angelee998:

Oh, my daughter was originally from MGS and had told me grudgingly on the first day of P4 in a new school that she was going back to MGS once she hit secondary school. Now, she is less bent on going to MGS but is still stubbornly saying that she will apply for MGS. School patriotism, I guess. She always tells me, 'Once an MGS girl, Always an MGS girl.' I'm quite okay with her going to MGS as I myself am an MGS girl.

I understand your sentiment and at one point would have sent dd1 there. The current education system as I see it is elitist where if you make it, they work you harder but give you privileges, eg GEP is harder work, but better chance in DSA, +GEP scholarship, so PSLE may be less critical. Likewise, getting into the top IP schools means one doesnt have to compete among O level cohort for top JCs. I know someone's child with perfect O level academic score who could not get into HCI because the cutoff is 3 which you cant get without HMT bonus. The list of top O level students include several without HMT so these wont be posted to either HCI or RI (>70% of their JC intake is from IP).

Having gone through the GEP, I think your child would have adapted to the heavier workload and would have figured out if it was worthwhile going for the tougher program. From what I hear, the SBC-Sec girls are kept very busy too and yet they still need to take the O levels. In the past, MGS has managed to retain it's top student but this year the top 2 have gone to RGS and so have 2 bowlers. I speculate that the same trend is happening at SCGS even with their SBC equivalent where I see that the highest affiliated score this year is 263 (unless top affiliated students returned through DSA).

The 2009 A level results of the first batch of 6yr IP students have put to rest some of the fears of those who are skeptical of the holistic and non-exam oriented learning of the IP. My guess is that much of the holistic learning in IP is done in secondary school and that in the JC years, it's back to mugging for the all important A levels.

\"Once an MGS girl\"... it's great for P1 registration. Does it mean your girl can claim old girl status for MGS and RGS for P1 registration? That would be nice.

angelee998:

Hi, my daughter is currently in GEP in P6 and she wants to apply for MGS through DSA as that is her original school. May I know the chances of her getting into the SBC in MGS if she is accepted by MGS? By the way, she was in MGS from P1-P3 until GEP and was selected for the SBC and to be a prefect in P3, however she left to participate in the GEP which MGS does not offer. Thanks!

DSA Academic means entry into the SBC program. What are her chances of getting into MGS DSA? Probably good as she is doing well in GEP. I understand DSA academic numbers are quite limited but probably better chance than in years past as MGPS girls from this year on are discouraged from DSA Academic in order not to take up precious DSA quota.

Not sure why your daughter wants to try MGS as it seems to be backtracking after going the GEP path and doing well. If it is to \"try just in case\" one stumbles at other DSAs and PSLE, and can get back into MGS with PSLE (2009 cutoff 250), I would suggest that in worst case, an appeal based on the fact that she was accepted for SBC-Pri and has gone through GEP. The PSLE cutoff into SBC-Sec for SBC-Pri girls is significantly lower than 250.

fudgemum:

Hi all,


This Nanyang SA2 Q10.

Animals such as antelope and deer live in groups. This is one of the behavioural adaptations of the animals to help them survive better in the grassy plains of Africa.

Which of the following explains how living in herds help these types of animals to increase the chances of survival on the grassy plains ?

A. Animals move together to look for food.
B.These animals, when in groups can attack their predators.
C.The animals in their own group warn each other when they sense danger and move together.
D.Predators, intimidated by their great number, will not attack them when they are in their groups.

(1) A and B only
(2) A and C only
(3) A, B and C only
(4) B, C and D only

Worksheet answer is (2). Can anyone pls explain. TIA.

I agree that answer (2) is the best answer but feel that the inclusion of statement A in (2) is a little weak as I dont feel that antelopes and deer co-operate to get better food; unlike lions who are better hunters in a pack or bees that signal in a dance when they find a food source.

C seems a very strong TRUE
B seems a strong FALSE, so together with C rules out all except (2)
D seems a strong FALSE

P.S. To some, B seems a strong FALSE but here's food for thought (watch part after 4:50 min if you dont have time)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LU8DDYz68kM

tianzhu:

Hi fudgemum

The normal is a line drawn perpendicular to the shiny surface so that we can easily measure the angles.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1038/4602728766_6eb451db45_o.jpg\">

Suggest to estimate if the reflected ray is valid by visually checking if the angles of the 2 rays to the flat mirror are the same; estimating a normal introduces another source of error.

mommyNg:

hoskins8h:

If I may guess, you're probably not based in Asia, so having access to Chinese education at the required level may prove difficult overseas and the decision to exempt may come naturally.

But then again, we can always ask for waiver first and then decide to withdraw the waiver later, right? Do you know when must we submit our waiver?

Yes, I would suggest that you ask for waiver first then if you change your mind, can always register for PSLE Chinese at the beginning of P6. I know a case where waiver was turned down when parents asked for it after more than a year. However, in this case, parents were not unhappy as there were reasons for not exempting. mommyNg, I sent PM to give you my views on your situation.

turquoise:

hoskins8h, if you are exempted from CL at PSLE, can you take HCL in Secondary School? I'm wondering because I know if you are exempted from CL at PSLE due to a learning disability, you will not be permitted to take HCL nor 3rd language in Secondary School. Is it different for returning overseas students?

If you have exemption due to learning disability for MT, then it's illogical to take HCL at O level. Some returning Singaporeans are pretty weak in MT and exemption is natural. For some others, while the child may cope, the child may be at a disadvantage due to not having the local learning support, eg suitable tuition, Chinese lang media exposure. Even kids who attend international schools in China may be weak in Chinese as the schools may cater to an international crowd and treat Chinese as enrichment subject.
My older child is taking HCL in secondary school. As I mentioned, one returnee exempted MT made a successful appeal to be admitted to HCI at sec 1. Going through SPERS, 3rd lang option is not given, but I think if you appeal, can get it.

hoskins8h:

... As far as I know, all subjects are equally weighted ...

News today that MOE considering lowering the weightage of Mother Tongue. It till take a few years before they decide and implement. Article also mentions that the current weighting for MT is 25%, so it is equally weighted.
I've gathered enough info to be convinced that this is so, because I too was puzzled when I returned to Singapore and found out that Eng and MT was marked upon 200 marks. Thought things were like they were back in my time when the 2 languages were double weighted.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_517143.html

Front page of papers today. MOE considering lowering weightage of MT but it will them some time to study and decide. Wont affect this year’s P6 and not likely P5 and dare I say P4 as well.

mommyNg:

If, as you mentioned, about 44% of students get A/A* for Eng, Math, Sci but it is 80% for Chinese, this means it is easier to get an A/A* for Chinese?? I suppose this means 80% of those students taking Chinese, or does that mean the whole cohort.


I thought there were some discussions in another thread saying that an A in Chinese is worth more in terms of T-score than an A in, say, Math or Eng? Hence, if one is pretty good in Chinese, then he/she should take Chinese (and not exemption) cos' he/she will have a greater chance of getting a higher PSLE T-score?

Yes about 80% of students taking Chinese (other MT similar) get A/A*. As far as I know, all subjects are equally weighted even though Eng and MT are marked upon 200 marks. Officially MOE says that with exemption, T-score is adjusted so that student is \"neither disadvantaged or advantaged\", so my guess is that with exemption, T-score is equally weighted based on 3 subjects. If that is correct, then one should exempt based on whether Chinese T-score is likely to be above or below the average of the other 3 subjects.

My analysis suggests that exemption is likely to be better because there is \"more room to improve\" in the other non-MT subjects as average subject raw scores are likely to be lower. 85% marks for MT is likely to be a lower T-score than an 85% for other subjects.

Having said that, most parents want our children to learn Chinese well and exemption from PSLE may affect the learning attitude. I overcome this by telling my child that exemption is only for PSLE and it is Higher Chinese in secondary school. The point being that PSLE Chinese affects T-score and streaming, whilst HCL at O level is a pass/fail requirement for local university and does not affect A level score.

If I may guess, you're probably not based in Asia, so having access to Chinese education at the required level may prove difficult overseas and the decision to exempt may come naturally.

xxjustakidxx:

Correction: A is 25 percent of each cohort.

For Eng, Math, Sci, 25% for A sounds correct, means about 20% for A*; in line with a conversation I had with a teacher.
Just to clarify, when I mentioned 44% for A/A* means 44% got A or better. For some reason, the info I gleaned from the \"official\" data do not break down between A and A*.