kyy:

Does anyone know what the 30/1-2/3 'Common Tests\" constitutes? What is the weightage towards the year end exams?


Thanks

It's 0%! See the principal's circular.

autolycus:

clayman:

Any reason why the school needs to have 2 sets of time-tables? And even though school supposedly finishes at 1.20pm on Wednesdays, my DS's time-table for week B has him finishing at 2.40pm instead and he was late for his 3rd Language class.

The reason for this is greater time-tabling flexibility.

Examples:

If the school has decided to allocate 3.5 periods for a subject, it can be 4 periods in Week A and 3 in Week B for one class — and the other way around for another class. Also, it means that a class need not always suffer 'last period syndrome', where some poor teacher always has the last period of the day and everyone is tired — now that can be alternated with some other poor teacher.

Essentially, if you have a 10-day cycle to play around with instead of a 5-day cycle, you can do lots more. Or at least, that's what I thought when I decided to do it that way; I got the idea of the 10-day cycle from one school and the 20-min increment from another school and put the two concepts together.

So the best way to handle it is to think of it as a fortnightly timetable, rather than a weekly one...

My DD's school (she is in Sec 1) this year is also adopting the 10-day cycle time-table. I was under the impression that this is widely practiced in secondary schools. Perhaps, I was \"misled\" since I have only 2 children....

ngbrdad:

Is there any training programs in ACSI for math and science Olympiad ?


It will probably take up another one or 2 afternoons per week right ?

How about fees ? I guess need to pay as well since these are not free even during primary school days.

I found out from the ACSI website there is a math competition team, which is a considered CCA. Selection trial is end of Jan I think.
Didn't recall it as one of the choices in the form for CCA selection.

So it's unlike primary schools where everyone can take part in a math competition ? Now need to clear a selection trial to be in the team first ?

I am afraid I am unable to provide information in this respect as my DS is not in any of these.

As far as I know, they have the opportunity to participate in Australian maths competition, SMOJ/S and Dr Ong Challenge (? not quite sure the name but this is a school-based maths competition). Some classes send the whole class, but some will send selected students. It seems quite fluid to me. My DS did well in some of these competitions and he was invited to join the Maths Competition Club. Due to his hectic schedule, he declined the invite. So, I am not too sure how else a student could join the club.

From year 3 onwards, there is the ACS class, so I guess there could be a more concerted effort there to train students for the Science Olympiads. Again, it is just my guess.

ngrdad: No, he does not take 3rd language. Right from primary school days, he was not a language person and I am not a great proponent of 3rd language, so it was a done deal right from day 1. His strength has always been with Maths, but I do see the program is giving him quite a bit of training with critical thinking. He used to be a quieter boy, but I could see now he is developing to be a pleasant addition in any conversation. He will banter intellectually, neither offensive nor defensive, and peppered with humour. It sure feels like he is going on the right track, but it is a long process, so I shall be patient.

CSN:

Not too sure if any parent or may Autolycus can advise. Why must sports CCA be only for the obj of competition which then means a min of 3x/4x weekly training? It makes it so difficult for parents like us who would like our DS to do sports but just do not think he can cope with 4x training weekly plus Uniform Group CCA. To start with, these kids need to learn how to handle 8 subjects and I personally do not think a typical boy like ours (no time management skills) will be able to manage 8 subjects, train 4x in sports, and attend Uniform CCA. Think Mandarin has shared that her DS somehow manage after 3 years in canoeing. Can Mandarin please elaborate further how your DS manage 4x training plus uniform group and can still find time to complete assignments, do revision, and prepare for exams? By the way, do all these intensive weekly sports CCA stop say x weeks before a major exam such as SA1 and SA2? Thanks.

For my DS case, his sports CCA is on Mon, Tue, Thu and Sat morning and then Fri is for UG. For for all weekdays except for Weds, he comes home around 7+pm. After shower and dinner, he has about 1 hour for schoolwork and I always insist on him getting ready for bed (whether he falls asleep or not latest by 10.30pm). It was quite tough in the initial year 1 period, but he quickly learnt that to cope, he has to pay attention in class and finish as much of his homework in school with whatever free time he has. It also helps that for him, Term 1 test is not counted and Term 3 is all coursework which he could start in mid year break for some of them. His hectic CCA schedule will slow down after the competition (in time for mid year exam) and also stops for a short period after Term 3 break for final preparation.

My DS has poor time management skills too. But, over time, he has become more conscientious. I remember that for last year, his competition ended quite late and he was left with 2 weeks to prepare for his mid year. Needless to say, his results suffer. We talked about it and concluded that he just have to manage it with the resource he has if he wants to continue with this CCA. I was glad to see that when Term 3 break comes around, he drew up his revision schedule on his own and giving himself at least 1 month to prepare for the final exams.

I am never one that expects excellent results from him, knowing that one cannot have it all. I have conveyed to him that I only want him to be within the top 1/3 of the cohort. He has set higher target for himself and I am glad to say that he still manages to be in top 15% of his cohort last year.

But every kid is different. I know my DS is one who is always too willing to please the adults. So, I do not push him too hard and I always make sure he knows that we will support him anytime he wants out (of his CCA). He will grumble about the muscles aches, the tiredness and all, but I know it is all part of growing up. I believe the perseverance of the mind is one of the greatest learning that he will get out of school life.

UncleLim:

ACI (I) school sees IB students get perfect score

Posted: 06 January 2012 1900 hrs

SINGAPORE: Results of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) examination held in November 2011 were released on Friday.

ACS Independent said of its 454 students who sat for it, 29 obtained a perfect score of 45 points.

ACS Independent said the average score was 41.36.

Significantly, the percentage of students who obtained 40 or more points increased from 71.4 per cent in 2010, to 78.2 per cent in 2011.

Principal of ACS (Independent) Mr Winston Hodge said: \"The students have worked hard, remained focused and were well motivated. Their success must be shared with their families.

\"The school also has a strong culture of teacher care and support, with many teachers walking the extra mile for their students. A key success factor is the strong foundation that the students receive in their Years 1 to 4 programme, which encourages inquiry, creativity and innovation.\"

ACS Independent said the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a demanding and challenging pre-university course of study.

Beyond completing courses and examinations in six subject areas, IBDP students are also required to complete three core requirements: the extended essay (EE), the theory of knowledge (TOK) course and developmental activities and community service, known as \"Creativity, Action, Service\".

The programme is highly regarded for its rigorous assessment, breadth of study and the depth of intellectual engagement.

For instance, the EE requires students to produce an independent piece of research, culminating in a 4,000 word paper.

Similar to an undergraduate research thesis, students investigate a research question of their interest.

The keystone of the IBDP programme is critical and analytical thinking.

In the TOK component, students examine the nature of knowledge issues across disciplines.

The 2011 IB cohort comprises 454 students and is the school's largest candidature to-date.

ACS (Independent) said it started the Integrated Programme (IP) in 2004 with the first batch of students sitting for the exam in 2007.

The 2011 cohort is the school's fifth.

- CNA/ck

An interesting comment above. I have not come across any comparative analysis of the IB performance between students admitted in Year 1, 3 and 5. has anyone seen one before?

I fully empathize with some of the parents here, a lot of thinking and discussion has to take place this weekend.


When DS came back with a canoeing offer 3 years ago, I was surprised. DS was not the athletic sort, though he could get gold for napfa, it was not without effort. DH was keen for DS to take up sports, so we had a talk with DS. We realized that DS was flattered to be selected. We cautioned him on the commitment required, he told us he was willing to give it a try.

3 years on and he grew much more athletic and he thoroughly enjoys his CCA. Be prepared that the training will be tough but not a single time had DS talked about giving up. Training goes almost uninterrupted throughout school holidays. On non-school days, training is moved to the mornings. During the period leading up to competition, there will also be morning gym training. And he would also miss a couple of days of school to attend competitions. Coupled with UG, DS has only 1 free afternoon a week. So, he has learnt to finish most of his homework (except those that require research) in school during free period or in-between periods. He has to learn to manage his time better to cope with the demands of both study and CCA.
I am a strong supporter of Dr Ong’s philosophy in this area, keep the boys gainfully occupied in this period, they have so much energy and if not properly channelled, it will be wasted.

ngbrdad:

Was shocked that DS got a letter recommending him to take up cross country/track and field.


Can we decline and opt for other CCA ?

Do we need to inform anyone if not taking up the offer ? Or just don't turn up for the first training can already ?

It is an offer to the boy, he can opt not to take it up. If he is offered, that means he has shown some potential in that area.

Did your DS receive a CCA option form where he can indicate his preference?

ngbrdad:

Mandarin:

[quote=\"wormy\"]Time table is split into week a and week b, not told if they represent odd and even week respectively

They represent the odd and even weeks within the school term. 10 weeks in each term, so you always start with week A.

So this week being the first week they will start next week as week B right ?[/quote]Yes

ngbrdad:

CSN:

Think can take 74 (from bus stop on the school side) to Dover MRT besides 166 and 14. DS takes 74 daily to go home and passes by Dover MRT.


Is it true that we still have to pay 2 months' fees by cheque even though the GIRO form had been submitted on day 1?

Does anyone know what the Sports Bazaar is about? Are they supposed to decide and choose their 2 CCAs during the Sports Bazaar?

Thanks.

Don't think they need to decide now. From previous pages on this thread, it seems that at the end of first month, the 2 CCAs are not fixed yet, especially the uniform group part.

Giro should takes time to finalize so probably need to pay first two months thru cheque first.

Your son will receive a slip of paper if he is being shortlisted to join any Sports CCA by the end of the Discovery Camp. As for UG, he will asked to send in his preference and then a UG will be allocated to him, this will happen at a much later time.