Maha Bodhi

[kamsy]

Buddism study is on Wednesday for my son in P1Kindness. It’s still optional, if kid doesnt want to take it, can sit at the back of the classroom. It’s within school hours, think it’s abt an hr per lesson per week.

[MMM]

Carolina:

Additional questions I have in mind are,


(1) Are the stronger / normal standard students being put in bigger classes? Do they get the attention & training worthy of their levels so that they still get to develop to their fullest potential?
Yes, they are typically in bigger classes. By grouping kids of the same abilities, it allows them to learn at the same pace and be exposed to more. So far from development perspective, I think there is nothing to worry about. Within this thread, we've mums whose kids are in top classes throughout, moved to GEP programs, etc... so they are probably able to share. Calling for 7788 and vlim But what I like is that the school is not overly obsessed with these kids only. What happens if one's child happens to be average/ below average???

I was looking at my P5 FT who taught them maths and science. For Maths, the FT exposed them to various method of solving maths problems so they are being challenged intellectually to explore the best methods.

(2) Is the school aware of the weak standard of their English and perhaps trying to do something to strengthen their weak points, while trying to maintain their strong areas (i.e. Chinese & Maths)?
Yes, they are. They are trying to start from lower primary. This year, the EL dept also organised workshop to guide parents how to guide their kids in comprehension. They have similar workshops for CL too

(3) From what I recall, Maha Bodhi does have Higher CL, right? Do the children start from P1 or it's based on selection? In other words, how does it work exactly, in terms of who gets to do Higher CL (I hear that all kids in Nanyang Pri do Higher CL right from the start, no matter whether the kids can handle or not.)?
Yes, in SAP school, this is the norm. From P5, they are allowed to choose to focus on normal CL only. For those who might not meet the mark, they have the option to continue to take HCL for P5. But come P6, the child must attained at least 70 for P5 normal chinese and pass HCL before they can continue with HCL in P6.

Thanks lostbunny for helping to address the questions.

[MMM]

ajymum:

Btw, are the teachers been teaching there for long or they have high teachers turnover?

For teachers turnover, it appear to be fairly stable. We still see 80% of same teachers around after 5 years. In fact, some teachers were from my era too..... There are quite a number who have been there for many years and very nice teachers. Some appeared to be very fierce infront of the kids but they are very nice people.

Well... nothing is perfect, we do have our fair share of \"disturbance\" such as when the class is being allocated a teacher who just got pregnant and happens to have pregnancy complication... But this is also beyond their control.

My 2 older ones have male teachers this year. The only \"disruption\" is when one has to go for reservist. Was joking with another mum that we should pray that our kids get older teachers as they are no longer of child bearing age and they do not need to go for reservist.

[Wolfgirl]

Hi all, I have several questions:


1. I heard that some schools conduct assessments for kids going into P1 so that they will be streamed into the correct P1 classes.
Does MBS do that? If yes, when is the assessment?

2. How to join PSG? Are the committments very high? I want to be in the PSG but my job scope does not allow any leave, except duing school holidays and that is also up to my organisation’s approval.

3. Is there any ‘enrichment’ programs like swimming/computer classes for P1?

[MMM]

Wolfgirl:

Hi all, I have several questions:


1. I heard that some schools conduct assessments for kids going into P1 so that they will be streamed into the correct P1 classes.
Does MBS do that? If yes, when is the assessment?
No, they don't.

2. How to join PSG? Are the committments very high? I want to be in the PSG but my job scope does not allow any leave, except duing school holidays and that is also up to my organisation's approval.
You can join during the P1 orientation. If you are taking leave during 1st 3 days of school, you can sign up as a PV for those few days. It includes helping to bring kids to the toilet, to classes, recess duties, etc...For me, I only help out during 1st week of school. Will get sms from PSG on activities. If you can make it for particular activity, just let them know. So it's more on a adhoc basis. But frankly if you are only available during school hols, it will be school hols for them as well and there won't be any PSG activities at that time :?

3. Is there any 'enrichment' programs like swimming/computer classes for P1?Not for this year. Programmes change from time to time. I recalled my dd 1 had swimming lessons during PE lessons when she was P2. But my ds didn't have that.

[SHAmum]

Dear ksp,


anyone know any secondary school that teach buddism?

Thanks

[MMM]

SHAmum:

Dear ksp,


anyone know any secondary school that teach buddism?

Thanks

Mansjusri Secondary School ????

[Wolfgirl]

No way for me to take days off as I am a MOE school teacher myself.

In fact, even 1st day of school leave is a huge issue.

Anyway, hope to be able to help out in any evening programs… if they ever have evening clinics for PSLE candidates or holiday excursions.


Thanks a lot for the replies…

It is getting scary that kids in some primary school are already streamed into P1 classes. The better classes are told they are better while the ‘slower’ classes are being put down for being less capable. Haizzzzz…
Glad that MBS does not have this practice.

[MMM]

Wolfgirl:

No way for me to take days off as I am a MOE school teacher myself.

In fact, even 1st day of school leave is a huge issue.

Anyway, hope to be able to help out in any evening programs.... if they ever have evening clinics for PSLE candidates or holiday excursions.


Thanks a lot for the replies...

It is getting scary that kids in some primary school are already streamed into P1 classes. The better classes are told they are better while the 'slower' classes are being put down for being less capable. Haizzzzz....
Glad that MBS does not have this practice.

For school excursions, it is usually done during school hours. Meanwhile for overseas trip, observed they don't involve parents volunteer so far.

Haha for evening clinics... maybe the kids will be like... give us a break On a serious note, I observed kids do have their own enrichment/ tuition classes in the evening time and on weekends so they are probably busy as well.

Frankly... if PM Lee is asking parents not to over prepare kids for P1 and schools conduct streaming. That is just so contradictory. It's a chicken and egg story that is driving all the kiasu behaviour...

[7788]

wolfgirl - The school does need parent volunteers during school holidays at times. i have attended once to help in the re-organisation of the school library books last June holidays. The school does not organise holiday excursions other than those overseas immersion programmes. Parent volunteers are ocassionally needed for school holiday enrichment camps. Help, if required, will be sought by the teachers in charged and not the PSG.