GEP 2012 - Screening & Selection
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monmon31:
My son has been selected for GEP
:rahrah:
:congrats: -
fairy princess,
I generally do not believe in giving specific advice, as you are the best person to understand your situation and your DD's'.
But reading your input , I make an exception and say - GO FOR IT.
Why?
Besides the fact she got thru the selection tests the most important factor is Your daughter is super keen .
Your mum as one who interacts with her school work regularly also believes she has it in her ( second opinion)Fairyprincess:
Yes , most definitely.But my gal is already in NYPS- is there a need to further stretch her in GEP???
Please dont deprive her of an opportunity she has rightfully earned and she desires to persue.
I perfectly understand the protectiveness. Its a very maternal thing. But protectiveness can be stifling at times. And honestly, the best thing you can do for her is not protect her but support her. If you feel your DD is always looking at the rosy side, or you worry she cannot cope, lay out to her how there are chances that it may not work out , but please, please dont paint a bleak picture. And if that happens what will be options out.
Oh, please please go for it. -
Sun_2010:
:goodpost:fairy princess,
Yes , most definitely.
I generally do not believe in giving specific advice, as you are the best person to understand your situation and your DD's'.
But reading your input , I make an exception and say - GO FOR IT.
Why?
Besides the fact she got thru the selection tests the most important factor is Your daughter is super keen .
Your mum as one who interacts with her school work regularly also believes she has it in her ( second opinion)Fairyprincess:
But my gal is already in NYPS- is there a need to further stretch her in GEP???
Please dont deprive her of an opportunity she has rightfully earned and she desires to persue.
I perfectly understand the protectiveness. Its a very maternal thing. But protectiveness can be stifling at times. And honestly, the best thing you can do for her is not protect her but support her. If you feel your DD is always looking at the rosy side, or you worry she cannot cope, lay out to her how there are chances that it may not work out , but please, please dont paint a bleak picture. And if that happens what will be options out.
Oh, please please go for it. -
Fairyprincess:
Hi,Hi all,
For numbers- I am not entirely sure for NYPS- but in my gal's class alone- 8 kids got invited for GEP- 5 boys and 3 gals. She belongs to the \"high achiever\" type of class, and there are 4 such classes in NYPS- if each class has 8 kids that qualified, that will be 32 just from the 4 classes, not counting kids who got in from the remaining 7 \"regular\" classes.
I know NYPS takes in 100 kids for 4 GEP classes annually, but I also heard NYPS students only make up 1 class e.g. 25, so my numbers above do not really tie up.
I also heard the boy:gal ratio is 75%:25%
Anyways, if there are other parents who child is already in GEP- P4 to P6- pls kindly share your view on the following:
- how has your child cope in GEP so far?
- do parents have to do a lot of coaching and support (and tuition?)?
- what are the real benefit of GEP? Is it using GEP DSA to get into sec sch- if yes, what is the average cut-off marks the kids must maintain?
I am really undecided about my gal going for GEP. As it is, NYPS already pushes each child well towards good results, GEP is a huge additional pressure source in my opinion...sigh sigh....(my problem is my hubby thinks differently, he said since she qualified, she should be able to cope- that is so easy to say.....)
PLS HELP GIVE INPUTS!! Thank you all.
I have a boy in NYPS GEP P6 this year. I can understand the mix feeling of your child being selected for GEP. Whatever the path we hope/want our child to take, we have to ensure the welling being of the child.
I like to share my inputs:
- how has your child cope in GEP so far?
>> For my son, it has been an enriching 3 years for him to learn to be humble and continual quest for knowledge beyond curriculum.
P4 is the adjusting period for the child. The teachers are usually supportive. This is the time where parents have to give lots of support and encouragement. Your child will be in a group of highly capable children - most of them are usually top in class or cohort in P1 to P3. My son has been top in cohort from P1 to P3 and getting full marks in mainstream has been quite effortless. So, when he was in GEP P4, he has to realise and adjust that many children are of same calibre and putting effort is required to maintain good results. Parents play an important role to ensure the child can cope and continue to do well. Playing a part is not doing project work for the child. You need the child to try out and you stand at the sidelines to give encouragement and assistance. If you help your child to complete project work, he/she will suffer in P5 because there will be more project work in P5 and he/she would not be able to do the work independantly, especially for the Individual Project Work in P5 where there are 3 track to choose i.e. IRS, FPS and IVP.
- do parents have to do a lot of coaching and support (and tuition?)?
>> At least for me, my son did not need much coaching from me...just support. I have to remind him about doing his best. There are many bright children in GEP and most of them, epecially the boys are hyper-active and vocal; they love challenges and may get arrogant, thinking that they are better than the teachers. So, they could get carried away and forget about the objectives and measurements. I have to remind him and get him back to reality.
- what are the real benefit of GEP? Is it using GEP DSA to get into sec sch- if yes, what is the average cut-off marks the kids must maintain?
>> The benefit of GEP is stretching the minds of a child who has learning capability beyond their peers. They are exposed to secondary school type of work. If your child is a fast learner, he/she will enjoy GEP. If the child gets into GEP because of hothousing and GEP preparation, then he/she has to work extremely hard to try to catch up - it can be exhausting and tiring to the poor child, not forgetting the morale and self-esteem is shaken.
Of course, being in GEP has advantages when come to DSA. Majority of them would get confirmed offer before sitting for PSLE. Sadly, not all the boys have confirmed offers because of their aggregate scores in P6 SA1, P5 and P4 results. From my understanding, the child needs to get at least 80% aggregate score from P4 to P6 SA1 to safely secure a confirmed place. For my son, he has confirmed offers from all the school he applied. This year, all the NYPS GEP girls have confirmed offers from RGS but not NYGH. I know of girls who has aggregate scores of 84% were only given WaitList 1 from NYGH.
As parents, we know our child the best. We will know if our kids are fast learners and can keep pace with the demands of GEP curriculum. If the kids are prepared for GEP, the child will have to work extremely hard and at the end of the day, the child may lose confident instead of doing well.
I hope my sharing is useful.
Good luck to all parents... -
JJ1111:
:goodpost:[/quote]let your girl go for it, Fairyprincess !
Yes , most definitely.Sun_2010:
fairy princess,
I generally do not believe in giving specific advice, as you are the best person to understand your situation and your DD's'.
But reading your input , I make an exception and say - GO FOR IT.
Why?
Besides the fact she got thru the selection tests the most important factor is Your daughter is super keen .
Your mum as one who interacts with her school work regularly also believes she has it in her ( second opinion)
[quote=\"Fairyprincess\"] But my gal is already in NYPS- is there a need to further stretch her in GEP???
Please dont deprive her of an opportunity she has rightfully earned and she desires to persue.
I perfectly understand the protectiveness. Its a very maternal thing. But protectiveness can be stifling at times. And honestly, the best thing you can do for her is not protect her but support her. If you feel your DD is always looking at the rosy side, or you worry she cannot cope, lay out to her how there are chances that it may not work out , but please, please dont paint a bleak picture. And if that happens what will be options out.
Oh, please please go for it.
because it is something that she wants and desire very much, besides she earned it herself ! This self motivated spirit & determination in her will spur her on, and will see her through !
you're blessed to have a self-motivated daughter, and also blessed to have a supportive mother (cum teacher) at home to guide her / supervise her well.
moreover she's already in NYPS, on familiar ground with teachers and fellow classmates - only change class, not change school. -
Mum101:
Hi,Fairyprincess:
Hi all,
For numbers- I am not entirely sure for NYPS- but in my gal's class alone- 8 kids got invited for GEP- 5 boys and 3 gals. She belongs to the \"high achiever\" type of class, and there are 4 such classes in NYPS- if each class has 8 kids that qualified, that will be 32 just from the 4 classes, not counting kids who got in from the remaining 7 \"regular\" classes.
I know NYPS takes in 100 kids for 4 GEP classes annually, but I also heard NYPS students only make up 1 class e.g. 25, so my numbers above do not really tie up.
I also heard the boy:gal ratio is 75%:25%
Anyways, if there are other parents who child is already in GEP- P4 to P6- pls kindly share your view on the following:
- how has your child cope in GEP so far?
- do parents have to do a lot of coaching and support (and tuition?)?
- what are the real benefit of GEP? Is it using GEP DSA to get into sec sch- if yes, what is the average cut-off marks the kids must maintain?
I am really undecided about my gal going for GEP. As it is, NYPS already pushes each child well towards good results, GEP is a huge additional pressure source in my opinion...sigh sigh....(my problem is my hubby thinks differently, he said since she qualified, she should be able to cope- that is so easy to say.....)
PLS HELP GIVE INPUTS!! Thank you all.
I have a boy in NYPS GEP P6 this year. I can understand the mix feeling of your child being selected for GEP. Whatever the path we hope/want our child to take, we have to ensure the welling being of the child.
I like to share my inputs:
- how has your child cope in GEP so far?
>> For my son, it has been an enriching 3 years for him to learn to be humble and continual quest for knowledge beyond curriculum.
P4 is the adjusting period for the child. The teachers are usually supportive. This is the time where parents have to give lots of support and encouragement. Your child will be in a group of highly capable children - most of them are usually top in class or cohort in P1 to P3. My son has been top in cohort from P1 to P3 and getting full marks in mainstream has been quite effortless. So, when he was in GEP P4, he has to realise and adjust that many children are of same calibre and putting effort is required to maintain good results. Parents play an important role to ensure the child can cope and continue to do well. Playing a part is not doing project work for the child. You need the child to try out and you stand at the sidelines to give encouragement and assistance. If you help your child to complete project work, he/she will suffer in P5 because there will be more project work in P5 and he/she would not be able to do the work independantly, especially for the Individual Project Work in P5 where there are 3 track to choose i.e. IRS, FPS and IVP.
- do parents have to do a lot of coaching and support (and tuition?)?
>> At least for me, my son did not need much coaching from me...just support. I have to remind him about doing his best. There are many bright children in GEP and most of them, epecially the boys are hyper-active and vocal; they love challenges and may get arrogant, thinking that they are better than the teachers. So, they could get carried away and forget about the objectives and measurements. I have to remind him and get him back to reality.
- what are the real benefit of GEP? Is it using GEP DSA to get into sec sch- if yes, what is the average cut-off marks the kids must maintain?
>> The benefit of GEP is stretching the minds of a child who has learning capability beyond their peers. They are exposed to secondary school type of work. If your child is a fast learner, he/she will enjoy GEP. If the child gets into GEP because of hothousing and GEP preparation, then he/she has to work extremely hard to try to catch up - it can be exhausting and tiring to the poor child, not forgetting the morale and self-esteem is shaken.
Of course, being in GEP has advantages when come to DSA. Majority of them would get confirmed offer before sitting for PSLE. Sadly, not all the boys have confirmed offers because of their aggregate scores in P6 SA1, P5 and P4 results. From my understanding, the child needs to get at least 80% aggregate score from P4 to P6 SA1 to safely secure a confirmed place. For my son, he has confirmed offers from all the school he applied. This year, all the NYPS GEP girls have confirmed offers from RGS but not NYGH. I know of girls who has aggregate scores of 84% were only given WaitList 1 from NYGH.
As parents, we know our child the best. We will know if our kids are fast learners and can keep pace with the demands of GEP curriculum. If the kids are prepared for GEP, the child will have to work extremely hard and at the end of the day, the child may lose confident instead of doing well.
I hope my sharing is useful.
Good luck to all parents...
:goodpost: Excellent sharing!
Mum101, Thks for your sharing. You have provided me with further insights to make the decision. :thankyou: -
In my opinion, taking chinese tuition is not considered hothousing because the children nowadays are increasingly speaking English at home instead. Furthermore, gep test on English and Math only. In my opinion - those who did not go for any tuition in English and Math and got selected should be able to handle the program. And if the selected child need to go for tuition in any of these two subjects after being selected should think twice if staying in the program is the best option for the child.
I think gep is similar to psle exam in that children are selected based on that particular test that they have taken on that particular day - a one test determine all kind of stuff. Hence, a lot of factors needed to be factored in too, e.g. state of the child on the day of test. And in my opinion, based on “a one test determined all”, some are correctly selected while some are not (I think no system is 100%.) Only the parents themselves will know whether the child is supposed to be in the program or not. I read in an article that parents will normally be the first to sense that their child is advanced for his/her age.
And whether chosen or not, it does not mean the child is more or less capable. If a child is not selected because he/she is one or two points away from the cut-off point, does it mean he/she is less capable? Be it gep or psle, to me, it just means the child is selected at that point in time when he/she took the test. But lots of things could happen after that. A selected child could become better or worse after joining the program. The unselected one could also become better or worse after not being selected.
I think gep is “hot” because of the limited vacancies and also, because the word gifted is used, lots of people think that the selected ones are the best (to me, some are really suitable for the program, some are not) Plus, a lot of people also think that the program stretches the mind etc etc. To me, I view it as just a program – a program offered in certain schools. I believe the program is interesting, I believed the program does stretch the mind. But, there are other programs that are interesting and stretches the mind too – most schools have HA class (from what I heard, some HA programs are very interesting too and they also made the child think deeper), some schools have the bicep class (from what I heard, need interview to get in) ….So, in my opinion, gep is not the only program. Just like in university, there are different programs offered, and depending on the child’s strength and interest, he/she should choose the program best suited for him/her. Most important, the child must be able to benefit from the program (whatever it is).
So, for me, I am happy for those who are selected regardless of whether they truly get in on their own or whether they are lucky on the day of the test or whether they are hot-housed in. And for those who think that their child should have been chosen as they have exhibited a lot of advance characteristics but yet not chosen, don’t despair, you know your child best, nurture them on your own And for those who did not get selected and think their child should not be selected in the first place, please continue to nurture your child because he/she may be a late bloomer.
Learning is a life-long process, the road is very very long, attitude is very very important. Whatever road we take and whether we think the road is a straight boring, winding longer, challenging rewarding is how we make the road to be. Straight boring, winding longer or challenging rewarding are individual perception. Everybody is entitled to their own definition of road, but I think most important is what we made them to be.
So for those who are selected, congratulations and enjoy the program
For those who are not selected, congratulations too – something else as rewarding is waiting for you -
Nebbermind:
Yes, donch just look at yournown comfort zone...consider your child who is keen to move away from her own comfort zone. That, itself, is a good attitude.[/quote]
Fairyprincess,jtoh:
[quote=\"Fairyprincess\"]Thank you parents for your inputs- I understand where you are coming from...
Since GEP is about exposure and broadening perspectives, then if my gal can get the exposure through intermingling class in NYPS- then there is no need to be in GEP, that is my opinion...
As GEP seems very time consuming, to the extent of limited time to prepare for PSLE, and since PSLE is the key deciding factor to enter sec 1, then I feel I have to pace my gal to strive towards achievable goals, rather than over-stretch her...
Yes, it is ultimately her decision, and we have to support and be there for her throughout the journey...I fully agree too...
Do keep your views coming, I do appreciate it...
My two cents worth. Your dd is already in NYPS. She won't have to deal with changing schools, making new friends etc. She'll be able to hit the ground running (almost) when she starts GEP. If your dd is keen on GEP, I strongly suggest that you let her give it a go. What they do in intermingling class is very little (and less satisfying) compared to what she'll be exposed to in a GEP class. The style of learning she'll be exposed to in GEP will serve her well in the long run. It's true that GEPpers only start preparing for PSLE in Term 3 (not May). But given that she's in NYPS, she'll only need to score 250 for entry into NYGH. And she should be able to hit that quite easily if she's diligent.
Most importantly, don't look back with regrets. If your dd is keen, you should let her give GEP a shot. Take her to the GEP talk with you.
:goodpost: -
Fairyprincess:
I have a son in GEP (he is in GEP P6 now) and a daughter in P4 META (intermingling class with the GEP for Chinese and other class activities).Thank you parents for your inputs- I understand where you are coming from...
Since GEP is about exposure and broadening perspectives, then if my gal can get the exposure through intermingling class in NYPS- then there is no need to be in GEP, that is my opinion...
As GEP seems very time consuming, to the extent of limited time to prepare for PSLE, and since PSLE is the key deciding factor to enter sec 1, then I feel I have to pace my gal to strive towards achievable goals, rather than over-stretch her...
Yes, it is ultimately her decision, and we have to support and be there for her throughout the journey...I fully agree too...
Do keep your views coming, I do appreciate it...
For my son, I know GEP is the right track for him to keep him motivated in learning.
As for my daughter, she got thru GEP Round 1 and she was really disappointed when she was not selected after Round 2 because she wants to be in GEP like her brother. We have to give her assurance that she is as capable as her brother and not getting into GEP does not mean she is not smart.
When she was given a place in META (NYPS identifies 30 children who are btw top 1.5% to 5% in the selection test to be in META class), we feel that it is a blessing in disguise. She is hardworking and always good in her work (above 95% in her P1 to P3 mainstream exams) but she may not be suitable for GEP because she is not the multi-tasking type of pupil where GEP is required, especially in P5 where there are many project works and deadlines one after another besides tests and assignments. Now, she has a chance to work and learn with the GEP pupils as well as focusing on mainstream work required for PSLE.
In GEP, my son did not get to do any PSLE revision or work until P6 SA1 in May, term 1 and term 2 have been madness to complete GEP curriculum. I guess if your child is doing well in GEP, taking PSLE should not be a problem. The only thing is making sure the child is exam savvy and knowing the PSLE answering techniques because GEP children (esp. boys I think) love to challenge questions. E.g. my son will challenge the question and/or model answer is wrong or vague, wasting time trying to debate and write his theory...
Then, we have some theory that those GEP kids will be at an advantage when they enter Secondary 1 because they are exposed to Secondary type of learning. This is true only for term 1 and 2. The GEP kids will be able to adapt in term 1 and 2 when they enter Secondary 1. For the mainstream pupils, they will need term 1 and 2 to adjust but after that, it should level up....at least this is what I am hearing from my neighbours. Her son entered RI via PSLE and was a mainstream pupil, it was abit tough in term 1 and 2 for him as he needed to adjust, after that, he is doing fine now.
Hence, whether GEP or not, the child must work hard and be focus. -
Received some wind: General office of some schools just received the envelopes!
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