2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy
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Drama Mama:
DD was in 2009. Though stressful (first timer) things were more in control. We could plan time table and schedules together and DD will try her best to follow them. She knows what she wants and what is needed to get there with very little reminders.
Which year did your DD do PSLE? What's different?Chenonceau:
[quote=\"Drama Mama\"]We must appreciate and acknowledge that every child is unique and not one rule nor strategy work for all. I have a DD and a DS and preparing for PSLE this year with by DS is a whole new ball game all together.
I thought I would be experience enough after having gone thru one pretty comfortably....but I was proven wrong.
DS also knows what he wants but is less willing to put in the effort. He wants to take short cut all the way, hoping for the same results. DD a lot more focus whereas DS gets distracted very easily. For DS I also try to work out a time table but it is a struggle to make him keep to it. A lot more tiring and stressful working with DS this year. But I guess the experience with DD does help a bit.[/quote]Hi Drama Mama,
Every child is different. But since you had experience the \"how to prepare PSLE\" before, I'm sure it will work it out somehow with your DS.
Jia You ! :rahrah: -
Sun_2010:
Yes, that's what we do during the open house - talk to the existing students especially those in Sec 1. They will tell you the challenges they meet , how they adjust to the new school , how they cope ...
in ways you are right - the extent school go to say I am the best, is kind of putting off.Peony:
Am hesitant to visit open houses.... as I see it as akin to property open houses - marketing strategy. Prefer to hear from other parents and existing students.
But I do see a value in going for open houses after receiving feedback.
But this is also an opportunity for your DD/DS to visit there dream school, take in the atmosphere to motivate them . A concrete thing to see and feel and aspire to than just a slip giving the T-Score.
IMHO dont go running around to all , but select 1 or 2 , and walk around ...
When we visit the open houses, DH and I will split up. He will attend the talks given by the principal / VP while i accompany DD around the school (usually we join a school tour led by one of the student leader)
And i agree - don't hop around too many schools - be selective and spend time finding out more about the school and its culture.
i find visualization does help in motivating the child to go towards the goal . -
DD was in 2009. Though stressful (first timer) things were more in control. We could plan time table and schedules together and DD will try her best to follow them. She knows what she wants and what is needed to get there with very little reminders.
DS also knows what he wants but is less willing to put in the effort. He wants to take short cut all the way, hoping for the same results. DD a lot more focus whereas DS gets distracted very easily. For DS I also try to work out a time table but it is a struggle to make him keep to it. A lot more tiring and stressful working with DS this year. But I guess the experience with DD does help a bit.[/quote]
Hi Drama Mama,
Every child is different. But since you had experience the \"how to prepare PSLE\" before, I'm sure it will work it out somehow with your DS.
Jia You ! :rahrah:[/quote]
Thanks Fightingmom ! Need a lot of \"You\" to move on sometimes
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My son has decided what school he wants…but need reminders over and over again to work hard. Told him there is no shortcut to success, and shortcuts will not bring him the points to reach target.
So far, we only went to one open house. No time for last week’s at SJI. I find attending open house events quite stressful though…supposing like the school but ultimately it’s the result at the end of the day. Don’t know if others share my feeling. So what if he likes the school. Work hard and do well first. Once get results, can decide which sec school. That is more practical. -
I’m hesitant to direct DS towards this "one dream school" goal-setting approach. There are many variables beyond one’s control when it comes to getting into your dream school unless you can achieve 250+ and beyond, I personally think it may be disheartening for my child to anchor his hopes too early. I’m taking the approach of what choices you can make depending on the specific outcomes that you achieve.
I’ve had a heart-to-heart talk with DS and shared with him the different kinds of secondary schools that are available; we looked through last year’s directory together, talked about what the school seems to be good for. I also shared with him how the choice of secondary schools can affect his future based on the banding of the schools. On the practical side, I also shared about transportation issues; how important proximity to MRT and home can affect his time since Secondary school has long hours.
We worked out a number of choices for different scenarios eg if he gets 220 and below, what schools he would choose, if he gets 221 to 231, another set of options and then 231 - 241, etc. DS also decided that even if he scored 240 and above and his choices would certainly be widened, he said he wanted to go to a good neighbourhood school, no need well-known schools. He believes he’ll cope better there. -
:goodpost:
beanbear:
I'm hesitant to direct DS towards this \"one dream school\" goal-setting approach. There are many variables beyond one's control when it comes to getting into your dream school unless you can achieve 250+ and beyond, I personally think it may be disheartening for my child to anchor his hopes too early. I'm taking the approach of what choices you can make depending on the specific outcomes that you achieve.
I've had a heart-to-heart talk with DS and shared with him the different kinds of secondary schools that are available; we looked through last year's directory together, talked about what the school seems to be good for. I also shared with him how the choice of secondary schools can affect his future based on the banding of the schools. On the practical side, I also shared about transportation issues; how important proximity to MRT and home can affect his time since Secondary school has long hours.
We worked out a number of choices for different scenarios eg if he gets 220 and below, what schools he would choose, if he gets 221 to 231, another set of options and then 231 - 241, etc. DS also decided that even if he scored 240 and above and his choices would certainly be widened, he said he wanted to go to a good neighbourhood school, no need well-known schools. He believes he'll cope better there. -
janet_lee88:
Hmm..i'm not sure about others...for my DD, maybe she is more the goal oriented type. I see the benefits of bringing her to the open house so that she can see what is it like to be part of the school. She even asked the students there how they achieve to get into the school, what they had done during their PSLE time... so in a sense, i find it is a motivating factor for her that if they can do it, so can she.My son has decided what school he wants...but need reminders over and over again to work hard. Told him there is no shortcut to success, and shortcuts will not bring him the points to reach target.
So far, we only went to one open house. No time for last week's at SJI. I find attending open house events quite stressful though...supposing like the school but ultimately it's the result at the end of the day. Don't know if others share my feeling. So what if he likes the school. Work hard and do well first. Once get results, can decide which sec school. That is more practical. -
beanbear:
We did something similar earlier this year. I started with asking my p4 boy what is his target. He said 240. After going thru a List of schs with him, we concluded that to have at least 4 choices, he needs to comfortably hit 245 n above. Anything below 242, he'll go to a band 3 sch a stone's throw away from home cos it make sense due to distance. Anything below that sch's cop, I will choose for him most probably emphasise on distance as the few band 5 to 7 schs around our area, I roughly know which r the less desired ones.I'm hesitant to direct DS towards this \"one dream school\" goal-setting approach. There are many variables beyond one's control when it comes to getting into your dream school unless you can achieve 250+ and beyond, I personally think it may be disheartening for my child to anchor his hopes too early. I'm taking the approach of what choices you can make depending on the specific outcomes that you achieve.
I've had a heart-to-heart talk with DS and shared with him the different kinds of secondary schools that are available; we looked through last year's directory together, talked about what the school seems to be good for. I also shared with him how the choice of secondary schools can affect his future based on the banding of the schools. On the practical side, I also shared about transportation issues; how important proximity to MRT and home can affect his time since Secondary school has long hours.
We worked out a number of choices for different scenarios eg if he gets 220 and below, what schools he would choose, if he gets 221 to 231, another set of options and then 231 - 241, etc. DS also decided that even if he scored 240 and above and his choices would certainly be widened, he said he wanted to go to a good neighbourhood school, no need well-known schools. He believes he'll cope better there.
Think I asked b4 but here I go again-is 50min transport time including waiting n walking, reasonable for sec sch commuting? What is your tolerance limit? -
fightingmom:
IF she doesn't make it into the school of choice, what will that mean for her FUTURE levels of motivation in secondary school?
Hmm..i'm not sure about others...for my DD, maybe she is more the goal oriented type. I see the benefits of bringing her to the open house so that she can see what is it like to be part of the school. She even asked the students there how they achieve to get into the school, what they had done during their PSLE time... so in a sense, i find it is a motivating factor for her that if they can do it, so can she.janet_lee88:
My son has decided what school he wants...but need reminders over and over again to work hard. Told him there is no shortcut to success, and shortcuts will not bring him the points to reach target.
So far, we only went to one open house. No time for last week's at SJI. I find attending open house events quite stressful though...supposing like the school but ultimately it's the result at the end of the day. Don't know if others share my feeling. So what if he likes the school. Work hard and do well first. Once get results, can decide which sec school. That is more practical.
You've put her on a high tightrope. Have you constructed a safety net of sorts to cushion a possible fall? If not yet... maybe have think. You're not doing anything wrong but best to think this through to the end? -
jedamum:
To me 50min is acceptable. There are many that I know take an hour and half to travel to school daily. That is a bit too much.
We did something similar earlier this year. I started with asking my p4 boy what is his target. He said 240. After going thru a List of schs with him, we concluded that to have at least 4 choices, he needs to comfortably hit 245 n above. Anything below 242, he'll go to a band 3 sch a stone's throw away from home cos it make sense due to distance. Anything below that sch's cop, I will choose for him most probably emphasise on distance as the few band 5 to 7 schs around our area, I roughly know which r the less desired ones.beanbear:
I'm hesitant to direct DS towards this \"one dream school\" goal-setting approach. There are many variables beyond one's control when it comes to getting into your dream school unless you can achieve 250+ and beyond, I personally think it may be disheartening for my child to anchor his hopes too early. I'm taking the approach of what choices you can make depending on the specific outcomes that you achieve.
I've had a heart-to-heart talk with DS and shared with him the different kinds of secondary schools that are available; we looked through last year's directory together, talked about what the school seems to be good for. I also shared with him how the choice of secondary schools can affect his future based on the banding of the schools. On the practical side, I also shared about transportation issues; how important proximity to MRT and home can affect his time since Secondary school has long hours.
We worked out a number of choices for different scenarios eg if he gets 220 and below, what schools he would choose, if he gets 221 to 231, another set of options and then 231 - 241, etc. DS also decided that even if he scored 240 and above and his choices would certainly be widened, he said he wanted to go to a good neighbourhood school, no need well-known schools. He believes he'll cope better there.
Think I asked b4 but here I go again-is 50min transport time including waiting n walking, reasonable for sec sch commuting? What is your tolerance limit?
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