thekiasustudent:

Hi all!


I have just received my 'O'-Level results and am intending to enter into the arts stream for JCs.

I have a few queries, I hope some of you may be able to address!

1. University

How far do the subjects you take in JC affect the course you are able to take in a university?
(That is, if I am not intending to take 'history' in university - is the subject worth taking? Just an example.)

2. Economics

How is this subject like?
Does it involve a lot of memorising and 'rote learning'? I'
ve actually had many seniors tell me that economics is one of the subjects they loathe the most and that they regret taking this subject. Any idea on what kind of students can most suitably cope with the demands of the subject?

3. Knowledge and Inquiry as contrasting subject

Any idea how this subject works? Am interested to take this as my contrasting subject (No math for me, please?)
Especially for VJC - is the criteria for taking this subject really strict, and what are the requirements?

4. Theatre Studies

Another subject that VJC offers that seem so foreign to me. Anyone has particular experiences of theatre studies to tell of?

Wow, I would really appreciate if someone could help me a little with this.

Thank you so much!

1. This really depends on the course itself. Do look at courses you're interested on uni websites and you'll find subject prerequisites for the specific courses. For instance Law usually has no compulsory subjects you have to study at A level, whereas Economics courses usually require H2 Math.

2. Yup Econs is not easy! But it's not the memory-work that's tough, rather, you're assessed on your ability to apply economic theory to real-world situations and problems, and just regurgitating economic concepts won't get you really far in terms of marks. Quite difficult to master at first, but I think it is very rewarding. Honestly I don't think there's very much to memorize in Econs, relative to your other arts subjects.

3. This subject replaces General Paper. I haven't taken this subject, but do note that if you're thinking of applying to UK unis in the future, most schools state that 'General Studies and Critical Thinking (their equivalent of GP & KI) do not form part of an offer'. Which means that it's likely that you'll have to count on your other H2 grades when applying.

4. Sorry haven't taken this subject either, so I can't comment!

Based on how my friends did when I was in J1, you stand a good chance of getting into RI with an appeal, especially with your 8 A1s.


All the best!

phankao:

The CIP Teacher? *hehe* over the years, I've watched her being very encouraging, and at the same time being very sarcastic.(\"where is your brain? Time to take it out of the freezer!)

Hahaha I think I know which teacher you're talking about!

A former teacher of mine once remarked how the Sec 4s would stifle giggles whenever they were being scolded by her, while the Sec 1s would stare at her blankly/in fear

phtthp:

if you join St Nick - another attraction coming up is a brand new, huge Junior college campus (4 storey high) is awaiting you when you reach Yr 5 / 6. your sister school SCGS girls and brother school Catholic High boys will join St Nick sisters and all study together for A level, university bound. As of now, the Principals from these 3 Sec schools are working extremely hard hand in hand together, looking forward excitedly for the birth of the new school, dawn of a new era.

Hey do you have info on where this new JC is at?

As a CHS student who finished his O levels in 2009 and has recently graduated from the RI Humanities Programme, I’d like to share some of my thoughts abt the CHS education, which hopefully could help you make an informed decision.


CHS prides itself on the quality of its teachers, and as a result its English Department does a really fine job in terms of educating us kids. My class which was floundering in Sec 3 English had its adjunct teacher replaced with Miss Lucy Fernandez (whom some of you might know won the President’s Teacher Award in '09) and under her, not only did we have loads of fun mastering the language, we improved tremendously with her methods of peer coaching, among others. Do be prepared for lots of drilling tho- I’m not sure if this is still practiced, but in the last weeks before the Os we had intensive comprehension practices everyday at 7am in the hall, with the HOD of English hollering at us to ATBQ (Answer The Bloody Question) and giving us hell for having the audacity to turn up late despite him having (ostensibly) lesser sleep than us. Sounds like madness, but well us boys were used to such fun. Good days, they were Especially when ultimately our EL O level distinction rates would be among the top in the nation. (sometimes we lose to St Nicks/Cedar/SCGS, but well)

Teachers push us to our limits, but only because they never give up on us, and only because they know what we’re capable of achieving. Sounds cliched right, but believe it or not I adore the teachers I had.

So honestly I don’t think there’s that much of a problem with EL standards in CHS, even if it’s a SAP school. I think there’s a stereotype that SAP schools are ‘cheena’ and all, but hey the purpose of SAP is to give students a chance to learn both languages at first-language level. And that’s the guiding principle behind a CHS education actually. To be a "gentleman and bilingual scholar", the students recite everyday after the Singapore pledge.

Lastly, I think it’s really cool that we get flexible subject combis, and students virtually get to pick what subjects they want to do. (there are no fixed subject combis) I think students do better when they’re doing the courses they love, and I really enjoyed getting the opportunity to major in English Literature despite having only abt 15 students in my batch having the same interest.

Hope that helped, and yea do PM me or sth if you’d like to know anything else

http://www.scgs.edu.sg/pdf/Joint%20Integrated%20Programme.pdf

tanbh:

unlike other schools like SNGS who had to somehow join other branded JC under separate brand NAME and join in other top brand JC and under different cultural environment due to NO CHOICE ... hence i am also saying: SNGS/CHS and SCGS dont really benefit as much through this feed into new JC plan.... because their students are already doing the SAME THING NOW/PREVIOUSLY (as you rightly pointed out) ! so i felt it is unjust to these schools and they should have tried other better ways of preserving the school culture and brand of these schools..... do read my earlier posts

Okay maybe it is the use of the passive voice in the media that makes it appear like these kids are being thrown into a totally nameless and brandless abyss of a JC.

But that is not the case! Whatever unique brand of education these 3 institutions have is being transferred to this new school, simply because of the fact that the leadership of these 3 schools will be playing a part in the leadership of this new school!

And this new arrangement is not the same as the status quo. (Kids joining a top brand JC) They DON'T HAVE A CHOICE in the curriculum or programmes of XX TOP BRAND JC because of the fact that they aren't affiliated. But now, these schools HAVE A CHOICE in what programmes the new school will have, because of the fact that THEY DESIGNED IT. For instance, if one of the schools places particular emphasis on community service, it will be transferred to the new school. Now do you not agree this will benefit the students of these 3 schools?

I see you have really strong concerns about the viability of this merger. Perhaps you should consider writing a letter to ST Forum/principals of these 3 schools, then you can receive the official reply on the rationale behind such a decision. (Do publish the official reply here if you do send a letter, thanks)

kiaaik:

i heard sji wanted ib, but chs prefer a levels which chs can excel in

Don't ask me why I know, but there was an even earlier CHS-SNGS IB merger in 2006 that was rejected.

MOE did consider the idea of only a CHS-SNGS merger. Somehow it did not go down nicely with them.

tanbh:

I do know the CHS and SNGS’s ties and similarities… some of my best friends are from these 2 schools, I would NOT have stated my views on this IF the new JC is taking IP students just from these two schools of CHS and SNGS of similar cultural background (leaving SCGS to partner with someone else or do it alone), because these 2 schools are NOT simply mission schools, but both sharing culture as being strong in CL (both are good SAPs ) …. (also different from other mission schools as most are relatively more ang-mo-pai / English speaking).

While you are right in stating that CHS/SNGS are 2 good SAPS, you have forgotten one key point: Both institutions pride themselves in making their students effectively bilingual. And they have succeeded. Just take a look at their O level English and Literature results, which are among the best in Singapore. While you have 'best friends' from these schools, I am surprised that you do not see the fact that it is not very strange, or contrived, to pair these 2 schools which excel in English as well with an English-medium school. In fact, adding a bilingual element to this combination, which already excel in English is a brilliant idea, in my opinion.

Please note that I am not even a student of these 3 schools. But I do recognize the traits of these schools which make them an effective combination.

tanbh:

My view is that MOE and all the 7 IP schools are moving this through soonest possible, as they fear that the Ghost of “why not go IP yet” would haunt them very soon in that the quality of their students would fall further and further behind those earlier IP schools and also competition from other good schools (especially “neighbourhood kings” or “B kings” like BPGHS, Anderson etc have possibility of overtaking them - if not already on par)

All these 7 schools have been applying for IP since 2005/2006. It is definitely not some rushed idea approved by the MOE, since all institutions have been in deep discussion with the Govt, and multiple proposals have been put forward.

For instance, did you know that originally there was a proposal for a CHS-SJI IB merger, but the idea was rejected, because of the fact that the school would be 'too big'?


I appreciate your concerns, which are certainly very valid. It is good to debate them so that everyone may see the merits/demerits of such a unique merger, hence helping them to make a more informed choice in the future, if the need arises.

tanbh:

INNOVATE:

tanbh


Your analysis of which partnerships are more superior is just wild speculation without strong validity of arguments. How do you know the combis of scgs-st nick-chs will not work? Hve you considered the amount of time and financial support to be provided for this marriage? You are only assuming your conceptual skills more superior than the combine boards of these three top 0-level schools.

arent we people here simply writing our \"speculation\" and opinions here ? (wild or not wild is up to the reader ) ... i am just giving my personal opinion...and definitely SUBJECTIVE OPINION .. parents or students looking here are NOT stupid, they can make up their own mind.

I based my opinion on the fact that parents do not like uncertainty and JC that is not established (despite having \"IP status\" should counter abit of that effect) and the fact that those 3 CHS, SNGS and SCGS while all being top schools with good name, their SCHOOL NAME, BRAND RECOGNITION & culture cannot be transferred to the new public JC unlike SJI, ACS(i) or Dunman High........this could lead to students either not wishing to enter them after Pri6 or could leave after Sec4.... (note: those IP schools new ones are DUAL Track....can switch back to O lvl ... even if they are on IP still, i am sure if any IP student is truly talented, other established name JC WOULD NOT MIND them switching over at J1 or J2 if they are CHS or SNGS's IP students)

i already said quite abit...any one who is keen can go back to read my previous SUBJECTIVE COMMENTS :salute:

if Sir or Madam INNOVATE have any positive 100 percent SOlidly TRUE info to share on the the new PUBLIC JC OR any subjective / biased opinion to share on why the new IP jc will DEFINITELY WORK... please share with every one , subjective views also can, Discussion and conjecture here only, WE R NOT GOD, so we can't crystalball the future... :celebrate:

This argument is making me absolutely bemused.. You are really silly if you can't see why these 3 brand name schools are partnering. The MOE has already given the rationale for them to create a new school instead of joining an existing school: TO CREATE SOME COMPETITION FOR THOSE TOP JCS. The govt could have just chucked them into some random JC and called it an 'IP JC', but why not? BECAUSE IT DEFEATS THE ABOVEMENTIONED PURPOSE.

And if you think the new school is not going to have any link to these existing 3 schools, you are so terribly wrong. Obviously the IP board of these schools will design a seamless curriculum and a school that has a shared heritage and culture (CHS and SNGS have already a shared heritage) In fact, there is much discussion on who from those 3 schools will head the combined school. Do note that 20% of the places will be reserved for O level students.

CHS and SNGS are the 2 BIGGEST FEEDER SCHOOLS FOR O LEVEL into schools like RJC. By removing them to start a new school, other O level schools will be able to send their students there, hence levelling the playing field.

In fact, tell me what is so different about this new school compared to SJI's Year 5/6 program that makes it, I quote, 'superior'?