kaka:

May I know if rental of locker is neccessary? I thought locker are normally given free to students, but SOTA charges rental.

TIA

Hi!
Sota sub out the lockers to a private company, therefore we have to rent from them. I think it is necessary to rent a locker as our child can keep some of the heavy books/files in school (no need to bring everyday to and from home), to lessen the weight of the bag.
There are few locker sizes (think 3 types).. so u can rent a smaller 1 if you think your child does not need a big space..

Hope it helps.

Pixie28:

JRLam:

[quote=\"Pixie28\"]Hey dance and theatre glad to have you back ermm actually proudy mom's dd decided to choose sota dance. While melteo's dd chose not to take up the VA offer.


There's a dance showcase this wed, wonder if yr dd is performing? Or is it only for Yr 1/2 students?

Sorry to intrude - is this dance showcase open to public?

No intrusion hehe this forum is open to public Dance showcase is via invitation as mentioned by proudy mom (thanks!). You may want to check out the music showcase (tomorrow also) for which registration can be done online at sota website.

We're looking forward to the dance showcase![/quote]Hi, yes, music showcase is opened for public through registration at SOTA website. I was there yesterday night, and today there is another showcase.

For music faculty, there is regular concerts (almost every months) which is opened for public through registration at SOTA website. I guess since it is usually held at their concert hall (which is big and can accomodate more people), therefore it is opened for public. The concerts are great, performs by the invited guests, teachers and students. So this is another way to see yourself how the students perform (before you decide to enrol your child for the audition).

For dance and theatre, mostly through invitation (normally for parents only) as they have limited seats available.

Hi Proudy Mum,


Welcoming ur DD to SOTA! Ur daughter is so talented, so SOTA is definitely the right choice. I am sure she will enjoy her days in SOTA.

Do take note that academy is still very important for IB program, although the program is different from IP/ A level. And yes, ARC/TOK is a compulsory must pass subject. General knowledge is very important in order to pass/score this subject. My son \"failed\" his Term 1 test (got a scare of his life as 1st time failed a subject) but he managed to pass the overall final year exam. It is a new topic to them, therefore adapting and learning.

I am considering SOTA now for my younger daughter, she will be in P6 next year. So am thinking of enrolling her for the Junior TA (in Theater) if she is keen. She is involved everyyear is her school Drama class/year end performance, but not sure if this is sufficient for her to enter SOTA.

kaka:

melteo:

Hi to all parents,

URGENT!!!
Now that it is time to confirm DSA to SOTA with only a few days left, we are actually not so sure to accept or not. My girl is given CO for VA but after the tour at SOTA, we realised that the art standard is very high and so are the expectations. My girl just likes to doodle, sketch for fun NOT into the realistic life drawings that we saw in SOTA. She may not be able to produce such high quality work. Because of that, will she be treated harshly
/ despised by the art teacher and fellow classmates? Academic wise, I am not so worried.
I read from this forum that all the students are very happy but if she is at the bottom of her art class, I worry she may actually be sad and despised.
Also, are there many assignments and presentation work? Is it comparable to other secondary schools? She is practising her grade 5 piano. Once she enters SOTA, will she have time for her personal piano practices? I am sorry for so many questions...I really just want my daughter to have a happy school life.
A big thank you!!!

Dont worry, my Dd who has a CO from SOTA also just like to doodle and her favorite is pokemons. SOTA has a stringent selection process, your Dd has CO means they have found your Dd capable.

Agreed, you shouldnt be worry now since your DD has been accepted by SOTA (you should only worry if she is not selected ) I am sure the teachers will guide her along in her Arts (VA), and she will definitely performs in her own way/style. As you know, Arts /VA is very \"subjective\", I am not sure on how you can determine those \"high quality\" works that you have seen at SOTA VA showroom. I think every arts pieces is unique, there is no 'High\" or \"Low\" quality works. As long as your DD put on efforts to express herself, she will be fine.

As for her music learning, she can still continue as usual. Do take note that the school time is quite pack in SOTA (almost daily 8am to 5pm), therefore she might be too tired to continue after class hours.

As you can see, most of the students there are very happy in school. Therefore welcoming your DD to SOTA, and has an enjoyable time in SOTA.

PROUDY MUM:

Dear All


My DD is thinking of selecting SOTA Dance Faculty instead of her other 2 CO from PRESTIGIOUS main stream school ,
will the Y1 students face difficulties with the changes after 6 yrs in the main stream school and habits ?

Hi!

My son finishing his Yr 1 soon.. it was really a great experience for him and we parents as well.. Just attended their Year 1 Open Classroom yesterday, and u can see they are so happy together, and not shy of public speaking/ presenting their works.

Most kids should not have problem adjusting to the IB system, as the school will guide them along. I think your may concern now is which to choose = an Arts-specialized school, or the PRESTIGIOUS mainstream school (IP). I would say both education system is good, only you and your DD needs to re-affirm if Arts (Dance) is what she likes. Beside this speciallized Arts program, you have to know the difference between the IB and IP (A level) programs differences. I (as parent) has chosen for my son SOTA as I think the IB programs will benefit my son better (as the school always say that the journey/process of IB is more important then the end result/product). My son was not \"clear\" on the IB and IP programs, he is only very sure that he likes his Arts (music) a lot. Therefore he has chosen SOTA himself.

So my advice now is sit back and discuss with your daughter again. Is dance really her passion (hopefully not parents want them to do)? Although we know that SOTA students that finish the IB program can still apply to local Uni, etc (normal courses), but we have to be prepared that mostly their path (and future jobs) will be related to their Arts programs (this is still the main objective of SOTA, to train students in their Arts form). So as a parents, are you able to accept this (I can see your concern when you mentioned PRESTIGIOUS above, hehe...)? We have to be realistic (or shall I say Kiasu), do you want your child to be a Doctor, Lawyer, Engineer, etc. OR do you allow her to pursue her passion in the Arts form (eg. become a Professional Dancer)? Of course she may still become a Doctor, Lawyer, etc (as IB program is more recognized in the world now), but imho the likelihood is very low if she choose SOTA. So as a KIASU parents, are you prepared? (No hard feeling, am joking..). We always want the best for our children. I thinks kids nowadays has a better life, they have the options to do/learn what they like, not like us last time where we are \"force\" to study hard for a degree by our parents, in order to have a good higher paid jobs.

Back to my experience as 1st year student's parent/what I have observed on my son learning experience :-
(1) My son is more independent now. I have always guide him to be independent since Pri 4 (eg. going out/taking bus/MRT by himself, etc). He can now plan by himself on his daily routines. SOTA school's hours is really packed (8am to 5pm), except Wedn (starts late at 9am) and Fri (finish earlier at ~2.3opm). As we are staying at Pasir Ris, he has to leave home latest 7am, and he will back usually ~6.30pm. So almost 12 hours daily... same as adults working hours! So your child really needs to be self-independent/ self-discipline..

(2) Projects/ Learning : I just have to ensure that he finishes his school projects/homeworks. The normal learning in class, and homeworks is sufficient to keep him busy or well-learned. He did not have to study at all (read textbooks/theories) during the normal days, only some \"last minute\" revision before the exams (this I have to \"force\" him). So everyday is a learning journey for him, exams results is not important to me. I only expected him to pass his level, to score with disctintions is a bonus.

(3) Arts (Music) : Of course he has improved a lot on his piano, with all the speciallized musics subjects in SOTA. This kind of exposures you would not get it in mainstream schools (or shall I said lesser maybe). You can see also from the teachers (with many different backgrounds) which can teach/give them many different exposures.

Overall he is happy when he is in school = happy at home.

Hope it helps with some shared experience here. Not very good in writing, will share whenever I can.

Hi,


I am looking for a piano teacher to teacher my 6 yrs old daughter (she is finishing her Yamaha JAC soon). Preferably in Pasir Ris or Tampines area. PM me ur ctc and charges.

Thks.

babylion:

After my DD was not successful for piano audition last June, I left SOTA thread until today when I decided to pop in and saw your post.


Only 26 for Music ! Wow ! Congratulations for getting a place in SOTA.
May I know what grade is your son at ?

lyhparent:

Hi All,

He is in Music (piano).. just went to SOTA for the registration on 22 Dec. Understand that this year there is only 184 students accepted, and in music there is only 26 students.

So looking forward to share more info with all parents here.

My son is only on Gr 5 ABRSM, now going for Gr 7 this year. Hmm.. maybe thats y he was put on waiting list earlier. But I think also depend on his performance during his audition. As for my son, he has being performing in school, active in CCA, did a lot of public speaking, therefore he was well-prepared for audition.

Hi All,


My very 1st post here. My son has been on SOTA's WL... and luckily he received the CO letter when he took his PSLE result from his school. So dont have to \"sweat\" to choose which pri sch in the S1 posting exercise.

Didnt know about this forum earlier.. so happened to found this website when i searched more info on SOTA. altho it would be helpful to me and him preparing during the TA last time (if i came across this forum earlier).

He is in Music (piano).. just went to SOTA for the registration on 22 Dec. Understand that this year there is only 184 students accepted, and in music there is only 26 students.

So looking forward to share more info with all parents here.