Secondary 2 Streaming
-
sky minecrafter\" post_id=\"1999232\" time=\"1602953608\" user_id=\"130531:[quote=\"sky minecrafter\" post_id=1999232 time=1602953608 user_id=130531]
Hi Sky,
Ported over from the Raffles Institution thread...fatbear\" post_id=\"1999225\" time=\"1602947854\" user_id=\"38956:
Hi, has the school given you some ideas of how each humanities could play a role in the student's future prospects (further studies, job applications...)? Ours quoted from Harvard College's Admissions page, listed up careers which could use knowledge for each... So you could consider along those lines?..[/quote]Really appreciate if any senior parents can give some insight into these 2 subjects thanks 🙏
Between History and Geo , given pretty much same level of interest and ability, which subject is easier to manage and score?
Can show us the hyperlink to this Harvard College Admission page, that tie or link up careers to subject History / Geog/ Lit, because googled but cannot find such a web page. Thank you, for your help -
Humanities vs sciences: this is a question that comes up again and again. Here are a few recent articles that discuss some of the issues and concerns:
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190401-why-worthless-humanities-degrees-may-set-you-up-for-life
https://www.businessinsider.com/humanities-majors-that-earn-the-highest-salaries-2019-4#english-literature-majors-earn-an-average-mid-career-salary-of-78300-a-year-10
https://theconversation.com/humanities-graduates-earn-more-than-those-who-study-science-and-maths-141112
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/commentary/stem-arts-and-humanities-coronavirus-education-university-degree-12713556
All said and done, what matters most is the person's attitude to learning, and ability to adapt and grow over 40 years of working life. I would say that the greatest hurdle to most students is that they pigeonhole themselves: \"I am a History graduate so I can't work in a chemical field\" or \"I am an engineer so I can't write copy\" or \"I am a doctor so I can't design things\" or \"I am a Lit graduate so I can't do Maths\" etc. With so much you can learn and read for yourself, and university courses that allow students to study courses from other disciplines, there is really no excuse for this kind of thinking in this day and age.
For students at Sec 2, I would say that keeping a broad range of stubjects is ideal. They are too young to start eliminating things yet. Time enough to start veering towards either science or humanities after the O levels. By the same token, there is no need for them to start thinking of their futures in terms of science vs humanities. Some students will stick to Maths and Science all the way to A levels or even the first degree, but switch later on in working life or for a 2nd degree. -
Hi phtthp, can I email you a while later?... 😜 Thanks.
& thank you slmkhoo! Yes, 'was impressed that my dcs' schools sent us (somewhat) different interpretations to consider for Y3 subject choices. 😂 -
sky minecrafter\" post_id=\"1999318\" time=\"1603007924\" user_id=\"130531:[quote=\"sky minecrafter\" post_id=1999318 time=1603007924 user_id=130531]
At sec 2, I would mostly focus on not eliminating options rather than making actual choices, if you know what I mean. Of course, some kids show early that they are not good at certain subjects, and much as we parents might like to keep many options open for them, we have to be realistic. For kids who are generally capable, then it's more important not to narrow options too early, in subject choice, as well as in their minds.
Hi phtthp, can I email you a while later?... 😜 Thanks.
& thank you slmkhoo! Yes, 'was impressed that my dcs' schools sent us (somewhat) different interpretations to consider for Y3 subject choices. 😂[/quote]
My older girl was always weaker at Maths and Sciences, and we accepted early that those were not going to be in her future! But my younger girl was strong across the board, so we helped her make choices which gave her the largest no. of options (subject to MOE's rules). We were careful not to prejudice her for or against any particular area, despite the many \"well, you should be a doctor/lawyer\" comments from well-meaning relatives. I've seen too many friends who are doctors/lawyers or whatever because they were pointed that way early. It's fine if it turns out that they really enjoy whatever they do, but there are some who wish they had done something else. 40 years is a long time to think that. -
hello to ALL,
today the Sec 2 posting results was out, and i suffered a rude shock.
My daughter scored B4 in Math, A1 in Science, A1 in Literature, but got posted to combined science, pure Lit and POA.
Form-teacher said due to her SA2 Math failed by 6 marks, she is not advised to take A-math!
It doesn’t make sense to me… those good in Math can do pure Sciences, while those good in Science cannot do both Math?? How the school got this kind of unrealistic mentality! -
mummy NnN\" post_id=\"1999418\" time=\"1603103939\" user_id=\"7656:[quote=\"mummy NnN\" post_id=1999418 time=1603103939 user_id=7656]
Hi MummyNnN,
hello to ALL,
today the Sec 2 posting results was out, and i suffered a rude shock.
My daughter scored B4 in Math, A1 in Science, A1 in Literature, but got posted to combined science, pure Lit and POA.
Form-teacher said due to her SA2 Math failed by 6 marks, she is not advised to take A-math!
It doesn't make sense to me.... those good in Math can do pure Sciences, while those good in Science cannot do both Math?? How the school got this kind of unrealistic mentality![/quote]
Indeed, it is a rude shock !
your S2 daughter does not deserve to be streamed into Combined Science and forbid her to do A Maths,
just because
she scored B4 in her S2 year-end Maths. It is too much a heavy \"punishment\" for her, in her Upper Sec education journey.
Please stand up for your daughter.
Her Science (A1) at 75 and above, is fantastic !
It is definitely NOT easy for S2 students to score an A1 in their Sciences. Your daughter is good in Science. Keep it up, well done !
I do not know which Secondary school your girl is in, that led her to be streamed into \"Combined Science\". This can lead to repurcussion subsequently, after her O-level is over, entering into Junior Colleges, selecting JC subjects later on.
May I suggest that,
you have a talk with her current school HOD (Academic) and Principal ?
Convince them that your daughter is capable of handling A-Maths.
B4 is in the range of (60 to 64), still can improve to B3 (65 to 69), 64 at B4 jump to 65 At B3, is not difficult. Probably your daughter was careless in her S2 Maths paper, missed by one grade, from B3 slipped into B4. Is not that your girl gotten a C5 or a C6, in her S2 Maths year end results, because C grade for Maths is weak.
At the same time,
if your current school HOD (Academic) still refused to let her take A Maths, be mentally prepared to transfer out to some other Secondary school, where their S2 streaming requirements are less demanding.
Example
Can you google and take a look at
St Margaret Girls Secondary (SMGS)
2020 or 2021 (end of Sec 2) detailed streaming exercise requirements (criteria), into Sec 3 ?
If you google, can you see SMGS hyperlink (PDF file), click onto it
Refer to their slide #4, where SMGS specify a list of her criteria, for S3 subject combination(s).
You will notice that
1) with a B4 in S2 year end Mathematics results, Yes,
St Margaret Girls Secondary school still permit their S2 students to take A Maths at O-level, during the streaming exercise.
A Maths, is a very important subject
because
without A Maths (at O-level), most Junior Colleges do not allow their students to take H2 Maths ( at A-level), in JC1.
And without H2 Maths,
entry into local university will become a problem, when come to choosing uni courses later on. A lot of university courses need Maths. One thing lead to another. There is no way, to compare POA with A-maths. POA (Principles of Accounts) is so far away from A-maths.
2) call up St Margaret Girls Secondary quickly, inquire if they still have got any vacancies now, for Transfer.
If need be,
be prepared take St Margaret Secondary admission entrance Maths tests. SMGS may let your daughter take their recent current year Maths exam, 2020 S2 SA2 Maths paper. Who knows, your girl may score well in SMGS Maths paper.
Besides St Margaret, scout around for other similar Secondary schools to seek Transfer quickly :
ie. Schools that still permit students to take A Maths, with B4 grade achieved at Sec 2 SA2 (year-end) exam.
because
Truth be told
It is really a great waste of your daughter's talent with her scoring so well in her S2 Science (A1) and Literature (A1), and yet being sadly unfortunately denied the chance to study
(Double Maths cum
Double Pure Sciences) S3 subject combination, because your daughter is definitely capable of doing this combination :
- double Maths, +
- double Pure Sciences
As for your girl's Literature ( A1), excellent ! She can choose to do Lit as an Elective, that accompany S3 compulsory Social studies,
Or
Take Lit, as a Full Humanities subject.
Whether choose Lit as an Elective, or as a Full Humanities, most important is her passion and her interests in Lit. Once a pupil's interests is sparked in any subject, half the battle is already won !
S2 : Sec 2
S3 : Sec 3
Take a look at the school's
2021 S3 booklist, find out what is their Upper S3 Lit textbook ?
Is it Shakespeare drama or \"Lord of the Flies\" or something else ?
3) can you also google
Presbyterian High S2 streaming requirements ?
If PHS streaming criteria also similar to St Margaret, do consider Transfer into PHS. Besides taking up Lit as an Elective, your girl can take up Economics (SEAB 2286), as a Full Humanities, available at PHS. With this, when your girl go up to JC 3 years later, she will be strongly grounded in her Economics foundation & fundamentals by then.
Econs (2286), is a great Upper Sec choice subject !
Both St Margaret Girls and
Presbyterian High,
are affliated to St Andrew Junior College
Conclusion -
In the event,
your girl's current school stubbornly refused to let her take A Maths, inspite of your desperate earnest appeal -
then,
the only available solution out,
is to seek Transfer into some other Secondary school, which allow her to take admission entrance tests
And
give her a Second chance, to take A Maths (O-level),
in order to end your anguish, sense of helplessness, crying out for help & dilemma which you are in right now, because all these Subject combination will affect her future career choices of study in the uni. -
mummy NnN\" post_id=\"1999418\" time=\"1603103939\" user_id=\"7656:[quote=\"mummy NnN\" post_id=1999418 time=1603103939 user_id=7656]
Unfortunately, the above statement somewhat makes sense.
...
It doesn't make sense to me.... those good in Math can do pure Sciences, while those good in Science cannot do both Math??
...[/quote]
Those good in math can do pure science because both the physics (especially physics) and chemistry syllabus are heavy with formulae, calculations and manipulating numerical data. Even if one can’t recite the Newton Laws, one can still work out the answers. IIRC our examinations are weighed heavily towards quantitative answers. Therefore, those good in math have a significant advantage when handling these two pure sciences subject. De
On the other hand, A Math is not even remotely related to lower sec science. Major A Math components are not even introduced in lower sec. Hence, being good in lower sec science probably has no bearings on how one will perform in A Math. -
floppy\" post_id=\"1999461\" time=\"1603135877\" user_id=\"97579:
I agree with floppy. Lower sec Maths and A maths are really very different in their demands. Doing well in lower sec Maths doesn't mean that a student will necessarily do well in A Maths; but in general, students who do well in A Maths will ALSO do well in E Maths. Which makes the lower sec Maths grade a reasonable indicator of whether to allow a student to take A Maths. What you haven't mentioned is whether your daughter usually does well in Maths, and whether this low grade is unusual for her (because of carelessness, ill health, etc). If that is the case, you could probably make an appeal to the school to allow her to take A Maths. On the other hand, if your daughter is already not very strong in Maths at Sec 2, then allowing her to take A Maths may well mean that it will become a drag on her - a subject that she will spend an inordinate amount of time on for little return, instead of focusing on subjects she is actually good at.
Unfortunately, the above statement somewhat makes sense.mummy NnN\" post_id=\"1999418\" time=\"1603103939\" user_id=\"7656:[quote=\"mummy NnN\" post_id=1999418 time=1603103939 user_id=7656]...
It doesn't make sense to me.... those good in Math can do pure Sciences, while those good in Science cannot do both Math??
...
Those good in math can do pure science because both the physics (especially physics) and chemistry syllabus are heavy with formulae, calculations and manipulating numerical data. Even if one can’t recite the Newton Laws, one can still work out the answers. IIRC our examinations are weighed heavily towards quantitative answers. Therefore, those good in math have a significant advantage when handling these two pure sciences subject. De
On the other hand, A Math is not even remotely related to lower sec science. Major A Math components are not even introduced in lower sec. Hence, being good in lower sec science probably has no bearings on how one will perform in A Math.[/quote]
Lower sec science is quite descriptive, not as quantitative as they will be as you go higher (as floppy points out). I did well in Maths and E Maths all the way through school, but struggled a lot with A Maths, so I know that even kids who do well in lower sec Maths do not necessarily cope with A Maths; what more those who are already not doing well at lower sec Maths. You also don't say whether your daughter is keen on Maths and Science (not just because \"everyone prefers to do A Maths and sciences\", but intrinsically interested). If she is more inclined to other areas, you may be doing your daughter a disservice by getting her to do A Maths when she might flourish better in other subjects.
Just some thoughts. -
phtthp\" post_id=\"1999432\" time=\"1603111609\" user_id=\"35251:
Your knowledge of how the system works and the requirements of different schools is amazing. :salute:
Hi MummyNnN,mummy NnN\" post_id=\"1999418\" time=\"1603103939\" user_id=\"7656:[quote=\"mummy NnN\" post_id=1999418 time=1603103939 user_id=7656]hello to ALL,
today the Sec 2 posting results was out, and i suffered a rude shock.
My daughter scored B4 in Math, A1 in Science, A1 in Literature, but got posted to combined science, pure Lit and POA.
Form-teacher said due to her SA2 Math failed by 6 marks, she is not advised to take A-math!
It doesn't make sense to me.... those good in Math can do pure Sciences, while those good in Science cannot do both Math?? How the school got this kind of unrealistic mentality!
Indeed, it is a rude shock !
your S2 daughter does not deserve to be streamed into Combined Science and forbid her to do A Maths,
just because
she scored B4 in her S2 year-end Maths. It is too much a heavy \"punishment\" for her, in her Upper Sec education journey.
Please stand up for your daughter.
Her Science (A1) at 75 and above, is fantastic !
It is definitely NOT easy for S2 students to score an A1 in their Sciences. Your daughter is good in Science. Keep it up, well done !
I do not know which Secondary school your girl is in, that led her to be streamed into \"Combined Science\". This can lead to repurcussion subsequently, after her O-level is over, entering into Junior Colleges, selecting JC subjects later on.
May I suggest that,
you have a talk with her current school HOD (Academic) and Principal ?
Convince them that your daughter is capable of handling A-Maths.
B4 is in the range of (60 to 64), still can improve to B3 (65 to 69), 64 at B4 jump to 65 At B3, is not difficult. Probably your daughter was careless in her S2 Maths paper, missed by one grade, from B3 slipped into B4. Is not that your girl gotten a C5 or a C6, in her S2 Maths year end results, because C grade for Maths is weak.
At the same time,
if your current school HOD (Academic) still refused to let her take A Maths, be mentally prepared to transfer out to some other Secondary school, where their S2 streaming requirements are less demanding.
Example
Can you google and take a look at
St Margaret Girls Secondary (SMGS)
2020 or 2021 (end of Sec 2) detailed streaming exercise requirements (criteria), into Sec 3 ?
If you google, can you see SMGS hyperlink (PDF file), click onto it
Refer to their slide #4, where SMGS specify a list of her criteria, for S3 subject combination(s).
You will notice that
1) with a B4 in S2 year end Mathematics results, Yes,
St Margaret Girls Secondary school still permit their S2 students to take A Maths at O-level, during the streaming exercise.
A Maths, is a very important subject
because
without A Maths (at O-level), most Junior Colleges do not allow their students to take H2 Maths ( at A-level), in JC1.
And without H2 Maths,
entry into local university will become a problem, when come to choosing uni courses later on. A lot of university courses need Maths. One thing lead to another. There is no way, to compare POA with A-maths. POA (Principles of Accounts) is so far away from A-maths.
2) call up St Margaret Girls Secondary quickly, inquire if they still have got any vacancies now, for Transfer.
If need be,
be prepared take St Margaret Secondary admission entrance Maths tests. SMGS may let your daughter take their recent current year Maths exam, 2020 S2 SA2 Maths paper. Who knows, your girl may score well in SMGS Maths paper.
Besides St Margaret, scout around for other similar Secondary schools to seek Transfer quickly :
ie. Schools that still permit students to take A Maths, with B4 grade achieved at Sec 2 SA2 (year-end) exam.
because
Truth be told
It is really a great waste of your daughter's talent with her scoring so well in her S2 Science (A1) and Literature (A1), and yet being sadly unfortunately denied the chance to study
(Double Maths cum
Double Pure Sciences) S3 subject combination, because your daughter is definitely capable of doing this combination :
- double Maths, +
- double Pure Sciences
As for your girl's Literature ( A1), excellent ! She can choose to do Lit as an Elective, that accompany S3 compulsory Social studies,
Or
Take Lit, as a Full Humanities subject.
Whether choose Lit as an Elective, or as a Full Humanities, most important is her passion and her interests in Lit. Once a pupil's interests is sparked in any subject, half the battle is already won !
S2 : Sec 2
S3 : Sec 3
Take a look at the school's
2021 S3 booklist, find out what is their Upper S3 Lit textbook ?
Is it Shakespeare drama or \"Lord of the Flies\" or something else ?
3) can you also google
Presbyterian High S2 streaming requirements ?
If PHS streaming criteria also similar to St Margaret, do consider Transfer into PHS. Besides taking up Lit as an Elective, your girl can take up Economics (SEAB 2286), as a Full Humanities, available at PHS. With this, when your girl go up to JC 3 years later, she will be strongly grounded in her Economics foundation & fundamentals by then.
Econs (2286), is a great Upper Sec choice subject !
Both St Margaret Girls and
Presbyterian High,
are affliated to St Andrew Junior College
Conclusion -
In the event,
your girl's current school stubbornly refused to let her take A Maths, inspite of your desperate earnest appeal -
then,
the only available solution out,
is to seek Transfer into some other Secondary school, which allow her to take admission entrance tests
And
give her a Second chance, to take A Maths (O-level),
in order to end your anguish, sense of helplessness, crying out for help & dilemma which you are in right now, because all these Subject combination will affect her future career choices of study in the uni.[/quote] -
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