Scary:

Parents, believe the Bros and Sistas here will pray for you. Just don't be disappointed if your child does not do well for 2nd round or opt not to go to GEP schools (need to retain some smarties in PH). To pass the first hurdle is already not easy. You know your child best! Don't stress them and let them shine in their own ways. Most of the times, the stress comes from parents because we compare, want them to be as good as XXX, etc. Oops. .. seems like I am talking about myself. :spank:


Will tell some stories after the GEP tests.

I believe a GEP student has an advantage during the DSA stage because their school results over the years will be the main consideration for a confirmed offer. Hence, if a PHPPS student is offered, he/she should really take it up for the sake of securing a good secondary school before PSLE.

For those PHPPS students who did not get into the GEP programme, it doesn't mean that they are not good academically. To me, GEP screening is more for those stronger in English / math / abstracts reasoning at a younger age. However, PSLE is looking out for the all rounders who are good also in Chinese and Science.

Every year, PHPPS has more than 40 students entering HCI/NYGH/RI/RGS/NUSH/NJC with and without the help of HCL. From my observation in the past years, if they are within top 40-50 of the whole cohort by P6 mid-year or Prelims, they are fairly set to enter their dream schools.

Jennifer:

markfch:

Am I right to assume that the main purpose of all this (substantial) preparation for MO competitions is for DSA?


The qn at the tip of my mind is, 'Would a P6 kid suffer in PSLE maths exam if he doesn't get any MO training?'

Two years ago, I did not know abt the value of MO awards. Hence, there was no outsourced training for my elder boy and we treated it like an enrichment prog since the teacher shortlisted him as a participant.

The awards he got were not fantastic, ranging from a 25 percentile (his very first competition) to a Silver (the last competition).

We applied DSA at NUSHigh and ACS(I) and passed 1st round screening at both schs despite a just above avg P5 and P6 academic results.

So I think MO awards hv an impact on DSA.

PSLE Maths paper has a different set of qns. But I believe MO trainings sharpen thinking and speed at solving qns.

My P4 boy has started MO training recently. Just the other day, I gave him a few qns from Fabian Ng's assessment to practise. He finished the qns quickly and accurately, even applying a new concept (ratio) learnt during the MO class.

But I dun think any pupil who is good at Maths would not do well at PSLE if he did not receive MO training.

The general feeling is that PSLE is moving more towards MO type of questions. Thus, knowing MO techniques, though not compulsory, does help to ans questions quicker, which may prove to be crucial when it comes to a tough paper

E3:

comfy:

Yap, if the teachers are good in teaching, then definitely. Can't say that for NYPS's teachers (I means her class's teachers). It really the same everywhere, if you are lucky, you got teachers who can teach and really care for the students. I thought GEP teachers will understand and customise the learning style for each student but I am wrong. So this has been a steep learning curve for me . Hee hee not for my dd though. Luckily she is a fighter & I hope this spirit within her will last.

Thanks for your sharing, comfy. I agree that the learning spirit lies within the child, it'll be so for her whole life. Thus, regardless of where the child is, he/she will continuously be learning.

In fact, PHPPS have some very good P5 & P6 teachers, esp P6 whereby most teachers (esp for top few classes) r veteran p6 teachers who concentrate on teaching P6s only. However, the sad thing is that there are very few of them thus creating a scenario whereby to get a good and experienced teachers to guide yr dc in that crucial year, you've got to be in the right class :mad:

S6169:

gracy:

their T focussed a lot on reading out loud of the text, like when v learned Chinese in our younger days and which China does to their lower primary kids too. HPPS parents r encouraged to sit by DC' side and ask them to read out loud from text 3 times a day. As DC r already familiar with stories in text, this serves to reinforce their reading in preparation for oral and recognition of the words.

Agree with you. It is a very good method to learn Chinese. But the problem is how to let our DC agree to do this especially 3 times a day.
so far, my ds only agree to read his textbook once a week. I also want him to read those model Compo once a week but still 三天打鱼两天晒网。 :mad:

At least there is a start with 三天打鱼两天晒网. If dc is reluctant to read, perhaps take turn to read? To do well in HCL in PHPPS, except for those who r naturally interested in the language, is an uphill task for both parents and dc, esp non-mandaring speaking families. By P5 &6, the 补充作业 and 特别补充作业 are killers of kid's interest :stupid: . However, do persevere, your hard work may not be apparent in their lower primary years, but they will definitely shine from P5 onwards.

By end of P5, there will be a dramatic change in the scene with some previously unheralded boys' results surging upward gaining entry to top few classes, as math and science will prove to be a downfall for some, thus, taking a lot of time away from learning languages. So, do start them early on languages and build up a strong foundation.Take heart and jiayou. :rahrah:

The performance of PH in NMOS and APMOPS is not so fantastic. Maybe this new HOD can do something on it.[/quote]


em… actually PHPPS had never helped the students in Math olympiads. They’ll organise for a MO trainer to come in. The quality of teachers vary and the class size is not optimal. Basically all who obtained Platinum in SMOPS have private OM tutors, whether it be class or 1-1. The lessons will be more intensive by P5 EOY hols in preparation for SMOPS & RIWMC. Basically, if you want to achieve good results, you have to outsource.

Mrsbongz:

I've been focusing so much on ds' chinese, now his English is really sigh... so frustrating...

Seems like there're a no. of 过来人here who has experienced the same. Did you send your DS to CL or EL enrichment classes?[/quote]


Hi, just some experiences as a mum with older children from PHPPS (DS1 in Secondary School) on learning Chinese
1. Past Parent teacher sessions had taught me that schools can't do very much with student who is weak. Teacher's response is usually read more, parents should speak mandarin to them, etc. T also achknowledged that 课外读物's range of vocab may not be appropriate. So, T recommended reading Comprehension passages from assessment books or exam papers which usually r narrative and short enough for students who dislike Chinese. Discuss the passages with them after that. Then v can work on MOE syllabus words and Compre OE at the same time. Verbal discussion suffice if your DC r adverse to writing.
2. HPPS had been scoring below National average in CL for many years except for last year (actual figures not sure). What I gathered was, their T focussed a lot on reading out loud of the text, like when v learned Chinese in our younger days and which China does to their lower primary kids too. HPPS parents r encouraged to sit by DC' side and ask them to read out loud from text 3 times a day. As DC r already familiar with stories in text, this serves to reinforce their reading in preparation for oral and recognition of the words. Do discuss with them the morals behind each story. Later can proceed to other passages.
3. Don't worry too much about results in P1 & 2. Don't kill the interest in Chinese especially and don't tell them Chinese is hard, else they'll totally switch off when the goings get tough. Main thing is foundation must be strong, some DC take longer to grasp concept initially but will shine in upper primary. My 2 cents.

Hope the above help

Son told me HOD Math is a MALE. [/quote]


I just did a search on \"Koh Cher Hern\"- \"President Award for Teachers 2004\", \"Best Mathematics Teacher\" & from St Hilda's Pri Sch.

Think PH Maths std is going up soon

Janet, all the best for next year. 2013 will be my turn at PSLE :nailbite:[/quote]

Mrs Foo was from St Hilda Pri too right? I thought Ms/Mrs Chang (Discipline Mistress) is the M HOD? Hope this new M HOD is good, seeing that he had garnered quite a few awards.

MandyMummy:

cestmoi:

:gloomy: Aiyo...today is such a wet & gloomy day!

Just recvd rejection email from RGS.. Scratching our heads why DD is rejected...DD is a mainstreamer, top gal in a neighbourhood sch, scoring above 90% since P1, has UNSW High distinctions & other awards, won at least two individual trophies for National Competiton in sports since P4. During the last interview with RGS, DD felt she had done her best & her classmate who was in the same interview as her, witnessed the interviewers being visibly impressed with DD & she congrats her for her superb eloquence & quick thinking. DD as usual in her humble self dismissed the praises.

Luckily, we hv set our eyes with NYGH ( of which a CO has already been recvd :rahrah: ) way before & there was just no deep sense of disappointment but full of WHYs huh? :?

Hi cestmoi, sorry to hear that. I'm sure with your dd's credentials, she will excel in any school she chooses to go.

Ya, sorry to hear and the good thing is that she had secured a CO. Yes I do agree that it's rather puzzling as there doesn't seem to be a norm to this year's DSA. Cousin's son achieved NSW High distinction in math, SMOPS Platinum, RIWMC Distinction, NMOS Gold and yet was rejected by RI too. :?

ngbrdad:

Did not receive letter from RI yesterday.

So bracing ourselves for the rejection letter either today or Monday.
Anyone else on the same boat ?

Hi ngbrdad, I'm new here. Just wondering if your mail could have been lost in transit like sitting in some busy neighbour's mail box? All is not lost. Wonder if you could check with RI to see if a letter had been sent out?

Anyway, all the best to your DS and do continue to be a tower of strength to him.