Imami:

Hello all! Just an update. My child had gone through the assessment (or entry test) for rfs (k1 programme). The test started off with the examiner asking my kid's name and then she asked my kid to write his name. Next, she tested my kid on the alphabet - she pointed to some letters and asked my kid to read out the name of the letters. She tested no less than 10 letters. If your child can do this, he/she can be enrolled for rfs, starting from module 1 lesson 1.


Next she tested my kid on first sounds of the letters. Both vowels and consonants were tested. Brownie points given when my kid was able to identify the long vowels and short vowels. She tested slightly more than 50% of the alphabet.

Next she moved on the blends. The child must be able to pronounce all the blends. What followed was single syllabus words which comprised of one consonant and a blend eg cat, mat, mop etc.

If the kid could do all the words (about 6-8 words from various word family, total more than 50 words), she would moved to digraphs. And then same thing, the kid would be expected to break the words and sound out the vowels/consonants/blends/digraphs. There are significantly more words to pronounce this time.

For the above, the child needs to show speed and confidence. Any hint of hesitation, the test would stop and the point in which the kid stops, would determine the lesson/module the child would start with.

Clearing all the above at the speed they are looking for means the kid has a solid foundation in phonics. Next the kid would be asked to read a simple reader. This is to gauge how fluent the child can read. This is the final and very good test to see if the child is really good in phonic knowledge. Because all the above tests can be learned and regurgitated. It is only through getting the child to read a reader that he/she has never read before that one can see the real proficiency. My child could read the reader well, but he went blank with words like \" experience\" and \"tremendous\". I don't fault him, even though these are words that he should familiar with. He has already done very well. How do I know? Because the tester said my child could skip a significant chunk of the syllabus.

Finally, the tester would show the parent the syllabus, specially what would be taught in each lesson and I got to give my opinion on how my kid was assessed.

I agreed with the tester 's assessment on my kid's proficiency, strength and weaknesses and most importantly, how much of the rfs modules could he skip.

Hi dear thanks for update.
Could any parents who has gone through the P! Headstart for their child share what the assessment was about
(just like in detail as above)?
Thanks

Imami:

Hello all! Just an update. My child had gone through the assessment (or entry test) for rfs (k1 programme). The test started off with the examiner asking my kid's name and then she asked my kid to write his name. Next, she tested my kid on the alphabet - she pointed to some letters and asked my kid to read out the name of the letters. She tested no less than 10 letters. If your child can do this, he/she can be enrolled for rfs, starting from module 1 lesson 1.


Next she tested my kid on first sounds of the letters. Both vowels and consonants were tested. Brownie points given when my kid was able to identify the long vowels and short vowels. She tested slightly more than 50% of the alphabet.

Next she moved on the blends. The child must be able to pronounce all the blends. What followed was single syllabus words which comprised of one consonant and a blend eg cat, mat, mop etc.

If the kid could do all the words (about 6-8 words from various word family, total more than 50 words), she would moved to digraphs. And then same thing, the kid would be expected to break the words and sound out the vowels/consonants/blends/digraphs. There are significantly more words to pronounce this time.

For the above, the child needs to show speed and confidence. Any hint of hesitation, the test would stop and the point in which the kid stops, would determine the lesson/module the child would start with.

Clearing all the above at the speed they are looking for means the kid has a solid foundation in phonics. Next the kid would be asked to read a simple reader. This is to gauge how fluent the child can read. This is the final and very good test to see if the child is really good in phonic knowledge. Because all the above tests can be learned and regurgitated. It is only through getting the child to read a reader that he/she has never read before that one can see the real proficiency. My child could read the reader well, but he went blank with words like \" experience\" and \"tremendous\". I don't fault him, even though these are words that he should familiar with. He has already done very well. How do I know? Because the tester said my child could skip a significant chunk of the syllabus.

Finally, the tester would show the parent the syllabus, specially what would be taught in each lesson and I got to give my opinion on how my kid was assessed.

I agreed with the tester 's assessment on my kid's proficiency, strength and weaknesses and most importantly, how much of the rfs modules could he skip.

WOW! Your kid is good:)

Mama_ambitious:

Hey can I just ask a bit further. Can ask your neighbor to please elaborate why she thinks Ngee Ann is more impressive?


Actually I'm also confused between the two schools.

I heard that Ngee Ann is more of Chinese crowd and there is a lot of bullying.
I'm a non Chinese so want my kid to be in a more multi racial
Environment.

If I get more specifics I can decide better. Is teachers or cca?

Or generally the results? Base on my research both schools have equally good results.

Thanks for all thoughts

Hi there, my neighbour has left for her holiday so am unable to get more information from her.

But what I understood from her when she shared was that at the P1 Orientation, the teachers seem more dedicated lot at Ngee Ann.
For example at the Orientation the VPs, HODs who were sitting in front were introduced. Also the P1 Curriculum was introduced in depth together with the Parent Support Group. P1 students came dressed in their new uniform already comeplete with shoes and socks.

Not sure about bullying though as I thought all schools have it (even top schools) :?
By the way, I am also non Chinese (Indian Muslim) who is considering these 2 schools and 1-2 others for my son and sister's son as I have my mom living around these 2 schools while I live a short distance away.

Hope this helps:)

Mama_ambitious:

How about TKPS and Ngee Ann primary? What's the quality passes and the number of students over 250?


Anyone knows?

Hi, my neighbour told me (but not verified source, so not sure) that Ngee Ann got more scorers scoring 250 and above compared to TKPS. I think its a norm every year

phtthp:

octoberbaby:

with this forum, the principals of some schools who didn't want to announce the top scorers in their school, wonder how they feel. Parents ask they refused to tell. Come on be open minded.

you know why Principals of such schools don't wish to disclose ?
because scared they malu, esp. when highest score is low. Then nobody want to enrol their child in that school. That's why many of them want it hush hush, want to sweep it under the carpet.

To them, if public don't know, if parents don't know ... better still. Many of them are so secretive - esp. when come to Quality percentage passes, subject by subject. They dare not post openly on their school website. They know that parents who are concerned for their kids will come to them as Head of school - hey P, what's wrong with this or that subject ?

come on man! if you're Principal of a school, you should be bold and open. What's there to hide ? If any subject in your school is particulary weak, then as Head of the school, you should go and find out, troubleshoot exactly where gone wrong, what went wrong ? is it the curriculum of that particular subject in your school not strong enought (yet to improve), or those teachers teaching that particular weak subject not motivated to teach pupils well, or any other reason(s) ?

Well, as Principal of a school, he /she should be bothered to go and find out. Not act as quiet as a mouse - dare not publish Quality %tage passes for their school. Some schools even worse - not a single webpage on any academic info is disclosed.

:goodpost:

Hi my neighbour was Super KS - she went to both Ngee Ann and Tanjong Katong fot P1 Orientation (so that she could make up her mind where to send her daughter to for next year registration). She told me that Ngee Ann seemed more impressive…what do you parents think?

Any feedback???

Hi my neighbour was Super KS - she went to both Ngee Ann and Tanjong Katong fot P1 Orientation (so that she could make up her mind where to send her daughter to for next year registration). She told me that Ngee Ann seemed more impressive…what do you parents think?

Any feedback???

Ran1977:

Hi parents, for those of you who are interested - Katong Modern Montessori International (MMI) located at Katong Shopping Centre is having a Parents Day Tea Party from 10am to 12noon on Saturday, 17th Nov at its premises.

They will be activities for the kids while parents will be invited for talks
If you are interested, please call them at 63442997 asap to register:)

Thanks for sharing - I visited them once for my nephew and now plan to put my son in there as welll. They are really good. Looking forward to the Student Care for my elder son going P1 next year.
:udawoman:

Ran1977:

Hi Mama Ambitious, if you are looking around that area of Tanjong Katong Primary that has the most number of students to VS and RI, based on asking around friends and ex students of these schools - I feel Tao Nan has more no of students who qualify for these top schools vs TKPS.

This is what I gather...perhaps you want to look at Tao Nan:)

I agree..TNS is simply the best around the Katong/MP area.
For myself, I believe that both TKPS and Ngee Ann are equally on par as being 2nd best. Gongshang Primary is also good.

I think the choice of school and parents involvment is secondary; what matters most is the attitude of the child...if the child has good attitude, then the child certainly can get into a top-notch secondary school. Also, perhaps you should look at the primary school at providing a holistic education (which includes moral and charcater development) rather than just academic performance...

I speak from experience...I have a son whom is going to P1 in 2014. My sis also has a son the same age. I am the one who takes care of both of them after their preschool as my sis is working while I am a SAHM. My son is brainy but he had such a care-less attitude towards everything...studies, work etc. On the other hand, my sis's son is not so brillant but he has an endearing and never give up attitude. If you ask me which one will go far-I would say my sis's son cos of his attitude.

My point is that attitude is everything and not which Primary school they start into...even a neighbourhood school can produce scholars if the child has got good attitude:)

:thankyou: