Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)

[sembgal]

MGS DSA Information Session for MGS P6 girls: 12 April 2019 (Friday) 6pm to 7.30pm


MGS DSA Information Session for P6 girls: 13 April 2019 (Saturday) 8.30am to 10am

MGS Open House: 19 October 2019 (Saturday) 8.30am to 2.30pm

[VRossi]

Dear all,


Do keep a look out for mental health of the youths in our schools. Hoping to bring more awareness to all parents.

As quoted in the Straits Times Article by Cheow Sue Ann on April 12 ,

\"School stress became a hot topic of online discussion recently after someone who identified herself as a 17-year-old International Baccalaureate student in a top school here wrote about her admission to IMH for suicide attempts and a history of depressive episodes.

In her online post, she wrote about facing immense pressure to do well in school and claimed her brother, a junior college student, \"killed himself two years ago, partly due to the pressure from my parents to do well\". She claimed to have met in IMH four other students from top schools who had attempted suicide or harmed themselves because of school stress.\"

Another article titled \"I flunked the IP': Integrated Programme dropout shares his story\" in Dec 30 2018 about the experiences of Mr Edwin Chau who could not cope with the stress of being in the IP.

Do watch out for our children's mental health closely and provide plenty of emotional support for them. More understanding, less stigma please.

To God be the Glory, The Best is Yet to be!


Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ ... k-imh-help
Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ ... ked-the-ip

[ChiefKiasu]

It is depressing to hear about suicide attempts. But how much stress we are experiencing depends on our current life situation. I don’t think we can lower the stress, but we can be more understanding and supportive of our kids. Hopefully that will help them handle life’s challenges better.

[MaMa Mon]

Hi all, can anyone share experience on taking DSA under domain music to get in MGS?

Is it difficult to get in via music (Piano)?
How is the audition experience?
Does student need to travel to other place for MEP or is it within school?
My daughter intend to use piano, she really like music and MGS.

Thank you for any sharing!

[laokong]

:thankyou: I

[BonaFides]

Dear parents

If your dd is studying at Methodist Girls Secondary (O level) could you share why he/she choose this school, and good things & not so good things that you and your DC feel about it?
Thanks so much.

[sembgal]

100 % attained 5 O levels passes or more for those who took 2018 O levels exam in MGS.


96.8% qualify for a place in JC.

52.9% attained L1R5 Score of 10 points or less.

This school will be a good fit for Christians as there are lessons incorporated to learn about God. It is an independent school so the school fees is rather high if you are not offered a scholarship (Edusave Scholarships for Independent (ESIS) of $200 discount every month.

School is near King Albert Park mrt station. Be prepared to walk at least 10 to 15 mins from mrt , up the slope to get into the school.

Good facilities like swimming pools, squash centre etc…

[BonaFides]

Thank you very much Sembgal!!!

[Sec_Mom]

Dear Parents,


I am a parent of a child who has completed Year 1 at MGS (IP) and wanted to share feedback of the experience so far for parents & children who would like to know more about the school.

My DD has given an extremely positive feedback of her year at MGS with the following highlights:

1) The school fosters an all-round development along with providing an excellent academic education and innumerable opportunities to enter inter-school competitions per interest.
2) Subjects taught in Year1 include: Computer Studies & Robotics, Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, English Language Arts (Text: Shooting Kabul), Geography, History, Global Studies/Political Science, Philosophy, International Studies(Researching skills), STEM, Art, Home Science & PE - including swimming (within school campus).
3)The IP program places emphasis on preparing projects and developing real world skills such as collaboration, analysis & presentation. The projects group kids together & require them to prepare and present a topic using PowerPoint & often aided by models that need to be crafted by them.
4) Interesting projects embarked upon include: Solving a real world problem using biomimicry, development of a prototype of a heat insulation system using sources alternative to styrofoam, art projects (design of a food zine , surrealistic impressions of their world ), STEM projects - including making their own bath bombs, sunblocks & shower gels, Maths- Creation of their own tessellation designs using scratch etc. The kids are also required to write political commentaries for Global Studies using current affairs events and applying them to concepts learnt, etc.
5) The kids are required to take periodic tests for all academic subjects with an approximation of 2 tests per subject per term, that seek to evaluate learning on an incremental basis. Additionally an end of year assessment evaluates cumulative absorption. Grading is absolute and per IB norma with a grade 7(80% and above) being the highest grade per academic subject. Additionally, extra points (1-3) are awarded for Global studies, Philosophy & International Studies.
6)School ambience: places an emphasis on collaboration and healthy competition. The girls are high achievers who developed camaraderie, strong bonds, deep sense of values and a great sense of humour thanks to the excellent staff who teach excellence with a balanced approach to application & fun.
7) The school has excellent facilities- 2 cafeterias with eclectic cuisines, a swimming pool, labs etc - which can be viewed in the Open House held during the month of October or in the DSA talk held in April
8)VIA programs, camps and frequent school trips help to engage kids in areas outside the classroom.
9) DD is a member of the school choir- which is easily one of the best amongst sec schools. Other CCAs offered are on the school website.
10)The school offers ample opportunities to develop depth in areas of interest via participation in inter-school competitions. As a result, DD won innumerable awards in Literary & Maths competitions - her areas of interest.
11) Finally a word on life after sec 4- the IP kids join ACSI for years 5&6 and are required to write the IB exam, an internationally well-recognised certification recognised by Oxbridge, Singapore & leading univs worldwide. The IB exam has a similar structure as the current year with marks distributed via projects/papers and year end examinations retaining the principal of application of concepts learnt to real-world issues.

To summarise, kids taking the MGS IP course have a demanding schedule, but the mode of delivery makes it a fun and enriching experience- one that transformed my intelligent yet introverted DD to a confident individual, capable of delivering presentations to large audiences. The outside class activities & deep friendships formed have truly helped her to become a stronger and a more resilient individual. In case you are already considering MGS -IP for your DD I would advise you to go ahead. Do PM if any additional details are needed.

P.S. This post is merely an attempt to provide first-hand information on the school as we have been through the decision making process as well and understand that it’s a difficult decision to make!

[pandabear88]

My child is joining the MGS O Levels program. I would like to find out more about the Sophia Blackmore Academy in particular - how many classes are there, is it subject based e.g. humanities, Maths & Science or covering all subjects, what is the cut off point & promotion criteria… Appreciate any insights into this beyond what is available on the MGS website?