St Margaret's Primary

[2bbtang]

Need some advice.



I’m feeling very sad, disappointed and vexed as my registration for MGS under 2B was unsuccessful. I was within 1- 2km. This year, balloting for less than 1km. There is the 1st time they have balloting less than 1km. The lady who did the registration and withdrawal for me told me that they, the school was so surprise with the demand on2b Phrase. Perhaps is due to the new properties / condos springing up all over the area.

Sigh… I’m still think and can’t get over it.

I’m staying within 1km of Pei Wah Primary. However, this year vacancies are 44. I’m sure there will be balloting less than 1km. There are more new properties in my area too.

I’m considering SMPS… anyone can remember or able to provides me with the datas of past balloting history like last year under 2C?
How many within 1km, 1-2km and more than 2km? I would like to know what are my chances are and of course to monitor during the 2c phrase.

Any advices?

[snowflake]

Hi 2bbtang,


I can understand how you feel as I went through a somewhat similar situation as you last year when my dd was due for P1 registration. After a long discussion about strategic & worst case scenario plans with dh, we finally put our dd for SMPS Phase 2C >2km registration. This was done after tracking closely MOE website results and discussion thread in kiasuparents.com There were 79 applicants for this phase which had 74 vacancies. We were quite sure that we stood a good chance. As it turned out, our dd was one of the 3 unfortunate ones being balloted out (there were 2 pairs of twins)... We were of course shocked :shock: ...fortunately we had made back-up plans & that quickly kicked in. At the same time, we put our dd on SMPS waiting list, trusting that the One up there would know what is best for our dd As it turn out, by God's grace, SMPS called up a few months later out of the blue, telling us that there was a place for my dd...we were completely overjoyed. Our dd is now happily in P1 Grace in SMPS, blissfully unaware of the stressful times both her parents went through...

I hope you can find some encouragement from my story above and know that miracles do happen

[TheSaint]

watchthewaves:

TheSaint:

I have the same concerns as you... have you got any feedback?

No, didn't hear from anyone via PM, so what you read here is it. What I've heard from outside the forum is also consistent. Well-rounded school; kid won't be pressured academically.

Thanks!
I have 2 friends who were ex teachers there. They kinda of said, paraphrased \"If you want a school that focus purely on academics, then SMPS is not for you. If you want an all rounded education, then go for it.\"

Know several Gen Y friends who were from SMPS thru SMSS to JC and Uni. They did ok.

[verykiasu2010]

TheSaint:

watchthewaves:

[quote=\"TheSaint\"]I have the same concerns as you... have you got any feedback?

No, didn't hear from anyone via PM, so what you read here is it. What I've heard from outside the forum is also consistent. Well-rounded school; kid won't be pressured academically.

Thanks!
I have 2 friends who were ex teachers there. They kinda of said, paraphrased \"If you want a school that focus purely on academics, then SMPS is not for you. If you want an all rounded education, then go for it.\"

Know several Gen Y friends who were from SMPS thru SMSS to JC and Uni. They did ok.[/quote]
lol ... the green polka dot girls (remember the green spot drinks?)..... just celebrated 168th annual speech day last friday ..... very moving moments ......

fyi, a friend of mine transferred his RGPS girl to SMPS ..... less pressure and even shine in her performance.....\"through train\" to SMSS, then got 2 points discount at 'O' levels to go SAJC ..... btw, SMSS is now autonomous school, going to have an indoor sports hall soon ....

[TheSaint]

2bbtang:

Need some advice.



I'm feeling very sad, disappointed and vexed as my registration for MGS under 2B was unsuccessful. I was within 1- 2km. This year, balloting for less than 1km. There is the 1st time they have balloting less than 1km. The lady who did the registration and withdrawal for me told me that they, the school was so surprise with the demand on2b Phrase. Perhaps is due to the new properties / condos springing up all over the area.

Sigh... I'm still think and can't get over it.

I'm staying within 1km of Pei Wah Primary. However, this year vacancies are 44. I'm sure there will be balloting less than 1km. There are more new properties in my area too.

I'm considering SMPS... anyone can remember or able to provides me with the datas of past balloting history like last year under 2C?
How many within 1km, 1-2km and more than 2km? I would like to know what are my chances are and of course to monitor during the 2c phrase.

Any advices?

Sorry to hear about your pain. This is the link you need on SMPS past balloting history. http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/central

Seems like balloting for phase 2C for > 2km.

[TheSaint]

verykiasu2010:

lol ... the green polka dot girls (remember the green spot drinks?)..... just celebrated 168th annual speech day last friday ..... very moving moments ......

fyi, a friend of mine transferred his RGPS girl to SMPS ..... less pressure and even shine in her performance.....\"through train\" to SMSS, then got 2 points discount at 'O' levels to go SAJC ..... btw, SMSS is now autonomous school, going to have an indoor sports hall soon ....

You were from SMPS? (originally, I phrased it as \"you are an old girl\"? then thought better... must be politically correct )

Interesting about the RGPS to SMPS. Have some friends whose girls were or currently in RGPS. Yes, it seems more stressful there. Upside is they are the #2 Pri Sch in SG.

[verykiasu2010]

TheSaint:

verykiasu2010:

lol ... the green polka dot girls (remember the green spot drinks?)..... just celebrated 168th annual speech day last friday ..... very moving moments ......

fyi, a friend of mine transferred his RGPS girl to SMPS ..... less pressure and even shine in her performance.....\"through train\" to SMSS, then got 2 points discount at 'O' levels to go SAJC ..... btw, SMSS is now autonomous school, going to have an indoor sports hall soon ....

You were from SMPS? (originally, I phrased it as \"you are an old girl\"? then thought better... must be politically correct )

Interesting about the RGPS to SMPS. Have some friends whose girls were or currently in RGPS. Yes, it seems more stressful there. Upside is they are the #2 Pri Sch in SG.

#2 pri school in SG is a double-edged sword

if the girl is very competitive, go-getter type, and is bright, I think RGPS is suitable, iron sharpen iron

but if the girl is laid-back, take it easy, inconsistent in performance, a better insurance policy is SMPS as the route to SMSS is quite secured. SMSS is one of the better regarded all-girl school outside of the IP domain in SG

[ScrappyMemories]

hihi My dd is in P1 at SMPS and she’s really happy and enjoying school. I do agree that if you are looking for very academic driven environment, you will be disappointed with SMPS. My dd hardly brings home any homework even for June hols, she had only about 5 pages of mandarin work, 2 simplified book review to write. But that’s what we like, its hols, its time for them to play and have fun!


The decision to put her in SMPS (other then the fact that I didn’t have to do voluntary work due to church affliation) was that my hubby & I strongly believes that its better to be a top student in an average school, than be an average student in a top school. Her self esteem holds more value to us than the brand of the school. In any event, SMPS has a reputation in producing well-rounded, happy, caring and successful adults. I know many gen Ys who are doing so well:-)

[watchthewaves]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Reassuring.


bbtang,
As mentioned above, looks like SMPS has a history of balloting at Ph2C for >2km. Applications seem to vary from just equal at 100% to a high of 122%. Note also though that at the end of Ph 2B, take up rate is 49%, which is the highest in the past few years. So that’s an indication that application rate might be high for 2C this year too.

All the best.

[verykiasu2010]

watchthewaves:

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Reassuring.


bbtang,
As mentioned above, looks like SMPS has a history of balloting at Ph2C for >2km. Applications seem to vary from just equal at 100% to a high of 122%. Note also though that at the end of Ph 2B, take up rate is 49%, which is the highest in the past few years. So that's an indication that application rate might be high for 2C this year too.

All the best.

do be warned that in coming years, the popularity will go up as more and more condos are nearing completion there