My child is currently studying in Maris Stella. There have been some changes in school, i.e. admin personnel, one or two teachers, change of caterer. Thanks to all feedbacks, the kindergarten was refurbished last year, fence was painted this year, grills had been installed, and changes are on-going.

There are spelling in both English and Chinese languages in K2, computer classes for K1 and K2 (not sure about nursery), both Chinese and English language enrichment lessons, sports ball camp, doing science experiments in Chinese Language. What I love about the school is there is no air-conditioning, fresh air is better than air-conditioning.
When I pick a pre-school, I check a handful of kindergartens for academic performances, hygiene and safety, meals and transportation, school fees and enrichment classes etc. . But above all, I prefer nobody to push or order my child to write or study. Cultivating a desire to learn, read and write as a lifelong learning skill for future academic achievement is a mission I am working towards. My mission starts from home because home is a loving and relaxing environment. My child once commented, \"I don't know that doing homework is so much fun.\" It was both of us doing homework at home. This is not trying to advocate home schooling, but rather to bring to everyone's common senses that we choose so much that we forget how powerful and important we are as the magician to make our children love studying (base on the assumption that parents are not illiterate).
Usually, I ask my child whether teachers always rush students to do everything, there is no comment. I was told that some student is unable to follow simple instruction (either playful or really slow), so teacher has to rush them, but it was not my child. I wouldn’t rush my child to learn just like maids being ordered to do house works. Kids dislike learning if they foresee more and more learning, they get burn out and depress, or afraid to lose, or turn selfish and competitive. My child is assured that I love to learn with her at home, but if she prefers to learn with her friends, it’s all up to her.

kaitlynangelica:

octbride:

Title: Any feedback on Maris Stella Kindergarten


Any feedback on maris stella kindergarten? Will students from maris stella be able to cope well academically when they go into P1?

Octbride, my friend who sends her daughter there just called me to complain. Apparently the teacher punished her daughter for being too talkative in class by locking her in the class when the other children when for chinese lessons which are apparenly held in another classroom.

Another friend who's daughter used to go there got terrified after the teacher threatened to brush her teeth with a metal toothbrush. I can't remember what it was for.

Also, what I heard is the parents are not given proper information on what the kids are doing in school. So I don't think it will prepare the child well for p1.

My child is in K2 in year 2013. I actually transferred him from antoher Christian Church Kindergarten to Maris Stella Kindergarten. I like Church and Catholic kindergarten because they teach good values from young, though I am a Buddhist.

My child was not scolded once by any teachers, but he noticed that one or two friends did not follow teacher's rules in class. Occaionally a teacher might scare the kid if s/he is mischevious at times. It mean no harm, kids take time to change and learn rules. As parents, we must excercise our judgement. Luckily my son has yet to complain that his teacher threatened him, so far so good!

Chope:

octbride:

Title: Any feedback on Maris Stella Kindergarten


Any feedback on maris stella kindergarten? Will students from maris stella be able to cope well academically when they go into P1?

My daughter has been in MS since Nursery, she's in K2 now. From my observations, even though they've an excellent caring & loving teaching staff and beautiful spacious open environment, they seem to be lacking in the academic front.

My daughter has NEVER had any spelling tests or ting xie (even now, her 2nd month into K2), unlike her peers in other more academically driven pre-schools. Whether that's good/bad, is very subjective, I guess. My daughter really ENJOYS going to school though.

So, unfortunatley, that's my EXACT same concerns too! Wish someone can give me a definite answer...

My child is in K2 now. The school now tests K2 students on spelling and Hanyu Pingyin lessons for K2 students, it has started for sometime.