Dd has DSA offers to RGS (sports) & MGS (academic) - we are very torn between both wonderful schools. She is talented but not highly disciplined so hopes the competitive environment at RGS will push her towards greater academic heights. She loves the idea of a mission school and holistic environment. It sounds like, fr previous feedback, that MGS provides a less stressful environment for developing empathy/EQ (don’t flame me, just impressions) while RGS provides a better environment for training of the IQ? We live much nearer MGS than RGS. At the end of the day, DD’s ultimate goal is to land herself a nice scholarship to either the ivy league or Oxbridge/London U. Results wise, i dont think she is a shoo-in for 260 rgs type cut off hence the sports offer. Not sure if this wld lead to subsequent difficulties while there. Love to hear thoughts/ opinions of parents on both schools and which wld more likely help her fulfill those lofty goals. Thanks.

Thank you GreenA for your advice. Much appreciated.

Hi, my dd has accepted a DSA offer into RGS sec 1. We are not going to be in town on reporting day so am going to have to rely on proxy to vote. Am just wondering if anyone can advise me more about

1) the Regional Studies Program - does it entail a lot of extra time commitment; are there any "soft" qualification criteria (apart fr MSP) not explicitly stated etc?
2) How does one go about opting for higher chinese? I looked up the forms for last year on the web - there were only forms for Chinese Special Prog which is diff fr HCL?
3) Macbook - where do i find out abt the various models avail for retail at the school and the prices? Can we purchase these anytime after the reporting day?
Appreciate your advice, RGS mummies. Thanks!

BigDevil:

Attempt impossible:

My daught scored 258+3. Any chance to get in MGS or NJC? Thanks!

Since neither MGS nor NJC is a SAP school, your DD's effective T-score is 258.

MGS' last year COP - 261 (IP), 253 (O level)
NJC - 258

She stands a better chance to be admitted into NJC, provided the COP does not go up.

MGS is adding another class next year for the IB prog so cut off pt will be diff. The sch has encouraged their girls to try for the IB if their score is 257 upwards.So it shld be safe for your dd to try if she really wants rhe school. Culture between MGS and NJC can't be more different. Which does she like better?

The die has been cast. DD has made her choice. She holds her own fate in her hands. No looking back nor time for regrets. Now it is for her to bravely trudge forward. Thank you all for your wonderful advice and views. Deeply grateful.

Nebbermind:

if you expect your dd eventual psle score to be >250, then choose MGS and appeal for transfer to IP after PSLE results.

Called the school. With new MOE guidelines, appeals not allowed. Sounds like the advice is to take MGS anyway? Cos if > 250, choose MGS.<250, also definitely MGS, right? If she gives up the RGS offer, what if she regrets? If she takes it up, what if she cannot cope, being surrounded by such a narrow band of superachievers? Those who cannot cope but are stuck for 6 yrs invariably come to a bad end and need to escape overseas. Quite a few sports dsa kids end up that way, I have heard. Gee, this is driving me nuts!

phtthp:

TravelMummy:

How to tell?


230 or 250 are grades relative to the national average and we dont know the national average till results are released. Every regular Joe takes A levels anyway, so its not that horrible, just that the IP school may introduce lots of other extra knowledge outside of syllabus, right?

to compute T-score for P4 SA2, P5 SA2 and P6 Prelim results, roughly -
can try to take Total of 4 subjects (EL, CL, Maths, Science : Total is upon 400) x 0.72 or 0.73

if T-score fall within 23x range -
choose 2 or 3 schools, from that booklet given to P6 students by schools
(eg : say, fall within 230 to 239)

do likewise, if T-score fall within 24x, 25x, 26x range

Within each range, list out about 2 schools within the top, mid and low of ranges.
eg
251-253 : list 2 or 3 schools

254-256 : list 2 or 3 schools

258- 260 : list 2 schools

above 261 : list 2 schools

when PSLE results are out , one won't feel so lost, as you've already done your homework

example

say, there are two students (X and Y)

a) student X
is stronger in Science & Maths (both subjects scored A*), but weaker in Languages (EL, CL)

suppose @ end of P5 SA2
X Science and Maths : scored 91 marks, each (91 and above, is A*)
X EL and CL : 80 marks, each ( 80 marks fall into Band 2)

Total (4 subjects ) = 91 + 91 + 80 + 80 = 342
approximate T-score, computed roughly = 342 x 0.72 = 246
refer booklet : see which are the Secondary schools inside, accept students with 246 T-score
at least, have an idea, see which Secondary school can possibly goto

b) student Y
weaker in Science & Maths, but stronger in Languages (EL, CL)

suppose @ end of P5 SA2
Y Science and Maths : scored 80 marks, each (80 marks fall into Band 2)
Y EL and CL : 85 marks, each ( 85 marks fall into Band 1)

Total (4 subjects ) = 85 + 85 + 80 + 80 = 330
approximate T-score, computed roughly = 330 x 0.72 = 238
refer booklet : see which are the Secondary schools inside, accept students with 238 T-score

analyse your own child -
is he/she stronger in Maths/Science, or in languages ?

if a child have strong, keen passionate interests in Maths/Science, and if can score A* in Maths/Science, perhaps can consider going NUS High

This is interesting. How does one derive this formula? Why multiply by 0.72 or 0.73?

jtoh:

mother777:

I was speaking to another colleague on the way to office about secondary school selection and academic support from school. His daughter is in Christian girls primary school.

He told me there is general perception that RGS don't provide much notes and expects the girls to study well since they are already top scorers. While MGS provide better academic support and good subject notes.

I heard the same too but took it to mean that IP schools generally spoonfeed their students less than O levels, which is fair. Not spoonfeeding but allowing students space for discovery and research prepares the kids better when they go top universities. The students in the IB programs certainly do not get spoonfed either and need to do their own research too. But I am not so worried; kids who are intelligent enough to land in those schools generally dont have much difficulty finding info for themselves if they really want to, including borrowing notes fr friends in other schools. The ones who mess up are usually the ones who are distracted so its really impt to keep our teens on the straight & narrow.

thirdeagle:

TravelMummy:

Thanks for your advice, jtoh. I would only say dd is capable of big dreams. Whether she is capable of turning those dreams to reality still remains to be seen! I heard that RGS is not strict - kids are allowed to use hp in class? Teachers hardly drive the kids but leave them pretty much alone to sink or swim. Mummies with RGS kids - Is there any truth in this? If yes, then MGS seems to instill more discipline? They wont allow kids to use hp in class at least.

I am an alumni interviewer for an Ivy League college, went to MGS, RGS, daughter in MGS Pr, and active with alumni of RGS / go back to school to give career talks etc. I have alumni friends with kids in both schools.

Thanks for your views, thirdeagle. Given all your experience with both RGS and MGS, if it were your dd making the choice, what would your advice be to her pls? The strong alumni network at MGS is a v useful thing, I have to acknowledge.

jetsetter:

TravelMummy:

[quote=\"Nebbermind\"]TravelMummy has an older child in RI?

Nope, DS was given an offer but we chose another school for logistical reasons.

Thought your DS had CO from ACSI and HCI back in 2013?

I think the future RGS campus is not too far from where you live now (you said you live near MGS at Blackmore) if you take Lornie Road or PIE.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/new-rgs-campus-expected-to-be-ready-earliest-2019/3221468.html

From your sharings, I can tell you are very much inclined towards RGS.[/quote]Wow, Jetsetter, you have a marvellous memory! Yes, DS was offered these schools too, so he blithely chose the one nearby. Now happily thriving in both sports and studies.

I do not intend to take PIE as I am not carving out a career as long-term chauffeur. My kids gotta look after themselves in their teens, else they won't be able to look after anybody else when they are grown! As such, it takes far longer to get to by public transport once it moves to Braddell and is no where near any major swimming complexes. The Anderson road location is not so bad but DD will have to factor in 3 locations over 6 years. Real chore. MGS, on the other hand, will have its own 50m & 25m pool and will be far more convenient. She would easily save 1-2hrs travelling time, which is heck of a lot. Logistical inconvenience is a big deterrent, although I am inclined to agree with Nebbermind between IP & O levels, hence the big indecision. Can't dither much longer since deadline is this week.

Frankly, i am equally happy with both schools - they are both great schools. DD will have to make her own choices as she will have to deal with the logisitics/stress - I am just collecting alternative views so she has more to mull over. Thanks for all the thoughts and views!

[quote] How about those who entered via accepting DSA offer, not via T-score ?

For this, before one sign off on the dotted line DSA form to accept & commit yourself for the next 6 years ahead, best to consult RGS Secondary Admission officer, clarify with her what is the procedure like ?

RGS Sec telephone : 6838-7811[/quote]Thanks for the detailed description. Apparently its the same process for every RGS girl; how they got admitted is irrelevant. Drop outs happen for many reasons, a GEP kid I knew once dropped out too, after she was crushed in a BGR and lost her will to study. The school is generally sympathetic but will assist in the transition if other options are all exhausted.

Its depressing to think about exit strategy even before entering. I suppose if dd does not have confidence holding her own, she has no business applying to the sch and the sch should not have made her an offer in the first instance. So i am going to proceed with confidence that she can. While i have no idea how she would fare against the national average, those science & math olympaid competitions & edusave awards should mean something, i guess.

Thanks for all your advice, mummies and daddies. I really appreciate your views and feedback and have a much better handle on both schools with which to discuss with DD now. :thankyou: