phtthp:

new Principal for Jiemin, from Xinmin primary (# 35)

http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/files/2013/10/annex-a-appreciation-appointment-ceremony-principals-2013.pdf

Thanks for the information phtthp! I was still wondering who will be heading the school when my child told me that there will be a change.

Chongfu top score - 273. A friend with a child in Chongfu confirmed it.

Thanks.

Hi! Fyi, Jiemin Primary 271 & thank you for compiling

Hi mitr_sg,

mitr_sg:

Hi, pinkixora

I have visited the school my self and spoke to the admin manager. Here are my impressions:

1) The facilities and environment seems all right to me.

2) The teacher is helpful, as there are few teachers asking me if I need help when I was outside of the door of general office.

Glad that you have some good experiences while visiting the school

There are two things I need your help:

1) How is the principle? I heard she or he has been in the school for about 5 years. Generally speaking, school principle will change every 5 - 7 years. Will the school continue to be on the uptrend or standard is maintained when the principle is changed? I know it is hard to answer such question, however I just need some insight from you in terms of school culture and standard. It may help me to judge whether it is sustainable.

The principal started there around 2007. There seemed to be an uptrend in both results & quality of school standard (from what I can see lah...). However, I still think that the result, especially PSLE, depends on the cohort of student for the year & the teachers-in-charge. So far, I didn't hear any news about changes in principal...will go kpo around and let you know if I can find out anything...

2) There was an incident happened in Mar or Apr year 2010. A male teacher has punished the student in school where many parents sent in complains againist such behaviour. I know generally teachers in school must be caring and know how to educate kids in the right way. I understand his intention might be good, but in a way that might demoralize the kids. Can you tell me more about the incident? and how school will ensure such incident will not happen again?

I can't tell you much about the mentioned incident though I think I have heard about it. Sometimes if these incidents do not happen to be in your own kid's class, you may not know fully about them.

I am not siding the teachers, but if you have volunteered your service in school (which I did) to help teachers in events, excursions or learning journeys outside school, you will get to understand the plight of teachers. Dealing with around 30-40 kids (no matter P1 or P6) per class is really tiring, sometimes even daunting (especially with the P6s).

My youngest son also told me that he does not like his teacher for passing remarks that seem to be \"suan\" his class comparing them with her previous cohort. I simply tell him that the remark is not pinpointed at him directly but as a class, so if his behaviour and results are good, there should not be any hard feelings about it. I tend to tell my kids more on how to control their own reactions than to be bothered by unkind remarks. Unless things get physical...then I will step in.

So far, from what I know, the counselling sessions in school seem to work well for the kids, maybe the teachers too.

I am comparing the two schools:
1) Jiemin at Yishun
2) Zhong hua at Serangoon.

Both schools are similar in terms of environment and potential. It is just that Zhong Hua seems to be up on its acadamic results. But I also heard Jiemin is on the up trend in terms of student quality as well as it acadamic result.

Both being equal or similar, I will then consider distance. I am a stay-at-home-mum, so sending and picking them from school for supplementary classes, prefect meetings, CCAs, enrichment classes or even project work, is not too much a problem for me. But if distance is a factor, then the child will probably have to stay back longer hours in school because it is not possible to go back & forth. Also, in the morning the child will have to wake up much earlier & be home much later (especially in school bus).

CCA wise, I think modern Jazz seems a good fit for my daughter.

Thank you.

Hoped I have helped....Good luck & cheers!

Modern Jazz? that is good. My girl like music, that may encourage her to take up another instrument.


May I know how to make kids a prefect? girl can also do it?[/quote]

It's Modern Jazz Dance, they even went Hong Kong to perform at Disneyland last year.
Prefects are chosen by teachers at P3 to be trainee for a year. In P4 they will become a full pledged prefect. All pupils will have the chance

mitr_sg:

Hi, pinkixora


Thanks for the information and reply.

Yes, I share the same thoughts with you. By checking with many schools and parents, almost all of them told me the same thing. Parent support is the key factor that decides the kids performance. I have heard kids in ACS score PSLE 230, whereas kids in Jiemin, northview, and navel base score PSLE 260. Hence, I have highlighted that I will support my kids with good enrichment program if I feel those from School is not enough or not the type that my kids like.

Of course, it is really because of parents, who want more assurance in kids development as good school tends to have a good system to achieve that. It is also a face issue for parents as well.

For Jiemin, I have seen the school. May I know more about its strength, such as CCA etc... Northland is strong in chess. What's the key strength for Jiemin?

Thanks.

Hi mitr_sg,

Jiemin is good in Angklung Ensemble, they have been getting Gold or Silver in SYF. Modern Jazz is picking up too.
If you are looking at the CCA for the whole level, no, they do not have that. Eg, I understand that in Chongfu for P1, girls take up Chinese dance while boys learn Wushu.
My boys are prefects, thus they will have some leadership training every year which I think they enjoyed and learned something from it.
The rest of the CCA I am not quite sure :scratchhead:

Frankly, everyday is so tied-up just trying to catch up with homework, coming spellings, tests or exam, attending supplementary classes or any other enrichment classes that the school has arranged. There is also learning journey, project work, and our own outside courses (e.g piano, etc..), it can be really tiring for my children. So I seriously admire those who are in brand-name school as I think it will be even tougher. Don't get me wrong, not being sour or to discourage you, it is just my thought.

You can make an arrangement with Jiemin to speak to the Principal if you wish, then you probably can get a better idea about the school.

zoan:

Hi like to check with u, have u receive the enrollment forms for the sibling going pri 1 next year?

Yes, I think just recently I have returned the form.

mitr_sg:

Hi, All


I am also new here. My daughter is due for P1 registration in 2013. I am looking around for school in Yishun area for her. It looks northland is very competitive. I am staying with 1km, but still need to go for balloting. How is Jieming primary school? In terms of facilities, environment, teacher's attitude etc...?

My aim is not to put my daughter in a top school, but an environment that can give her confidence and comfort to grow. I will supplement her growth with some enrichment programs.

Looking forward to the advise from you all soon.

Hi mitr_sg!
If you are staying in Yishun, I am sure you will know that Northland & Chong Fu are difficult to get in. Unless you are staying near the schools or join in as parent volunteer to enhance your chance.

Jiemin Pri is just another neighbourhood school. If you are expecting high standard of academic achievements & rich areas of enrichment...(like brand name schools)..that will be difficult.

But the school does have their own areas of niche eg. angklung, dance, pretty good in Science, they have strict discipline, and the best thing I like is that they treat all students equal - in terms of supplementary or enrichment classes, materials, accessibility to resources. I have heard of complaints from friends whose kids are in good school (but not in top 2 classes) are not provided supplementary or enrichment classes...
Teachers in Jiemin, there are good & passionate ones but also some who are more lax (isn't most schools the same?)

Another area to consider is the ability of the child (and probably yourself) to cope if enroll into a \"better\" school. Competition will be tougher & it depends on the character of the child if he/she can take it as well, otherwise, it can be quite demoralizing.

My first two kids have graduated from Jiemin. One is now in CHIJ St Nicholas & the other was in Anderson Sec & now in VJC. Though they are not in top school like RI, RGS or HCI, but graduating from Jiemin also enable them to do reasonably well subsequently.

Primary school is only the beginning...ultimately it depends on the child & the support parents give as well and it is still a long way to go.....

Cheers!

Hi! pinkixora here reporting....a very quiet thread though.

Just found my way here by \"accident\" since i have a little more time now...

An intro of myself - i am a mummy of 3 kids all from Jiemin.
2 have already graduated.

Hope to be able to chat & exchange ideas with various mummies too!
Cheers!

Hi! I have 3 kids, 8, 11 & 15.

A SAHM for the last hmm… 9 yrs…
My life only revolves ard them…until this yr when i find tht i can sort of "breathe" and relax a little.
No tuition for them in primary sch, only enrichment like piano, holiday prog.
Budget - single income, so gotta learn to manage lor.
Sleep time - only the eldest get to sleep later, the other two will hv to be in bed by 9.30 or 10pm.

Have been trying to manage without a maid since 2004, for me, the initial years are really tough…