Cassmania:

Hi Mummies,


I would like to put my boy in Maris Stella, could you kindly advise the environment & teachers of this school?

Hmmm ... your question is a bit wide. Would help if you could let us know any specific areas you'd like to know so that the dads and moms here can help (I assume no \"aunties\"/helpers write in this forum).

My boy is studying there. So far he has been enjoying school (except the waking up early). He has made friends, and can even identify which are the naughtier ones to avoid.

Not much school homework, not sure if that's good or bad to you. But my boy attends enrichment which keeps him \"entertained\". That said, he has spelling (English & Chinese) almost on a weekly basis, and there's also test in some weeks. I think its good, helps to gauge progress. Not too difficult since seemed like most kids score well above 90% (except for the careless mistakes which is common across all kids).

Personally, I think if your kid can cope and enjoys learning, do consider sending him/her/them for enrichment. There are different types for different kids. Our primary goals is to keep their minds engaged and \"learn various learning\" methods, exposed to various types of questions, gets to mingle with friends beyond school, etc.

I've been advised that P1 is the \"settling in\" period, and real work only comes later. So do take this opportunity to instil routines as part and parcel of discipline. This will save you lots of screaming and shouting.

I have no complaints with my boy's teachers. His co-/form teachers give regular updates via email and they respond fast too.

Overall, it all depends on us/parent's attitudes towards education, the school (including teachers) and our children. Don't get worked up over little things, let the boys be exposed to the environment. Always be behind them (and not in front), give them a little push and a little tug. It is after all a big environment with many kids of wide ranging characters/personality/abilities and family background. Give each some room to grow. The school is not always full of fun/joy/happiness, there will be \"bad\" days (kids at that age tends to blow up matters; so as parents you should help to \"downsize\" them). Listen to them, but more importantly teach them how to handle situations/their own emotions (not to handle them on their behalf).

I was watching the cartoon, 孙悟空, with my kids last weekend and in it there was this part where the monkey was blaming his 师兄 over some matters. His 师父 had this reminder - \"Every time you point a finger at someone/something, there's always 3 fingers pointing at yourself, and 1 finger pointing elsewhere.\" What a timely reminder!

leia_sgm:

Friday's MTP


Well, they did say -many times- to email the teachers if we have further queries. So I guess there is no reason for the form teachers to stay behind.

I was just commenting to my HB how tough it is for teachers now compared to the past. When I was in Pri school, and when schools were still operating at dual session, my teachers left school the same time as me ie. half day. Currently, I have 4 teachers in my immediate family, and a VP who is my close friend. Their hours are longer than my current working hours. They are in school by 7am and mostly leave at 5 or 6 or later, though their schools are single session... My cousin has to bring papers home, stay up past midnight to mark the papers cos there are just too many meetings/remedial sessions in school that eat up her spare time.

It was Friday, and the last Friday of the month for that matter. I am not sure if MOE/schools practise Blue Sky Friday and have everyone leave early before the sun goes down. But to have them teachers around till 7pm is something I dare not say I would take for granted. I thought they should have the meeting earlier at 3pm or so, just so that we parents would be more greatly inconvenienced and be forced to take leave and their teachers can leave earlier at 6pm. Ha ha.

All in all, I still feel it was an informative session and I am quite glad and thankful that they spend the time to do it for us.

Blogs/email - who would not want regular updates? But would we want the teachers to tweet every now and then on what the boys are doing? My boy's teachers drop the parents an email once a week, though I'd always welcome even more regular updates (vanity vanity....). They even reply emails using iPhones and on weekends. Is this the expectation now?? Good grief but I'd never want to be a teacher!

If you feel the need to do a daily revision with your boy, then just ask the kid which page of the textbook they are currently at. Even if the kid is unable to articulate well, there are just so many books in his bag and if you revise with him on an average of 3-4 new pages per day, you can't go far wrong. So there!

I totally agree with you. I think unfortunately there are people who would like all the convenience without weighing the benefits, especially the impact to the teachers! I agree with you that continuous revisions will go very far.

I thought the Meet-The-Parents session was too generic and most of the materials could have been given out in advance for self-reading. It would have been more helpful by allocating more time for the parents and teachers to discuss/exchange views at a micro level, e.g. classroom, curriculum, etc. This, instead of sitting through the presentations. I would have thought that the School Principal (or Vice Principal) could have closed the session by soliciting ideas/feedbacks from the parents on more macro issues say, School bus, canteen, etc. I think dialogues put parents at ease more so than presentations.


On the other hand, I was also shocked by the "pushiness" of some parents. I feel that if the teachers had already explained that they needed time to assess the situation and provide feedbacks/updates, then it is really quite rude to insist that they do so. Honestly I was shocked when I heard one of the parents say this to the teacher in front of the big group, "So do we take it as a yes from you!?" I was glad that my DS wasn’t with me, else if he repeats that to me at home, I probably would have piak piak him.

Honestly, I too would have wanted my DS’s teachers to each start a blog to update what was taught and what has been taught in class so that I can choose when to read them and be updated at my convenience. Btw, as told to me by my colleagues, their DDs/DSs’ school teachers do maintain an active bog for their class (not from MSHS and not necessary the "branded schools"). But I think unless the environment, culture and tone are set at the top (hint hint to School Principal), then it is rather unproductive for us as parents to force it (or can it be forced at all?). I also wonder whether such updates would put us at ease or worry more?

Like each of us here, I am reminding myself each day that my DS is only in P1 and he should be enjoying the learning journey. Btw, we are not the "not-kiasu" parents, but we weigh the ability of our DS and excites him to learn. He has to like learning first, before we can impart more knowledge. I think this is the school curriculum for lower primaries, especially P1. "Learning" and "studying" are too different matters altogether. If our DSs now starts off with studying, I think for the next 15 years (6-yrs of primary, 4-yrs of secondary, 2-yrs of JC, and minimum 3-yrs of uni) of his education, it will be a tremendous chore for him and big headaches for us.

flyboy744:

All hail emdad, for he has spoken again...


And again, let's not judge the school, the the teachers, the administration, the bus operators, the canteen operators,the boys.... but let's evaluate ourselves, not overreact, manage our expectation, our judgement....

You must be surely the number 1 model parent all school is hoping to have...


Cheers!

Now now, there is no need for sarcasm flyboy744. My ending statement says it very clearly - \"My only request if anything out of this, is for the stall operators and school to ensure that they operate ethically, i.e. if you charge $2, please make sure the food is worth $2.\"

Based on what I'm reading from various parents' entries to this topic, it does seem like this is not the case. Aren't we all glad that one of us actually bothered to write to the school for proper actions? They need time to investigate and under the worst case scenario, need time to source for new operator.

Let's approach school related matters in a more measured and calm manner. Our children are smarter than we think, and they learn through observations i.e how we behave and react.

If my DS eats prata everyday, he will definitely get a good lecture from us. You are right, it is empty calories. I find the recess time too short. My DS asked us recently if he could skip eating altogether and just PLAY! Needless to say he received a lecture from us. Off course we had to also tell him nicely that if he doesn’t eat then he probably would always be caught when playing catching with his friends.


During the School orientation, I had breakfast with my DS at school. I was actually pleasantly surprised that the food was reasonable, in terms of price and quantity. I must qualify that I probably have lost touch with school canteen food since for us working adults, food is never really that cheap (even at food court). What I am trying to say is that we have to recognise the fact that the school may be facing difficulties in finding willing stall operators. The cost of business in itself is rising, and yet, the school (and us parents) are expecting them to maintain a very low price. Even if the stall operators are enjoying subsidised rental for the stall, that doesn’t defray their cost of raw materials which is rising along with inflation. Weigh that in against how much mark-up they can charge … then we could probably figure why not many are keen to operate.

My only request if anything out of this, is for the stall operators and school to ensure that they operate ethically, i.e. if you charge $2, please make sure the food is worth $2.

dinofan:

I found out that there is this stall in canteen , a la carte, that charged $2 for everything . It seems that this takes place wef fr today. I called school to clarify, spoke to canteen in charge a Ms Ng. She was rather high handed and defensive. Claimed that the p1s were briefed by buddy and that there were parents volunteer there too. She started by blaming my boy for not collecting the change back.


Excuse me. I know what I gave my boy. No notes were given.

So as p1, you take the blame. Together with the buddy. Canteen operator can charge as much as they like because the little kid queued there.

Btw, my boy bought a plate of wanton noodle and was given a single wanton, some char siew and a little bit more noodle, which he cant finish. According to Ms Ng, that stall served a bigger portion. If the boys wanted smaller portion, should go to noodle hut. Ie longer queue, no wanton, just char siew and some noodle. But longer queue, meaning it could be your turn only when the bell rings.

I feedback to svhool personnel that this should not be the case and that the caterer has been with the school long enough to understand. Previously hmy boy bought hokkien noodle at $1 per plate from that stall. No problem. What reply I got fr ms Ng was that, uncle pity him so gave him less and charge less.

We parents are not allowed in since day 1 to accompany, you expect the p1 to remember so much. Such tactics are unreasonable.

I hope the school will do something about it, since admin manager is not around today. Will call again tomorrow speak personally.

First, I must admit that it is unethical for the canteen operators to resort to such tactics. Thank you for providing the feedback to the school. You may also want to raise it at the Meet the Parents Session this coming Friday. If anything, I would think the P and VP should be there?

But I think we should all let the school investigate and exert pressure. Let's not link everything to back to the school not allowing parents to tag along for 1st day of school. The truth is, even if we were all allowed to tag along for the entire week, I think canteen operators may still resort to such tactics (the unscrupulous ones, I meant). Btw, I have heard similar stories from colleagues where their kids study in other schools ... and yes, they were allowed to tag along for several days during the first week. I agree with you that we can't expect the P1 boys to remember so many things. But as in many things in life, when we individually gets \"cheated\", we either choose to swallow it or we band together with other good people (friends, neighbours, consumers, citizens, etc) to report to the \"authorities\" for appropriate actions to be taken. If no actions are taken, then let's escalate upwards. Give them time.

My DS (in P1) said he is supposed to take some test this week. When I asked him what test and who told him, he said dunno what test and not the teacher who told him but the person who helps the teacher (I supposed he was referring to allied teachers?). Anyway, he blur like sotong most times about such things. So my DW and I told DS that since he has been telling us that he has been been paying attention in class (I am a little sceptical btw … haha …), then he should be able to sit for whatever test that comes and do it well, simply need to check his work, do his best and leave the rest to God. My DS was like, Er ok (in his usual as happy as he could be attitude). Haha … trying to filter down my "jai" (aka cool and relaxed) behaviour and not show any signs of panic or stress about schooling. I just found out that there is a difference between "studying" and "learning". Studying is not fun and it "de-motivates" the desire to know more. On the other hand, learning is fun and spurs one’s hunger to want to find out more.


So I hope, my DS (and yours too) will take whatever test result that comes as a reflection of his knowledge gap and have the desire to acquire more knowledge. On reflection, I can’t recall any famous inventor/scientist that were "forced" to become one. In fact, they were all hungry for knowledge, a little querky, a little hyper active (in some areas and especially in their hunger for knowledge), etc.

I know I know … for us parents, its easier said than done … Hahaha …

flyboy744:

don't worry, the boy's parents is preparing him for National Service topography exercise... ... ; )


oops, I guess it's too early!!

Cheers!

I think after this incident, the boy would definitely wise-up and learn some lessons from it. First, don't wander around without your parents or caretaker. Second, if you choose to do so, live up to the consequences of getting loss somewhere (we thank God that Bishan was as far as he got). Third, face up to the music from those who loves him and scramble to look for him i.e. the school (teachers) and parents.

The school can put in place various systems to prevent things from happening, but sometimes things will just happen. Ditto for companies and even the Government. The school will find ways to prevent and patch the hole, but as parents, we don't have to stand around the hole and point fingers. I dare to say and suggest why don't we have some parents to volunteer as gatekeepers during release time? I think the most immediate response would be ... Eh I not so free, I gotta work, etc (I belong to the working group).

This incident also gave me great comfort that the school took steps to search for the kid in a very expeditious manner. Take every bad things that happened, turn it around to impart our kids with good valuable lessons. Pointing fingers, being cynical or blaming the school, would probably see our children growing up in the same manner.

In the majority of situations I am more than happy to leave things to the teachers and, if I disagree with a teacher, I will never let my child see that as it will encourage him/her to disrespect or go against the teacher.


However, there are some things that take place in school simply because it’s always been done that way or because it’s easier for them that way. As parents I believe we have the right to question this and work with the school to make changes where appropriate.[/quote]

Agree with you. I think rather than questioning the school, it may sink better with the school if we coin it as finding out the reasons. For example, I couldn’t understand why we had to purchase all the books, bring home, and then for the teachers to collect from my DS and keep them during the 1st week? Why couldn’t they arrange such that we can pay, and arrange for the bookstore (or whoever the contractor is) to deliver to school and "pigeon hole" them. Then I realised its gotta do with liability and additional costs, i.e who pays for the additional costs for the bookshop to render such additional services, and what if the books got stolen, etc? I think before questioning the school, let’s find out the reasons as well as provide constructive feedbacks, offer solutions. If the solutions work, be prepared to volunteer as well in seeing through the recommendations. Now we have to understand, after teaching at the "zoo" for half-day and doing all the admin work, would the teachers still have energy? That is why sometimes, people do what they have always been doing because its very tiring to venture out of the comfort zone. And we all know the saying, its easier said than done.

cindyll:

emdad:

Parents, offering a way out for your child may not be the best way out. But walk with them, and at times, walk \"behind\" them. But never never fail to tell them how much you loved them and you are always there for them.

Totally agree. To quote what the VP Mrs Sim once told me:

\"Every child deserves to be loved and understood. With patience and lots of
affirmation from us, our boys will learn. Focus on what each has been done
right and the undesirable will gradually diminish.\"

I agree with you. At that age, we can shape them. They are still young. Instill the right values and give them amper opportunities. Guide them with the knowledge and teach them, equip them the ability to discern good from bad (you would be surprised kids at that age are not stupid). But let them make their own choices (they have to anyway, since we can't be there 24/7) but knowing that it comes with consequences. As my DW always tell me, we don't and we can't live their life for them.