Question: Any parent with son in IB and attending English lesson with The Learning Lab? Noted while they do have IB class, it only cater for IB students from ACSI. Boys from SJI IB are grouped to have lessons for English with students from the O level track.

BP2013:

After 2 weeks into their new school (dream school for my ds), they begin to settle down. During the next 2 weeks, they will be trying for their preferred CCA. Good luck to all :xedfingers:


Though I must say, they seems to be overwhelmed with homework already... By the way, I heard people saying RI has a \"2-hour homework policy\". What's that?? Or maybe it's just rumours... :?

As a principle, it basically mean that for each subject, there should be no more than 2 hours worth of homework for the boys. However, the measure of 2 hours is very subjective and is typically stated as a 'politically correct answer' when asked by parents. This is at least from what I have heard and observed. But don't worry, they will cope as they go thru the process.

Completely agree with your stand to gather info so as to guide DS to make an informed choice. Trying something new will also help to develop other aspect of the boy.


My personal thought is that if the ‘new’ CCA is something that the boy has interest in and is prepared to be committed to it, there is no way he will do ‘less well’ in that since he will be motivated to do well and enjoy it. Furthermore, all CCA are not ‘marked’ on a common scale but everyone will meet at the same end point with the same grading system (i.e. A1 to F9), that way he will not be at disadvantage even if the CCA is not from the so-call ‘competitive CCA that represent the school in majors’.

thankgod:

orientation week over ... now to get into real work


qns: for this in the IP program, how does the CCA bonus points work? students won't need the bonus points for o-levels ...

Saw a similar question asked in other thread and am surprised that this is asked as I the school has gone thru it several times. SJI (and in fact almost all schools) looks at the holistic development of each child. While the boy MIGHT NOT need to go through O Level if they are in IP track, academic results is not everything there is in SJI. Also, in the worst case scenario, what if they cannot make it in IP and need to move onto O level track? Not something that has never happened before. The school also look at the character, leadership and skill development of each boy and opportunities and awards are given accordingly.

If anyone is asking this question for your DS, pls tell them that CCA is a commitment and an important of life in SJI. If you are asking this as a parent, I hope it do not negatively influence your DS as they will soon grow to be a man and textbooks is not everything. Instead, ask them to think seriously and commit to it. I like one thing that was shared during the parent orientation brief. Each boy will be able to put in 6 choices for their CCA, and any of the six choices might be something that they can go 'tahan' with for the next 4 years.

yin3:

Hi, may I know how is CCA points important in IP program?

Am surprised that this is asked as I believe the school would have gone thru it. HCI looks at the holistic development of each boy. While the boy MIGHT NOT need to go through O Level, academic results is not everything there is in HCI. They also look at the character, leadership and skill development of each boy and opportunities and awards are given accordingly.

If anyone is asking this question for your DS, pls tell them that CCA is a commitment and an important of life in HCI. If you are asking this as a parent, I hope it do not negatively influence your DS as they will soon grow to be a man and textbooks is not everything.

pirated:

Awonder:

[quote=\"pirated\"]
You don't have to take it that way.

It is every bit how you want interpret the 3 digits. As far as the kids are concerned they largely forget about the tscore once they get into sec school full swing. It is how they treasure the time in secondary school to prove themselves one way or another. If the parents don't judge them by the tscore it would be a great help.

The tscore is just for ranking purposes to allocate scarce resources. It is never a judgement tool who is better or worse. And in recognition of the possibility of fluke non-performance on exam day like sick or accident, the DSA system was introduced. If your kids have consistent good performance the DSA system won't short change you. In any system, consistency is key. Don't treat the PSLE tscore or DSA as a Russian roulette.

Self imposed judgement of self condemnation is the hardest mindset to change. Don't care what other thinks about the tscore.

Well, just stating the actual sentiment on the ground. Never intend to self imposed on anything. It's just that we are in different position and what we have gone through and thus will have different perspective in how we view on the situation. And btw, I doubt the DSA system was view that way anymore nowadays.

I am on the same \"ground\" with you too. We chose not to regard it as judgement. My kids went to normal school, was bullied, got over it, did well in exams. Proud to be one of only two foreigners allowed in the uni course.[/quote]With a son in JC1 and another just stepping into Sec 1, I must agree with Pirated's reply. System is there for a reason and while it might not be perfect to some people, it is still a system of which a rationale can be provided. When one do not get what they expect from the system, it is understandable that they will be upset. However, that does not mean that the system is no good. The thing about allocation of scarce resources mentioned by Pirated is a very important reason.

Whatever it is, I think we are all concern parents who hope to get the best for our kid. But remember, our thoughts, actions and values will rub off them and it will stick for a long long time to come. Let's rub off the positive stuff onto them so that they will be better prepared to face the challenges & fun ahead of them. Have fun everyone.

BP2013:

After a week of HCI experience, my DS seems to enjoy his new school I just hope he will continue to keep up the zest and well spent his next 6 years :imanangel:

Let's stay positive since he has a good start. However, as parents, just be mentally prepared that good start does not guarantee a smooth 6 years for majority of the students. Just be there when they need us. Do not try to put the cart in front of the bull and make decision on their behalf. Try to also speak to them to understand what they really want rather than imposing our dreams upon them. Count not the many downs but celebrate the many positive changes we will see in our boy over the course of the few years ahead. This I am confident. Have fun everyone.

BTW, I am a dad...not mum. That may be mean that \"I am the man\"

I can see many anxious Sec 1 parents here. This is normal cos I went through it some 4 / 5 years ago. My boy is now going JC1.


However, I will suggest that parent should ask questions that will allow them to better understand the system as a whole in HCI, not the details or how to get things done (i.e. not what to wear, CCA arrangement, printing,…). The boys will definitely be told what is expected and what they should do. If they fail to do it on their own, they will have to learn now. ‘Doing it for them’ at this stage will not help them. Thinking that giving them another two years to mature have proven to me that it won’t work too.

Seriously, join the respectively Consortium PSG to get to know the system better, to get the necessary support you need, get to know the DC/ADC, interact with fellow parents both to learn and size things up, and have great fun + joy to see how our boy will grow into a young man.

To add what the DC of my DS’s consortium always mentioned. We have to trust the school that they know what they are doing as it is their ‘business’, and we should trust the teachers that they are well trained and are interested in the grooming of our DS. Thus what parents should do is to work WITH the school (or consortium) as the boys progress. 大家加油。

What I found from another thread:

\"The IB examinations are set by the IB from their centre in Cardiff, Wales. Students take the exams (just like most other exams) in either May or November — for most of the southern hemisphere and most of Singapore, this is November. Singapore hosts the Asia-Pacific zone HQ; there's one for Europe/Africa/Middle East and one for N/S America as well.

Students take 3 Higher Level subjects (240 hours each), 3 Standard Level subjects (150 hours each); the main difference is that HLs have more content, but HLs normally include the 150 hours of the corresponding SL. Each of these six subjects come from 5-6 subject groups (Group 6 is optional, so students can take their sixth subject from any of the other groups). Each subject is graded on a fairly linear (although not completely so) scale of 1-7; they will only get 0 if they do not turn up or they are caught cheating.

Students also take Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity-Action-Service (CAS). ToK and EE are graded A to E; basically if you get AA/AB for these components, you get 3 bonus points—if you score lower, you get fewer bonus points to a minimum of 0. CAS is a pass/fail 150 hours of self-assembled activities which students choose as learning experiences.

The 45 points come from the (1-7) x 6 subjects plus the 0-3 bonus points.\"

And

\"Okay, I just ploughed thru my son's yr 5 subject briefing pack and gathered these:

Mother tongue requirements & MOE bilingual policy:
Students who have met the MOE mother tongue requirements at GCE O level exam (ie. obtained a D7 grade or better for the higher mother tongue at GCE O level examination) can offer ANY language subject in GRoup 2. To offer language ab initio, students must have obtained a D7 grade or better for the higher mother tongue at the GCE O level examination. Otherwise, they will be required to sit for the GCE 'A' level H1 mother tongue examination.

Students who have been officially exempted from taking the official mother tongue languages can offer any language in group 2.

To lessen the examination load at the end of IB year 2, one standard level examination can be taken at the end of IB year 1. This subject is termed \"Anticipated Subject\" and students are able to offer Chinese B, Malay B or Tamil B as an anticipated subject and take the examination at the end of year 1.

Hope the above helped to clarify your doubt. I also spoke to the IB Chinese dean some 3 yrs back and was given the assurance that even if the student takes HMT, they are still eligible to do Chinese B in yr 5. You may like to call for clarification too :)\"

Cannot claim to fully understand the above so maybe someone can help further explain to us, especially on the Chinese language matter.

thankgod:

Imconcern:

[quote=\"pixiedust\"]Any information what is the lowest score in this batch of 76 students ?

I understand the highest score is 44/45 and no perfect score.
and 1000 students took the IB exam in Singapore in 2014. (just to keep track for future year's comparison)

1) Since it is 100% passing rate, no one has gone below 24 points.
2) Considering that this is the first batch taking the IBDP exam, I believe the lowest score of the batch is immaterial
3) ACSI has been running the program since 2005, about 8 years more experienced than SJI. From this perspective, I think the school has done exceptionally well with the first batch and we should only expect better news in the future.

is there any reference to the IBDP cut-off points to gain acceptance to university courses? there exists information with regards to minimum requirements but actual points for entry are somewhat had to find. any pointers?[/quote]Will definitely be good if we can get some reference guide on this. I understand from my sister (her DS went thru IB and will be starting her Med study soon) that a score of 38 to 42 will be good enough to receive offers from Ivy league Uni and Unis from Singapore.