Agree, and if you think about it, having your DS practice for EL comprehension and doing math is also already exposing him and preparing for selection test as well 
As you have noted, PSLE is still the major end goal, specially relevant if you want to apply for scholarships or awards in secondary school or tertiary education career even.
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RE: School of Science and Technology
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RE: What are you thankful for today?
I'm thankful that my child is coping well today. It's his Os tomorrow haha, jia yous to him
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RE: DSA 2018
IMO, I think P4 year is probably a good time to start and observe your child. See what they are interested in?
When my DS was in P4, I observed and he has constantly expressed his interest in the sciences. He set his sights on his current school now which is SST.
I encouraged him to participate in more science competitions if he is genuinely interested.
Overall, I am the kind of parent (and am sure there are many out there who share my opinion) that supports my child in everything he wants to achieve. I don't really like the idea of forcing child to \"fit\" a certain mould so the child can enter the school through DSA, I think that defeats the point.
I guess P4 is about time, you discuss your child's interest and ambitions and if he/she genuinely wants to go into a school via DSA, support the child in nurturing their interest and building up their portfolio.
We all want the best for our children but I don't think it will be healthy if we force our children to fit a certain mould so that they can get into a famous school
Hope this helps -
RE: Transferring Secondary School at Sec 2
Minstral:
Agree, of course if you are transferring because your child has developed an interest in a certain niche area of the school and has achieved and done well in said niche area, transfers should not be an issue.Depends on your motivation to transfer really. If it's really important to you and your daughter, I'm sure you won't find it troublesome.
If your child has very good results in Sec 1 or CCA achievements, I don't think it will be much of an issue with the school. It depends on what school you're talking about as well. Of course, the more renowned the school, the slimmer the chance.
My DS is in SST now and I understand they also accept students from Sec 2 moving on to Sec 3. Also understand that the Specialised Schools ie SOTA and the IP schools do have individual acceptance procedures so do call and check.
Some guiding questions I can provide are: [list]- a) Is there really a need ( Die die must transfer? ie. Child getting bullied, transfer hse etc)
[/list]Hope this helps
b) Does your child fit the niche area of the school? ( to increase your chances of consideration)
c) Emotional and personal impact of child ( Your child would probably have friends in his school already, consider his/her state of mind, impact etc)
- a) Is there really a need ( Die die must transfer? ie. Child getting bullied, transfer hse etc)
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RE: Secondary Schools Information in West Area
shurley197323:
I know this post is dated quite some time back but since its halfway through the year already, I hope to share my personal experience as a parent with SST, especially when the DSA applications are open already Side Note: SST and NUSH admit through DSA onlyCan anyone share. Beside RV, Nan Hua, SST, NUShigh,Bukit Panjang Govt High. Which sec school is better in the west area. My DD is always the top 5 in her school but we are not choosing \"all Girls School\". Also worried that SST and NUSHigh are too strees although these 2 are her dream schools.
Thinking about RV and Nanhua, but she don't like the Chinese culture and HMT. I really can't think about what others school which is near Jurong and which is at least Band 1 or Band 2. Although she got full marks for maths in her SA1 this time, also worried is she good enough or is just that the school had set a lower standard? Worried here, worried now......more stress than her :scratchhead:
Now its important to note that SST and NUSH, both very good schools only accept applications through DSA. Details of the differences have been in discussed in a separate thread already https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=31948&p=1776425
I think it is widely known in general that sec school timing is longer so my 3 general considerations are: [list]- a) Location
[/list]I think part of the process about a teen is learning soft skills ie. time management, especially so when my DS has a lot of programmes in SST.
b) Teacher Student Relationship
c) Interest
With regards to SST in general, the school has a lot of programs and partnerships, so they do have more projects and more camps and programs. They also focus on applied and interdisciplinary learning, so the children has to be disciplined and independent learners. They use Macbooks. I trust my child to do so responsibly and they are encouraged to do research beforehand and discuss in class.
With regards to schools in general, I think the most important thing is about interest and aptitude.
My DS, when he was P6 was also interested into going for RVHS but ultimately chose SST instead because he felt that the school catered to his interest in the Sciences.
Some questions to ask are: [list]- a) Where are your interests / aptitude?
[/list]Ultimately, the west area is home to a diverse array of schools, from specialized schools, IP schools and mainstream local schools but I think the 5 points of consideration I listed above would be good guiding points and principles when trying to decide which school to go for. Afterall, it may be a daunting experience, for both parent and child
b) Which school are you interested in? Do they have niche area?
c) Does the school niche area cater to your interest?
d) Do you feel comfortable traveling x amount of time to school per day (IMO, I wont go above 1h)
e) Do you like the school culture? Have you interacted with the students? Do you feel comfortable having seniors like these?
Hope this helps
- a) Location
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RE: Xingnan Primary
bubbles1979:
My DS was from XNPS. He is now in Sec 4 at his Sec School so my experience may not be the most recent.Hi , May I know if Xingnan Pri school good? Any review from parents here?
Also any idea if they have in house student care or any good student care near by?
Thank you
Overall, school does have good teachers. Being a school with a Chinese heritage, ti does have a notable CL programme.
Met several supportive and caring teachers. Some teachers are really passionate about teaching. But as I said, only some, based on personal interactions
To my knowledge, there is school based student care.
XNPS does not have strong alumni association. Just putting it out there. -
RE: DSA 2017
emoh:
Agree with what emoh's suggested. It may be because of browser compatibility.
Looks ok now? U still have issues? Perhaps change to other browsers?Charcheah:
Hi, I tried to log in to GAT website since yesterday for GAT resgistration but encounter this error message that forbade me to proceed further -
“The precondition on the request for the URL /register/yr1/index.php evaluated to false. Additionally, a 412 Precondition Failed error was encountered while trying to use an ErrorDocument to handle the request.”
that forbade me to proceed further for making payment . :scratchhead:
Seems like the URL having problem ? Anyone counter this issue ? Many thanks in advance.
If any parents still have issues, you can trying contacting them via phone.
For your reference:
Principal Academy Contact: http://www.gat.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=88
Quote from website:
For specific enquiries on GAT, please email us at [email protected] or
call us at 6363 0330 (Monday to Friday: 10am-12pm / 2pm-5pm) or 8200 8500 (Test-Day contact). -
RE: School of Science and Technology
thinkie.lee:
To add on, I have went online to do some searching.
I guess its important to start of with the fact that the GAT and CRT tests are not academic proficiency test.wanzchan:
Any current students or parents able to provide tips on the GAT and CRT test?
:?: :?: :udawoman: :udaman:
As such, there is no need to really prepare for the test before hand.
You can google for some sample questions for your reference.
The GAT and CRT test are logical reasoning test and as such, test students ability to think rationally. The aim for the test is to test for potential aptitude not academic proficiency.
The advice I can give, the same I gave my DS was to go in naturally and not feel pressured. If need be put on your analytical thinking cap and observe the patterns and think critically and logically.
Hope that helps
Here is a sample test paper for your reference. http://acedmy.yolasite.com/resources/gat_sample_paper.pdf
Note that this paper was from the national testing service from Pakistan and not the Singaporean paper
<EDIT: The \"ENGLISH PORTION\" of the paper above is similar to the CRT test. To my knowledge, the english comprehension portion is tested in the CRT and not GAT for Singaporean papers>
As you can see, its more of logically reasoning not much \"content based\" science knowledge needed.
To my knowledge, there should not be any Mathematics questions. But if Math does come out, I believe it would be within a P6 child's ability and more related towards pattern identification and logical reasoning. So there shouldn't be any major hiccups per say, IMO. As the paper is from overseas, there may be slight differences but the analysis and logical reasoning questions are similar
<EDIT 2: So IMO, if you want to \"prepare\" (which in IMO) there is no need to, you can expose your child to more pattern questions and logical reasoning question. Consider those assessment book which have pattern and logical reasoning questions>
<EDIT 3: Understand from a friend who has a DS who also wants to apply to SST, that there are rumors that GAT &CRT may be scrapped next year.Unconfirmed but IMO, as mentioned, the tests are used to test ability and aptitude. If there is a need for a change, I believe they will also be general reasoning and logic test. Assuming there is a change next year 2018 DSA Application for SST, many schools will be affected .
For 2017 DSA application, there is no change in procedures, so as I mentioned above, if you want to expose your child more, expose more to logic and critical thinking questions>
Also for your reference:
GAT & CRT FAQ: http://www.gat.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=86 -
RE: School of Science and Technology
Btw, for all other parents interested in applying or wandering when are applications for DSA open.
Do note that applications are Already Open
Applications closes on 7 July 2017
More information can be found here: http://www.sst.edu.sg/admission/admission-process/#1490768657600-677213cf-0693
Click the How to apply section which will link you to the application portal
Good luck and all the best! -
RE: School of Science and Technology
wanzchan:
I guess its important to start of with the fact that the GAT and CRT tests are not academic proficiency test.Any current students or parents able to provide tips on the GAT and CRT test?
:?: :?: :udawoman: :udaman:
As such, there is no need to really prepare for the test before hand.
You can google for some sample questions for your reference.
The GAT and CRT test are logical reasoning test and as such, test students ability to think rationally. The aim for the test is to test for potential aptitude not academic proficiency.
The advice I can give, the same I gave my DS was to go in naturally and not feel pressured. If need be put on your analytical thinking cap and observe the patterns and think critically and logically.
Hope that helps