Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 06:30:52 GMT

MadScientist — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 06:30:52 GMT

Edureach:
AffectParent:
My child is now in Secondary 2, streaming year.

Currently the secondary school has only 1 pure triple science class.
The rest of the other classes offer only one pure sci subject (either Phy, Bio or Chem) with combine science.

The school does not have any classes which offer double science.

If my child could not get into triple science class, will he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC, assuming that the child continue the education in Sci stream. Will the child be able to cope with all the pure science subject in JC?
Me not trying to offend you, but think your kid is in an ordinary neighbourhood school. In this instance, aim for the top class, if unable, just have to attend poly later.

A little dated, but that was similar to my experience...

Was in Arts class with combined science, amongst humanities like Art and History.

Short answer is YES... will be at a disadvantage.

HOWEVER, it really depends on how (badly) your child wants to do what he/she wants to do...
I made a switch to Poly doing Biotech... no Biology background, except a 8 week crash course. I loved every bit of it even if it was a struggle... I spent all my days eating, drinking, sleeping and dreaming biology. It was passion at the purest, if I may say so.

Take home: Ask your child if it is there in the heart... deep deep down in the heart. If there is something he/she wants to do... let no one, no system stop them. Our role as parents is to learn (as soon/quick as possible) and advise... the children need to learn to make their own decisions as well as to form their own dreams and realize them.
If your child is up to it... then as a parent, do everything you can to support that dream... tuition, books, courses, etc. everything!

My favourite phrase/belief... that if I live my childhood dreams, my children will see that it is achievable, and they too will be inspired to live their own dreams.
One has to dream first, then work to get it.

All the best!

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 03:41:21 GMT

zeemimi — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 03:41:21 GMT

caroline3sg:
Hi

I also need advice on double pure or combined Science. My girl is an average student studying in a North sec sch. This year also streaming.

She obtained B3 for Chem & C5 for Physics in Science. She is in Express Stream and A Maths is compulsory.

First class is triple Science (total 8 subjects), 2 classes of double Science (8 subjects) and 1 class of combined Science (7 subjects).

She aspires to be kindergarten teacher because she likes kids. I looked up NP on its Dip in Early Childhood Edu and Science is not one of L1R4.

I choose combined Science so that she can concentrate on double Maths, CH (Geo) & POA but she prefers double Science, as one will not affect the other plus peer pressure I guess and also the social stigma of combine Science being the last class.

What are your views?

Even talking to Physics teacher doesnt give \"solid advice\", he just said let her choose when I told him our concerns.

The other thing is, can she be primary sch teacher if she continues her degree at Wheelock Uni (Aust) - this is continuing from NP Dip. Does MOE only recognise local uni?

Thank you

If physics is not her forte, i would suggest not to take pure physics. it gets more confusing for her with time.

Going for double science chem & bio would be a good choice.

For all you know, her aspirations may change along the way. double science would offer more choices.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:16:55 GMT

caroline3sg — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 02:16:55 GMT

Hi

I also need advice on double pure or combined Science. My girl is an average student studying in a North sec sch. This year also streaming.

She obtained B3 for Chem & C5 for Physics in Science. She is in Express Stream and A Maths is compulsory.

First class is triple Science (total 8 subjects), 2 classes of double Science (8 subjects) and 1 class of combined Science (7 subjects).

She aspires to be kindergarten teacher because she likes kids. I looked up NP on its Dip in Early Childhood Edu and Science is not one of L1R4.

I choose combined Science so that she can concentrate on double Maths, CH (Geo) & POA but she prefers double Science, as one will not affect the other plus peer pressure I guess and also the social stigma of combine Science being the last class.

What are your views?

Even talking to Physics teacher doesnt give "solid advice", he just said let her choose when I told him our concerns.

The other thing is, can she be primary sch teacher if she continues her degree at Wheelock Uni (Aust) - this is continuing from NP Dip. Does MOE only recognise local uni?

Thank you

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 04:57:46 GMT

hometutors.018849sg — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 04:57:46 GMT

Not impossible. But its gonna be very very difficult for the child.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 18:56:23 GMT

jen.03343895 — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 18:56:23 GMT

Do not be worry abt your child not being able to do pure science.

I have a friend who took combined science (since he was in NA stream, he was only allowed to do combined sci) went on to JC taking on double H2 Science (bio and chem). FYI, he only score A2 for his combined science(Bio/CHEM) and he wasn’t offered A.MATH. He is currently doing a degree in science at NUS.

Not being able to do pure science is not the end.

However, if your child really enjoy science, just go ahead to take pure science. It no point taking pure sci and failed. An art stream student can do well and enter uni too.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Fri, 27 May 2011 07:53:38 GMT

von72 — Fri, 27 May 2011 07:53:38 GMT

Hi AffectParent, don’t be disheartened…i share your anxiety sincerely as my boy be having his streaming this yr too…share ur worries with ur boy. Encourage him to work n strive for his best…sit down with him n work a target n goals with him…even if there’s only 1 pure science class, work towards being part of it. He still has 2 terms to "fight" b4 the final curtain. Irregardless of which school, is the attitude one has and support that we provide be a push factor for our dear child. There’s always a place for everyone…the only difference is u may take a longer route…

Good luck n all the best!!

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Thu, 26 May 2011 14:25:32 GMT

FrekiWang — Thu, 26 May 2011 14:25:32 GMT

AffectParent:
Very disheartened.

Now I really felt that Singapore education system is a one way system, no turning back.
Once my child loose out in PSLE and end up in neighbour school, it is pretty hard to keep up the race.

Do not lose hope please.

First of all, JC route is still better than Poly, assuming your child is in the express stream of a neighbourhood school by examining the combi offered by school. A BCC/C in A level guarantees a position in one of the local Unis while an excellent cap of 3.5/4 from poly is needed for the same purpose. 80% of the JC graduates qualify for Unis but only 5-7% of Poly graduates qualify. The worst thing about poly is - for whatever the course your child choose, he can apply for a similar major in Uni, and all the other 'doors' in Uni are closed.

Second, let me assume your child may have little chance to go to the top JCs(HCI, RI, VJC, NJC, ACJC) because these JCs demand a L1R5 of 3 to 6.
As for some other JCs, you need a minimum of C6 in pure science or B4 in combined science to take the relevant H2 subjects. However, do not worry too much. Assuming your child is doing A Maths, pure physics, combined science(chem/bio), in JC, you child will only take up 3 subjects at H2 level, probably H2 Maths, H2 Physics and H2 Chemistry. Comparing to those who did pure physics and pure chemistry, your child is only lacking of some knowledge in chemistry only. The difference is not that much for catching up, or you may just need to find a suitable chemistry tutor to coach your child for a few weeks in December then the gap will become even smaller.
------ From a current junior college teacher

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Wed, 25 May 2011 08:51:01 GMT

meinteel — Wed, 25 May 2011 08:51:01 GMT

What most schools will do is to arrange all the students according to the total number of points they obtain. The students with the least points (every subject A1) will get placed into the class of his 1st choice - very likely the pure science class. They will go down the list from there.

Assuming that the top 20 students choose class A and the 21st to 30th student chooses class B, then the 31st to 39th students will still stand a chance for Class A.

Therefore, students who did badly as compared to their schoolmates will technically be left without a choice. It is very likely they will end up in classes which are not popular.

By the current trend, most students tend to go for pure sciences class, Classes offering Additional Mathematics. The least popular classes tend to be humanities due to the difficulty of the lower secondary history and literature.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Wed, 25 May 2011 07:59:30 GMT

koguma — Wed, 25 May 2011 07:59:30 GMT

you may want to check with the Sec school on the selection criteria for triple science class. if the school only looks at Eng, Maths, Sci scores, then you may want to encourage your child to work harder on these 3 subjects.

if the school looks at the overall percentage and not just the 3 subjects, then you may want to choose the best Pure sci and combined sci option for your child. your child situation is better than those students who only do combined sci only. but i know of students with only combined sci proceed on to do one H2 sci in JC.

Sec schools usually conduct at least 1 briefing sessions to the students for sec 2 streaming. you can use these opportunities to talk to the teachers to find out more on their selection criteria.

i think the most important thing is what your child really like to study.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Wed, 25 May 2011 07:25:08 GMT

zeemimi — Wed, 25 May 2011 07:25:08 GMT

If your child doesn’t do well in combined science at ‘o’ level, probably his strength is not in the sciences and hoping for him to do H2 Science at JC will be a torture. Making him do triple science at ‘o’ level is not very ideal either.

Look for his strength. Perhaps in the languages or humanities. If his strength is in the sciences, work hard to get into the triple science class.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Tue, 24 May 2011 10:43:15 GMT

meinteel — Tue, 24 May 2011 10:43:15 GMT

I understand what you mean by giving every kid a chance. If you firmly believe you can do it, one can always talk to the college.

Though one must know that it will be very difficult for the kid. He must work really really hard.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Tue, 24 May 2011 10:10:50 GMT

koguma — Tue, 24 May 2011 10:10:50 GMT

Edureach:
Your reply is simply misguided. If a student can't even score A1 for combined science at 0-level the student will most likely be struggling doing H2 science.

Many many mistakes are being made students each year. No matter which jc a student goes to, he/she sits for the same exam. His/her standard will be assessed within the entire cohort.

Why give the students undue stress? Poly is more suitable for such students.

Hi Edureach, I appreciate your views. But I believe every kid should be given a chance to study what he/she likes, including late bloomers.

Cheers

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Tue, 24 May 2011 08:30:21 GMT

meinteel — Tue, 24 May 2011 08:30:21 GMT

Don’t lose heart AffectParent! O level is a good chance to turn things around!

I studied in a neighbourhood secondary school, ended up in a neighbourhood JC and now I’ve finished NS and waiting for university. This despite my annual household income being below S$26k, have a brother and I was born with learning difficulties.

There is hope and many chances for your child to shine. It is up to him or her to do it.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Tue, 24 May 2011 06:47:26 GMT

AffectParent — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:47:26 GMT

Very disheartened.

Now I really felt that Singapore education system is a one way system, no turning back.
Once my child loose out in PSLE and end up in neighbour school, it is pretty hard to keep up the race.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Tue, 24 May 2011 06:33:38 GMT

meinteel — Tue, 24 May 2011 06:33:38 GMT

Most schools will require you to have obtained a certain grades for taking combined sciences (usually one or two grades Higher as compared to Pure sciences).

If your child scored Cs for his/her combined science, it is unlikely the college will allow the student to take up H2 sciences. They will advise the student to take it as H1 subject instead. In any case, if your child scores Cs for this subject then you should reconsider taking up sciences even if you qualify for JC.

Therefore, yes your child will be disadvantage but should be able to cope well with the A level syllabus. Many of my college friends who came from neighbourhood schools doing combined sciences did as well as if not better than others who came from "brand" schools with distinctions in pure sciences.

In addition, someone with Combined (Physics/Chem) will only qualify for H2 Physics and/or H2 Chemistry and not Biology. Likewise, if the pure science student only studies Pure Physics (or another) he/she will only qualify for H2 Physics.

All in all, your child will be at the losing end for taking up Combined Sciences as H2 sciences syllabus are done up on the assumption that the student is well versed in the respective pure sciences subject. Most colleges will conduct bridging classes in the first two weeks of college (after school) for combined sciences students.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Mon, 23 May 2011 16:31:06 GMT

koguma — Mon, 23 May 2011 16:31:06 GMT

You may want to check out the following JCs on their requirements

1) AJC
http://www.ajc.edu.sg/ajc-experience/academic-programmes-/subject-combination

2) NJC
http://www.njc.edu.sg/education_subject.htm

3) CJC
http://www.cjc.edu.sg/cos/o.x?c=/wbn/pagetree&func=view&rid=1081781

4) HCI
http://www.hci.edu.sg/uploadfile/college-subjcomb/subject%20info%20and%20special%20programme1.pdf

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Mon, 23 May 2011 11:31:40 GMT

twilight — Mon, 23 May 2011 11:31:40 GMT

I think top JC (not sure about others, you can check with individual JCs) only allow students to offer H2 science if they score A1 in combined science. But if the take pure science for O levels, they need only score C and above I think to opt for H2 science.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Mon, 23 May 2011 09:44:57 GMT

Edureach — Mon, 23 May 2011 09:44:57 GMT

koguma:
AffectParent:
My child is now in Secondary 2, streaming year.

Currently the secondary school has only 1 pure triple science class.
The rest of the other classes offer only one pure sci subject (either Phy, Bio or Chem) with combine science.

The school does not have any classes which offer double science.

If my child could not get into triple science class, will he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC, assuming that the child continue the education in Sci stream. Will the child be able to cope with all the pure science subject in JC?
Is your child happen to be in a school in the north? If yes, you can be assured that the school is a good school :). Btw, I know of top schools that allow their students to do one Pure Science only (i.e. no combined science). These students are usually better in Humantities Subjects.

Different JCs have different requirements when come to subject combinations. Hence it is useful for you to check out those JCs that your child would like to go to.

In general, if the student gets A1 or A2 for the combined Science in O level, most JCs will allow the student to do the relevant science subject as a H2 subject. Example if the student do combined science (Phy/ Bio) and gets A2, then the student will be able to do H2 Phy or H2 Bio (some JCs only allow one H2 subject for combined science). Hence if you child do Pure Chem and combine science (Phy/Bio), then he/she can do H2 Chem and H2 Phy or H2 Bio.

Of course your child must do well in the Pure Science subject in order to do the same subject at H2 level. If your child gets a C6 for Pure Chem, some JCs will not allow the child to do H2 Chem.

In JCs, you are still a Student Stream student if you do H2 Maths, H2 Chem, H2 Econs and H2 Geog. Alternatively, your child can choose to do H2 Maths, H2 Chem, H2 Econs and H1 Phy if H1 Phy is the miminum requirement for the course he/she wants to do in University. Your child is still consider a Science Stream student.

Whether he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC depends on which JC the child goes to, and whether he/she put in the extra efforts to do well. The child can get A1 in O level does not mean that he/she will get A for the same subject in A level.

If you need more info, feel free to post. Hope my explaination gives you a clearer picture.

Your reply is simply misguided. If a student can't even score A1 for combined science at 0-level the student will most likely be struggling doing H2 science.

Many many mistakes are being made students each year. No matter which jc a student goes to, he/she sits for the same exam. His/her standard will be assessed within the entire cohort.

Why give the students undue stress? Poly is more suitable for such students.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Mon, 23 May 2011 09:38:53 GMT

koguma — Mon, 23 May 2011 09:38:53 GMT

AffectParent:
My child is now in Secondary 2, streaming year.

Currently the secondary school has only 1 pure triple science class.
The rest of the other classes offer only one pure sci subject (either Phy, Bio or Chem) with combine science.

The school does not have any classes which offer double science.

If my child could not get into triple science class, will he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC, assuming that the child continue the education in Sci stream. Will the child be able to cope with all the pure science subject in JC?

Is your child happen to be in a school in the north? If yes, you can be assured that the school is a good school :). Btw, I know of top schools that allow their students to do one Pure Science only (i.e. no combined science). These students are usually better in Humantities Subjects.

Different JCs have different requirements when come to subject combinations. Hence it is useful for you to check out those JCs that your child would like to go to.

In general, if the student gets A1 or A2 for the combined Science in O level, most JCs will allow the student to do the relevant science subject as a H2 subject. Example if the student do combined science (Phy/ Bio) and gets A2, then the student will be able to do H2 Phy or H2 Bio (some JCs only allow one H2 subject for combined science). Hence if you child do Pure Chem and combine science (Phy/Bio), then he/she can do H2 Chem and H2 Phy or H2 Bio.

Of course your child must do well in the Pure Science subject in order to do the same subject at H2 level. If your child gets a C6 for Pure Chem, some JCs will not allow the child to do H2 Chem.

In JCs, you are still a Student Stream student if you do H2 Maths, H2 Chem, H2 Econs and H2 Geog. Alternatively, your child can choose to do H2 Maths, H2 Chem, H2 Econs and H1 Phy if H1 Phy is the miminum requirement for the course he/she wants to do in University. Your child is still consider a Science Stream student.

Whether he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC depends on which JC the child goes to, and whether he/she put in the extra efforts to do well. The child can get A1 in O level does not mean that he/she will get A for the same subject in A level.

If you need more info, feel free to post. Hope my explaination gives you a clearer picture.

Reply to Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch on Mon, 23 May 2011 07:42:50 GMT

Edureach — Mon, 23 May 2011 07:42:50 GMT

AffectParent:
My child is now in Secondary 2, streaming year.

Currently the secondary school has only 1 pure triple science class.
The rest of the other classes offer only one pure sci subject (either Phy, Bio or Chem) with combine science.

The school does not have any classes which offer double science.

If my child could not get into triple science class, will he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC, assuming that the child continue the education in Sci stream. Will the child be able to cope with all the pure science subject in JC?

Me not trying to offend you, but think your kid is in an ordinary neighbourhood school. In this instance, aim for the top class, if unable, just have to attend poly later.