Raffles Institution (Year 1-4)

[doramon]

CMF:

doramon:

Hi may i know how competitive are the sports CCA? Wondering if my DS has no experience but wish to join sports like shooting or softball, is it still possible? Are most of the vacancies taken up by those who get in via dsa sports?

For sports CCA, there are still spots for non-DSA boys. However, like in all the other CCAs, there will be trials and selections conducted. From what I understand, the school will try to match both skills and interests. Each boy will be required to rank his preference, and the CCA will allocate available vacancies based on their CCA requirement(s) and *skill-set(s) of each boy. Hence other than the compulsory trials, it would be good to sign-up for trials for any CCAs that the boy has an interest in, just for a try-out.

In most sec schools, CCA allocation is essentially based on *skill-sets required by the CCA & number of vacancies, and not on interest alone. It is an opportunity to explore new CCAs, and not be too \"hung-up\" or focused on just wanting to join a particular CCA. There are many instances of boys being allocated CCAs which were not even on their radar in the first instance, but they made the most of it and find that they are actually good in it & enjoy it! Most importantly, your boy should enjoy his CCA and look forward to it, as they spend at least 2-3 times a week at it & it's their \"downtime\". Camaraderie is strong amongst each CCA, and other than classmates, CCA-mates are an important avenue for interaction & friendship.

*Skill-set(s) : May not necessarily be that there has to be prior experience, but aptitude & innate talent / skill could be what the coaches etc may be looking out for:)

CMf,
thanks for the detailed explanation. Apprecaite it!
Can I just checked if RI allows the boys to change CCA, say after a year? Or it is the norm to stick to the CCA for 4 or even 6 years? Just worried that my DS chooses a CCA (and got in) and ended up find that is not so suitable....

[CMF]

doramon:

CMF:

[quote=\"doramon\"]Hi may i know how competitive are the sports CCA? Wondering if my DS has no experience but wish to join sports like shooting or softball, is it still possible? Are most of the vacancies taken up by those who get in via dsa sports?

For sports CCA, there are still spots for non-DSA boys. However, like in all the other CCAs, there will be trials and selections conducted. From what I understand, the school will try to match both skills and interests. Each boy will be required to rank his preference, and the CCA will allocate available vacancies based on their CCA requirement(s) and *skill-set(s) of each boy. Hence other than the compulsory trials, it would be good to sign-up for trials for any CCAs that the boy has an interest in, just for a try-out.

In most sec schools, CCA allocation is essentially based on *skill-sets required by the CCA & number of vacancies, and not on interest alone. It is an opportunity to explore new CCAs, and not be too \"hung-up\" or focused on just wanting to join a particular CCA. There are many instances of boys being allocated CCAs which were not even on their radar in the first instance, but they made the most of it and find that they are actually good in it & enjoy it! Most importantly, your boy should enjoy his CCA and look forward to it, as they spend at least 2-3 times a week at it & it's their \"downtime\". Camaraderie is strong amongst each CCA, and other than classmates, CCA-mates are an important avenue for interaction & friendship.

*Skill-set(s) : May not necessarily be that there has to be prior experience, but aptitude & innate talent / skill could be what the coaches etc may be looking out for:)

CMf,
thanks for the detailed explanation. Apprecaite it!
Can I just checked if RI allows the boys to change CCA, say after a year? Or it is the norm to stick to the CCA for 4 or even 6 years? Just worried that my DS chooses a CCA (and got in) and ended up find that is not so suitable....[/quote]Have heard of appeal(s) for CCA changes after allocation. However, understand that re-allocation depends on availability (which after 1st round allocation would be less / none, so would presumably depend on someone in that desired CCA concurrently wanting to change to something else) & skill-set, ie. whether it's determined that there will be a fit in that CCA. The allocated CCA is usually for 4 years of sec school, not required at JC to choose the same CCA. BTW the 2017 CCA training schedule is now available on Stamford - just for info prior to Raffles Trail on upcoming Friday.

**FYI have PM-ed you.

[iFirefly]

jtoh:

@firefly, your son's in JC2 this year? how time flies.

Hi jtoh.. :imanisland:

Indeed, how time flies ! Yes, DS1 is in JC2 this year. He's currently very busy with preparation for RIJC Open House (CCA) and JC1 Orientation (OGL). Lessons have also started today for JC2.

How's your gal ? Enjoying her course in Uni ? Are you back @ work, now that your gal is in Uni ?

[RafflesianSnr]

doramon:

CMF:

[quote=\"doramon\"]Hi may i know how competitive are the sports CCA? Wondering if my DS has no experience but wish to join sports like shooting or softball, is it still possible? Are most of the vacancies taken up by those who get in via dsa sports?

For sports CCA, there are still spots for non-DSA boys. However, like in all the other CCAs, there will be trials and selections conducted. From what I understand, the school will try to match both skills and interests. Each boy will be required to rank his preference, and the CCA will allocate available vacancies based on their CCA requirement(s) and *skill-set(s) of each boy. Hence other than the compulsory trials, it would be good to sign-up for trials for any CCAs that the boy has an interest in, just for a try-out.

In most sec schools, CCA allocation is essentially based on *skill-sets required by the CCA & number of vacancies, and not on interest alone. It is an opportunity to explore new CCAs, and not be too \"hung-up\" or focused on just wanting to join a particular CCA. There are many instances of boys being allocated CCAs which were not even on their radar in the first instance, but they made the most of it and find that they are actually good in it & enjoy it! Most importantly, your boy should enjoy his CCA and look forward to it, as they spend at least 2-3 times a week at it & it's their \"downtime\". Camaraderie is strong amongst each CCA, and other than classmates, CCA-mates are an important avenue for interaction & friendship.

*Skill-set(s) : May not necessarily be that there has to be prior experience, but aptitude & innate talent / skill could be what the coaches etc may be looking out for:)

CMf,
thanks for the detailed explanation. Apprecaite it!
Can I just checked if RI allows the boys to change CCA, say after a year? Or it is the norm to stick to the CCA for 4 or even 6 years? Just worried that my DS chooses a CCA (and got in) and ended up find that is not so suitable....[/quote]There's a short window in the first half of Y1 for CCA changes during which most people who intend to change will change. They can still change outside of this window but this is on a case by case basis. Would recommend your son to seriously consider if he's interested and willing to commit for the whole 4 years. RJ has a much greater variety of CCA so it's quite common for most to change CCA again at Y5.

[Edyboy]

Hey JC parents, its been a while since my Ds did some 'touching' of books since Gapsem last yr. Lol.. Hope he doesnt lost too much interest in dat..lol.


Just to check what are the usual activities during the orientation fr Jc1? I heard abt some dance activities which kinda 'worried' fr me.. Lol.. Hope my boy doesnt get too distracted with the new friends..lol

Is there a need for a tutor in JC eg. GP, Physics..? Any good tutors to recommend? My boy is just an average student.

My spouse & i are not from this fast paced environment & we dont really hv a clue on how tough Jc life is. Hope some advise from thse experienced parents on wat to expect & perhaps to just keep a look out on my Ds.:)

Many thanks...:)))

[bridesep]

Heard from DS (Y1) today that his art teacher has shortlisted him for AEP. I know that AEP boys must take Art and Photography as a Merit CCA. If take another Sport as a CCA, is that a stretch in terms of time commitment? Does any parent have any experience to share please? Thanks in advance !

[tinkfirst]

JC1s are selecting their electives today and my DD is at the open house with her friends. didn’t want me to accompany her. Meantime what will they be doing from next Monday onwards in RI before the JAE students join them in February. Can some experienced parents please enlighten.

[iFirefly]

tinkfirst:

JC1s are selecting their electives today and my DD is at the open house with her friends. didn't want me to accompany her. Meantime what will they be doing from next Monday onwards in RI before the JAE students join them in February. Can some experienced parents please enlighten.

The students will be attending sample lectures before they choose their subject combos. There'll be no tutorials until the JAE kids come in.

There'll be CCAs practices / trainings going on too.

Don't worry. Your gal will be too excited at the new campus to feel bored. She'll be busy socializing and making new friends, especially those from RI.

[tinkfirst]

Thanks iFirefly for your insightful information. I’m sure my DD will be overwhelmed by the large population of students and new environment this year. I hope she is quick to adapt since RGS and RI are known to be resilient.

[sharonkhoo]

iFirefly:

tinkfirst:

JC1s are selecting their electives today and my DD is at the open house with her friends. didn't want me to accompany her. Meantime what will they be doing from next Monday onwards in RI before the JAE students join them in February. Can some experienced parents please enlighten.

The students will be attending sample lectures before they choose their subject combos. There'll be no tutorials until the JAE kids come in.

There'll be CCAs practices / trainings going on too.

Don't worry. Your gal will be too excited at the new campus to feel bored. She'll be busy socializing and making new friends, especially those from RI.

My daughter didn't really enjoy the induction period last year because she was still in her Y4 class with very little contact with the RI boys (not that she's boy-crazy) and no JAE students yet. Not that she didn't like her RGS classmates (she was very close to many of them), but she felt like they were in limbo. They had a few sample lectures but I don't recall much else that she was interested in. She was waiting eagerly for the Y5 classes to be announced and CCA selections etc. Still, it's only a couple of weeks.