express or normal stream

Reply to express or normal stream on Fri, 23 Nov 2012 06:07:40 GMT

keltong — Fri, 23 Nov 2012 06:07:40 GMT

My issue is not more of whether better schools in NA or average school in Express. Rather, the immediate people that will surround him. Even in the better schools, in a NA class, there is a higher chance that he will meet people who are less interested to study compare to in a Express class. Or will a good school’s NA students who say avg 190-200 likely to have the same attitude compare to an average school’s express student who have any average of 200-220.

If a child scores 200 and is easily influence by friends, will going to Express help (to have better mix of friends but risk struggling) or going to NA help (by learning at a slower pace but risk having not so good influence).

BTW I not saying it is like that, but rather raising the possibility and wants to know from experience parents.

Reply to express or normal stream on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 01:55:37 GMT

koguma — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 01:55:37 GMT

pokomummy:
Definitely express, our poor sons cannot afford to lose 1 more year for nothing... NS already lose 2 years

But if results not so good, then bo pian!

Hope for the best!

My nephew's school has one student in Sec 1 NT, Sec 2 NA and then Sec 3 promoted to Express. So far he has been doing well.

My nephew was in Sec 1 NT, Sec 2 NA and has cleared his \"N(A)\" Level exam.

Hence there is nothing wrong to go normal stream in Sec 1.You need a overall score of 70% to promote from NT to NA or NA to Express. Since the criteria is already make known, parents and child should work hard and aim for it.

Doing 5 years instead of 4 doesn't means is a waste of time if the pace is just right for the student.

Reply to express or normal stream on Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:21:21 GMT

Nebbermind — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:21:21 GMT

slmkhoo:
pokomummy:
Definitely express, our poor sons cannot afford to lose 1 more year for nothing... NS already lose 2 years

But if results not so good, then bo pian!

Hope for the best!

Unless the family needs his income asap, the 'loss' of a couple of years can be a good thing. Students who are more mature generally have better discipline and study skills, have a better sense of what they want, and often achieve more than if they were younger.

Yes, not necessarily a bad thing. They may also end up having a better sense of where they want to be if they can think more maturely.
Someone I knew went into ns with just an o lvl. Did his a lvl n uni after that. Went into teaching n also did his masters.

Reply to express or normal stream on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:23:53 GMT

Flowermonaster — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:23:53 GMT

Understand that if the kids did well in Normal stream, they can still be promoted to Express stream. I have friend who DS went to N stream due to PSLE result but was recommended to go E stream after his did well in Sec Two. He rejected the offer as he was more comfortable with Normal stream’s pace.

Reply to express or normal stream on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:11:04 GMT

pokomummy — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:11:04 GMT

Definitely express, our poor sons cannot afford to lose 1 more year for nothing... NS already lose 2 years

But if results not so good, then bo pian!

Hope for the best!

Reply to express or normal stream on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:58:56 GMT

mummy so kiasu — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 23:58:56 GMT

Hi Ceirelav, It is not easy to find better schools with T score below 220 for express stream. Try to choose those schools that academic value addded & with N(T) COP above 100 & Express above 200. Go to the topic - Sec Schools around Ang Mo Kio to read others’ opinions on express or normal stream. All the best to your son’s PSLE. Hope he does well enough to proceed to express stream in a better school.

Reply to express or normal stream on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:45:35 GMT

Ceirelav — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:45:35 GMT

mummy so kiasu:
Ceirelav:
I agreed with u. But when I look through the booklet to choose secondary school, I hv no idea what to choose. The choice is so limited. Anyone has any suggestion which schools can I choose ard hougang, amk and serangoon areas?

You can consider Montfort, St Gabriel & Holy Innocent. Their express stream COP < 220. If your son's T score is less than 200, you should consider normal stream.

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks for the advice.

Reply to express or normal stream on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 08:36:45 GMT

mummy so kiasu — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 08:36:45 GMT

Ceirelav:
I agreed with u. But when I look through the booklet to choose secondary school, I hv no idea what to choose. The choice is so limited. Anyone has any suggestion which schools can I choose ard hougang, amk and serangoon areas?

You can consider Montfort, St Gabriel & Holy Innocent. Their express stream COP < 220. If your son's T score is less than 200, you should consider normal stream.

Reply to express or normal stream on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:55:22 GMT

verykiasumummy — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:55:22 GMT

Ceirelav:
I agreed with u. But when I look through the booklet to choose secondary school, I hv no idea what to choose. The choice is so limited. Anyone has any suggestion which schools can I choose ard hougang, amk and serangoon areas?

rains:
I'll choose Express for my child.

Among the parents who had this dilemma, the ones who chose Express were relieved that they made the right choice while the ones who chose Normal regretted their choice. The child may go to a better school but the child will ultimately be a product of the influence of his classmates in the Normal stream. Besides, as far as I know, the pace in Normal stream is much slower than Express. And they have to cross over the hurdle of N levels before they can take O levels. On top of that, the cross over from N to O level, I heard, is a big jump. I know of many who can't cope with the requirements of O levels after doing well in their N levels.

I know of many cases of those who chose Express stream and eventually did well compared to those who chose Normal. I'm not denying that there are such cases but they are much fewer. The environment and company the child has is so important to his view about studies, especially in his formation years. His peers' views will be his view whether you like it or not. When you want to excel and your friends don't, chances are you will start to 'relax' too.

If the child has shown that he has the potential to be in the Express stream, why do you want to slow him down?

hi ceirelav,

u can choose plenty around that area...

chong boon, xinmin, holy innocents, hougang sec, serangoon garden.... and many more in punggol / sengkang area right??

Reply to express or normal stream on Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:44:36 GMT

BlueBells — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:44:36 GMT

My take is a little different. If my child is given a choice for Express or Normal, my consideration would be :

- the school culture
- the products of the school (we observe / ask around on the behaviour of the school’s students to determine if the character building and values are align to our expectations)

The fact that my child is given a choice means he borderlines the academically stronger pack or the weaker pack. And at an age where he / she is easily impressionable and where friends “比天大", I would much prefer to have my child in an environment where he / she is more likely to be influenced positively. So my decision would centre largely around this than whether he can finish the secondary school education in 4 years or 5 years.

Reply to express or normal stream on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 06:33:57 GMT

Ceirelav — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 06:33:57 GMT

I agreed with u. But when I look through the booklet to choose secondary school, I hv no idea what to choose. The choice is so limited. Anyone has any suggestion which schools can I choose ard hougang, amk and serangoon areas?

rains:
I'll choose Express for my child.

Among the parents who had this dilemma, the ones who chose Express were relieved that they made the right choice while the ones who chose Normal regretted their choice. The child may go to a better school but the child will ultimately be a product of the influence of his classmates in the Normal stream. Besides, as far as I know, the pace in Normal stream is much slower than Express. And they have to cross over the hurdle of N levels before they can take O levels. On top of that, the cross over from N to O level, I heard, is a big jump. I know of many who can't cope with the requirements of O levels after doing well in their N levels.

I know of many cases of those who chose Express stream and eventually did well compared to those who chose Normal. I'm not denying that there are such cases but they are much fewer. The environment and company the child has is so important to his view about studies, especially in his formation years. His peers' views will be his view whether you like it or not. When you want to excel and your friends don't, chances are you will start to 'relax' too.

If the child has shown that he has the potential to be in the Express stream, why do you want to slow him down?

Reply to express or normal stream on Sat, 27 Oct 2012 06:33:21 GMT

Ceirelav — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 06:33:21 GMT

rains:
I'll choose Express for my child.

Among the parents who had this dilemma, the ones who chose Express were relieved that they made the right choice while the ones who chose Normal regretted their choice. The child may go to a better school but the child will ultimately be a product of the influence of his classmates in the Normal stream. Besides, as far as I know, the pace in Normal stream is much slower than Express. And they have to cross over the hurdle of N levels before they can take O levels. On top of that, the cross over from N to O level, I heard, is a big jump. I know of many who can't cope with the requirements of O levels after doing well in their N levels.

I know of many cases of those who chose Express stream and eventually did well compared to those who chose Normal. I'm not denying that there are such cases but they are much fewer. The environment and company the child has is so important to his view about studies, especially in his formation years. His peers' views will be his view whether you like it or not. When you want to excel and your friends don't, chances are you will start to 'relax' too.

If the child has shown that he has the potential to be in the Express stream, why do you want to slow him down?

Reply to express or normal stream on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 02:02:42 GMT

rains — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 02:02:42 GMT

I’ll choose Express for my child.

Among the parents who had this dilemma, the ones who chose Express were relieved that they made the right choice while the ones who chose Normal regretted their choice. The child may go to a better school but the child will ultimately be a product of the influence of his classmates in the Normal stream. Besides, as far as I know, the pace in Normal stream is much slower than Express. And they have to cross over the hurdle of N levels before they can take O levels. On top of that, the cross over from N to O level, I heard, is a big jump. I know of many who can’t cope with the requirements of O levels after doing well in their N levels.

I know of many cases of those who chose Express stream and eventually did well compared to those who chose Normal. I’m not denying that there are such cases but they are much fewer. The environment and company the child has is so important to his view about studies, especially in his formation years. His peers’ views will be his view whether you like it or not. When you want to excel and your friends don’t, chances are you will start to ‘relax’ too.

If the child has shown that he has the potential to be in the Express stream, why do you want to slow him down?

Reply to express or normal stream on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:23:47 GMT

weatherbee — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 15:23:47 GMT

verykiasumummy:
weatherbee:
I will choose express for my child. Express need to study for only 4 years compared to 5 years in normal. I heard that some schools have the better teachers teaching the express classes.

the 1 yr delay may not be necessarily negative to them... they could be spending more time but getting better grasp and be more sensible as well...

i had a fren who became an architect (graduated from nus), though he was a NA student, went to poly, worked very hard to be top 5% and got into nus... he had the well-known philosophy that he had already wasted 1 extra yr compared to others, so he must excel to make that yr worthwhile...

I know there are successful ones but there are also many others who can't make it to local university. Besides, I don't know if going to normal academic will restrict the kind of subjects which they can choose in sec 3. Perhaps any parent can shred some light on this?

Anyway, not saying that normal academic is not good or what. But if my child can make to express, I rather he go into it first. Then if he really cannot make it at the end of sec 1, I will request with the school to move him to normal academic in sec 2. But I want to see him really working hard first. I just rather he work hard now than later need to struggle.

That's just me lah. As parents, just do what you think is best for your child. Perhaps you can ask your child and husband for their opinions as well.

Reply to express or normal stream on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:46:41 GMT

hercules — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:46:41 GMT

If the child needs that one year extra, then just take that one year extra. It’s better to have a higher chance to make it at the end of Yr 5 then perhaps never make it at all if he has to compete in the express when he is still not ready (mentally).

Similar to choosing JC over poly. Most preferred JCs. But if child is not so suitable for the more academically driven JCs, then at the end may still have to revert to poly after the JCs or even joins the workforce if his A level results cannot qualify him for a meaningful place in the unis.

Some children can ‘through train’; some just need a little more time to mature. More importantly is always how fruitful their lives are when they are in their late 20s after entering the work force for a few years.

If result is 200, can consider normal stream in a ‘good school’ instead of going to the express stream in a ‘bad’ school.

Have to look at the character of the child. If he is one of those who can be easily influenced type, then choosing a ‘good’ school maybe of a greater importance than considering that extra one year. If he is one of those who can work hard, showing signs that he is ‘waking up’, then can try the express stream even in a ‘bad’ school.

*‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ are referring to whether the schools have many wayward children. Can always observe around the schools after school hours. Some children will go to void deck and start smoking even when they are in the school uniform; some couples will start holding hands and behave intimately, etc.

Reply to express or normal stream on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:15:14 GMT

verykiasumummy — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 08:15:14 GMT

weatherbee:
I will choose express for my child. Express need to study for only 4 years compared to 5 years in normal. I heard that some schools have the better teachers teaching the express classes.

the 1 yr delay may not be necessarily negative to them... they could be spending more time but getting better grasp and be more sensible as well...

i had a fren who became an architect (graduated from nus), though he was a NA student, went to poly, worked very hard to be top 5% and got into nus... he had the well-known philosophy that he had already wasted 1 extra yr compared to others, so he must excel to make that yr worthwhile...

Reply to express or normal stream on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 04:27:29 GMT

weatherbee — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 04:27:29 GMT

By the way, anyone knows if NA students can take pure science?

Reply to express or normal stream on Mon, 22 Oct 2012 04:17:51 GMT

weatherbee — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 04:17:51 GMT

I will choose express for my child. Express need to study for only 4 years compared to 5 years in normal. I heard that some schools have the better teachers teaching the express classes.

Reply to express or normal stream on Sun, 21 Oct 2012 10:36:21 GMT

verykiasumummy — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 10:36:21 GMT

for sec school selection, u should narrow down by area or by convenience… i dun believe in having to travel so far to the sch just because it is better than …

my cousin sent his ds to a sec sch which was very far away… they were staying in amk but his ds sec sch in woodlands… by the time he reach home w/o staying back in sch, he is already exhausted after 1.5hrs of travelling time… poor thing… luckily this yr last yr…

Reply to express or normal stream on Sun, 21 Oct 2012 10:30:39 GMT

verykiasumummy — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 10:30:39 GMT

hi, i think u should see your son’s progress in his studies… if he has been getting good results but didnt manage to score in psle, u should let him go express.

otherwise, u may consider normal instead… not too stress for him…