justsay:

Not all were 250+, some were from DSA. There are many factors to not doing well. I've seen 2 cases of 270+ went to RI and dropped out in JC. Some did so well in their O level but retained in JC1.

I think this really shows that PSLE is by no means an indicator of how successful students will be in the future.
[quote]A IP school will have most of their best resources dedicated to the IP program. It is demoralising to be one of the 15 kids in a cohort of a few hundred. Unlike a mainstream school where the O level fever and motivation and push is felt by entire cohort, it would seem like you are on your own when most of your friends are skipping the exams.[/quote]traineeks, I really agree, you've put it so well. The O level fever, as you term it, is definitely not felt very much at all in IP schools. I think it's a lot more conducive for IP students to transfer and do their O levels in a O level mainstream school. There's a lot more support amongst the peers in O level schools where the whole cohort is in this together.

In IP O level classes, the students are generally less motivated, and perhaps demoralized. IP schools do take care of their O level students though. They want them to do well too. In DHS, the teachers allocated to the O level class are all experienced. There are workshops and field trips too.

Admittedly DHS’ timetabling isn’t very ideal. The timetable has been like that even a few years back. I’ve seen worse timetabling problems than erratic recess times though.


The timetabling has really improved, especially this year. I mean it! It probably depends on the classes your sons/daughters are in. Some classes have regular recess times, but some don’t. Oh, about the 1145am recesses, as far as I know, it only happens on Mondays when school starts an hour late. I think that’s good, because everyone probably eats breakfast later.

The 10-day timetable is common to other schools too. I keep track by writing the dates in my planner in advance. I write "Day 1" or "Day 6" on every Monday page. Hope that helps. It’s actually really easy to keep track of everything after a while.

I don’t know about Little Skool-House, but the preschool childcare centres I know of generally don’t do much in the afternoon. Yes, they shower and lunch, and then they take a nap.


It really depends on the timetabling of the classes, you can check with Little Skool-House, they should have a specific class timetable for you to look at so you can make an informed decision. For example, in one preschool childcare centre I know, most teachers work half-day, similar to the kindergarten time schedule. Thus lessons are concentrated in the morning.

takshiXD:

From my own experience those who come from mix sch in pri most do not like to flirt n go into relationship but for those who are in boy/girl sch in pri likes to mix with boys n flirt like siao n trys to attract attention. Well this is because they r new to this 'mix' sch. No offence...

I think there's some truth in what takshiXD has said, but it doesn't apply to every girl who attended a girls' school. There are outgoing girls from girls' schools, and there are shy and quiet types who come from the same schools too. It boils down to personality, I guess.

I spoke to a friend from NYGH and from what she said, it seems that the BGR isn't really an issue in girls' schools as compared to in co-ed schools. I mean, in co-ed schools, it's a bigger deal when two students start dating, and everyone knows both parties personally, and everyone sees them on campus together all the time, etc. In girls' schools, maybe they'll get to meet their friends' boyfriends, but it's outside school and off school hours.

Lameking, I am not (and I'm sure no one else is) questioning the amount of hard work, time and effort the Camp Committee has put into the Sec 1 Orientation 2010. Echoing many of the other posters, I know this, and I appreciate it.

lameking:

Comments that question the PSLs’, FTs’ and school’s motives can really be quite hurtful to us, because they ultimately question our abilities as a whole to plan and manage a camp by ourselves.

I'm sorry if my post has been hurtful in any way-- as I've said, I am not out to attack the PSLs. Several stories have been shared, like how a PSL gave money to a boy so he could eat in the canteen, and it's really heartwarming. I definitely do not doubt the good intentions the PSLs have.

I am not questioning the PSLs' ability, as a whole, to plan and manage a camp by yourselves. I, along with other parents, am merely raising an issue with what happened on Fright Night.

As you've said, general feedback towards past Fright Nights is that it's lame and a waste of time. I understand that the Camp Committee wanted to improve on this. However, in instituting these changes, I feel as if Fright Night has taken a step backwards. Unlike past years, when boys thought Fright Night was lame, a number of parents this year reflected that their sons were afraid after coming back from camp, even to the extent of being traumatised. This is not a coincidence, and this doesn't mean that the Sec 1 batch of 2010 is exceptionally timid. The amount of feedback from KSP members alone is not negligible, and I think that these changes have probably caused the averse reactions this year.

Yes, the camp was thoughtfully planned out and vetted, but mistakes happen. Personally, I think this was probably a bad judgement call in the planning of the camp.

I'd like to reiterate that you've all done a great job, and I am by no means discounting that, nor discounting your time, ability and effort. These posts are not intended to be malicious or disparaging, rather, as constructive comments.

Thank you.

Sorry, I'm not attacking you or anything, but I'd really like to ask: what is the point specifically in telling ghost stories and watching horror movies?


These two activities are obviously designed to induce fear, especially with such a high concentration of horror movies and stories in the same night.

Yes, the boys can request to be exempted, and yes, it's a tradition, but I think the objectives of bonding and being able to relate to each other can be achieved through other more wholesome activities.

Bonding through \"common fear\" sounds like a terribly unhealthy objective of an event organised and endorsed by the school, an event meant for the Sec 1s to orientate themselves with RI while having healthy fun.

I encourage parents to raise this issue with the school. You'd really be doing the future batches of Sec 1s a favour.

nauhziy:

Good evening all,

I am a member of the PSLs for the batch of 2013. Having stumbled upon this forum and read the many comments posted by concerned parents, I feel that there is an urgent need for clarification. Especially for the fright night conducted during the second night of the camp, which started at 8pm and ended at 11.30pm.

It is so that the students were shown Dead Silence and Shutter, with both movies picked in order to set the tone and atmosphere of fright night. Both were the PG versions, which I quote, refer to “Parental Guidance Suggested”. Do note, that it is suggested, not required. Furthermore, PSLs and teachers were present at the screening and an announcement was made to all the sec ones, stating that if they do not want to watch the movie, or get too scared during the film, all they have to do is to approach one of the many PSLs and inform them.

The PSLs will then bring the secondary one student to the Operations Room, where comedies were screened. These students will then be exempted from the fright night activities. This measure, however, did not apply to students who were closing their eyes or not watching the movie. This was because they had made the decision to continue staying in the hall and continue watching the movie despite having been offered a way out and we as peer support leaders have to respect their decision to remain in the hall.

The rationale for not pulling out those student who were visibly scared was because the announcement had been loud and clear, repeated, and students who asked to leave said that the message was clear, if one wanted to leave, he would be escorted out. Therefore, we decided not to pull out the remaining students because they had heard the message, wanted to leave, but did not request to do so. There is nothing the PSLs could have done if the students had not come forth.

The activities following the movie, and the stories, were either passed down from seniors or invented, with the goal being to bond a group of five students who hardly knew each other due to the fact that there was a common fear and a common experience they could relate to after the activity. There was no intention whatsoever to make students cry and PSLs were stationed along the route to ensure the overall safety of the secondary one students.

We regret to hear that the secondary ones have been traumatised by this experience but we hope that you understand that this was not meant to frighten secondary ones to the point where they are afraid of being alone or being near the school. In fact it was designed to create an experience where the secondary one students could all relate to as an common experience. This was reflected in Day 3’s improved student morale and enthusiasm. Also, the PSLs did what they could with regards to allowing those that did not want to watch or participate to be exempted from the activity all together.

We seek your due understanding. Thank you.

On a side note, there is no relationship whatsoever between fright night and life in RI. Irregardless of your son/ward's reaction to the movies, life in RI will be what he makes it out to be.

Yours Sincerely,
Foong Yi Zhuan
+65 9118 9751

Camp Committee (Organisation Committee)
Raffles Institution Prefectorial Board (RIPB)
National Cadet Corps (RI NCC )

VitoRelax:

so guitar alone got classical, electical & pop ?

Guitar is easier to pick up because there're so many resources on the internet.

The type of guitar varies (structurally) depending on what music you'll play. For pop, you'd be looking at a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steel-string_acoustic_guitar, which is brighter and sharper in sound.

Pop guitar will be fun, especially since you can play and someone else sing.

Classical guitar sounds really beautiful and harmonious. If you're interested in learning classical music and theory, I recommend this

You may have noticed me lurking in the forums these few days. I'm a student, and am very free as school hasn't started yet. Hello!

2ppaamm:

A lot of bodies out there that monitors. The Americas have at least 4 of them. Surf the net, look for accredited high school programs. You will come across many, many.

The ones Singaporeans are used to include: EPGY (this is Stanford University's program) - I have some experience with them - they very proud leh. But that's a very recognized program.

Another very well known program is John Hopkins. They conduct tests to identify early high school students frequently. Check out all the high school programs conducted by the universities (also many - I can think of Maryland and Indiana), they are all accredited and recognized.

There are also those run commercially. http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-degrees/online-high-school-courses.htm Don't write them off simply because they are commercially run.

One more thing, there are some you can attend a graduation, some without a gown graduation. See what your kids like. Also check the age criteria to start. Some states do not allow children below 14 to start a high school program. Write to these schools and check all these out. Choose one relevant to your child.

There may be tests they need to take. It is almost safe to say that if your child score A or A* for Math at PSLE, they will breeze through the tests. But note the gifted programs, these are hard to ace.

Most of these programs are also expensive, definitely more than your school sup fees. So calculate carefully here, and plan accordingly. They are still cheaper than international schools, and all your years of books and tuition add up!

Hope this helps!

2ppaamm, thank you for answering my questions Yes, I've heard of EPGY before. We really appreciate your sharing.