With her 24+, what was her first choice? If it is close to the COP then no harm trying to appeal.

You should have an idea of what the 2nd choice Sch is before putting it as your 2nd choice. Anyway, after this morning reporting to NCHS, what your view of the Sch?

TKL has all the while stated his intention to run for EP. My take is that he use the mini bond saga to set the stage for Singaporeans to know him ‘better’. He has his own agenda. To me, he suddendly became quite vocal after he ‘left’ INCOME after 30 years! Not my choice.

GY may be popular but PAP linked. So, many don’t like it. Hope he won’t run, not sure if he can get over it if he gets defeated.
TCB, best choice among the 3 at the moment. Has a mind of his own.
Maybe, government may soon introduce the former Speaker of Parliament. That’s why he quit and did not stand for GE 2011. Time for a Malay EP. Jaya is out as just had an Indian EP. Looks like it will be quite hotly contested.

A lot has been spoken and written on Edusave Merit Bursury award. Many of our kids qualified for this award but because of family income exceeding $4000, so cannot apply.


Back in Jan 2006, I wrote in to the ST forum since my DS qualified for the first time in P1(2005) then. He was happy that he has made it but of no fault of his, he is not entitled to received the cash award. The income ceiling was then $3000.

I can understand that since it is a bursury and not a scholarship, income factor has to be considered. My argument is that at least there should be a token sum OR book voucher to encourage the kid. The CCC did organise a certificate presentation ceremory with the MP gaving away the certificates. I fully appreciate the efforts put in by the CCC and the MP.
However, after the 2006 GE this MP was asked to stand in another GRC and in came this lady MP and this ceremory was then scrapped. (maybe cost cutting measure). Since then, if my DS received the letter, then I can be sure that he is in the top 25% of the school’s cohort, as parents,will reward my DS in our own way. Government should review this and fine tune it so that all kids who qualify can gain some recognition and incentives.

Then this year in P6, his classmate was awarded the Edusave Scholarship. It must have been based on the Prelims results as my DS T-score was higher than his in the PSLE. I felt that the PSLE result should be used as the benchmark for this scholarship since this is the national exam.

COP 2010 for NCHS is 234

COP 2010 for NCHS is 234.

The COP for NSHS last year was 231. Your son’s score of 244 is so called ‘way above’ last year’s COP. It may seems that it is ‘waste’ to opt for NCHS as 1st choice but ultimately besides your son liking for the school and may also be partially influenced by his peers, you must also have your own reasons for agreeing with his option. As long as you know what your own reasons are, (i.e. SAP in 2012 and band 1 school) you would have made the right choice for your son.

I had the same dilemma as you, my son scored 241 and I also opted NCHS as 1st choice. We have been to the open house, attended the briefing, toured the school and also spoken to a lot of other more ecperienced parents and we feel that there is a lot more than just meeting the COP. You have to look at the school’s initiatives, directions, character building programme, etc…Obviously, you can say that other ‘good’ schools will also have these. It boils down to your son liking the school and he will need less time to adapt and he will be happy and can concentrate on other areas. If not he will be just dragging his feet every morning to school. surely, this is not something which we as parents wish to see.
For a school whose COP for the past years is around 230, the band 1 achievement definately does not come easy. I beleive with the school going SAP in 2012, everyone in the school will have to work very hard to at least maintain the current status if not better. The incoming Principal will have to ensure this. Let’s hope that we can hear of more good news from the school year after year.

Hi Sweet Cherry


Thank you for your very detailed answers. Will get more info from you if my DS is successful in his application…

The Suday Times article(5/12) on the school was timely. Before submitting the selection, I spoke to many more experienced parents and seek their views as I was contemplationg choosing XMS as first choice as well since his marks qualifies. Finally, decided on NCHS as I felt the school could achieve evenmore in the years to come and I want my DS to know more of the Chinese roots and culture.

Cheers!

Hi Sweet Cherry


Great to know that your DS is in NCHS and in Sec 2 next year.
Would like to know the following:
1) are the teachers always pushing the students to the limits like giving lots of homework, projects…etc?
2) Discipline and character building
3) Chinese standard very high? so call a school with Chinese roots
3) shortest journey to school from hougang ave 1. Have service 87, ends at the interchange. Need to walk about 10 mins to reach school. What other alternative service available? Someone told me to change bus at hougang central and take 161 and another one told me to alight just before the interchange and cross over to take 372.

Any parents of NCHS would like to share about their childrens’ school life? I selected this school as 1st choice for my DS with a PSLE score of 241 mainly because of the school’s ever improving grades and designated as SAP from Jan 2012. I believe that my DS can benefit from the school’s strong Chinese culture and good character building programme that is in place.

Apology. XinMin top students 266. 2 students