phtthp:

janet88:

APS is really overhyped. many register their kids there although there is no proven record.

there are several good schools in bukit merah.

There are a lot of condo & HDB flats in Bukit Merah. Even though Alexandra primary started not too long, but this nearby school to residents staying in Bukit Merah, is very conducive for parents with young kids, in terms of distance travel. Hence, Alexandra primary is very much sought after. Nothing beats a nearby, convenient school, esp. with the weekly Cca commitment, compulsory extra enrichment lessons held after school end (Mon - Fri)

Agree.
Cantonment Pri is more of.. at a disadvantage location as it is near Keppel/city area. Not many HDB flats ard.
Does any kind soul know Cantonment last yr PSLE passing rate %? How many went express n normal? Called school but refused to disclose.

janet88:

qms:

[quote=\"janet88\"]APS is really overhyped. many register their kids there although there is no proven record.

there are several good schools in bukit merah.

Janet,

What do you know about the school that makes you think that it is \"overhyped\"? Maybe you would like to share with fellow forummers here?

there is no benchmark as the school is very new.
hubby used to tutor 2 kids from the school. it's hard to tell where the students compare with those from other schools. there is no way of telling how the first batch of P6 students will do for psle.
there are established schools and also new schools in bukit merah but why does APS have such a high take up rate?[/quote]Maybe is due to the location of the school? APS is surrounded by BTO flats and many Condos.

zac's mum:

Some schools have cut their intake:

- Ang Mo Kio Primary School: 210 reduced to 180
- St Anthony’s Pri: 240 reduced to 210
- Radin Mas Pri: 240 reduced to 210
- St Margaret’s Pri: 210 reduced to 200
- Montfort Junior: 150 reduced to 120
- Canberra Pri: 240 reduced to 210
- Pei Chun Pri: 330 reduced to 300

Wonder what is the reason for the reduce in intake, mostly popular schools above.

I think u can try to call the schools that u r interested in, and ask for their bus operators’ number to check. (For example, schools in Bukit Timah area have sch buses that goes around the island like Jurong West, Queenstowns, Woodlands and Bukit Batok area.)

u can try to call up the bus operators of all the schools in Tampines to check.

The list is here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_schools_in_Singapore

There is another type called \"Independent schools\" whereby it is totally not funded by the govt.

In any policies there is always a loophole somewhere. The Principal can lump the huge donation under "by public" for building funds in their accounting books. Since it is a govt -aided, (Definition of aided school. : school receiving one half of its maintenance costs from public funds but retaining control over appointments and religious instruction — compare controlled school.) Therefore only half of it’s funds are from the govt but another 50% comes from public or religious or clans affiliation. So there is no one at fault here, since the donation is by a willing party. Not that the school insisted or hinted at the parent to donate. But obviously the parent knew that the school was in the mist of upgrading a new building.


Secondly what I can think of is, the decision to offer a place ( transfer cases) to which child is very subjective in every school. E.g. some might have a waiting queue, some schools might pick and choose students who come from more popular schools. Some might decide based on the student’s previous year’s holistic assessment (for p1) in their report books. So how and who the Principal decides which child get a vacancy (transfer case) is very subjective. So no one can say that there is a corruption case involved. Even though the parent donated a sum of money, but the parent can say that it is out of goodwill, no obligation for the school to give a place to her child . But then the Principal can say just nice someone migrated and we have a place (as the criteria of selection who to offer a place is very subjective). And as we know, MOE is not involved in it. So this is the loophole. It is like no right or wrong.

I know of a relative’s sister (real case and I know the boy really gotten into that sch) who donated a 5 digit sum to a popular school. That school was in the mist of relocating to another premise for upgrading and needed funds. It is a govt-aided pri sch, not a full govt school. This might be a reason why a donation was allowed. But take note this was a transfer case in P2. Before the cheque was offered the Principal said no vacancy for next yr P2 class. After the mother gave the cheque, immediately a vacancy was offered. He was transferred from a not so good neighbourhood sch to a popular SAP school. For this kind of cases, why MOE allowed? Is it becoz it is a transfer case and becoz the school is not a full govt school? And for transfer case, is it becoz MOE is not involved in whatever transaction between the School and the parent? Not very fair right? But it works, to whoever who wants to try this strategy.

Any pri schools not yet received the official phase 1 form?

The p1 siblings survey form and photocopied documents were submitted last month Apr. Heard that some schools alr rec phase 1 forms.

Yes i agree with cherrygal. After we moved house, my child refused to transfer school. He said he love his school and friends. Since he is a student leader in his sch he knows that if a change of sch means he has to give up his position. He rather wakes up an hr early everyday then change sch. And so far he has never missed his sch bus since we see his so responsible so we did not pushed him to change sch again.


So it does not mean that if u transfer sch successfully out of convenience, the child will be happy. Sometimes the bond built already is hard to break.

Any reviews about Cantonment Pri? I understand that it has a lot of international students due to lots of vacancies left in Phase 2C, 2CS etc. How is the school culture and the background of most students? Are they mostly from the nearby rental flats?

If there is really no choice left, will you all prefer Blangah Rise Pri OR Cantonment Pri?