@chenlaoshi I think all the discussion have gone to Facebook and other groups. I find the new format of KSP too confusing to use. It is a pity. I cannot find all my old bookmarks.

Coolkidsrock2\" post_id=\"2135612\" time=\"1719410279\" user_id=\"48901:

Dynamic 360

Intern at US asset management firm says she was rated on a ‘microscopic’ level by a dot system

https://www.thestar.com.my/tech/tech-news/2024/06/25/intern-at-us-asset-management-firm-says-she-was-rated-on-a-microscopic-level-by-a-dot-system

From the article:

\"Because we were constantly being evaluated on what we said, people were way more conscious when speaking,\" she explained. \"Instead of talking just to talk, people tried to make their points succinct and easily understandable, or they’d get a negative dot. This criticism wasn’t just limited to peers or supervisees. We were also encouraged to give dots to our bosses, managers, and even CEOs.\"

Wow! Great way to weed out incompetent folks and those who do not fit in the culture. Can such approach be suitable for companies in SG?

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2135433\" time=\"1719101721\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2135433 time=1719101721 user_id=53606]

I wanted to talk about the danger of IP schools becoming a class divider between the “psle made it in / did not make it in”.

What then happens is, the ones who did make it in, think that they:
- Have made it for life (have heard stories about how the classmates in IP just sleep in class or watching YouTube on PLD during lesson, never study for exams, projects anyhow, EOY just do minimum to be promoted).
- are entitled to look down on non-IP kids (stories from the non-IP kids when they see old primary school friends; granted, some of it is typical boy ragging, if it’s not this topic then it’’ll be some other u pc of shit taunt)
- when they reach the higher levels and start to struggle, think they have imposter syndrome because “i’m smart, i got in because i was the top 10% but why can’t i pass this subject or why i’m not good at triple science, am i stupid?” Existential issues and anxiety crop up
- some may crash and burn out, mental health breaks down, have to exit IP (use Y4 results to enter poly, or go overseas). Some cases mentioned in the press
[/quote]

In every society, there will be those who think and behave like this and others who have more clarity and do not.
Even before IP was started, there was the Special Stream, the top schools that parents coveted, the Express vs Normal streams etc. The same problems also existed.

(1) Inattentive kids, (2) kids who despise others, (3) those with imposter syndromes and (4) those who burn out are NOT because they went to IP. They exist in every society. Upbringing, circle of people they mix with and individuals' personalities also play a big role.

Removing IP or giving non-IP kids access to programmes specially designed for IP students will not remove this mentality.

An analogy: Just to soothe the emotions of those who don't get Gold, Silver and Bronze in a competition, do we give a medal to everyone who participates and share the prizes of the winners? No, if they choose to race, they must understand there are winners and losers. Do we remove the competitions so that the previous Gold, Silver and Bronze winners do not have to feel the pressure to defend the titles the next year? No, it is up to individuals to realise and manage the stress and if they cannot defend their titles, it is what it is. Time to get off racing and accept that one is no longer at the peak or try again next time.

IF we see the academic journey as a race, then we see winners and losers and in this case, some may think getting into IP is a win and those whose don't are non IP as losers.

Let me clarify here that I do NOT see it this way and do NOT think that just because kids getting in IP, they have won or made it for life. This is so naive. It is always about choosing the path that suits each kid best, one that can allow kids to thrive and brings out the best in him/her. THIS is the real win.

If we teach our kids to VIEW their own journey as one that involves making a series of decisions that are BEST for themselves to thrive (so the goal is everyone wins), instead of a race against others and view it as zero-sum game, then our kids also will not be affected by others' views. We (our kids too) cannot change how others view the situation easily but our kids can remain steadfast and confident regardless of paths they choose/end up on. So change our narratives and teach our kids to change their narratives too.

Just my own 2 cents.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2135398\" time=\"1719018510\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2135398 time=1719018510 user_id=53606]

IP has wonderful enrichment programs, well touted and all know that. Are the IP schools willing to open up these programs to the Express kids in their community so that they can benefit as well?[/quote]

Zac's mum, can you please elaborate on the kind of wonderful enrichment programmes that IP schools have which you think should be opened up to Express kids as well?

All my kids made it to IP so I can share from my experience. Over the years, I also helped to guide many kids from different backgrounds and some made it to IP but some don't. Not everyone is suitable for IP pace. Those who did not make it to IP also enjoyed their Sec sch journeys a lot once we helped them see the value. While IP schools have certain programmes like internship/exchange prog, but those who are not in IP also tell me they have other programmes that they find beneficial.

IP or not, the kids are sorted at PSLE because of academic results. If one does not get to IP after PSLE despite the kid's best effort, it is really not a big deal in the grand scheme of things. The academic journey continues and one can aim for transfer. In the meantime, make the best of the journey in the school child is posted to and it can still be an awesome learning journey. None of my kids and those I know in IP look at the non-IP kids from their ivory tower. In fact, most kids don't think of each other this way at all.

blessedm\" post_id=\"2132066\" time=\"1712308504\" user_id=\"113006:

Looking at the most recent COP for ACSI, both IP and O levels are standing at AL7 for non affiliated students.
I hope to hear what are your views if my child who's not from ACS, gets AL7, which would he stand a higher chance of entry? Given that IP has a smaller intake (I think) but with no affiliation at all vs O levels with a bigger intake but only 20% space for children not from affiliated schools.

Will be great also if anyone knows the intake for both tracks each year or in 2023.

Have you called the school to find out the intake for both tracks in 2023? I doubt 80% of ACSI G3 (O levels) seats go to affiliated ACSJ and ACSP kids.

If my child scores AL7, I think he will stand higher chance to get into ACSI if he chooses O levels stream, assuming he has no preference for the streams and just wants to get into the school.

But if he only wants IP stream, then he should ONLY place ACSI IP as first choice.

skysky2018\" post_id=\"2132663\" time=\"1713140001\" user_id=\"82018:

Hi may I check where I can buy references books/ practise materials for ACSI IP year 1 for the various subjects?

It seems not so many books in Polular Bookstore suit for IP students.

Thank you!:)

Ask school teachers to suggest. They will tell you which books and where to get extra questions. Some may even give students the extra questions.

Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2131967\" time=\"1712122467\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2131967 time=1712122467 user_id=195250]
If the joint account is for admin purpose, then the money left over after the parents passed away - should not be considered given to the kid with the joint name account. It should share among the kids as other assets owned by the parents.[/quote]

Unfortunately the person whose name is in the joint name account may not be that honest in the end. I am surrounded by cases of friends whose aunties and uncles refused to take out the money in joint names accounts after the elderly passed away. If amount is 5 or 6 digits and there are a few siblings to share, some families may not come to consensus to sue the dishonest sibling because after legal fees and hassle, may not have much left. I think it is just disgusting that one can be so shameless but such people always exist.

I think I am really happy living in SG, especially after my experience living in 5 other countries.


But I don’t think everyone in SG can be considered as happy and it is to be expected. Just like in other countries that have placed lower in the list, not everyone is unhappy.

Are PSLE, O level and A levels kids happy? If they only think their life is made up of studying and exam stress, they will likely say they are not happy. However, most Singaporean kids do not have to worry about safety on a day to day basis, hardships brought about by poverty and yet get to enjoy first world privileges … so that must account for certain level of happiness. That said, I am guessing most 12 to 18 year old take all these for granted, so they may not think they are a big deal.

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2131406\" time=\"1711500396\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2131406 time=1711500396 user_id=53606]
Updated: i have been informed by a Lit tutor friend that Animal Farm is deemed a lower sec text (ie not for O levels) [/quote]

It was my kids' Year 1 or 2 (I cannot recall now) literature. I used it in lower Sec too.

Coolkidsrock2\" post_id=\"2131393\" time=\"1711459176\" user_id=\"48901:

Not to discourage, some people have shared with me that setting up own biz is tougher than being employed.

Commercial cooking is different from home-cooking - will be good to attend formal training at a culinary school to experience if it is really suitable. Apart from working in the kitchen, other aspects that need taking care of are admin, staff management, funding, marketing / branding strategies, networking, client acquisition ...

For people in food biz, some have roped in family members to help as well as tapped on their contacts as client base. But these are short-term solutions.

We also encourage kids to consider setting up own biz. DD was with a start-up, does not think it is suitable for her.

Running own business is definitely more chaIlenging than being employed. I have done both and I am also surrounded by many business owners friends and relatives. When we are employed, we can stop worrying about our job after office hours. We can quit and just join another company. Business owners have a lot more at stake and some wrong decisions can tank the business. Unless one has diverse skillset, it is a very steep learning curve.

While I don't think everyone is cut out to do own business, I think it is a wonderful experience to try. Especially when they are still young, they can afford to fail.