[Geylang] Primary Schools

[MMM]

I observed that it's quite rare for people to consider MBS due to the following :

* They don't accept PV (My ex-teacher told us that MOE is asking them to cut down the intake and given that their demand is more than supply, they don't accept PV at all as they don't want to disappoint as well).
* They accept people who are member from Spore Buddhist federation but when I call trying to find out for a friend, they stop accepting members.
* So effectively only those staying within 1km or 1-2km? so has the chance to try for this school.
* Religion??? I feel this should not be a issue. There are alot of non-buddhist there even during my era. I studied in a convent after MBS so I was exposed to diff religions. I feel in Spore, we are all very open to religion so there is nothing wrong with a religious school though you do not hold the same belief.

For us, we had the option of TNS (within 1km) or HIPS (within 1km). Both entails PV and risk. My opp cost of MBS is too great so it was a clear choice for us.

I used to hate the school when I was younger. Surrounded by classmates who are from rich family background,etc... I told myself I will never put my kids there unless we are doing well in life

But with kids in the school currently, I am now holding a diff view and I am very happy with what the teachers and principal have done so far.

[Karpi]

Thank you so much for sharing, MMM.


I know there's no guarantee, but what do you view my chances for
MBS with 1.39km distance? Since there's no more PV available,
meaning they do not have Phase 2B? And I just simply wait for 2C?

I see a big risk here. In any case, I don't get my kid into this school,
what can i do.....

[MMM]

Hi,


I don’t think Phase 2B is applicable in your case since they don’t accept PV. Unless you happen to be a member of the SBF. I know of a mum and she told me that they always volunteer at some temples,etc… (eg. they have been volunteering at some temples for a long time) and that’s how they mge to get their girl via phase 2B this year. To increase her chance, she also moved to Jln Daud area. I joined MBS through a interesting route too (under some interesting scenario, a monk referred me and it was last 2 vacancies).

I also heard from some of my kids’ classmates’ mums that they mge to get in via phase 2C. One of them had a older kid in upper primary and they got in because her child was born in "less popular" year. They took the risk and got it. They are at ubi area. Another is staying around bedok reservoir area and they mge to get in via phase 2C this year.

This is their P1 2009 registration status:
Total places 330
Phase 1 145
Phase 2A1 24
Phase 2A2 63
Phase 2B 48
Phase 2C 50 (62 applied per my file) Can’t recall if the balloting was
within 1km or 1-2km

For 2009 P1 going kids, I saw alot of ex-schoolmates whose kids started attending MBS this year. That probably explains the no. at phase 2A2. Alot of my school/classmates’ kids are currently around the 2-5 yrs old range.

[Karpi]

Thanks for sharing.

[MMM]

Karpi,


Just to share, MBS not moving to single session as they cannot cut down on intake due to the potential siblings application from current students. Heard they are moving to their own school after June.

[scoobydoo]

Been looking at the rankings for Haig Girls and it seems that they’ve been having 2 consequtive years of producing students with 275 scores.

Anybody with a child in Haig Girls ? Is it necessary to do PV for Haig Girls ?Care to share your thoughts of the school ? It’s coming to the time where we have to decide where to commit to a new house if we want to send my daughter to a school of our choice.

[Karpi]

truly appreciated this info, MMM.


if they are shifting back to own school, then my place
is even more nearer. Still belong to 1km - 2km. but
at least nearer.

This is really tough to decide whether to take the risk,
or just enrol Yu Neng, which is quite far from Geylang Serai.

[Luanee]

scoobydoo:

Is it necessary to do PV for Haig Girls ?

From 2006-2008 past stats, all applicants under 2C get a place, no need to do PV. Of coz this may change each year.

[newM]

[Moderator's note: Topics split and merged.]


Hi Chief KS,

Know tat u r e Guru of tis topic and after reading had e following questions for u.

I m staying in the east my choice of sch for my son is GMPS & KW. I kw tat KW is better than GMPS. And had read tat KW more homework than GMPS. To me i do not wan to over stress my son. I pity children who had to carry big n heavy sch bag to sch.

Now i m lost shd i go to KW and try balloting or go GMPS. Is choice of primary sch veri important wil it affect his future.

Can you advise me. :oops:
( Sound kind of stupid right)

[ChiefKiasu]

newM:

...I m staying in the east my choice of sch for my son is GMPS & KW. I kw tat KW is better than GMPS. And had read tat KW more homework than GMPS. To me i do not wan to over stress my son. I pity children who had to carry big n heavy sch bag to sch...

Dear newM, Konghwa is only special because it is a SAP school. If you are Christian, GMPS may provide better character development.

Anyway, they are both good schools. You should choose the one that you have a better chance of getting into before the end of Phase 2C. The stress if you fail to register by Phase 2C can be quite severe, especially if you have tried very hard to get into the school you wanted. Just look at the threads of parents who went through last year's registration, and sense their disappointment when they didn't make it by Phase 2C, to understand how they felt.