motherly...of course principals strive on getting As but she doesn't push for it in an obvious way. I'm happy with the environment like the teachers, well at least at P1.
CL & EL is a weekly thing at IJ TP, but understand CL spelling is not at Pei Hwa. Don't know if I heard correctly.

Having a problem with my daughter now...supposed to have CL tuition but she ran out of the room after 15 min :x Don't know what is wrong with her...but very relieved she is not in PH where emphasis is on English and Chinese as 1st language.

[mum2b]

Oh, I see. So can I say that generally IJ TP girls don’t like Chinese? Actually my dd so far interested in CL, and her cc happen to put emphasis on CL too. Hmm…

Your daughter has Chinese private tutor at home? may I ask if she like the subject?

[janet88]

mum2b:

Oh, I see. So can I say that generally IJ TP girls don’t like Chinese? Actually my dd so far interested in CL, and her cc happen to put emphasis on CL too. Hmm..

Your daughter has Chinese private tutor at home? may I ask if she like the subject?

She is scared of Chinese as her ting xie in K2 was very tough. She doesn't like Chinese either but she doesn't have a choice. However, there are equal hours of Eng and Chinese in school. The tutor advised me to increase her knowledge of ci2 yu3 like kan4 shu1, lou2 ti1 but don't stress her.

[meiah]

mum2b:

thanks jtoh n janet.

that's why, it's a headache. actually we are going to upgrade anyway, but TP flats are definitely more costly.
i also know that St Nic is so h-o-t, that's why if we move there for that purpose and not in (even though we have plan B at Marymount), i can't imagine how i felt, staying so near but yet so far and unreachable.

Sounds like my friend's situation. She moved all the way from Sembawang to Ang Mo Kio and bought a condo there to be near SNGS. However, when she discovered that her address is outside 1km, she was devastated. Then she watched 2B last year but she could not register because the 1 km applicants were overwhelming. In the end, she put her dd in OLGC. So far, her dd is extremely happy in OLGC.