Pei Chun Public

[muska]

Oh.. received a big pack of forms today ! [/quote]

Thanks, I also received mine through my elder DS as gal went in under Phase1

[muska]

HI Bewilder,

My DS had the Math Olympiad lesson for his P3. In my opinion, the time was too short 1hr, the things covered were too much, that he could not grasp the concept well. Each week they have a different topic, the old ones are still not fully understand, and he had to learn new stuff. In fact, I even decided to opt him out for P4 MO when teacher gave him the questionare. Then again, MO teacher said eligibility for P4 MO, strongly depend on P3 Math results.

So if you ask if the MO in PCPS is helpful, I can strongly tell you that, its better to enrol outside and probaly there is better chance to be good enough for competition.

However, my DS has also commented that this MO training has helped him tremendously with GEP selection test.

On P3, my DS only had 1 gal from his P2 class joined him in the new class. Even though they made patch to meet up during recess with P2 mates, eventually all found new friends and mingle around new friends.
P3 teachers are more mature, and focused on academics,n need to handle 40 student in class so seriously not as fun as P1, P2.

If he had basic issue like careless mistake, or do not show steps in Math test, I think the focus should be helping him to overcome these first. Cos in P3, the nos. are getting bigger, and more steps are needed to come to the solution, marks will be lost even more easily especially in Part C.

Somehow I think even in new school, they probaly will also select children for math competition based on class test.

So the push factor I would consider to change school for your case, is rather the affiliation to secondary. Cos you can always enrol the MO externally, while working on helping DS to improve on school test.

[GTGT]

Hi Parents of Primary One in Year 2015


My boy is going P2 in Pei Chun in year 2015. So, selling his Primary 1 books here.

Shaping Maths (3rd Edition) - Book 1A and 1B
好公民课本 (new edition from year 2014)

PM if you are interested.

http://i62.tinypic.com/264436f.jpg\">

[princess.04847gal]

Hi Belwider


In my opinion, I feel you should not rush to make the transfer. Sorry to step in as my child is not in Pei Chun. I was once in your position (thinking about transferring) as I feel the standard in my child’s school is a bit low. However, over the past months, I observed that my daughter is enjoying school and she is coping very well too. She looks forward to go to school every day and I feel this is very important. If I were to transfer her to another school, I am not sure if she will be the same.

Do try speaking to your son’s form teacher. Personally, I do not think it is a difficult task for the school if your child’s grade is reasonable (at least must be band 1?) and you feel the programme will benefit him. My niece was not in the MO either but my brother requested for her to be enrolled and the school agreed. That was a few years back. Similar to your child, my niece is very good in Math but somehow, she did not do too well in her school tests. She is now a Sec 2 student in NUS High School. MO and competitions did help to stretch her potential.

As for my own daughter, she is a language person so this programme will not benefit her. Ultimately, it really depends on the child.

Just my 2 cents worth.

[A reliable source]

bewilder wrote:

> My son is currently in P2 and I am contemplating to transfer him to another school
> in Year 2015, P3.
>
> DS has very strong interest in Mathematics and Science and I hope to put him in a
> school that will give him rooms to develop in these areas. I have shortlisted and
> spoken to 2 schools and there is 1 which I particularly like due to its numerous
> fun and engaging math programmes and competitions. This will add new dimension to
> his math learning journey, extend his creativity and analytical skills through problem
> solving from a different angle or perspective.
>
> If he remains in PCPS, he will not have this opportunity at all. As much as he hopes
> to be in the Math Olympiad Training, he was not being selected. As we know, selection
> is purely based on results and DS did not fare good enough in his AAs and MAs. It
> was ridiculous that he made the inanest mistake in measurement, when everyone measured
> an object which was 20cm long, DS said it was slightly more than 20cm, more like
> 20.3cm to him so he rounded up to 21cm! Very simple, straight forward numbers arranging
> from greatest to smallest, he can arrange the reserve way! Skipping steps in problem
> solving that caused marks to be deducted. I gave him a good scolding but it was
> too late and he’s out of the game!
>
> Long story cut short, I am due to submit his results to the new school on Wed, 12
> Nov. This school promised opportunities for him to develop in this area. All boys
> are given equal opportunities, not just limit to the minority few. When talking
> to the VP, it gave me the impression that the school is more passionate in the welfare
> and development of all the students. Furthermore, this school is affiliated to secondary
> division, thus, lesser stress when it comes to PSLE.
>
> I remain sceptical if this is the right decision as DS seems to be very much attached
> to PCPS. He really likes his form teacher who has taught him for 2 years. Every
> now and then, he will sing praises of her. He has several great buddies from his
> class too. However, I told him that most of them will be in different classes from
> next year onwards. He will also have a different FT, a tigress perhaps, not young,
> gentle and pretty one anymore! Nevertheless, I am still unable to convince him and
> he insisted that he will stay in PCPS till P6.
>
> Parents, I would like to hear from you. In your opinion, do you think I should just
> go ahead with the transfer? I ran out of ideas to convince my boy to agree to the
> transfer. My last resort is to use force or bribery. Anyway, kids will adapt very
> quickly, isn’t it?

Hi bewilder,

I agree with princess.gal. Do not rush to make the transfer, although the school will be shifting in 2016 (affecting the PSLE for P4 2014 cohort) to the temporary holding site in AMK / YCK.

There are 2 MO classes offered in PCPS. The MO are vendors engaged by the school. I have personally comforted pupils who have taken MO as it is indeed quite challenging. The pupils are, at times, pitted against each other in mini competitions in the class to solve X amount of questions. Those are mathematically motivated would not give up, but those who are examination smart would not have similar motivation after some time.

An example of the question I have seen is:

1, 99, 2, 98, 3, 97..
Find the number in the 51st position.

Apart from MO, there is the normal Academic Support program that provides heuristic (non-routine) worksheets for the students to practice on. (P.S. there is a similar question in the AS program).

Your son can also join the 123 games club (formerly Mathematics Club) to spark more interests in Mathematics.

The top two graduating classes in PCPS have consistently produce students of PSLE 240 and above (results). It is also a school where most students still bow to their teachers in acknowledgement (culture).

Having stated the above, I personally believe in the motivation of students to learn and this are affected by various (based on Bronfenbrenner Ecological Systems). Changing school and the environment and peers around him will affect him to a certain degree.

Do weight the pros and cons with the first milestone in mind. I hope this helps you in your planning and decision.

Please update me of your plans too!

:B

[A reliable source]

Hi Chemistry,


The last I heard, PCPS will be moving in 2016 (affecting the PSLE of P4 2014 cohort).

:B

[A reliable source]

Hi Zapple,


The last I heard, PCPS will be moving in 2016 (affecting the PSLE of P4 2014 cohort).

:B

[A reliable source]

Hi Parents,


The last I heard, PCPS will be moving in 2016 (affecting the PSLE of P4 2014 cohort).

I think the management of the school has little or no say in where the location of the holding site would be. I have a strong feeling that MOE is strategic with its location. Vacant schools that are near PCPS might not be converted into holding sites because of other considerations that might not be education related.

I believe that the school management is mindful of this and I think they will be doing their utmost best to minimize the disruption (albeit inconvenient) as much as possible.

If I am not wrong, there will still be the AM / PM session during the period at the holding site. But however, I am uncertain of the details. I will post an update when I have more concrete details.

But being the only 1 of 2 remaining schools with duo sessions, there will no longer be any duo sessions in any schools from 2018.

I hope this helps put some minds at ease as well as serve as contribution to your planning.

:B

[Daddy D]

Parents' (mismatched) expectation is a dangerous thing.

How hard to push (your kids), how much to let go... There's no right/wrong answer.

We didn't sign dd up for Maths Olympiad.
We didn't sign dd up for GEP testing.
We took time to understand her and worked on her strengths/weaknesses.

She is happy with her results.
We are happy with her results.
We also reminded her of the hard work that she had put in through the year.

Enjoy the school holidays.
:celebrate:

[A reliable source]

Parents' (mismatched) expectation is a dangerous thing.

How hard to push (your kids), how much to let go... There's no right/wrong answer.

We didn't sign dd up for Maths Olympiad.
We didn't sign dd up for GEP testing.
We took time to understand her and worked on her strengths/weaknesses.

She is happy with her results.
We are happy with her results.
We also reminded her of the hard work that she had put in through the year.

Enjoy the school holidays.
:celebrate:

Hi Daddy D,

Well said. :udaman:

At Primary 5, I am certain the pressure cooker environment is intense on your daughter. I am extremely heartened to hear that you are happy with your girl's results. And what is most important is that she is happy with her results and she realises your approval. To praise effort and not results is what I have always advocated in and out of my dealings with students and parents.



Based on Erik Erikson's Eight Stages of Development, children during Primary School years will face what is known as Industry vs Inferiority. This would explain why some adolescents are more willing to try and some less willing to because of the bad memories of failure.

It is important to build an appropriate sense of identity and self-worth in children so that they will grow up loving themselves and grow up loving learning.

:B