Thank you!

Hi hi, any sec 1 (2021) whatsapp group formed? If yes, can someone send me link, please? Much appreciated, thanks!

I thought the question was about advantage of splitting over wind dispersal?

Maybe this 80 vacancies comes from those who chose to leave after Yr 4 to enter other JCs??

Just popped by and read postings about HCL learning difficulties. Besides the usual reading/listening/tuition, another thing which you can consider is study tour. My DS's school (IP) organises such tours during Dec to Taiwan (3 weeks). You can read more about the tour at this link;


https://www.ocac.gov.tw/OCAC/Eng/Pages/VDetail.aspx?nodeid=2169&pid=35039

My son's classmates said it was really helpful for them, so you might want to check this out. I think cost is fairly reasonable and it would be great exposure for them, but there are obviously pros and cons for such kind of study tours.... eg duration (3 weeks too long?), they may join children from other countries (could be good/bad) and adult supervision might not be 100% (definitely bad for me!), so do consider this carefully.

zac's mum:

I heard that the MEP theory syllabus itself is very dry, requiring lots of in-depth study about composers history, the technicalities of various composing styles & writing improvisation of scores etc. Is that true?


My niece, who played the guzheng and oboe (and piano) was afraid of joining MEP because thought it would be as dry as her theory grade 5 exams preparation (which she hated going thru).

Different schools have different MEP syllabus. One way to see if MEP fits the child is to check with schools on how they do assessment eg x% theory component (including composition, history etc), y% solo performance (instrument of their choice), z% ensem etc. This % may vary across schools and across Years 1-4. So the theory component might be less than 50%.

Also, just to add that rather than to focus on that dreaded theory, some schools collaborate with professional musicians (check out ACS). Very good exposure.

phtthp:

any parent with older children DSA before, using MEP (Music elective) ?


What does the child need to do in Secondary school (obligation duties), if DSA by MEP ?

Usually they have to join a music CCA. RI website states this, but not stated for most other MEP schools. Even schools which are not MEP schools but offer their own music programme (such as NJC and NYGH) have this requirement if I recall correctly. As a result, the child should be prepared to pick up a second instrument if his/her first instrument is not available as a CCA eg violin player but school only offers Chinese orchestra / symphonic band.

titank:

Wow, in groups of 30. DSA via dance is one very competitive domain in SCGS. Last year DD1 had 10 classmates DSAed via dance but only 1 received CO


SCGS every SYF obtain Distinction, guess it is one of their important domain & very competitive to get in.

I heard the feeder primary school conducts dance lessons for all girls too, that was why my friend's daughter did not try their DSA..... can't beat their affiliation....

Hi everyone,

DS in Yr 2 this year, thinking of doing LIT RA and the Science Mentorship programme. Anyone has any idea what to expect in terms of what they will be doing, and what is the time commitment like for these two? Just want to be sure he is not overloading himself. Thanks in advance!

bluegal6:

Hi All,

I need advice here on our Dec holiday trip.
There's two adults and two kids, not sure travelling with luggages will be an issue or not.

Day\tLocation\tHotel Location
Day 1\tTokyo\tHotel 1 (near Haneda airport)
Day 2\tSapporo\tHotel 2 (near Sapporo)
Day 3\tSapporo\tHotel 2 (near Sapporo)
Day 4\tSapporo\tHotel 2 (near Sapporo)
Day 5\tNiseko\tHotel 3 (near Niseko ski resort)
Day 6\tTokyo\tHotel 4 (near Mt Fuji)
Day 7\tTokyo\tHotel 5 (near Taito area))
Day 8\tTokyo\tHotel 5 (near Taito area))
Day 9\tTokyo\tHome sweet home

We have not book the hotel, would like to hear some advice on the transportation first before we booked the hotel.

Bluegal6,
For Day 1, if time permits, rather than staying at Haneda, you might want to travel all the way to Chitose and stay at Chitose Airport Hotel (book at japanican.com, free onsen, not expensive, fantastic view of runway for some rooms, free breakfast).

Best to choose hotels near train stations and also served by hotel-to-hotel shuttle services. For Sapporo hotels, you might want to consider those that have underpass linking to train stations as well eg Sapporo Grand Hotel (we stayed here) and Hotel Gracery. Would not suggest travelling on trains with young children AND luggages (I have 3 kids). If you have to do that, opt for reserved tickets.

Suggestion:
Day 1: Sin to Chitose
Day 2: Sapporo (eg half day city tour, Christmas Market at night)
Day 3: Sapporo (eg Noboribetsu - take local train, need to book return tickets at the same time when you purchase at counter - not at ticketing machines)
Day 4: Sapporo to Niseko (take hotel-to-hotel limo bus, comes with one rest stop/toilet break, about 3hrs)
Day 5: Niseko
Day 6: Niseko to Tokyo (Niseko to Chitose Airport about 3hrs, so half day gone already)
Day 7: Tokyo (eg day tour to Mt Fuji and Hakone)
Day 8: Tokyo (Disneyland or DisneySea)
Day 9: Tokyo to Sin

For Tokyo, we went to Disney Sea as it is the only one in the world.

Flights logistics: we flew on ANA for both international and domestic flights. Upon arrival at Haneda International Airport, we collected our luggages and then check-in the domestic flight at the International Terminal (ie we check-in our luggages at International Terminal for our domestic flight). After checking in our luggages, we went through customs, then make our way on International-Domestic shuttle bus to Domestic Terminal. Very interesting ride as we rode on the planes' tarmac. Allow 2.5hrs for this as you need to grab some food since domestic flight don't serve food.

Hope this helps.