kyoho_grapej\" post_id=\"2026004\" time=\"1622633125\" user_id=\"191927:
Eureka16\" post_id=\"2017957\" time=\"1616126481\" user_id=\"190795:[quote=kyoho_grapej post_id=2017826 time=1615985732 user_id=191927]
Hi, I'm not a parent but currently a student in LA so maybe I could provide some in-depth info.
Personally, I would say that Literary Arts doesn't really have any special requirements, but I would encourage anyone to really try if they have a passion for writing in different genres and forms!! When I was in Yr 1, we did short-fiction, playwriting and poetry so maybe prepare your child for some of that? Not sure though, as I think a lot of my peers didn't really prepare for things such as playwriting. Your child could try to write some poetry, though it may be hard. It's up to them though!
As for the school hours, I would say LA doesn't really have any extra required hours as compared to art forms such as dance or music. The usual latest time for LA students if they're not required to stay back for extra things should be around 5.25 pm for Yr 1-3, though I'm not sure for the upper years.
Under LA, I feel that there are some chances to explore art forms such as theatre and VA. As I mentioned previously, if the syllabus for LA doesn't change, they will do a module for playwriting in Yr 1 and a module for a One-shot graphic novel/ Opening chap graphic novel in Yr2 (though this one may change slightly as it did for my year). If you are concerned if your child won't be exposed enough to the other art forms, however, there is a mandatory thing called IA (Integrated Arts) which take place every week in Yr 1 and 2, (at least in my year they did).
For LA, I don't think tuition is needed. At least I don't think anyone in my year goes for LA tuition? Plus LA is kind of different from usual creative writing things so there isn't really tuition for that in the first place.
Regarding no CCA, SOTA has its own version of it (kinda) which is known as CAS. CAS includes a range of activities that may not be commonly seen in other sec schools and is also largely student-run. CAS is not mandatory for Yrs 1-4 (I think) but students are free to join any that they are interested in. In SOTA, there is PE. It's just called EXE. SOTA is basically like any sec school, with the standard subjects. The main difference would be your art form and some other things but the usual subjects are still taught.
For SOTA, extra points from HMT are not needed. There is only HCL in SOTA currently, though CL students in Yr 2 have a choice to take HCL in Yr 3 if they meet certain requirements. As for Yr 1 and 2, the teachers ultimately decide whether to place your child in HCL or just CL.
Hope this helped!
Dear student,
Thank you so much for your insight. Very helpful indeed.
I asked tuition not exclusively for LA but for generally all subjects taught there. If the subjects too tough to handle as I have no clue abt IB program. 
May i know what type of CAS available for students at the moment?
Hows the culture of SOTA?
Helpful teachers? Supportive environment?
Thanks again for your sharing. Hope to hear more abt SOTA.
Hi again, sorry for the misunderstanding and getting back so late.
1.
Tuition and Subjects : This is based mainly on personal experience and from some friends but generally, I think you don't need tuition for subjects in Yr 1 and 2 and they're generally quite simple (?) at least when you get it. Eg. math and MTL. I think mainly you just need to focus in class and ask the teacher questions to clarify things Ahah. (I'm sure teachers will also be open for any consult if students need some explaining, so that's also an option, but don't schedule one a day before an exam or smt as that's quite last minute.) Yr 1 and 2 math mostly follows the standard syllabus I think.
In Yr 3, subjects like math will get harder (or maybe I'm just bad at math) and it's hard to get used to also as you'll have to learn how to use a GDC but once again, to learn the GDC you must pay attention in class and feel free to ask teachers for help and consults. I don't think you really need tuition as Yr 3 maths does start to get a little different from standard as it's a mix of A math and E math, at least that's what I heard from my teacher. I think for the other subjects, like the sciences, ELCT, MTL, Geog/History I don't think you need tuition. For the sciences, it depends but for the others I really don't think so.
Just a side note but in SOTA students do get quite a few assignments, submissions, and Art Form stuff, especially Yr 3 on so many students don't really have much free time.
2.
CAS : There's quite a few CAS s but I'm not exactly sure which CAS will still be around as many change every year. For sports the ones I remember are : Tchoukball (which Yr 1s used to learn before the whole COVID situation), Floorball (I think? I remember this being around in 2019 ish but I'm not sure if it's still around), Netball (for girls), Badminton, Frisbee, I can't really remember others, sorry!
For non-sports: Music Theory CAS? (it's like a CAS to help music students but I think others were free to join as well? My friends said it helped you understand music theory but I'm not sure if it's still around anymore), there's some sort of Bio CAS (where they can help tutor you in Bio/crash courses in Bio), Chemistry CAS (help with Chemistry), Landscapes CAS, Just Dance CAS (but only for the Yr 5s and 6s), MUN, Debate, Syncopella (which is an acapella CAS), I can't remember others but as you can see, there are quite a few, interesting(?) ones, though I don't know if they're open for sign-ups. Usually, you'll get an email about them if they are though and some need auditions (i.e Syncopella) / try-outs (i.e Tchoukball) before getting in.
Culture, teachers, environment SOTA...culture??? I'm not actually sure if SOTA even has some sort of culture so unfortunately, I can't answer you in that area. As for the teachers, I'd say most teachers in SOTA are friendly and helpful, though sometimes it feels like a lucky draw when there's a teacher you or people in other classes don't know/ haven't been taught before by that teacher ahahah. I would say the environment is fine, it can be stressful at times, but after everything's out of the way it's very fun and lax (?). The environment is supportive I think, the teachers are willing to have consults and the school counsellor is quite accessible(?). Students do encourage each other also, and it's very nice to finally finish something and not see it for a while.
To sum it up, SOTA is fun (in some ways) and many events like CNY/NDP etc. are organised by the students (kind of) and are very very enjoyable and entertaining.
Hope this helped aaa :salute:[/quote]A million thanks. It helped me too.
I wish you success in all your endeavors.