https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/i-flunked-the-ip

It seems the promotional criteria has recently been amended. It used to be B4 in Sec 4 to be exempted fr HCI in JC.


For Language, I wonder if it’s also considered in the MSG or separate?

Thank you Always21 I will remind him to read!

doodbug:

My DS has a group of friends (classmates); they do up notes and share notes with each other. It's not a formal arrangement or anything. The kids are IT savvy. From what my son says, it is not uncommon in HCI that boys get together and support each other in studies. My son's friends are encouraging. Each of them is strong in different areas - and they help each other out. Very few kids ace every single subject.


I don't know what the quality of my son's HCL teacher is - he hasn't complained about her. As far as I can tell, many teachers are very approachable. They respond to kids' whatsapp or email queries very quickly.

Does anyone here know how to get EOY exemptions?

That’s fantastic! Very good initiative I don’t think my DS has such a study group. When I asked him if his classmates could help he always says they themselves are too busy to help :slapshead:
Your Son is blessed!

myteapot:

Hihi newcomer77


For languages, I feel the only way to master it is to read and read and read. Have you tried getting your son to read more Chinese books and novels? Earlier in the year, the school has asked them to subscribe to some Chinese books and magazines, which I thought will make very suitable reading for Sec Ones. The book comprise of short stories and will be easier reading for our kids. My DD1 started reading Chinese novels after the PSLE, and as she reads more, she developed an interest in the subject and now she only reads Chinese novels. I am trying to get DS2 to do the same, and hopefully he will develop an interest and be confident of the subject.

I agree that teachers are very important to spur the child's interest in the subject. For this, I am very thankful that DS has a very nurturing Chinese teacher, to the point that it has become his favorite lesson in class now. Perhaps you can speak with your son's Chinese teacher. I am sure the school will be willing to work with you.

Thank you for your encouragement
Yes I did encourage him to read he did try but I think it’s not sufficient. Chinese is a language that one must put heart and efforts into it but I think he hasn’t find the interest yet. Your DS is blessed to get a good nurturing HCL teacher I think it makes a lot of difference!

doodbug:

Hi newcomer77


My Sec 1 DS also failed the recent HCL common test. There are academic consultations, so I hear, that are pretty useful. My son also did not take HCL and he is from a non-SAP mission primary school. However this is really not an excuse - the top boy in his class for HCL is not even a Chinese, and also from a mission school. Although my son failed, I don't think it is the school's fault - they actually seem to have integrated Chinese in a very tasteful way (in my opinion), with drama and all that. In my son's case, its really lack of exposure to the language, and even though he is studying hard for it, he simply hasn't reached the standard. I did not speak or get in touch with his Chinese teacher, yet. Haha (running away from reality).

How is your son faring for other subjects? If by and large he is scoring As in other subjects, I think perhaps the situation isn't that dire? Also, I find the peer support very good - his study group makes good notes.

I was from a SAP school myself and failed HCL a few times in school. Eventually, we all scored A1s for the national exams. I guess we have to encourage our sons to press on (it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel now, admittedly).

It’s good to hear that your DS is enjoying school and getting the support he needs from teachers and peers. May I know what study group and peer support you were referring to? I don’t think my DS ever mention this. I only know they have project group.

Hi hi


Wonder anyone has tips on coping with higher Chinese in Sec 1 (My DS did not study HCL in p6)? He didn’t just do badly he failed the subject. What concerns me is that his Chinese teacher does not seem bothered. Sorry but am I the only one that feels the teachers in HCI doesn’t really care about the students whether they are coping or not... I was shocked when the teacher mentioned if really can’t make it can go SIP. It’s only the first year and such statement doesn’t sound very encouraging :gloomy:

I thought it’s supposed to be an environment that will help spur his interest in Chinese language but sadly I can tell he still has not pick up the interest. With this kind of results, he is even more discouraged now.

I have an elder Son from another IP sch and the Teachers there would make efforts to always keeping in touch with parents. All the subjects Teachers are extremely caring and will meet with us to keep us updated on his progress. But over here they seems to expect students to go find Teachers if they miss classes or don’t understand the topic but they will not go after them...I have not met any of the subject Teachers except one (not form teacher) during the parent student forum.

I was hoping the Teachers here are more supportive having heard so much good stuff during the open house.

Any advices?

:nailbite:

Hi hi


Wonder anyone has tips on coping with higher Chinese? My DS did not study HCL in p6. He didn’t just do badly he failed the subject. What concerns me is that his Chinese teacher does not seem worried. Sorry but am I the only one that feels the teachers in HCI doesn’t really care about the students whether they are coping or not... I was shocked when the teacher mentioned if really can’t make it can go SIP. It’s only the first year and the teacher was not very encouraging :gloomy:

I thought it’s supposed to be an environment that will help spur his interest in Chinese language but sadly I can tell he hates it even more now.

I am making a comparison here because I have another elder Son from another IP sch and the Teachers there were always keeping in touch with parents, caring and made efforts to keep us updated on his progress. :nailbite:

AppleCrumble:

newcomer77:

Just wonder any parents are starting to have any thoughts about post PSLE vs DSA school choice....

The general feeling of this year PSLE seems harder. On top of this, my DS fell sick the night before Science paper and did not complete the paper :faint:
My DS got offered 1 WL and 1CO. But now after the PSLE, felt he didn't have the confidence he will meet the COP (his goal) of any of these schools. In fact he gauge it may be 20-30 points below the COP :lightrod: He is beginning to feel bad about going to these schools with a lower than norm COP. And contemplating to drop DSA or opt for one that is not too far from the COP even though it's not his preferred choice. :siam:
Even though the option for DSA is already there and so he need not depend on just 1 PSLE exam.
He did well Ok for prelim (2A* 1A 1B) but have no confidence to do as well in PSLE now after all's over. He thinks he will get worse than prelims.

Since this is a DSA forum, I am wondering what are most parents thoughts after psle vs DSA and what will you do if you are in my shoes. :imdrowning:

PSLE is just a snapshot of your DS' learning journey. It should not be a gauge of his overall ability. Since 2 schools are willing to offer him a CO and WL, this means he is good enough to join the school.

In any case, I have personally come across of kids who did very well in PSLE (t-score > 250) struggling in secondary school. It all has to do with if one is willing to continue to work hard and learn.

You may be wondering why these kids are struggling in secondary school. My guess is that they have not adapt and grow into the new learning environment in secondary school, which is very different from primary school. My DS (in secondary school now) suggested that it could be that many of them who are struggling were totally burnt-out after PSLE and slack in secondary school. Others could be not used to being independent in their learning as many had loads of tuition in primary school. Now with a much heavier curriculum in secondary school (due to longer school hours, compulsory CCA), time set aside for tuition is very limited.

One chapter of your DS' learning journey has closed. He should learn to look ahead and continue on a new journey. Do not let one exam set him back on achieving his dreams.

Very true indeed. I really think by the time my DS set for PSLE he is almost burned out. He peaked and did well in prelims though but fell ill during midway through PSLE. But IP program has many tests and exams but no national exam till year 6. Maybe it’s also better for people who are not too exam smart but consistent in their work?!

slmkhoo:

The basic question you should ask is whether your assessment of your son, and his own of himself, is still valid, quite apart from PSLE scores. Presumably you chose the schools he applied to through DSA having assessed that he is able to thrive in that environment and keep up with the standards. Whatever his PSLE score, that will not have changed. As others have pointed out, PSLE scores are not the best or only measure of ability. There are students with lower PSLE scores who do well in sec school while others with higher PSLE scores do worse, so you should not base your decision solely on PSLE performance.

Agree. Most of the IP schools mentioned that as Long as it’s around 240 range they should be able to “survive”... any parents have experience?