Skzitzy\" post_id=\"2135002\" time=\"1718290031\" user_id=\"204896:

Anyone with tips for sota interview?

Relax. Just be yourself. There are some tips mentioned in the SOTA thread. Score through the pages and you will see some good tips. May not be for VA but should be similar. Think about the possible questions and write down your possible replies. For example, What do you like about SOTA? Why did you apply for Visual Arts in SOTA? Be genuine in your replies. Practise sketching to keep your drawing skills alive (in case drawing on the spot is required during TA). Go out for a walk to keep your mind relaxed. Be confident. Good luck :rahrah:

AJhawk\" post_id=\"1995065\" time=\"1600093087\" user_id=\"188421:

Hi all, started an account here just to find out more about MOE kindergarten. Any reviews for the centre at Fernvale Primary? I'm a little disturbed by the number of negative experience at MK, as my plan is to transfer my son next year to MK for convenience and logistical considerations. Currently at MY World. Happy to hear real life experience and advice, please. Thank you.

Sent you a PM.

It is really important to pay a visit to the MK open house and speak with the Teachers.

If you get to speak with the Centre Head (principal), it would be a plus. A teacher with so much negative views of MK should not be the choice. I mean, I would not entrust my child to a teacher who does not believe in the philosophy of the school.

I had a chat with at least two Teachers before I enrolled my child. I was told that the academic curriculum is weak but that didn’t matter. I was bought over by the enthusiasm in the Teachers, the teamwork and the outdoor activities. I liked the fact that the centre worked as a whole.
I spoke to a young Malay Language teacher at the open house who had convinced me that my child would be in good hands. Even though my child was not directly under her teaching, the team of Teachers would come together to execute activities. She was one of the three young Teachers that I liked as they are hardworking and creative. Until now, I can still recall her beaming smiles.

Unfortunately, leadership quality and people cannot be duplicated.

Parents who are interested in MK should really make an effort to visit the open house and speak to the Teachers and Principal especially. The effect of the MK experience really depends on the leadership of the principal. I suspect the kindergartens may operate slightly different depending on the principals (since everyone is different).


We (parents and children) had fun and had fond memories of the first year as the principal encouraged parents involvement. We could see the great team effort and creative input by the Teachers together with the parent volunteers. There were a lot of activities throughout the year. However, all the fun changed after the high calibre principal was being transferred to a new MK and a conservative-thinking principal took over in the second year. Suddenly, everything became so quiet and … boring. The stark contrast in standard was apparent.

We wished we could follow the first principal but the location was too far away. It was the “kampung spirit” in the kindergarten principal that made us parents felt that we had made the right choice!
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As much as I remember, there was an allied teacher who took charge of children with mild learning ability.

I also recalled my child telling me about the fun during play time that didn’t sound like it was a mere 10-15mins play time.

As for preparation of mathematics in P1, just make sure the child understands English language well. Leave the math teaching to the P1 Teacher. Mathematics enrichment or tuition is only necessary if the child has learning difficulty like, not knowing 1 + 1.

Enjoy the kindy time!

MK is meant to be a fun learning place for children. We liked that it is not a stressful environment except that the food during snack time can be improved. Parents who expect it to be an academically-driven kind, should look somewhere else such as PCF Sparkletots.

Based on what we have gone through, be it a high, mid or low fees range preschool, parents like myself who are not good at teaching language skills, have to ultimately rely on a third party professional source.

We had chosen MK because with the thought of my child having to attend enrichment classes, we wanted a kindy that is fun and enjoyable and with a reasonable school fee. It turned out that we were not the only ones who think in this way. The majority of the kids in my child’s class had gone for English enrichment classes after school. I liked the children in the class and my child had great company for the 2 years.

On academic achievement… As other experienced parents and professional educators have said, a child’s learning journey is a parent and school partnership. In school, we worked together with our child to churn out class projects. Outside school, we followed the enrichment centre teacher’s advise in reading together with our child. Patience is key at the beginning phase until the child gets the hang of reading. These days are unlike the past, the Primary 1 standard is higher and parents where possible, should not leave the child to swim alone and expect wondrous result at preschool age. The 4 hours spent in any kindy is not enough for a child to master good language skills.

Hydrate02:

My 6yo has been learning piano 1-1 for 6 months. Thgh she is not adversed to lessons and practising, she doesnt seem v eager about it too (same for other enrichment that she is gg). My purpose of sending her is to train her concentration skills. Now she is practising on a hand me down keyboard. Progress is slow cos she cannot focus. Will been reading up alot and also wondering if i shld get a second hand Kawai / Yahama or a brand new Hailun.


Parents / teachers, any advice?

Hi Hydrate02
I would suggest you look for another piano teacher who is experience in teaching yound children.
Children can concentrate very well if the teacher is engaging and has a good teaching method.
We got a Yamaha Arius digital piano as we also weren't sure if our child will sustain but so far so good. The piano is decent, has recording and playback functions so it adds some fun to playing and perfecting a song. We'll only consider getting a classic piano when child hits Grade 3 or higher.

I supposed as with any school, good curriculum plus good leadership will churn out good outcomes. Was quite happy with the good team work the school has displayed during the first year. However, come second year, the team changed. One word to describe – disappointment. Good leadership that can inspire and get the teachers, parents and children moving/ working together is indeed hard to come by.

bsk:

Hi

Is there anyone who can coach her on this writing. ? She just won't listen to us..

Hi, just contributing an input. My child started out writing with a hook hand as well. At the beginning, I always sit next to her to adjust her hand position and the paper or book that she is writing on. After a while, I realised that writing practises on Stellar Handwriting sort of books may not work as it is pressurising on the child trying to meet the lines. A \"natual\" (not forceful) method is more favourable.
So, gradually I let her developed her own way even though I still found her writing in hook position.
We have a white board for her to write or doodle in her own world. We realised that her hand is less \"hooked\" when writing on whiteboard.

As time goes by and as she is writing more on whiteboard and paper, her hand appears normal and natural now.
So, can try writing on white board (standing up to write not sitting down). Don't just focus on writing. Drawing and painting may also help with the hand and eye development. It takes time but as we go through life day in and day out, favourable result just happened without us knowing.
Hope this helps.

[/quote]


Hmm, ultimately, the front desk staff are not going to teach your child. During school time, there is minimal interaction with front desk, except to transfer call if you need to call teacher.

Why would you think front desk staff is a determining factor :?[/quote]

I see it as a package. School staff are also educators in some way. One day our children will grow up and join the workforce, they would recall how those adults they have seen carried out their job and the possibility of modeling after (attitude it is)!
And we're talking about Six years of exposure!

After visited two girls’ school (Marymount Convent and school x), I started to develop doubts despite reading the good comments in this forum. Feels that the school didn’t put the right people at the front desk and had overlooked that first impression counts.


These are two typical scenarios I have encountered that spur my doubts.
1. MC- I entered the office, two staff sitting at the front desk cannot detect my presence even after walking right infront of them. (I don’t think I have the size of an ant)
School X- I was waiting at the little window of the admin office but the staff was quick to notice my presence even though there were some students infront of me.

2. MC- a student reported loss of wallet, the staff immediate response was to send the student off to look for her wallet again. The poor child looked helpless.
School X- (students lose wallet everyday) it happened that a very young student had lost her wallet, an older student accompanied her to report lost. The staff had displayed care and patience to understand how the wallet was lost, not forgetting to praise the older student for the help.

Having encountered these instances, which school would you choose?
Seriously, the efficiency of a school and even any organisation is represented by the front desk staff.