yukilei:

Otah:

Is there a daily assessment ? I have not heard of that from my ds leh.

Need not worry and the boys just survive.
U interested to send your ds to HCI? Is he from GEP?

Otah, my DS will be at iSparks next year. Can I know is there any book that this year Sec 1 din use?? Thinking of not buying first.. Don't want my money :moneyflies:

Btw, I'm interested in the PSG for iSparks. Try to login to their FB, but found that FB not available. Do you happen to know anything abt their PSG? I'm a working mum, not sure if it'll be too taxing to join PSG.

I'm still pretty confuse on the subjects that account for MSG. For a start, for Sec 1, am I right to say that those core subj like English, Math, Science, Higher Chinese, History, Geography, Literature will account for MSG right? Btw, do they have CL for HCI?

Ispark PSG http://www.facebook.com/groups/45535253449/
Don't worry, participate only when you are available. Only few events required help like open house etc

psle_stressed_mum:

Hi would appreciate if someone could advise : is it compulsory that sec 1 students have to choose 1 uniform group cca AND a sports cca?

Only 1 uniform OR sport is good enough. Can join clubs also as alternative

ApronMama:

ptnttsg:

[quote=\"mrspan\"]
Hello, I am a new member to this forum. My ds is in year 1 this year. According to him, we can opt out anytime but need to inform the teacher. I guess we have to provide some valid reason as well. My ds told me he has put his name in for it. sigh...... can make his own decision liao, dun need parent consent anymore......

My ds also put his name in for it as he says the teacher told him can opt out after 1 year. (So... can opt out anytime or after 1 year :? )

was told after 1 year, not anytime. And there will be tests which marks are recorded. Child must be interested in Chinese Literature, such as 诗，词。。。[/quote]
LEP results are counted in the MSG. There seems to be no final term exam but the terms aggregate results are used.

cascada:

Yes Zann, if ds is 265 & posted to ispark, I'll be worried that he can't cope in ispark. Not sure why 265 but that's what bookshop aunty said.

I think there is no major concern is your son is consistently good. My DS ispark classmate have students from mainstream who had done very well (but I think they are those who score 270s). There is some initial adjustment in style for them but I think they will work out fine. There is further streaming in sec3 according to the ability and choice of the student.

kiasuest2:

Chirunner:

[quote=\"kiasuest2\"]
Dear Chirunner, would you please, especially for the benefit of those intending to choose HCI, if the past year experience for your DS has been pleasant and enjoyable?

Thanks a million

I can say unequivocally that my son's had a very enjoyable year at HCI. He wants to get to school early everyday - before 6.30- even tho he can leave at 7 n still be in time for school. He says there's a certain calm over the school before everyone arrives. He comes home happy everyday.

So I'd say he made the right choice for himself . The teachers are very enthusiastic n the director of his consortium is a very dynamic lady who is very approachable. I like that there is a sabbatical week each term during which the boys are allowed to choose any activity they are keen to pursue the entire week subject to availability of places. He played badminton one week, picked up the guitar another week n I forget what else he did but he certainly had fun.

I also like the fact that the boys are required to read after recess n are provided with materials - newspapers n magazines in English n Chinese. Oral participation in class n presentations form a significant part of the curriculum so he's been required to do presentations in Chinese many times. His Chinese has definitely improved.

One thing I find lacking compared to ACSI is the level of cca participation. The boys in ACSI are required to do a minimum of 2 ccas but the boys in HCI only 1. I wish HCI would allow the boys to do more;perhaps I should ask the school.

Ds3 will be starting sec 1 in RI next year. I guess I'll be able to give a comparison of the 3 schools next year:-)

Thank you for your candid sharing; I am sure that your comments will put many of us at ease; especially those who cannot decide choosing HCI over RI or NCJ or ACSI, etc

IMO, it's important that the child makes the final decision after being made aware of all known facts (and figures) about all these top schools. At the end of the day, the child is the ONE who have to do the \"studying\" and as concerned parents, we should avoid \"impressing\" our opinion on the child. I am sure you are glad that you let your DS2 choose HCI over RI.

I am looking forward to end of next year when you will be able to enlighten us with details of these three very different schools![/quote]
MY DS1 now in HCI sec 2. He is happy there even though he was given a chance to go RI through DSA. HCI bright students who do very well are exempted from taking the final main exam for theh subject if the get A1 for the first few terms ! This process up to sec 3. So extra bright student no need to take final exam if he is good in all subjects :-). my DS2 is going to join HCI also. So far we are quite happy with the education so far.