Guangyang Primary

[kikimama]

Nikki2489:

i am torn between Farrer park primary and guangyang primary for my boy. any thoughts on which is a more nurturing and well rounded school? thanks!

Perhaps a school tour and talking to school personnels might give you a better comparison? Distance is equally important too.

Personally, gyps is a good fit for my girl in all aspects. She is a dreamy girl since young but her P1 teacher saw her potential and gave her plenty of opportunity to be groomed as a leader. I can see her blossoming into a confident young lady, more in charge of her work and less dreamy over the years. She is now in P3.

Hope you can find what fits your child.

[Roberta]

applemum27:

If i am not wrong, the school shifted to amk a few years ago and hence the enrolment was affected.

The school was totally rebuilt about three years ago. It's less popular than it otherwise might be because the other schools in Bishan are all hard to get into.

[WennieMom]

Any feedback about GYPS recently?

[Bonbon12]

Hello! I am thinking of enrolling my child in GYPS next year as my first choice. This is because I seem to have the impression that the students are happy and well cared for there. Grades are important but not the single deciding factor for me. I would like my child to be in a happy and nurturing learning environment, rather than a stressful and competitive environment.


I am looking forward to attending their open house in July too.

Really appreciate if parents of children there can let us now how is GYPS doing now thank you!

[kikimama]

Hi there, my child is in P5 now. She has many opportunities to be groomed in school. We are not hung up on grades (though i used to be,haha)


School is strong on character building and i find the teachers always seek ways to improve kids learning experience in school.

What i love is opportunities in GYPS are not limited to certain batch of students who are more academically inclined or student leaders. Like their school ambassador program, any students with potential will be handpicked to be groomed as a school ambassador where they will have many avenues to showcase their training- bringing VIP around during open house or on stage as emcees.

We have students of different nationalities and students’ exposure is not limited to just local Singaporeans or certain ethnic groups. This is very valuable for our kids to grow a global and inclusive mindset. Our PSG is very dedicated too and recently started Mother Tongue storytelling (on top of our regular English storytelling) during lower primary recess. Students of various ethnicities and nationalities would sit in and even try to participate even if its not their Mother Tongue language. This is very endearing.

Do join us for our 100th yr anniversary Open House. Its a huge event that’s tied up with PA and Mr Chong Kee Hiong will also grace our event:)

Hope you will join our GYPS family!

[Bonbon12]

Hello kikimama! Thanks so much for your reply I went to the open house and I am impressed, but disappointed I didn't get to speak to any teachers. The staff manning the booths told me they are not from the school.


I do have a good impression of the school but I am really bothered that it has very low take up rate. Do you know what is the reason? Is it just because GYPS is not known for its grades all these years?

[floppy]

Bonbon12:

I do have a good impression of the school but I am really bothered that it has very low take up rate. Do you know what is the reason? Is it just because GYPS is not known for its grades all these years?

Guangyang is an unfortunate example of having to live in the shadows / vicinity of more illustrious and more popular schools - ATS, CHS and KCPS in Bishan, PCPS across the road in Toa Payoh.

[Bonbon12]

Thanks floppy. My son is learning violin now and I saw on their website that GY has a strings ensemble. I thought it is good to have a cca that he will enjoy. During the open house I saw the school is spacious and relatively new, a number of nationalities there too.


I am still trying to decide if I should try for GY. We are in phase 2C. I believe in co-ed schools, a well rounded and positive environment. I kept feeling I am right when every kan cheong parent is running for ATS, CHS, KCPS, but when I saw the statistics of the low take up rate online, my heart just sank. I kept wondering if it’s just an over emphasis on grades and therefore parents don’t choose GY or something else that’s wrong… from the comments here, it seems that GY is a nice school.

[floppy]

Bonbon12:

Thanks floppy. My son is learning violin now and I saw on their website that GY has a strings ensemble. I thought it is good to have a cca that he will enjoy. During the open house I saw the school is spacious and relatively new, a number of nationalities there too.


I am still trying to decide if I should try for GY. We are in phase 2C. I believe in co-ed schools, a well rounded and positive environment. I kept feeling I am right when every kan cheong parent is running for ATS, CHS, KCPS, but when I saw the statistics of the low take up rate online, my heart just sank. I kept wondering if it's just an over emphasis on grades and therefore parents don't choose GY or something else that's wrong.. from the comments here, it seems that GY is a nice school.

If GY was based in another estate, it could very well be a popular school. Generally, there isn’t anything bad about the school:

1. It has history - 100 years old this year (younger than ATS but much older than most primary schools including CHS and KCPPS).
2. It is a started by the Chinese as a Chinese-ed school (but no SAP status, unlike ATS and CHS).
3. Relatively new / redeveloped school building (seems like Bishan primary schools have all been redeveloped recently).

Unfortunately, it’s located in Bishan where it is running into much stronger competitors like ATS / CHS (SAP, well-funded, strong alumni network + famous alumni) and CHS / KCCPS (affiliation). Results wise, it’s always going to be a mixed bag but schools like ATS and CHS will consistently churn out better performers due to the amount of resources at their disposal.

P/S: it’s interesting that the planners decided to put 4 historical primary schools of Singapore in a tiny estate like Bishan (plus the Raffles family and soon, EJC).

[kikimama]

Bonbon12:

Thanks floppy. My son is learning violin now and I saw on their website that GY has a strings ensemble. I thought it is good to have a cca that he will enjoy. During the open house I saw the school is spacious and relatively new, a number of nationalities there too.


I am still trying to decide if I should try for GY. We are in phase 2C. I believe in co-ed schools, a well rounded and positive environment. I kept feeling I am right when every kan cheong parent is running for ATS, CHS, KCPS, but when I saw the statistics of the low take up rate online, my heart just sank. I kept wondering if it's just an over emphasis on grades and therefore parents don't choose GY or something else that's wrong.. from the comments here, it seems that GY is a nice school.

If your only concern is the low takeup rate - what are your underlying worries to that? Quality of teachers?