slmkhoo:

azen:

So RA subject in upper secondary is tantamount to something like A level or H2 level subject. You are learning broader and more in depth on the subject compared to your peers. This is ready heavy load. And RA students are expected to do well in their normal subjects since they are deemed more capable. Like old times in A level where S-paper students are expected to score well in their main subjects since they were deemed \"special\".

Not really as advanced as A levels, and only in a few topics (based on my husband's inspection of the Maths topics). The Lit topics were similar but a bit broader/deeper than what they were doing normally in class. I can't speak for the other subjects because I didn't ask/look. For Humanities subjects, it's hard to draw a line between O and A level requirements. It's not like they do all the A level stuff by Y4, in which case they will be so bored in Y5-6.

For Maths and Science, the normal curriculum is included in the RA. For Humanities, I think they do separate stuff. That's what I understood from the briefing when my daughter was in Y2, but things may have changed.

Ok, thanks for the info.

slmkhoo:

azen:

Wah! Seems like those A level Special Papers subject. So if not up to mark better don't join even if selected since workload can be heavy.

RA is only by application and selection, so you have to first apply before the issue of selection arises. I would say that since the normal workload is already quite heavy and slightly advanced (compared to O levels), only those who are really interested and capable should even think about applying. There's also the issue of finite time to be shared between academic work, CCAs and other activities. My daughter, now going on to Y5, was asked to apply for a couple of RA subjects at the end of Y2, but after thinking about it, we advised her not to apply. She wasn't keen, and we thought she would get more benefit (in terms of social and leadership exposure) from her CCA and other activities than taking on a RA. Anyway, most of the RA stuff is going to be taught at A level, so we reckoned there was no real point doing it early. She has applied to take a RA in Y5, but whether she will be selected or not, we have to wait and see.

So RA subject in upper secondary is tantamount to something like A level or H2 level subject. You are learning broader and more in depth on the subject compared to your peers. This is ready heavy load. And RA students are expected to do well in their normal subjects since they are deemed more capable. Like old times in A level where S-paper students are expected to score well in their main subjects since they were deemed \"special\".

alng:

azen:

Wah! Seems like those A level Special Papers subject. So if not up to mark better don't join even if selected since workload can be heavy.

Yes like our special papers then. RA are also offered in Y5 and Y6 in RI but I am not sure how it works there.

Those A level subjects are no longer called S papers. They are called H1, H2 and H3 now. H stands for Higher. The equivalents for our AO, A and S papers.

Many changes since our time.... And time wear us out...

alng:

justMommy:

Do non RA students learn less than RA students?

Yes. RA is an extra subject with tests, projects and exam.

For example, a student chooses to read Physics in Year 3 (via subject combi) and is also offered to read Physics RA. She will have two physics subjects even though there is only one Physics teacher teaching her and the number of Physics lessons are the same as those who do not read Physics RA. She will sit for separate tests and exams for these two Physics and do additional projects for the Physics RA as compared to those who do not read Physics RA. The two subjects maintain separate GPA. Because more contents are taught in the same amount of time, you can imagine how fast the teachers will teach.

Students, who meet the requirements, will undergo selection tests (usually a written assessment and an interview) at end of Y2 for RAs. Each RA subject has about 25 or less students, except for Maths RA which has more students.

Wah! Seems like those A level Special Papers subject. So if not up to mark better don't join even if selected since workload can be heavy.

zulu:

azen:

[quote=\"zulu\"]The distinction between GEP/Non GEP and DSA/Non DSA disappear in Yrs 3 and 4. The girls are classed together based on Subject Combi and RA/Non RA.

Pardon me, what's RA and non RA...? I'm new.

Raffles Academy . Basically advanced level. See RGS website (Programmes).[/quote]Ok read the webpage. Seems like RA is like some kind of GEP programme at upper secondary level.

zulu:

The distinction between GEP/Non GEP and DSA/Non DSA disappear in Yrs 3 and 4. The girls are classed together based on Subject Combi and RA/Non RA.

Pardon me, what's RA and non RA...? I'm new.

alng:

azen:

Maybe the school is now leveling out the students across classes...

This is a good move. Afterall, there was not much difference between GEP and non GEP classes too.

It's good that the school goes for collective benefits across all classes.

Maybe the school is now leveling out the students across classes…

Yeah lor, programs for each class are the same.

alng:

107 is also a GEP class? 6 GEP classes seem too many because the 2013 dragon year cohort only had 5 GEP classes. Those mainstreamers in those GEP classes cut off at quite high,usually 27x and the number is very low.


I do not think there is any further banding among the mainstreamers classes (and also among the GEP classes). So there is no surprise to have high scorers in 101 cos 101 is not the worst class. There is no worst or best class, only GEP or non GEP classes.

Hmmmm..... But my dd also has another pri school classmate (mainstreamer) who scored mid 26x allocated to class 111. So it doesn't seem like there is segregation between geppers and non-geppers. However dd said that on reporting day assembly it was announced/mentioned that there is segregation of classes between DSA students and non-DSA students.