[Bishan] Primary Schools

[Tulip]

rejoice137:

Thanks Tulip. CAlled KC up right after reading your mail. They told me that application for PV already closed. They quoted MOE's guideline that PV must start on 1st July . Our fault. We have been thinking of CH and AT and never thought of applying PV for KC as a backup. Now they all back fire. Now thinking should we just leave it up to God or move house to be <1km of KC to at least secure a place at a good school. Other option like Townsvile or Teck Gee does not sound attractive

enough.... so sad and regret...

Oh...I'm sorry, I didn't know there is a cut-off date for PV application. Guess you'll now have to weigh your options, if it is really worth the trouble to move near KC just to get your child into the school. CH is really not easy to get in, even under Phase 2B, but there again, I've known of friends and neighbours who managed to get in thru balloting under phase 2C, so it really boils down to luck.

Perhaps find out more about Townsville and Teck Ghee, then make decisions?

Cheers...

[rejoice137]

Tulip:

Oh...I'm sorry, I didn't know there is a cut-off date for PV application. Guess you'll now have to weigh your options, if it is really worth the trouble to move near KC just to get your child into the school. CH is really not easy to get in, even under Phase 2B, but there again, I've known of friends and neighbours who managed to get in thru balloting under phase 2C, so it really boils down to luck.

Perhaps find out more about Townsville and Teck Ghee, then make decisions?

Cheers...

Thanks for your advise. Yes, will need to decide when time comes which school we want to register under Phase 2C. With Clover by the Park and Nature Loft TOP 2012, the flood going to CHS is going to be worse. I wonder if I should call up KC principal to talk to him personally to see if still have chance to join PV.

[rejoice137]

Hi Tulip,


I did a search on the forum and found some feedback by parents of students going to Townsville. Very happy to see that it is not that bad after all with a new principal. I will sure make time to visit the school and talk to the principal if possible. Hopefully I like what I see there. Thanks.

So I could look at trying phase 2C ballot for either CHS or KCP. If fail to get in, try Townsville. Since I am <1km for Townsville, should not have any problem getting into the school.

[Tulip]

rejoice137:

Hi Tulip,


I did a search on the forum and found some feedback by parents of students going to Townsville. Very happy to see that it is not that bad after all with a new principal. I will sure make time to visit the school and talk to the principal if possible. Hopefully I like what I see there. Thanks.

So I could look at trying phase 2C ballot for either CHS or KCP. If fail to get in, try Townsville. Since I am <1km for Townsville, should not have any problem getting into the school.

Hi Rejoice137,

Oh, Townsville is within 1km from your place, so you are probably nearer to AMK side then. Townsville has been around for quite a while, so it shouldn't be too bad a school. This year's available places under phase 2C in CHS was lesser than last year, and you're right, with the 2 new developments coming up, competition for places in the schools here will be stiffer in the coming years. Though KC is not as popular with parents (as compared to CHS & Aitong), there tend to spillover from those who were initially \"eyeing\" CHS and AiTong, thus, KC has been balloting for those staying within 1-2km in the last few years. Not forgetting, KC may be cutting down on intake too as all schools are now gearing towards single session. Yes...weigh your options and see how it goes, you still have some time to think through your options.

Cheers...

[rejoice137]

Tulip:

Hi Rejoice137,

Oh, Townsville is within 1km from your place, so you are probably nearer to AMK side then. Townsville has been around for quite a while, so it shouldn't be too bad a school. This year's available places under phase 2C in CHS was lesser than last year, and you're right, with the 2 new developments coming up, competition for places in the schools here will be stiffer in the coming years. Though KC is not as popular with parents (as compared to CHS & Aitong), there tend to spillover from those who were initially \"eyeing\" CHS and AiTong, thus, KC has been balloting for those staying within 1-2km in the last few years. Not forgetting, KC may be cutting down on intake too as all schools are now gearing towards single session. Yes...weigh your options and see how it goes, you still have some time to think through your options.

Cheers...

Yes, I stay near Bishan Park area. Very close to CHS so wanting my son to go CHS to avoid all those traveling time. Since I am working so CHS will be more convinient for my FDW to walk him to school and home. But did not know CHS so difficult to get in. I would rather to have a good school around my area than a few super hot schools. KCP is a bit further walk for my son and with more traffic. But thanks for all your advice. We will take time to seriously think about this.

[Penza]

I’m going to be talking from a disappointed parent point of view.


I live next door (30m) to CHS for 10 years and applied for the school for my son. I asked for PV but no reply. Went for 2C and was not ‘lucky’ enough to get son selected in. Now I have to send son to school further away that requires school bus. $$$ flyaway instead of for enrichment courses.

Yes there is something really wrong with the system BUT for now we cant do anything about it.

Note that this school
1. Has a lot of old boys who send their kids back here (even if they live in Bukit Timah) so the places left in 2B/2C becomes very limited. See morning traffic jams for confirmation.
2. Theres a large PR community who will also vie for 2C for this school. See playgrounds during afternoons for confirmation.

My advice to those parents who wants to try their ‘luck’ in 2C or even 2B for CHS is to consider the odds very very carefully. You might not be the lucky 28 out of 72 (who live within 1km) that applied for 2C last week.

[Shera]

I agree with Penza. Over here I already got 2 sets of parents whom stay far away from CH yet had long decided to put their children into this school since their fathers used to be the students. To them, no need PV yet can get into a school of their choice with least effort.

[spoon72]

yes i do believe that the system needs to be adjusted so that it will be equal P1 admission chances for those staying within 1 Km , PVs and "Old Boys" from CHS .

[Namie]

I also think the system needs to be reviewed.


First of all, I am ok with the old boys & old girls having priority. We had good experience in the school, and that's why we want our children to continue to be educated there. Priority for those staying within 1km is not as fair as it seems. My cousin who wanted her daughter to be in CHIJ St. Nicholas just paid close to $2M for a condo within 1Km from the school. So for certain schools, if you are rich enough, you can afford to be within 1km.


But the PRs should come later. Why is PR being placed together with the citizen children under the same phase?

[Para removed in case it caused a national debate and I got invited to drink tea]

[qms]

Namie:

My colleague just got balloted out from a popular primary school in Jurong. She is now on waiting list and was told slim chance because the schools will have to give remaining places to foreigners first (Phase 3?), afterwhich, those citizen children will be considered.

Hi Namie!

Can you please clarify what you meant by your friend is \"now on the waiting list and was told slim chance\"? :?

If a school needs to go conduct balloting in Phase 2C, it means the school will not have any more places in Phase 2CS, let alone Phase 3. So, how to give remaining places to foreigners first?