Henry Park Primary

[csc]

Cheval:

It is obvious to me that under the class ranking system, students at HPPS are not necessarily equally better taken care of than those in neighborhood schools.

That's rather true. I notice that some neighbourhood schools really take care of their students better than 'branded' schools do.

However, I also observe that students at 'branded' schools tend to speak better English and can express their thoughts well. Neighbourhood school kids may not speak as well as they write. Just my observation and fyi.

[blur-daddy]

Hi Cheval,


Agreed with your points. On top of kids and parent, I will add on teacher as well... if your kid got a good teacher that can stimulate the class learning, it will make the school life all that more enjoyable. My son did get a great teacher last yr when he's in P3, and I can see the diff in school work 'stimulation' and the class comradeship, closeness among themselves.

I believe every school does have good teachers. Just that it depends on your kid's luck whether is assigned to that class. We choose HPPS also because we met one science teacher during roadshow that impress us a bit. Just hope that my kid will be under him when he's in P5

[mummyo]

Hi Blur-Daddy, Cheval & csc


Yes. I totally agree it's the teachers who make the difference. And there are of course good and not-so-good teachers in all schools.

I'm slightly less stressed today. Guess I've a plan B in place in case I don't get as PV into HPPS.

From past years stats, there's a good 90% chance no need ballot for Phase 2B (PV comes under this phase) so really hope if we get selected, our year's cohort won't be so big as to need to ballot cos if priority is given to pple <1km then we are at a disadvantage.

In any case, I'm keeping a relaxed and positive attitude for this afternoon's interview. Mostly I'm looking forward to check out the school and facilities.

Thanks all for your feedback

[kwong]

Hi mummyo


I was also intending to sign up as a PV at HP. But I heard it is not so easy…
Anyway, how old is your child and please share with us after your interview!

Thanks

[mummyo]

kwong


My oldest boy was born in 2005. I applied to be a Parent Volunteer last year I think cos the application for 2005 cohort closed in October 2009!

Anyway, we were shortlisted and went for an interview yesterday. It was very straightforward. They just asked how we can contribute and based on our skills set, we proposed what we could do. So depending on what they need, I guess they will select the PV based on what we do.

My husband and I work in the Media and Creative industries (me, before I became SAHM) so that's all we could offer.

So now just wait for call or rejection letter. Hopefully we would get selected.

[blur-daddy]

Hi Mummyo,


The skillset u quote are quite marketable , can help in brochure, school yearbook etc... 40 hrs between both of u???

I read an article from wan-bao on Thu and Fri about top PSLE students last yr and notice the trend that both kids have SAHM :idea: . Their environment created are quite regimental i.e. discipline... no TV, everyday must do something, learn something, prepare something, absorb something... quite scary to me actually. I think it does help to have one parent close by and provide a FT assistance/monitoring role...

Both my wife and me are working and we struggled everyday with regards to time mgmt. We also don't wanna enforce too strict a discipline, and not to fall into the rat race... main thing we wanna accomplish is that our kids enjoy schooling, but sometime, it can't be helped. So it seems u are on the right path liao =). My wife is seriously considering that option of SAHM.

Wish u all the best.

[cluelessmama]

blur-daddy:

Hi Mummyo,


I read an article from wan-bao on Thu and Fri about top PSLE students last yr and notice the trend that both kids have SAHM :idea: . Their environment created are quite regimental i.e. discipline... no TV, everyday must do something, learn something, prepare something, absorb something... quite scary to me actually. I think it does help to have one parent close by and provide a FT assistance/monitoring role...

I'm a SAHM. I can't speak for all, but the environment in which my kid grows up in is not all that ' regimental and scary' .

The only regimental part - must eat lunch, take shower and complete school work.

Any TV programme? Of course, the answer is a resounding \"YES.\" Kid gets to play on computer and NDS as long as she completes her work (school work as well as those assigned by me).

Usually, she gets to read what she wants too - Pokemon, novels, magazines, etc. - a good mix of trash as well serious reading.

I have always believed that ' all work and no play makes Jack/Jill a dull child'.

[kwong]

Hi mummyo


My daughter is born in 2006, and the PV registration starts this year
Were you interview by the principal or admin manager?
Did they mention to you that they were looking for people who can contribute on a regular weekly basis for at least a year rather than ad-hoc basis?

But based on your profile, your chances of being selected is very high

[NJmom]

Hi,


My family just returned from Europe and my DD needs to choose a school for the GEP. She will be entering at Primary 5. Can any parent with children currently in the GEP shed some light on how the GEP is like in HPPS, eg number of pupils, number of classes, need to take HCL. We are deliberating on the choice of school now and understand that NYPS has the largest cohort of GEPers. Any advice is appreciated as we are totally clueless as to how GEP differs from school to school.

Many thanks in advance.

[cluelessmama]

NJmom:

Hi,


My family just returned from Europe and my DD needs to choose a school for the GEP. She will be entering at Primary 5. Can any parent with children currently in the GEP shed some light on how the GEP is like in HPPS, eg number of pupils, number of classes, need to take HCL. We are deliberating on the choice of school now and understand that NYPS has the largest cohort of GEPers. Any advice is appreciated as we are totally clueless as to how GEP differs from school to school.

Many thanks in advance.

Hi, can only give the little knowledge coz my kid is in P4 @ HPPS this year.

According to MOE (GEP Branch) , all GEP centres implement the same GEP. So, theorectically, GEP is the same in all the GEP schools.

HCL is a choice and not compulsory @ HPPS. However, at NYPS, it's complusory coz it's a SAP school.

There are only 2 GEP classes in HPPS. Most except NYPS (4), RGPS (3) and Tao Nan (3) have 2 classes. The maximum class is 25 or so. However, @ HPPS, I think there are 20 in the class for my kid's class.

I have good impression of the staff as well as teachers of HPPS. They are responsive. Till now, I don't feel that they \"push\" the children real hard - it may be because my kid is in P4.

Hope this info helps.