skyjuice:

Will the hp be confiscated for good or just a limited time? My son's teacher said absolutely no hp but his schoolmate in another class said his teacher said just don't let him catch anyone with hp... It's not like teachers search students' bags, right?


I hope the school will see that, for most students, the main use of the hp is to contact their parents. It would be reasonable to restrict the time of use to after school or when out of school grounds then to totally ban it. They are at a age where they spend a lot of time outside either on projects or classes. Hp lets us keep in touch with them. I'm really curious as to the school's official reason for disallowing hp.

The handphone is confiscated for 10 weeks. And most of the time, the teachers don't search the bags. In fact, my son's friends did bring the handphones to school for the last 2 years and most of the time they don't get caught.

My son rarely brought his phone to school when he was Sec 1. On the first day of school last year (Sec 2), he brought it to school and was caught after sending a sms to me at 4:30 pm. He was given a stern warning then. Ever since, he has a phobia of bringing his handphone to school and is now absolutely trained to use the public phone.

blitz:

Is it not possible to bring a handphone, but keep it switched off until after school? That way, the child can still be contactable after school, or he can call the parent should there be a need.

My son said you may ask the principal for permission to bring a handphone, but we don't know anybody who has succeeded in justifying to the previous principal. 2 years ago, we did try talking to the principal. We are, however, not sure what the new principal stand is. My son also told me that his Sec 2 classmate had his phone confiscated this week.

von72:

My son has this issue of bringing handphone to school. I was told that one could bring by just having to register with the GO. Is my understanding correct??

I don't think they can bring handphones to school at all. It is something we have a gripe against too. The previous principal felt very strongly that handphones will facilitate BGR that will be a big distraction for the boys.

My son uses the public phone regularly. Other times we make contact through ICQ (messenger software). These are workarounds but we have not stopped wishing that the school will allow handphones.

von72:

Hmmm.... 2 hours indeed be taxing for the child....guess i will just stick with 70% and above then.


BTW, when does CCA kick start for Sec 1??

Sounds like a good plan to me. 2 hours can tax the kid even more if lessons are conducted at Bishan MOELC.

CCA started immediately after the trial and verdict for my son. If the trial is next week then CCA should start week after. I was surprised to hear table tennis trial is tomorrow (Saturday). It was during a school day for my son 2 years ago.

I understand your boy is going for Archery? I haven't heard of primary school Archery so this should be fair play for all, if there is any need for a trial. For sports like badminton, table tennis, etc, they bring in China students and competitive players through DSA. It seems every other school does this nowadays and this makes it difficult for newbies to get in. Sometimes I am really curious if the China students do anything else other than playing games. They can practise 5-7 days a week.

von72:

Hi MintLeat,


thk u for your time in replying. Oh, HMT students will be taking their Chinese \"O\" level at the end of sec 3??!! That's new to me!! Gosh!!

It's really tempting to encourage my son take higher malay...but worry he not able to cope as he has no exposure to malay at all. It will not help that i can't coach him too.

I think the ideal plan would be to encourage him to get the required 75% average for all subjects.

Once again, thanks for your sharing!!

For Sec 1, the requirement is 70% and above. It's only in Sec 2 that the requirement has been raised to 75%.

And Malay as a third language is called Malay Special Programme. I understand lessons are conducted twice a week, 2 hours each. Hence, it may tax the child given that CCA is already taking up a lot of time.

skyjuice:

Hi MintLeaf,

My son will probably just sign up for 1 CCA, need to test ground first. According to time table, CCA days are Weds and Fris. But I saw in website ODAC meetings are Tue and Thurs. 3pm. Possibly the website is not updated? Am actually a bit disappointed with the website. It's not very informative and not very appealing in terms of design and layout.

Hi Skyjuice,
I use the web sites mainly for Admin Portal Announcement, Studywiz and teacher's contact (navigate from Staff->Teachers). Probably because the web site is not pretty enough for other things. Most students gather the CCA related information during the showcase.

skyjuice:

Hi Mintleaf, once again, thanks so much for your valuable input.


2 points for taking Malay? That sounds attractive. I've learnt to plan carefully for CCA since DSA time last year, when I realized my son had nothing to offer for DSA entry. So this time round, I told my son to factor in accumulating points on top of interest and learning opportunities.

He told me he wants to give badminton a shot and plans to go for the try out during the CCA maze. But seeing this is MS's niche sport, I'm not optimistic as he never had any proper training.

I noticed swimming is opened only to Competitive Club Members. He's never competed so i guess he can't join this sport? I hope the various sports have spaces for students with no foundation so that they have a chance at it.

Yes, 2 points is extremely attractive. The requirement is like Higher Chinese. Only a pass. No need to get A1 or A2.

I also find schools nowadays very focus on competition. It was so unlike our time, when we can join any CCA to pick up a sport just for passion sake. But back to CCA points. I just heard Councilor gets you at most 4 points. You need only an A2 (20 points) to get 2 bonus points for JC admission. The school is busy helping with the Enrichment and Service. Enrichment can give you a maximum of 4 points. Service will provide another 5 points when 100 hours have been completed.

Assuming adhering to everything the school organises for Enrichment and Service gets one 9 points, the child needs to work out where the other 11 points should come from. 1 point for membership in the same CCA each year will give you 4 points in 4 years. You then need to sort out how to get 7 (20-9-4) more points to get a minimum A2.

It seems even participating in ICAS Maths can get you some points under A for LEAPS. But I am not sure what is the criteria, eg, how many points a Credit or a Distinction gives you. Everything I share here is extremely new to me too, so please vet what I said. My son has only 2 years left, so I am also checking his CCA points now.

von72:

Hi MintLeaf,


about 3rd language....is it possible if we request to take Higer Ch at sec?? Did your boy took a 3rd language??

Hi Von72,

Initially I was told that if the student can get 70% and above for his Chinese, he will be allowed to move to Higher Chinese in Secondary 2. When he was in Secondary 2, we received a notification that the student required 75% and above for Chinese and overall average (ie, average for all subjects) to read HMT in Secondary 3. I supposed that was because HMT students have to take the Chinese 'O' level paper at the end of Secondary 3.

My son is not doing a third language. If I knew about the implication of Malay as a third language, I would have seriously considered pursuing it, although my original wish 2 years ago was for him to move to a Higher Chinese class. In his cohort, there are 5 people who are doing Malay as a 3rd language. I suspect there were many parents who did not know about the bonus points for JC admission.

skyjuice:

Did anyone look at the Maris Stella Sec 1 time table? Seems 3-4 times a week my son only off school at 5.35pm. Tat's really long hrs. Is this how it's going to be? How can CCA be 3.5hrs?? Would they have lots of homework too?


I had already signed my son up for chinese class on Wed 7pm, thinking that would be the safest time not to clash with school times. But now I see his CCA only ends at 5.35pm! He'll barely have time to make it home, bathe and have dinner before rushing off to class!! Tat sounds so torturing!

Hi Skyjuice,
Only one CCA is required. Did he sign up for more than one? Generally they end at 1:50 pm. Sometimes they get to go off at 1:20 pm. This is only for lower secondary. The school also starts slightly later than other schools. Nan Hua, for example, ends at 14:30 every day.

The timetable runs over 2 weeks, so Day 6-10 means Mon-Fri on the even weeks. When CCA is blocked on the timetable, it does not mean your son will definitely have CCA that day. It depends on what CCA he has chosen and the corresponding arrangement.

von72:

Hi Mintleaf,


really appreciate your valuable advice. My son is in Maris Stella too, Sec 1, taking normal chinese too. I will sure get a copy of the ch textbook later at popular. Need to brush up his ch abit, been out of touch since PSLE.

We've been quiet confuse with the CCA and LEAPS systems too....i was having Archery in mind for my son and with your suggestion, will definately go learn more on the coming CCA Maze. A pity that they do not have fencing, cos my boy been taking it outside school for 3 years and i'm contemplating whether to stop as i worry he might be too stretch....u think??

Oh well, as we speak, my son is off for their Sec 1 3D2N camp, hope he enjoy the experience and get to know more friends.

Thanks for sharing.....

Hi Von72,

You are welcome. Yes, it's a pity Maris Stella does not have fencing. If your son enjoys fencing, it could turn out to be a stress relief for him if he continues. I must admit Secondary school is stressful. However, for Sec 1, let them bump around a bit. To be promoted to Sec 2, the child needs a pass in English and an overall average of 50% and above. You want to practise in Sec 1 and go for it in Sec 2, as streaming depends solely on Sec 2 results.

The school has put some programs in place for all the students to help them achieve the CCA points. But I am still not sure how to compute and where my son stands. Yesterday, my son found out he could check his CCA point status at the General Office. He has yet to make the enquiry at the GO.

I have the impression that annual camps is a Marist tradition dating back more than 20 years. They generally survive well for the Sec 1 camp. At Sec 2, they are not really crazy about going for camp before the fact, but seem to conclude they enjoyed it much more than the Sec 1 camp after the fact. You must miss your son. I did too when he was in Sec 1. Time flies and he will be back soon. Just pray that the weather will be kind to them.

Do you know that if the child takes Malay as a third language, he gets 2 bonus points for JC admission if he passes it at 'O' level? I didn't know about this 2 years ago. This could be a way to work around the lack of HMT advantage, but again, it may tax the kid too much. I understand the 3rd language classes only start next week, so it should still be possible to request to be admitted now. fyi.