resgmom:

Would like to ask about the AEP program from experienced parents. DS has a CO from NJC and SOTA's visual arts - he is interested in science but good in doodling and has good observation skills, I guess SOTA saw the potential in him since he's never attended professional art lessons except taking Chinese painting at the CC with the aunties. I encouraged him to try SOTA for the possibility to have his potential developed further. Now we're trying to weight the schools.


During SOTA open house, we asked the teachers what's the difference between AEP and SOTA's approach and they said that AEP focuses too much on competition and not letting the students explore enough. On the flip side, an art teacher told me teachers from SOTA are mostly the artsy type and didn't have much training in pedology. Parents with AEP kids, would be very interested to hear of your opinion or anyone you know that had to make the choice between a school with AEP and SOTA..

Hello! I'm a student from Year 3 in AEP!
The AEP curriculum in NJC explores a lot of mostly traditional mediums. There is a certain set of skills that would be taught or practiced within a certain period of time, ranging from a few lessons to a full semester. Yes, it's true, AEP has a rather fixed focus on more of exploration of the natural world, and has a lesser slant towards individual styles and traits and is quite observational based. So in AEP it would not be drawing random doodles on the sketchbook, but really learning how to explore and draw the natural world around us and this realism is a relatively strong focus. Your child will not be able to explore his style as much but would be able to learn a lot of skills that may come in handy as an artist.

However I think what's really most important is what your child prioritises. Would he prefer a more mainstream and fast paced academic learning, or would he prefer a more arts based learning? After all, most of his time in NJ would be spent learning Maths and Sciences and the focus on arts would be less(but nevertheless still as or even more important). So if he would prefer his future in a more science and academic oriented school, NJ is the place to go!

ptoh:

Did anyone get spam SMS from \"EUREKA2\" with the following messages:


FROM NATIONAL JUNIOR COLLEGE
Title: Indonesia Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Sulawesi
Issued: 05 Aug 2013
Due: 19 Aug 2013

or is it just me? :spam:

It is just a message from the school's library system informing you when a book you borrowed is issued and due. Did you borrow that book? If you did not borrow the mentioned book, I suggest you bring it up to the school's librarian

sunshine123:

Hi,


Glad to see the thread discussing on subject combination.

Would like to check if the child is not so strong in Math, would it be better to op for Biology or Physics in JH3?

Then again, there are some students who shared that it is not easy to study Biology for A Levels.

Appreciate some sharing on this.

Thanks so much.

Hello!
Physics requires a lot of calculation and manipulation, so if your child prefers not to do a lot of math, I suggest he does not take it.
However, Biology isn't the easiest subject either. It requires lots of memorising of information, knowing how to use multitudinous key terms, and at the same time have a deep and complete understanding of the concepts in order to do well.

It really depends on the child. In my opinion, Physics is a lot easier to study for as it is very clear cut, makes use of simple concepts and expanding onto calculations, while Biology is more for those with excellent memories and good grasp of concepts as it ties and weaves multiple concepts together and is a lot more wordy.

I hope this helps

ptoh:

Dear JH2 parents,


Can I get some of your thoughts about subject combinations for JH3? During the end Sem1 brief, the new dean mentioned that it's no longer common to do 3 sciences and he seems to be discouraging the 3-science combination, which was defacto for NJ in the past.

What are your thoughts on this, and whether you would still encourage your kids to do 3 sciences despite, and worry about it later when they reach SH?

Thanks.

Hello!

I'm not a JH2 parent, sorry, but I am a JH3 student!
I understand your concerns over the combinations. Personally I think that the dean is trying to push for more arts students as currently in the JH3 cohort there is only one class of humans/lit students as compared to the usual amount of two.

Triple sciences are usually encouraged because they give the greatest choice at the end of JH4, when we have to choose our subject combos for A levels. If there's a sudden change of heart like let's say, hating physics at JH2 to suddenly liking it in JH3 and JH4, if your child chooses to drop physics for an arts subject, they can no longer take it at A levels.
Also, advanced humanities and literature do not provide more range of subjects to take at A levels. Those taking advanced humanities and lit has the same choices of subjects, only without one science that they have chosen to drop. That's why most people prefer not to take it.

However, if your child has interest and/or flair in the humanities or literature and is absolutely sure that he/she does not need a certain science subject(Bio or Physics), then I strongly encourage the child to go for it as it allows the child to go deeper into the subject and have a higher understanding. I think the most important is for a child to love what they learn, and if they love the arts, then why not let them take it?

Triple sciences is still the safest choice as it allows for the biggest range of subjects to be chosen from at A levels in case your child decides to change his/her mind, so I suggest that you choose it if your child loves sciences, or if they are unclear of where to head to in life, not confident or not interested in arts.

Yup so here's my 2 cents, I hope this helps!

Hello all,

I've read lots of posts regarding AEP and MEP.
I suppose that since AEP and MEP are two electives in which the school pumps lots of resources into(Third Language is external), it naturally expects its students to perform well.
In addition, the method of including/excluding Third Language marks from the GPA has only been recently put into place and is still undergoing review, so this system is subject to change and maybe who knows, AEP and MEP might follow suit.
For parents of JH1 students, AEP has 8 credits, making it currently the module with the highest number of credits. So if your child did not do well, AEP will most definitely swing your child's grades down as it is the most important factor in your child's GPA. As a JH3 AEPian, I would say that the JH1s are really really talented and their artworks are really good Do encourage them to work hard and explore more! After all, practice makes perfect!

sunshine123:

Hi,


Would like to seek some advice. Am wondering, in addition to the packing list provided, are there any other thing to pack for DD/DS for the upcoming JH2 Malaysia Trip from 27-31 May 2013?

Please kindly advise.

Thanks!

Hello!
I went for the KL trip last year, and I believe that the packing list should have everything needed! Just note to bring a lot of insect repellent and beware of the leeches Also, make sure to bring the proper attire listed because places like the Mosque and the Parliament House have specific requirements. Do noted to bring a neck pillow and entertainment as well as the bus trips can get really long and tiring.
Also, it would be useful to take along a clipboard and spare writing materials such as foolscap as your child will be taking lots of notes there!
I think this should be all and I hope this helps

Ninjazz34:

Thanks for the info.

Does NJC have prefects or student council??

NJC has two student councils, one for the Senior High and one for the Junior High.

lezymom:

Hi

can someone shed some light on the various class positions that the students can run for? DS told me there are posts for president (is it similar to class monitor?), IT champion, subject reps, NE ambassadors (?what's that?)... but when i asked what the responsibilities were, he was just as clueless.

Hello!
There are many leadership roles that you can take on in NJC.
For class positions, there are:
NE Rep (The NE Rep works closely with the NE committee to organise and participate in National Education activities as well as being reponsible for ensuring that the class is well informed about national issues by pinning up news articles on the noticeboard)
Class Chairman(Class monitor)
Vice Chairman (There may or may not be this role, depending on the decision of the teacher)
Secretary/ Welfare Rep (This Rep is in charge of the class' overall well being and also organises birthday celebrations)
Treasurer
VIA Rep (This Rep will be in charge of organising Values In Actions activities(Community Involvement Programme) for the class so that they can meet the minimum requirement for their CIP hours (6 hours). From JH3 onwards, the VIA rep has to create and organise CIP activities for the class.)
IT Rep (The IT Rep helps to set up the computer and projector for the teachers.)
Subject Reps (The subject reps works with the subject teachers and would relay information from the teacher to the class as well as collect homework)

Ninjazz34:

Thanks everyone for your help


Does. NJC use laptops or tablet pcs for lessons and research?
:thankyou:

Hello!
In NJC, there will be projects requiring the use of computers for presentations, reports and the occasional videos. However, it is fine if you do not own your own tablet PC/ laptop as there is a computer lab which you can access for your own personal use.

Lock:

My DD is considering of DSA into NJC. She is P6 this year. Can anyone share all about the DSA? What to prepare? What the sch is looking at? Or anyone who had gone thru the DSA can share his/her experience?


TIA

Hello!
I believe that firstly, your child has to be eager and keen in going to NJ. After they have deemed you to be talented and worthy, they seek for the right attitude and spirit. One of the students in the DSA group I took care of last year had went through the entire NJ website and had already done her homework on all the facilities and programs in NJ and I was surprised at her deep understanding of her knowledge of NJC. She got in. (I was her Orientation Group Leader.) I believe that taking the initiative to understand the school as well as having a clear direction on your life is not only what NJ, but other schools look for as well in their potential students.