Bukit Timah Primary

[Trapwithin]

huaywenandkenneth:

It sounds like the cohort is pretty homogeneous in a sense - looking at it positively everyone is kind of equally \"good\". So it is reassuring that btps graduands do get to top sec schools


I realized btps does not have HODs in many depts. Perhaps this is holding them back. Without the middle management it is not easy to get things done, or results tracked. There are level heads and subject heads, but it's not the same. Somehow it reminds me of another thread where someone suggests that the HODs from good schools can be rotated to other schools, and it can well be applicable to btps. But of course, it is a very simplistic way of looking at things.

I am sure if there is one core batch of high performing Psle students, things will be different.

It is truly a true blue neighbourhood school that produce excellent results despite of all the transfer. It's a good school.

[HappyLYX]

Interesting. May I know how you arrive at the conclusion that BTPS does not prepare the students well compared to other schools? Were you a primary school teacher formerly and have taught in many schools? What are the areas that BTPS has failed to deliver or delivered inadequately at P5/P6? \"Push hard\" meaning a lot of drilling homework, exams with difficult questions which failed many students at P5 in other schools?


And if you don't mind, could you please share how other schools start PSLE preparation at P5? I kept reading on the forum that PSLE preparation starts at P5. But how do they do it when the students are only beginning to study the relevant topics?[/quote]

Well...I am just a SAHM. Being a Kiasu parent, we will share info and tips with others on the schooling matters. I understand that P6 syllabus will have to be completed by May or latest July. Some superkiasu schools will target to complete by March , afterwhich the next few mths would be solely revision and drilling for PSLE. This is understandable as PSLE covers topics from P3/P4 to P6.

I felt the preparation is insufficient as the school focuses mainly on textbook syllabus, with some supplementary workbook or worksheets for each topic.
Some parents had mentioned before, that PSLE is testing ar 70% from textbook. Henceforth, the kids are not well exposed to other 30% components. To fill this gap, we will have to turn to experience tutor or tuition centre who understand the PSLE requirements and able to help the kids to focus on the missing piece.

If you can get hold of the extra materials given by some schools, you will understand my viewpoint. I have seen some chinese oral package compiled by other school teachers. The THICK package consists of pictures, the vocab to master relating to the pictures as well as the \"model description for the picture\".

To score better in Chinese, I was told that it's important to focus on oral and listening comprehension which add up to 70marks( out of 200marks). I guess this are part of the strategies implemented by the schools that enable them to score abv national average.

Another 40marks come from compo, there's also limited material given to supplement this area. Of course, this require additional efforts from the school to compile the phrases for opening, ending and description of the emotional/appearance etc. I have feedback to school teachers on the current tin xie format. The list of words do not really value add to the kids. I suggest that they shd consider to give good phrases as tin xie. Well...my suggestion was not considered at all.

Currently, the school focuses on textbook which is just 90marks (or even less if we remove the comprehension ). Unfortunately, this component is difficult to score for most kids. Thus, I would expect the school to do more for the other two components.

I feel that Science is another subject that the kids are not well prepared. Currently, they are using SAM as the core learning tool. I like this idea as the kids are given opportunity to write down their own thoughts and learning. Having said that, it also depends on the kids' ability. Not all kids are able to grasp the key concepts and write down relevant observation. Thus I have difficulty to understand the learning outcomes or maybe to be able to get much info from my kid's SAM. This approach is very diff from the exam format in PSLE. With minimum practice on paper 1 and paper 2, the kids will not be able to do well. Esp for paper 2 which require certain answering technique. Again to fill this gap, we have to depend on tuition centre to guide them on paper 2.

I do not like to push kids real hard by drilling them to score well in exam. What I hope is my kid is able to go to a better second tier secondary school. To achieve this, the kid has to get at least 228 for the T-score. Will my kid able to reach this target? well, this is currently a uphill task but I will try my best to help my kid.

[huaywenandkenneth]

For P1 music, they relied heavily on the external vendors who come in during PAL sessions. I was quite upset as i am a music teacher myself. My boy had regular art lessons at P1 and P2, think it depends on the comfort level of the teachers too. P2 music they just finished some keyboard lessons. In fact, the class will be performing a simple piece (jingle bells) this week during assembly or something, and he is the leader (first in the row and leading the class to "bow") and he is mighty pleased with it.

[Funz]

And very coincidentally, just when I wrote that there was no actual art lesson and his art materials are still in their original packaging, DS told me that next Wednesday he will have to bring his oil pastels along. He told me he finally had 1 art lesson today and the lesson will continue next Wed. After 8 mths of school, finally something which DS can identify as an art lesson.


OK still waiting patiently for Music to happen. And oh yah, is there any compulsory swimming as part of PE? DD had hers at P1 & P2.

[Funz]

huaywenandkenneth:

For P1 music, they relied heavily on the external vendors who come in during PAL sessions. I was quite upset as i am a music teacher myself. My boy had regular art lessons at P1 and P2, think it depends on the comfort level of the teachers too. P2 music they just finished some keyboard lessons. In fact, the class will be performing a simple piece (jingle bells) this week during assembly or something, and he is the leader (first in the row and leading the class to \"bow\") and he is mighty pleased with it.

That is the shortcoming of having 1 teacher taking all the subjects aside from Mother Tongue and PE. Most teachers will just fall back into their comfort zone. It really is not that difficult to do some art or craft activities with P1&2 kids. Parents are not looking for formal technics or any such things. Just a chance for the kids to be exposed to and explore some art and craft activities.

Music a bit trickier I guess. If the teachers does not have any music background, all she can do is teach them some songs here and there.

[jeanieg]

Hi Funz and Huaywenandkenneth,


Thanks for the feedback. As I do not have any info about Music and Art lessons in other schools, I do not have any comparison in the first place. I do not expect over-the-top lessons for Music and Art but I thought at least basic lessons will do. I am not a teacher but I thought in Music they could play different kinds of music and tell the kids what they are or even make some simple music instruments. I just feel a bit disappointed…

[huaywenandkenneth]

Found this on the school website. Sounds like art and music is modular as I have thought.



BTPS has a structured AMIS (Music) programme which is conducted at every level during the class’ respective Music lessons. Each module lasts between 8 to 10 weeks, with a short performance as a finale. By the end of Primary 6, each pupil would have learnt to play at least 4 musical instruments. The programme for 2012 is as follows:

Primary 1: Hip-hop Dance

Primary 2: Keyboard

Primary 3: Coloured Bells & Boomwhackers

Primary 4: Angklung

Primary 5: Classical Guitar I

Primary 6: Classical Guitar II

BTPS has a structured AMIS (Art) programme which is conducted at every level during the class’ respective Art lessons. Each module lasts between 8 to 10 weeks, with a short performance as a finale. By the end of Primary 6, each pupil would have learnt to do at least 4 types of art techniques. The programme for 2012 is as follows:

Primary 1: Let’s Draw and Paint

Primary 2: Let’s Draw and Paint (Part 2)

Primary 3: Ceramics

Primary 4: Chinese Painting

Primary 5: Mosaic Art

Primary 6: Batik Painting

Also check out the link to PAL. Looks to have more things there, including PE and creative movement.

[gvyong]

Trapwithin:

gvyong:

BTPS needs to host or develop its own in-house GEP programme if it wants to retain its cohort of P3 top students who transfer out. Otherwise, it'll just be a halfway house for those parents who failed to get into the hot schools in Bukit Timah at P1, and continue to be eclipsed by schools stronger identities in the area - PEPS, Keming, St Anthony & BPPS. BTPS (started 1959) is as old as PEPS and BPPS, and has potential to become another HPPS (ironically only started 1977), if only it had just a single GEP class!

Likelihood is almost zero, because there is too many GEP schools in Bukit Timah.

That didn't stop every tom dick n harry mission school that set up along Bukit Timah rd from having GEP or in-house programme. BTPS's issue is resource-lack of HODs as observed by fellow forummer earlier.

[huaywenandkenneth]

Funz,


Swimming is in P2. My boy is down to his last 2 lessons.

[jeanieg]

Thanks for the info huaywenandkenneth! Maybe now the term is ending so they are not doing anything much for Music and Art.