Guangyang Primary

[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?

[meow1607]

Went KCPS at Toa Payoh to register and they told us we got no good chance as we are above 2km, so I went to GY to register… I quite like the environment, and same mind thinking how come the take up rate is low, I really hope it’s due to the school situated and surrounded by all good schools in Bishan.


Their PSLE scores, their academic wise, their teacher? Should be a more than Avg school?

[kikimama]

What is considered average?


I think like what floppy has explained very clearly, it is just unfortunate we are nestled in a neighbourhood with so many big guns. While my experiences here are mainly positive, I’m sure there are some who have negative ones and wished they were somewhere else. And this would be the same scenario across all schools in SG. No one can have the same experience. But its up to us how we want to shape and receive the experiences.

PSLE scores are kept hush. Heard that the last cohort did really well. But what is considered "well" is different for everyone.

What is different here is the diversity in the students. That is what I love here. This diversity also means that competition is probably not as cut throat as the other popular schools. The teachers we have encountered are great too. I have made great friends with mummies of different nationalities who are selfless and always ready to lend a helping hand no matter what time it is.

However, these are all my unique experiences. So I can’t guaranteed you will have it the same way as me.

[kikimama]

Perhaps a glimpse through photos of what the students do in school might help you in some ways:


https://www.guangyangpri.moe.edu.sg/gyps-100th-anniversary/

[meow1607]

Thank you kikimama for your advice and valuable comments… As I’m really quite lost when I’ll being balloted out in 2A2 and also went to KC but was unable to register too…