peter-k:

It is mostly the form teacher who will respond to you. All of the form teachers so far had been very responsive, even after school or sometimes over week-ends.


75 % of the interactions however simply are instructions about what you should do or practice with your child. IF all the responses or actions are up to our \"western\" style? Probably that is more often not so. Keep in mind this is still a far more non- individual approach.

One time my son had too much homework for a a couple of days in a row. I contacted the form teacher (terrible word, isn't it?). Her response was: Well, children A, B, and C completed their homework, so it is do-able. My son completed things but he sat partially until 11 pm. In P2! That kind of approach is what I mean. I don't do that again. Enough is enough, then he will go without completed HW. Anyways, to put up certain demands is basically good, these little critters can do much more than we in Germany think.

There are many kids who visit head-start classes during the school holidays, and/or accompanying tuition classes. They score 95 - 100 %. The entire system encourages that, and for the teachers these kids are easy. My son belongs to the better 1/3, but without extra classes or any of the so called head-start lessons or camps. For me a score of 85 % from out yourself is better than a \"drilled\" 100 %. I get this point confirmed every day, because sometimes the kids replicate trained answers without really knowing what it means, as opposed to really inheriting knowledge.

Thanks Peter.
My son is going to BTPS for p1 next year.. what time does the sch starts and ends?

janet88:

so have you parents received sms yet? hope everything turns out well.

Yes... i received good news and i can have a peace of mind now.. hope the rest of you will receive good news too... all the best

floppy:

zac's mum:

Those who managed to secure a place in your 2CS school, congrats! You can finally relax and go celebrate this weekend.


Those who be undergoing balloting, good luck for your SMS result on 21 August!

I do not know if MOE will update the schools with vacancies left (and exactly how many seats left) on 21 August. But if anyone needs the calculation in order to make their 3 choices, just shoot me a request here. I have the records.

Based on the list of https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/primary-one-registration/vacancies, and schools%20that%20require%20balloting%20as%20at%2016%20August%202018, it's hard to invalidate MOE's claim that there are more than enough places to go around (for SCs at least).

While it may not be everyone's favourite school, or a stone throw away, the schools with vacancies left at the end of Phase 2CS are dotted around the island and, apart from Bukit Timah (which I have no sympathy - given that BTPS is balloting for SC > 2km, I assume that there are other alternatives that applicants are not considering), found in nearly every estate (i.e. should still be within 2km for most people).

Ok so BTPS is balloting for >2km... that means those within 1-2km is successful?

peter-k:

Class sizes: I believe BTPS tries keeping the class sizes around 30 all through the years.

Off-Days: Yes. Too much of that.
Parent Pressure / Competition: A lot lesser than other local schools so I think. In fact there is not too much inter-parent exchange in general. The school takes effort to keep the results of the friends low profile. Which I think is the wrong thing, but the other way around.
Class fluctuation: No, not much. There is a big wave of \"refugees\" after P2, when the school reshuffles classes anyway. Otherwise it's a quite stabil environment.

The German (western) approach and the Singapore approach are different. Even though the government is consistently pushing for change, learning is still much more test result oriented. Though schools did improve already. From my wife's school tales I can vividly imagine how it was in the past. The kids are more trimmed to give the correct textbook reply to pre-configured standard questions, while in Germany you'd hear more \"own\" answers. Which probably plays a role why they do better at structured tests such as Pisa.

The first 2 - 3 years are very much centered around the core subjects Maths, English and Mother Tongue, and not much else. I consider this as a big draw back. In project work you may notice the kids work looking somewhat similar, while in Germany you'd see a lot variety. Taken the relatively high number of school hours every day into consideration, the results are not always that \"efficient\". However what many western people who I know think, that kids are being brainwashed here is wrong. I do not want to elaborate further, it simply is BS, for primary school I can say that.

BTPS is by far not the ideal school, and I am sometimes even angry. There are many smaller things that can make a sea. There is a wide gap in between not good and very good teachers. Most of the \"bad\" teachers in German schools do still comply to a certain teaching standard. My son did have some bad teachers, people who probably should not be in that line. It is far far more important which form teacher your child will have, than which local school he is in. Singapore parents overrate the school \"brand\", an unsuitable approach. A school is not a company and a kid is not a product that needs a brand. As well, because you wrote about that, you will get everything but a playful environment that teaches loads of soft skills. They try, but . . .

We are involved in a lot of my sons homework. I do help him with Maths, most of English, Science, and my wife does Chinese. If you both are working it means relying on 3. party classes. I am self-employed and can make the time. One day will come and my knowledge will not suffice anymore.

However despite of all this, I am a firm believer that if I want to stay in Singapore we are doing better with my child and me adopting to what is life here. That includes the school system, having local friends, and trying to overcome the shortcomings for the benefit of better integration. It is as well positive for the Singapore social environment which we do live in, if we all build the united colours of benetton (so to say). If I planned returning to EU in 2 - 3 years however, I may choose an international school.

Another point. If you organize your child's education on basis of private education systems, after he's ready you have probably spend the good of SGD 500,000. I did ask myself: Is that +really+ worth it? My personal answer is no. If for example I simply gave him the 500 k after he has finished, he could found his own company. If he comes from private education he has a number of certificates only.

Hi peter,
Thank you for the detailed info. Btw i would like to know how was the teachers there?
Are they attentive enough toward the kids? Are communicating well with the parents?

zac's mum:

Naaaiaa:

So it’s a no for me. Mine was unsuccessful at phase 2C and will have to re register at 2CS.. I’m in bukit batok, register at keming but was unsuccessful and the only sch left is bukit view pri the nearest which i am not really keen in.. any parents have kids in bukit view primary? Need feedbacks on this sch..

https://s33.postimg.cc/ckdtaui8f/F209_C889-65_C8-4_B74-9_E0_F-7_D2_F7_CD944_C9.png\">
I went to Bukit View’s website and found this. The temporary relocation to Jurong East will be inconvenient for you.

Why don’t you choose Lianhua Primary, which has 112 vacancies and is not too far from you? Have a look at their website, you can see the activities which the kids do: http://lianhuapri.moe.edu.sg/whats-up-at-lh

The other school (Dazhong Primary with 114 vacancies) is located nearer to Bukit Gombak, which I assume is too far away for you.

Huhu.. Lianhua is quite far too... the next option for me is bukit timah primary.. not sure how this school is doing.. cant find much review on this school too

So it’s a no for me. Mine was unsuccessful at phase 2C and will have to re register at 2CS… I’m in bukit batok, register at keming but was unsuccessful and the only sch left is bukit view pri the nearest which i am not really keen in… any parents have kids in bukit view primary? Need feedbacks on this sch…

We can register the 2nd time at the same school??

H… is there any parents that can share feedbacks on bukit view primary please?

H… is there any parents that can share feedbacks on bukit view primary please?