Networking Group - JCs General

[zeemimi]

KTKS:

That's why I don't see a point to interact with teachers often or have an amicable but superficial relationship with them. Maybe I am just ODD.

ktks,

you are not odd. i only interact with teachers during PTM. In one of the PTM, the teacher asked why i was there!!??!!

in fact during term time, no news fr teachers is good news for me. minimal interaction. i let my kids solve their own problems. I don't expect them to be top always. if they are not doing well, it's their responsibility to buck up. If they think they need some form of external help and they approach me, as parents we'll see what we can do within our budget.

my kids know we work on a tight budget, so they don't ask unless it is absolutely necessary.

[starlight1968sg]

Me too, minimal interaction with the teachers.

I dont know if this is ok.

[KTKS]

zbear:

starlight1968sg:

In top JCs, there are some who can't make it. In average JCs, there are some who shine.

I still think that those who don't shine in top JCs n those who shine in low tier JCs are the minority.

Agree, though some in low tier JCs will well outperform those in top JCs. There are always a handful of students, including foreign students, who prefer proximity to ranking of JC too.
IMO, if one can excel in O levels, chances are they will continue to do well academically in JC. This trend is not so prominent for those who excel or under perform in PSLE. Many PSLE average performers are still able to catch up in sec sch and outdo the better performers.

[jtoh]

I find that by JC, the teachers would rather focus their limited PTM time with parents of students who are flagged as underperforming. If your child is doing well or above average, the teachers will ask why you're at PTM. The teachers in my dd's JC are usually very well-prepared at PTM for students who are red-flagged. They have all their results and some teachers will take their time to point out the areas of weakness of each individual student and how they can approach the subject. There are also remedial classes for the weaker students and the teachers are more than happy when a student 'graduates' from that class.

[zbear]

KTKS:

My DD is from a neighbourhood primary school with a principal who covers his staff's mistakes well. DD's sec sch is one in the 230 COP range. Teachers did give advice but didn't help much. Most students depended on heavy tuitions to excel. DD's JC is one above net 10 pointers. Same story as sec sch. Seriously think the ex edu min HSK does not know the education climate here.

Are you saying your DD's JC - nett L1R5 entry to be more than 10 points? Sorry I don't really understand what you are saying.

I am also concerned that there is a great disparity in the standards of top tier JCs vs low tier JCs - in terms of school environment, students n resources.

I think that this disparity is worst in JCs compared to Pri n Sec Schools. The famous quote - All Schools are Good - hold some truth in Pri n Mainstream Sec Schools but not at all in JCs. Indeed, parents are good at complaining about Pri Schools n PSLE n they are heard. But what about JCs? Is building more JCs just to justify the demand for more to enter Uni? What about the quality? How many in the low tier JCs do indeed qualify for the better Uni courses, let alone, able to enter at all?

It will be my DS turn to select JC next year n I can only pray n hope that he does well in his O levels so that he can have a wider n better choice of JCs to make his selection.

[zeemimi]

jtoh:

I find that by JC, the teachers would rather focus their limited PTM time with parents of students who are flagged as underperforming. If your child is doing well or above average, the teachers will ask why you're at PTM. The teachers in my dd's JC are usually very well-prepared at PTM for students who are red-flagged. They have all their results and some teachers will take their time to point out the areas of weakness of each individual student and how they can approach the subject. There are also remedial classes for the weaker students and the teachers are more than happy when a student 'graduates' from that class.

I guess it's different expectations fr a PTM. I see PTM as opportunity to discuss non academic matters. For eg how is the child at school. Can interact well with friends? Any areas of concern besides academic. But I wonder if the teachers know their students well enough to comment on non academic stuff.
The child spends more time in school than at home. Some stuff we can't see even though we are close to our kids.

[jtoh]

zeemimi:

jtoh:

I find that by JC, the teachers would rather focus their limited PTM time with parents of students who are flagged as underperforming. If your child is doing well or above average, the teachers will ask why you're at PTM. The teachers in my dd's JC are usually very well-prepared at PTM for students who are red-flagged. They have all their results and some teachers will take their time to point out the areas of weakness of each individual student and how they can approach the subject. There are also remedial classes for the weaker students and the teachers are more than happy when a student 'graduates' from that class.

I guess it's different expectations fr a PTM. I see PTM as opportunity to discuss non academic matters. For eg how is the child at school. Can interact well with friends? Any areas of concern besides academic. But I wonder if the teachers know their students well enough to comment on non academic stuff.
The child spends more time in school than at home. Some stuff we can't see even though we are close to our kids.

I guess it depends on the teacher. My dd's teacher does know the students well and takes the time to talk each one of them. Feedback is also gathered from all the subject teachers and CCA teachers. So if there's an issue with the child in non-academic areas, the teacher would also be aware.

[Sieg]

zbear:

I am also concerned that there is a great disparity in the standards of top tier JCs vs low tier JCs - in terms of school environment, students n resources.

My impression is totally different from yours. My friend's DS was from IJC. Their principal mentioned that their COP will be capped at maximum pt of 20 so as to allow as many pupils as possible to try their hands on the A levels. They take in many foreign pupils who are O level private candidates and those who graduated from UK high schools.
I have made a comparison of lecture notes from IJC against TJC and SAJC's. I am of the opinion that they are more comprehensive and easier to digest than these upper tier JCs. I am amazed by how the teachers go to the extent of helping their pupils in this area. They have many PTMs and remedials for their pupils too. However, due to the difficulty nature of A level, only about 60% of the pupils (with L1R5 above 12 pts) can make it to government uni. There are a few classes of pupils who enter the JC with L1R5 12 pts and below and taking 4H2 subjects. Many of the foreign students will leave for overseas uni after the A level as many of their parents are professionals in their respective countries and can well afford that.
So in terms of school environment and resources, lower tier JCs won't lose out IMHO.

On the other hand, I have seen several IP pupils who did not do well in JC. Perhaps they have no experience in national exam for too long or the JC teachers over estimated their abilities?

For one, VJC is well known for their 'teach less in school, learn more on your own' style. I am sure I am not the only one who heard about it left, right, front & back..it's more like the school emphasizes alot on CCA and resources are inadequate. The pupils excel based on own hard work and high calibre.

[zbear]

Sieg:

For one, VJC is well known for their 'teach less in school, learn more on your own' style. I am sure I am not the only one who heard about it left, right, front & back..

Pls elaborate 'teach less in school, learn more on your own'. Are you implying that VJC students rely heavily on tuition?

[Sieg]

zbear:

Sieg:

For one, VJC is well known for their 'teach less in school, learn more on your own' style. I am sure I am not the only one who heard about it left, right, front & back..

Pls elaborate 'teach less in school, learn more on your own'. Are you implying that VJC students rely heavily on tuition?

In a way, yes. Or they have smart peers to share their personal resources.