slmkhoo:

A lot depends on where your child has been overseas. If your child has been in a school with many opportunities to do CCA, participate in competitions etc, or gain qualifications which are more recognised by Singapore schools, it may be easier to DSA. The interview is also an unknown quantity, and some kids may not interview well at 12yo! My daughter came from an unknown place, unknown school, and no opportunities to do many of the things that kids in big cities do, so we knew that DSA was a long shot. That's why we decided to try PSLE.


By the way, getting into JC in Singapore is similar to Sec 1 - it's also DSA or SPERS, so the same issues will recur. My older girl took the SPERS-JC/MI when we returned to Singapore, but because she is not a strong student, we put her in MI rather than the JCs (just 2) she was offered. But even though a student may get into a JC, he may not have a free choice if subjects. He will probably have to sit for additional tests depending on the subjects he wants to do (especially for Maths, Sciences, and Lit), and the JC may not allow him to take the subject if they think he is not up to it. So he needs to be prepared to at least the O level standard. And in the top JCs, he may have to do well.

My opinion returning earlier the better than JC.. He is doing IGCSE level 7, he has Keyboard Trinity Level 5 distinction, ART level 5 cert, Tennis 5+ year, Singer in Indian music and top student in his school.. still guess he miss something since he never spent much in singapore.. He has studied in India and Kualalumpur at international schools.. Have to wait and see where he goes via SPERS!.

slmkhoo:

santhana:

Thanks for your reply.. Guess schools prefer PSLE students than abroad returning Singaporean for DSA. Also they do the selection for the sake of instruction giving options..Since I can make him continue abroad worst case, I will try every possible option for his early return. I will share my experience as it may be useful for others planning to return.

I don't think schools \"prefer\" PSLE - when students have a PSLE score, the schools don't have a choice! With PSLE scores, MOE posts students based on the scores and the schools do not \"select\". But with DSA, I expect that schools are more used to a certain profile of student, and they feel more able to compare students with similar backgrounds (ie. Singapore school results, achievements, familiar qualifications in music/dance/academic subjects etc) rather than students with results from unknown schools and education systems. That can't be helped. Even with SPERS results, it's hard to know what exactly a school is looking for as they still have the prerogative to accept or reject a student even if the student has that school on his list of possible schools.

I do agree with you.. I will wait and see what happens!.

For my children both of them got in to our desired IP school via dsa. My son has a very strong cca and very good in one of the subjects. My dd managed to get 2 IP school COs using academic domain then. I have heard many did get into their preferred schools via spers but like what Slmkhoo has mentioned, it is not certain, unless if you have a strong cca back up, you may try to appeal. One of my friends took RGS entrance test and manage to get in, but I think they don't take in many.[/quote]


Thanks for sharing.. Guess DSA becoming tough these days due to recent announcements.. For returning Singaporean as the kids study other curriculum tougher. My DS is strong in Tennis and Maths. Though he cleared initial round via GAT couldn't clear the Interview. I wish he could early settle by SEC1-2 ,else like many parents I may have to bring him only during JC..
:xedfingers:

slmkhoo:

santhana:

Wish to understand whether Sec1 returning singaporean children should opt for


A) DSA conducted by school
B) SPERS and select the school
C) individual school exam for returning singaporean

My daughter was in a similar position in 2011. She was unsuccessful in DSA for the school she wanted. Her background and lack of CCA and competition certs might have been a problem, but we don't really know.

We actually brought her back to Singapore to take the PSLE rather than SPERS as we didn't know much about SPERS then. Even now, I think SPERS is still rather a uncertain quantity - just because the school is on the list given to the child, it doesn't mean he will get a place there. So you might as well go for option C. On the other hand, some schools will not have an option C but ask you to take SPERS anyway. You should just call the schools you are interested in and ask what their preferred option is.

Thanks for your reply.. Guess schools prefer PSLE students than abroad returning Singaporean for DSA. Also they do the selection for the sake of instruction giving options..Since I can make him continue abroad worst case, I will try every possible option for his early return. I will share my experience as it may be useful for others planning to return.

Wish to understand whether Sec1 returning singaporean children should opt for


A) DSA conducted by school
B) SPERS and select the school
C) individual school exam for returning singaporean

My Son wrote DSA and got short listed in some schools but final result not favourable. From forum I understand the seats allocated for returning singaporean is on top of the actual seats available for DSA and S1 posting exercise.

He is talented but I don't want to put him in average school. My opinion he will fit best at IP or Maths Science promoting school. Worst case I may try again during Sec 3 or JC level if I can't get right choice at Sec 1.

Took lot of time bringing him from abroad every time for DSA and GAT exams. But feel rather select individual, school wanted and select option C.. any had experience on the above options please give your inputs please.

Thanks.. :thankyou:

ricvon:

Thanks for info Santhana.

So indeed it is sent in batches.
May i know which day and timeslot did your DS went for the selection camp?

To my knoweldge, the reply is either Successful, Waiting list or Unsuccessful.

If he is keen, can try again after the PSLE results are out. Sometimes there are post PSLE selection as well.

All the best to your DS PSLE.

He is returning singaporean hence am happy he went this far.. will try SPERS exam again...

He is easy going DS so we just try options for him to return.. TKS

SST started sending email… got rejection for my DS… be brave…


All the best for other DS and DD…

Just got SST rejection for my DS… FYI

Estéema:

santhana:

[quote=\"Estéema\"]

:congrats: :rahrah: :celebrate:


Congratulations to all DC who received CO calls today. Rmbr to attend Principal's address this Thurs at 4pm.

More calls might be coming tmr. Hang in there. :xedfingers:

Is there a invite at ACSI for principals address on THU!?.. Guess then all calls over by today,!

Call invite for those on DSA acceptance list.

Still ano possible day tomorrow, but for remaining successful candidates on their list only, whom admin staff hv not yet contacted. ~ Die-hard Optimist speak :xedfingers:[/quote]Thanks. I lost my hope via this option.
All the best for your DC..

Estéema:

:congrats: :rahrah: :celebrate:


Congratulations to all DC who received CO calls today. Rmbr to attend Principal's address this Thurs at 4pm.

More calls might be coming tmr. Hang in there. :xedfingers:

Is there a invite at ACSI for principals address on THU!?.. Guess then all calls over by today,!