Maris Stella High

[nms1]

Shanna:

Hi,


I am the mother of a P1 boy and is actually very upset with Maris Stella. I do not understand why aren't parents allowed into the sch to watch on the sideline on how their P1 boys are copping.

The school did not make known the reason too and I feel very sad and helpless that I missed out on one of the important milestone in my boy's life.

When our boys come to know that their friends from other schools can have their mummies and daddies in school on their first day to show/lend their support, how would they feel? Will there be feelings of \"abandonment\"? Cos they are considered the minority in the whole of singapore where their parents aren't allowed into the school at all.

And there is no clear instruction from the school as to what the child is expected to wear?! No instruction as to how long can their teachers bring them to the mrt side gate. I received 3 different answers from the sch. One says end of term, the other says June and the last told me end of the year?!

And when will the buddy system stop? We too have no idea.

As parents of primary 1, we are already feeling the stress yet we have to put on a brave front for our boys. Yet the school is not helping by adding more stress.

I am really very curious as to who is in charge of the whole P1 orientation program? Schools have been calling out to parents to be in partnership with them. But we are like being locked out from the school. It feels more like an army camp barrack to me.....

Sorry for the ranting. I need to get it off my chest.....

Hi Shanna

I will be a MS P1 parent next year but my daughter is already in P3 at CHIJ OLGC. I was very impressed with the way that they handled the first few days of P1. The girls started later and finished earlier for the first few days. The parents were allowed to stay in the canteen for the first 2 days and we were allowed to go & peak into the classroom after the parents briefing on the first day.

I am disappointed to hear that MS will be very different. I understand that some parents will overstep the boundaries & get in the way but it would be great if some of this year's parents can feedback to the school that you would have liked to be more involved. Being there on the 1st day also gives you a chance to see the teachers and hear more about what is going on. P1 children invariably come home with all sorts of strange, inaccurate stories.

As you said we are in this journey together with the teachers and the children so don't be afraid to speak up. If no-one says anything they may not even realise that there is a problem. Schools like MS with a long history sometimes get stuck in the \"we've always done it this way\" syndrome.

[scang]

Actually, you can either do a screenshot of this page and sent it to the school, or email them.


Maris Stella High (Primary)
Email: [email protected]
or
email the principal , Joseph Lim
[email protected]

He may not reply or simply ignore your email though.

[mummy so kiasu]

Some schools do not allow parents to go into the compound since the first day of school. The principals will just ensure the parents that the kids are in good hands on orientation day. Parents will tend to worry whether their 1 kids are able to adjust to the new environments & whether they are well taken care of. The school principals should put themselves into the kids’ or parents’ shoes. Some school principals seem to be more flexible & understand. It seem that Catholic High is more flexible than Maris Stella High.

[CayennePepper]

Shanna:

I am the mother of a P1 boy and is actually very upset with Maris Stella. I do not understand why aren't parents allowed into the sch to watch on the sideline on how their P1 boys are copping.

The school did not make known the reason too and I feel very sad and helpless that I missed out on one of the important milestone in my boy's life.

When our boys come to know that their friends from other schools can have their mummies and daddies in school on their first day to show/lend their support, how would they feel? Will there be feelings of \"abandonment\"? Cos they are considered the minority in the whole of singapore where their parents aren't allowed into the school at all.

Don't worry, there is no reason for your ds to feel abandoned Primary school is not meant to be cosy preschool and the boys will soon learn and adapt to being more independent.
When my ds1 was in p1 at MSHS 3 yrs ago, we were not allowed to hover outside the classroom during lessons right from day one. He was a very clingy kid, definitely not the independent type, but survived very well, red eyes and all. No psychological damage

We've transferred to another school this year for GEP, and honestly, after i witnessed the chaos outside the P1 classrooms in our new school, I now understand why some schools shoo parents away. There was so much clinging, whining, sniffling, wailing, and camera clicking that the teachers could barely make themselves heard by the kids.
30 sets of parents and grandparents and other assorted relatives milling around outside each classroom! And ages later, after they were finally persuaded to leave, they parked themselves in the canteen, taking up so much room that many kids had trouble finding seats at recess.
My p2 dd's school also didn't allow us to be around last year, especially during recess. Apparently this year the principal even asked parents to leave the premises half an hour before the dismissal time. So all was peaceful and quiet

[seestar]

Hi, my DS is in P3 this yr.

during their P1, the teacher took them to the MRT path / car pick up point throughout the whole yr. whenever there’s a change of mode of transport, we wil take the initiative to write a letter for our DS to show the teacher that is accompanying them. No problem at all. I was also very worried as I thought my DS was blur like sotong. But the teachers guided them and repeatedly remind them to be gentlemen.
Rest assured, the P1 & 2 teachers really mothered our DS and take very good care of them. Firm but caring.

There are also many PSG around to look out for our DS.

The boys are starting to hav a good time, they will enjoy themselves … It’s us, the mummies that are having the difficulties letting go of our babies…

[ddmama]

My DS is P2 this year. Last year when he was P1, his teacher will bring those pupils out to mrt side gate for those going back from there. They practice this for the whole of last year. Very happy with this arrangement. This year he is on school bus. He is always happy and looking forward to go school.

[blueblue]

Shanna:

Hi,


I am the mother of a P1 boy and is actually very upset with Maris Stella. I do not understand why aren't parents allowed into the sch to watch on the sideline on how their P1 boys are copping.

The school did not make known the reason too and I feel very sad and helpless that I missed out on one of the important milestone in my boy's life.

When our boys come to know that their friends from other schools can have their mummies and daddies in school on their first day to show/lend their support, how would they feel? Will there be feelings of \"abandonment\"? Cos they are considered the minority in the whole of singapore where their parents aren't allowed into the school at all.

And there is no clear instruction from the school as to what the child is expected to wear?! No instruction as to how long can their teachers bring them to the mrt side gate. I received 3 different answers from the sch. One says end of term, the other says June and the last told me end of the year?!

And when will the buddy system stop? We too have no idea.

As parents of primary 1, we are already feeling the stress yet we have to put on a brave front for our boys. Yet the school is not helping by adding more stress.

I am really very curious as to who is in charge of the whole P1 orientation program? Schools have been calling out to parents to be in partnership with them. But we are like being locked out from the school. It feels more like an army camp barrack to me.....

Sorry for the ranting. I need to get it off my chest.....

I share your sentiment. My boy is my only child. I am being denied the one and only chance to get the first hand experience of seeing how my child will be doing on his first day in a primary school.

My son mentioned the buddy system will be continued for another 5 more days.

[mossie]

im super pissed today!! my boy got bullied on the 3rd day of school by a p3 student! He was slapped in the face, beat buttocks and kick in the stomach! I complained to TLC and they manage to investigate and found out who is the boy. What should i do?

[cherrygal]

Poor thing… I assume this bullying happened in the student care and not in school? If you know who it is, tell TLC to inform his parents. If you want, you can tell the TLC teacher to make him apologize to your son in front of you. Can’t really expect the school to do anything coz it didn’t happen in school…


In the meantime, train your DS to be vigilant and stay close to his friends.

[mossie]

It happened in school canteen when Tlc was providing lunch. It happened in front of a group of the bully’s friends and his p1 friends. Tlc will arrange me to meet the boy on Tuesday and I am still thinking if I should complain to school if the boy show no remorse.