Marymount Convent

[Aixuan]

Anyone knows the homework load for Marymount Convent?

[pingsped]

There’s not much homework from p1-p3. One might get some homework from math or Chinese teacher, esp from P3 onwards


Generally school life is pleasant and new P has expanded on non-academic curriculum.
You can check Facebook account of MCS PSG

MCS is great for girls who have typical girl interests like dance, gym & choir

It is also great for slow learners or mild special needs as the academic curriculum is not as tough as other primary schools.

For the same reason, it is not recommended if child is very fast learner or gifted. It does not have CCA like chess, debate, robotics, track n field, basketball etc

The new P subscribes to & practices current MOE education model
- less testing (hopefully less competitiveness & stress)
- mixed ability classes from P3 onwards (there’s top half & bottom half)
- Chinese & math banding fr P3 onwards (students r streamed in these 2 subjects; there r top and bottom classes for targeted teaching)

P5 onwards
- girls have to stay back twice per week to finish curriculum for PSLE (many pri sch practice this in different forms)
- higher mother tongue is offered
- there is significant homework

[Melodyz]

Hi! I’m keen to enroll my girl in Marymount this year. However, we are staying pretty far away from the school. Any parents here who are residing at Sengkang area n send their girl to Marymount?

Also, any feedback on how the school is like? In terms of character/values building and academics?
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank u!

[floppy]

Melodyz\" post_id=\"1921219\" time=\"1563685782\" user_id=\"169390:

Hi! I’m keen to enroll my girl in Marymount this year. However, we are staying pretty far away from the school. Any parents here who are residing at Sengkang area n send their girl to Marymount?
Also, any feedback on how the school is like? In terms of character/values building and academics?
Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank u!

Sengkang to Marymount is quite straightforward if you are using public transport.
SK -> Serangoon -> Marymount -> bus to MCS
or SK -> Serangoon -> Caldecott -> walk to MCS
Alternatively, you can consider the school bus (given the https://marymountconvent.moe.edu.sg/qql/slot/u588/bus%20routes%20&%20drivers.pdf, I believe that there are students staying as far as SK and Punggol).

The school is one of those underappreciated and undervalued school by SC parents No longer having an affiliated secondary school and being in a matured estate probably didn't help its popularity. Nevertheless, the school has undergone upgrading recently (2017) and looks amazing (from the outside).

[pingsped]

Take a look at some of fun activities

https://mobile.facebook.com/psgmcs?_rdc=1&_rdr

[Melodyz]

Thanks for advice, floppy n pingsped! We just drove to Marymount this morning to take a look. Saw that it’s up a hill n the school campus looks big! Any idea regarding their take up rates in phase 2C for past years? Will there be balloting under phase 2C?

Why is the school undervalued by parents? I looked at the website n it seems to have many programs for the girls.

[floppy]

Melodyz\" post_id=\"1921232\" time=\"1563692948\" user_id=\"169390:

Thanks for advice, floppy n pingsped! We just drove to Marymount this morning to take a look. Saw that it’s up a hill n the school campus looks big! Any idea regarding their take up rates in phase 2C for past years? Will there be balloting under phase 2C?
Why is the school undervalued by parents? I looked at the website n it seems to have many programs for the girls.

Phase 2C is a shoo-in for everyone. SC should be 99.9% safe, regardless of distance.

Why is the school not popular?

1. Demographics - Toa Payoh is an aging town, i.e. older, less children of a school going age.

2. Geography - School is not in a prime location. Located at the edge of two towns, you have the reservoir, the nature reserve and a cemetery on one side - not places where you will be finding many students. This is how the < 2km catchment area looks like in onemap:
https://postimg.cc/xXs6sSkp

3. Accessibility - closely related to the above. It isn't the easiest place to get to before CCL started (https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4514&start=5430#p1832782, but would still take about 10 mins).

4. Competition - again, related to the above. Between the two towns and nearby, there are Ai Tong / Catholic High in Bishan, Pei Chun / CHIJ TP in Toa Payoh. If you are a Catholic (Phase 2B), it's likely that you will consider CHIJ TP or CHIJ SNGS (in AMK) or some other schools before MCS as they come with affiliated secondary schools. Therefore, Marymount is unlikely to surpass them in popularity any time soon.

Despite the above, MCS results are generally good. Students are well-behaved and of good character. Can't see much wrong in the school.

[pingsped]

We balloted for SNGS & didn't get a place. My girl is academically advanced. She finds Marymount slow. It's harder on her now that every class is mixed ability. This is MOE's current model for most pri sch. It is tough for some teachers who can't adjust. This model caters to children in the middle 80% of Bell curve.


Marymount is very pleasant. Current P was VP of SNGS (sec) & the valedictorian in principal academy. She took over in 2017/2018. There will be gradual balanced changes to MCS. This is the P 😁
https://saltandlight.sg/faith/we-will-not-choose-parents-who-adopted-four-babies-three-with-special-needs/

It's about finding a suitable school that matches your parenting values & aspirations for your child.

[zac's mum]

I agree. I wish the school would change its uniform to black socks with black shoes though. The current white socks with black shoes is really odd. Small matter though

[Melodyz]

Wow! Thanks for all the details, floppy! 👍🏻 Means phase 2C is a sure in. Today when I drove past, it really doesn’t look very convenient. But didn’t know of the other reasons that make the school less popular. I thought it is a popular n hard to get in school. Really good to know that the girls there are well behaved n of good character. I think that’s very important.

Thanks for info on the p, pingsped! Wow!! Such an amazing couple! Didn’t know of that at all. Really impressive! 👍🏻 Such big hearts!
I’m also considering whether should I send my girl to chij OLGC. Coz it’s nearer to Sengkang. Do u all know how’s the school like?