Hello. Had too much coffee and can't sleep. Realised it's the DSA season and decided to pop by here to busybody a bit, don't mind me ok

I have been through 2 DSAs and my kids are big kids now. Let me share my story because I hope I can encourage those parents whose kids do not make it through DSA to stay positive. There is still the PSLE. Even if after PSLE and your kid doesn't make it to the school of his choice, life goes on. Come on, it is only PSLE!

DD1 was successful during her DSA and got into her school of choice. She, and perhaps even us as the parents, became complacent. Her PSLE result did not turn out as expected although she still got into her DSA school. I think the complacency went on for some time and by upper sec she started struggling. Took her a while to buck up again.

DD2 was from GEP but wasn't accepted during DSA even though her school results were good and she won trophies etc for various competitions, so the saying that almost all GEP kids are accepted by the top schools is really a myth. Needless to say, she was heartbroken and cried a river of tears. I was heartbroken but as her parents we told her it is ok to have small setbacks like this in life, there must be a reason why she was not picked. Look forward and not look back, DSA is just a bonus round. In fact this setback made her a stronger person and she worked harder for her PSLE. Eventually she became the top few scorers in her school and got into her sec school of choice. She continues to work hard there because she has tasted failure/setback.

My girls have both come a long way and have matured into fine young ladies, each with their own life experiences. I, as their parent, have learnt a lot from them too. In secondary schools and JCs, there will be even more challenges, setbacks, that they have to face on their own. So whatever the outcome may be by end of Aug, sit back, relax and never show your anxiety before their PSLE. Tell them everything is fine because there are much bigger and more important things awaiting them after PSLE.

Good luck everyone! Cheers!

Jugglermum:

I've been reading this thread since yesterday when I found out my DD has been offered a place in the gep. It's been really informative reading your posts so thanks to all. 30-40 girls went for round 2 from my girl's school, 7 were selected of which 6 are from her class.


Honestly my husband and I are thrown for a loop right now that she's been selected and she says she wants to leave her current sch and go. We're worried about the pressure, workload and if she'll have time to play any more once she's in the programme. She however is super excited so we don't want to rain on her parade and will support her decision.

Any sharing or thoughts from current gep parents would be most helpful on
- the reality of what it will be like, workload and hours
- How parents should help the kids through it.
- Will the gep kids have to spend every weekend and holidays studying or working on projects?

Thanks!

I can understand your anxiety. I went through sleepless nights deciding if I shd listen to a then 8yo and let her go to a different school and do a tougher program that eventually still leads to PSLE. I gave in and let her go.

This last one year I have learnt that the program is not just about academics results. It is about our kids' learning style, which is a bit different perhaps. They grasp things very fast. The program also teaches the kids to mature as individuals. The projects make them grow up really fast (ie you must know when to let go and let them 'drown' on their own). In Term 1 my DD would fret and fear because she didn't understand what is 'projects'. By 2nd half of the year, I didn't even know what projects she had! She was almost totally on her own. I just had to drive her to Popular to grab materials.

I dare say she is a happy child now, much more outspoken and confident than a year ago. I do hear rumours that if you prepped your child for GEP at P3, they will not cope. I'm not sure how true. But if you did not, pls let her go if she wants to. Kids like her will be able to cope. She will be happier in the program.

But heard P5 can be a nightmare... :xedfingers:

tyeogh:

I think she was referring to me. LoL


Yes, we plebians with non GEP kids, we cockcroaches are way out of line by commenting on a subject we have no opportunity ever to be associated with. Yes, only people like us equate success to money even though we prefefriend only a child schooling forum. And yes, as a Gepper mom, it is your every right to castigate non gepper parents because only you have been there, done that. Not us cockcroaches. Forgive us for quizzing into the lifestyle of the elite.

Empathy? How can low lives like us even have a view on where empathy is learnt?! Outside school, in school or at a forum? Sacrilegious!! It is a travesty of justice that we cockroaches exist. Forgive me for postulating in a forum you happen to like. I will remove myself from your presence. *bow* :siam:

Apologies tyeogh. I was not referring to anyone in particular. I was dumbfounded yest receiving an email from a dear friend putting down the GE program and asking me what will my DD become when she grows up. i know people talk behind my DD's back at times but from my own friend since childhood...I cannot believe it. I don't know what my DD will become. Perhaps housewife? I will still be proud of her as long as her valus are right, not psle results. My friend asked me many questions that I cannot answer. Not you, I was talking about her.

Peace :xedfingers: I am low life too living in small HDB. My kids have zero tuition

tyeogh:

I think she was referring to me. LoL


Yes, we plebians with non GEP kids, we cockcroaches are way out of line by commenting on a subject we have no opportunity ever to be associated with. Yes, only people like us equate success to money even though we prefefriend only a child schooling forum. And yes, as a Gepper mom, it is your every right to castigate non gepper parents because only you have been there, done that. Not us cockcroaches. Forgive us for quizzing into the lifestyle of the elite.

Empathy? How can low lives like us even have a view on where empathy is learnt?! Outside school, in school or at a forum? Sacrilegious!! It is a travesty of justice that we cockroaches exist. Forgive me for postulating in a forum you happen to like. I will remove myself from your presence. *bow* :siam:

Apologies tyeogh. I was not referring to anyone in particular. I was dumbfounded yest receiving an email from a dear friend putting down the GE program and asking me what will my DD become when she grows up. i know people talk behind my DD's back at times but from my own friend since childhood...I cannot believe it. I don't know what my DD will become. Perhaps housewife? I will still be proud of her as long as her valus are right, not psle results. My friend asked me many questions that I cannot answer. Not you, I was talking about her.

Peace :xedfingers: I am low life too living in small HDB. My kids have zero tuition

Thank you rambutan77 for sharing. I cannot stand it when people who have no kids in GEP comment on the program with their own opinions, and finally talking about GEP not teaching kids about empathy or EQ. Hello? These are to be learnt at home, not just schools. These people actually think they can sub out teaching their kids values to schools! What a joke!


Then these same people like to compare success with how much you earn n how much you earn. Then they start blaming more successful people for their own shortcomings. Very sad. I have kids in MS n GEP. They are treated all the same. GeP nothing special, just different learning style. Because prog suits her learning style, she’s happy. Period. Nothing to do with what she will become in future.

Firefly38, XYZ actually sounds good, like plotting graphs. Better than ABC, like stout haha!

firefly38:

wonderm:

3ofthem, thanks for sharing and I am happy for your child who is enjoying her learning.


Don't feel disheartened, I believe there are many silent readers out there who do not call for the stop of the GEP prog just because our own kids are not in GEP.

I don't think it makes any difference if the name of GEP is changed. Even if you change it to \"Accelerated Learning Programme\", people who are against it can say \"why only your kids get to attend accelerated learning programme, not mine?\"

Agree with wonderm..

GEP.. ALP.. Whatever.. If people are sour of your 'haves', and bitter of their 'have-nots', they will still be against the program, whatever name you call it.. :sad:

Thank you wonderm and firefly. Sorry if my post was not too polite but my DD had been called names behind her back and I really don't understand why. They are just kids with a different learning style.

But u both are right about changing name. Even if changed to ABC also people not happy

firefly38:

wonderm:

3ofthem, thanks for sharing and I am happy for your child who is enjoying her learning.


Don't feel disheartened, I believe there are many silent readers out there who do not call for the stop of the GEP prog just because our own kids are not in GEP.

I don't think it makes any difference if the name of GEP is changed. Even if you change it to \"Accelerated Learning Programme\", people who are against it can say \"why only your kids get to attend accelerated learning programme, not mine?\"

Agree with wonderm..

GEP.. ALP.. Whatever.. If people are sour of your 'haves', and bitter of their 'have-nots', they will still be against the program, whatever name you call it.. :sad:

Thank you wonderm and firefly. Sorry if my post was not too polite but my DD had been called names behind her back and I really don't understand why. They are just kids with a different learning style.

But u both are right about changing name. Even if changed to ABC also people not happy

Lock:

I am one of the silent majority who has decided to speak up after going through this thread.

.

I have been reading this thread with amusement the last 2 hours. Wow! So many views! But the best post is probably from Lock. Thanks for sharing Lock. I am in your shoes, so I can relate. The last 9 months with a GEP kid was totally not smooth sailing, homework was not too much but at a higher level, she did not even understand the meaning of projects in the beginning :slapshead:

But what's so different about her is her ability to grasp and learn fast. She is much happier in the program and truly enjoys the challenging work. I believe we should not call a stop to a program that can help kids stretch their potential. It does not matter to me which sch she will end up in, but she is clearly happy now.

What's amusing to me is if I do not have a child in GEP I will not have too much to say since I don't get to experience it. But apparently there are many people out there who do not know much about GEP but are still very against it and will voice their opinions and vent their anger at our poor kids. I really can't comprehend. Make cookies also have different cookie cutters. How can one size fit all? But I have gotten used to it anyway. Another group more cute....they were all for the prog when their kids in P3 but when the result was released and their DCs did not make it they suddenly turn hostile. Alamak! :yikes:

I have a GEP kid and a MS kid so I know not everyone is cut out for the GE program. But perhaps GE branch shd consider renaming the program into something like 'Accelerated Learning Program\" and take away the word gifted, then people won't get so sour grapes. Because honestly, they are just kids and not really that 'gifted' sometimes. And it is hurtful to tell a kid that her learning environment is all wrong and it has to be stopped even when she's very happy. Try doing that to your child.

krz:

Lowprofile:

Btw, thanks to Aberc and Angmum for your replies. Dh and I had actually discussed. Our main concern is workload under each IP prog. The rest we believe there are pros and cons to both sides and as for distance, we are prepared to literary go the extra mile for dd (dd1 is currently studying in the west yr1 and we are staying in NE)


Also, we heard some comments from friends about TJC's standard being not the same as they used to be years back. Moreover, our experiences with both admin offices are direct opposites and we believe it could be reflective of the culture (TJC is unfortunately on the not so pleasant side). So it is not an easy choice.

Oh yes. Tj admin is def not so pleasant

Let's b more specific, the 'receptionist' who answers the general line
The last time when I called to ask:
'can I know what time does the modern dance end'
'I don't know' n tats it
Mayb it's jus the typical Chinese attitude

Hope some admin staff or tutors fr tj is reading tiz thread n wil feedback to their 'colleague'
My dd is in yr1 now
Surprisingly the tutors n principal r simply the opposites

I have to agree that admin staff at TJC is spoiling the school's warm n friendly image. But the teaching staff n even the lady in charge of dsa are still as warm as my time when I was there.

My DD had 2 COs. One from TJC n one from another girls' sch. She's very sure she's going TJC cos she felt the warmth of the seniors n interviewers during her test n interview. She knows she will be happy there.