Anglo-Chinese School (Junior)

[Notabene]

Hi everyone, my son successfully transferred this year to ACSJ from a neighborhood school. He is quite well settled now and adjusting to a boys school 😊.


Can I know how I could join a WhatsApp group for 4.6 pls?

[zac's mum]

Notabene\" post_id=\"1961103\" time=\"1580287394\" user_id=\"36517:

Hi everyone, my son successfully transferred this year to ACSJ from a neighborhood school. He is quite well settled now and adjusting to a boys school 😊.

Can I know how I could join a WhatsApp group for 4.6 pls?

Welcome!!! Glad to hear he’s settled in well!

Please PM me your number and I’ll link you up.

[mei1234]

gvyong\" post_id=\"819803\" time=\"1344787339\" user_id=\"14322:

Hi all,

I am thinking of sending my DS to a boys' sch and would really apprec if parents whose DS'es are in ACSJ (or any boys' sch in general) could advise if the sch approaches its method of instruction differently, on the premise that boys learn differently from girls?

Ref: Michael Gurian, \"The Minds of Boys\"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXR5giU0gs4

Hi, I am considering ACS (junior/primary) as well for my son for the same reason. Does anyone have any thoughts/insights on this? Ultimately, what we want for our boy is a school that recognises that boys mature later than girls and so, possibly engage in more non-academic activities/play to teach them about values and developing their EQ etc and the academic part can come later.

would appreciate if parents of existing students share their experience.

thanks!

[zac's mum]

mei1234\" post_id=\"1963164\" time=\"1581476729\" user_id=\"184125:

gvyong\" post_id=\"819803\" time=\"1344787339\" user_id=\"14322:

Hi all,

I am thinking of sending my DS to a boys' sch and would really apprec if parents whose DS'es are in ACSJ (or any boys' sch in general) could advise if the sch approaches its method of instruction differently, on the premise that boys learn differently from girls?

Ref: Michael Gurian, \"The Minds of Boys\"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXR5giU0gs4

Hi, I am considering ACS (junior/primary) as well for my son for the same reason. Does anyone have any thoughts/insights on this? Ultimately, what we want for our boy is a school that recognises that boys mature later than girls and so, possibly engage in more non-academic activities/play to teach them about values and developing their EQ etc and the academic part can come later.

would appreciate if parents of existing students share their experience.

thanks!

Hello! The video is unavailable, but I have read the book - incidentally, ACSJ’s school library had several spare copies and the librarian told me I was welcome to take home one or two spare copies when I showed interest. It is a fairly old publication (written in 2007!) but I think the premise (differences between boys and girls’ brains) still holds true today.

There is no MOE primary school in Singapore that uses programs directly from the Gurian Institute, at least not that I know of.

These are the things that I noticed ACSJ does differently from other primary schools (including ACSP):

- the PAL (Program for Active Learning) modules are mostly geared towards sports (rugby, tennis) and outdoor games & nature/weather exploration outdoors. This is an MOE initiative for all P1 and P2 kids and each school can customize according to their preferences. Eg. I noticed some SAP boys schools have mostly Chinese calligraphy and other Chinese cultural programs for their PAL. And the co-ed schools have more emphasis on Art and dance for their PAL.

- ACSJ has more P.E. periods compared to other schools. Yes I compared and counted. To me (and my boy), P.E. is VITAL in draining the excessive energy so that they can focus BETTER on the academic seatwork after that. The improved blood circulation does wonders for the brain. Unfortunately not all female teachers concur (some think that the boys will be too tired to concentrate later - not true IMO!)

- lesson delivery: there is use of educational videos during some lessons (not always) to capture the boys’ attention when the textbooks get too dry. This caters to the Visual learners in the population (of which the majority of boys are). Not much of catering to kinesthetic learners IMO. The boys are still expected to be seated and quiet while the teacher is talking. Only during discussion time may they raise their hands and wait to be called on. Definitely no walking about during lessons. Sometimes there is team project work but movement is still minimized and focus on the work is expected.

- plenty of sports CCAs to choose from. The school compound itself contains a playground (under renovation now) where the boys can run and play freely during recess and after school.

- the school library stocks boy-friendly books! Specially chosen by the librarian to include various Superhero books, plus many non-fiction books on War History, Space, Science Encyclopedias etc. MUCH better-stocked than public libraries IMO (80% of which contains storybooks for girls). And the school library does not expect dead funeral silence like in public libraries. Can talk but no shouting of course.

- there is no pressure on academic performance at lower primary, although the boys are expected to work diligently of course. The school will spot the slower learners and lots of help is offered to help them catch up. If you’re expecting Learning thru play (like in preschool) - sorry no such thing in primary schools. The boys will learn EQ thru playing at the playground outside lesson time. There are form teacher guidance periods where they will discuss “personal emotion meter” and how to be aware of own emotions (especially anger) - how to handle etc. School values are emphasized in the context of a yearly bible verse chosen by the Principal.

- not sure what else you’d like to know. Generally I can say that my boy is a fairly typical boy and he loves the school. He is also fairly average in school. Naturally those boys who are more academically-inclined (mature earlier just like the girls, less sporty, very studious obedient type) will STILL be the teachers’ pets - the bulk of the teachers are female after all. But there is room for the slow and average learner to grow at their own pace. Contrast this with an academic pressure cooker type of school (I’m sure you know which ones) - right from Day 1 the typical boy is disadvantaged and condemned as a “failure”, which becomes a downward spiral into “I’m so stupid compared to the girls, I don’t want to bother trying anymore” - true story I’ve witnessed.

[carousel7]

:rahrah: Hi there, is there anyone staying in the east and takes the school bus to acjs? I need some help with the bus timings but the number on the school website has a weird tone upon calling. Can you PM me, if it's convenient? Thank you in advance!

[Estéema]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1963180\" time=\"1581481513\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1963180 time=1581481513 user_id=53606]

Hello! The video is unavailable, but I have read the book - incidentally, ACSJ’s school library had several spare copies and the librarian told me I was welcome to take home one or two spare copies when I showed interest. It is a fairly old publication (written in 2007!) but I think the premise (differences between boys and girls’ brains) still holds true today.

There is no MOE primary school in Singapore that uses programs directly from the Gurian Institute, at least not that I know of.

These are the things that I noticed ACSJ does differently from other primary schools (including ACSP):

- the PAL (Program for Active Learning) modules are mostly geared towards sports (rugby, tennis) and outdoor games & nature/weather exploration outdoors. This is an MOE initiative for all P1 and P2 kids and each school can customize according to their preferences. Eg. I noticed some SAP boys schools have mostly Chinese calligraphy and other Chinese cultural programs for their PAL. And the co-ed schools have more emphasis on Art and dance for their PAL.

- ACSJ has more P.E. periods compared to other schools. Yes I compared and counted. To me (and my boy), P.E. is VITAL in draining the excessive energy so that they can focus BETTER on the academic seatwork after that. The improved blood circulation does wonders for the brain. Unfortunately not all female teachers concur (some think that the boys will be too tired to concentrate later - not true IMO!)

- lesson delivery: there is use of educational videos during some lessons (not always) to capture the boys’ attention when the textbooks get too dry. This caters to the Visual learners in the population (of which the majority of boys are). Not much of catering to kinesthetic learners IMO. The boys are still expected to be seated and quiet while the teacher is talking. Only during discussion time may they raise their hands and wait to be called on. Definitely no walking about during lessons. Sometimes there is team project work but movement is still minimized and focus on the work is expected.

- plenty of sports CCAs to choose from. The school compound itself contains a playground (under renovation now) where the boys can run and play freely during recess and after school.

- the school library stocks boy-friendly books! Specially chosen by the librarian to include various Superhero books, plus many non-fiction books on War History, Space, Science Encyclopedias etc. MUCH better-stocked than public libraries IMO (80% of which contains storybooks for girls). And the school library does not expect dead funeral silence like in public libraries. Can talk but no shouting of course.

- there is no pressure on academic performance at lower primary, although the boys are expected to work diligently of course. The school will spot the slower learners and lots of help is offered to help them catch up. If you’re expecting Learning thru play (like in preschool) - sorry no such thing in primary schools. The boys will learn EQ thru playing at the playground outside lesson time. There are form teacher guidance periods where they will discuss “personal emotion meter” and how to be aware of own emotions (especially anger) - how to handle etc. School values are emphasized in the context of a yearly bible verse chosen by the Principal.

- not sure what else you’d like to know. Generally I can say that my boy is a fairly typical boy and he loves the school. He is also fairly average in school. Naturally those boys who are more academically-inclined (mature earlier just like the girls, less sporty, very studious obedient type) will STILL be the teachers’ pets - the bulk of the teachers are female after all. But there is room for the slow and average learner to grow at their own pace. Contrast this with an academic pressure cooker type of school (I’m sure you know which ones) - right from Day 1 the typical boy is disadvantaged and condemned as a “failure”, which becomes a downward spiral into “I’m so stupid compared to the girls, I don’t want to bother trying anymore” - true story I’ve witnessed.[/quote]

Zac’s mum,

Don’t forget to add they hv THINKERS’ Programme (unless it has been scrapped), also the Destination Imagination & Odyssey of The Mind programmes. The boys are spoilt for choices! :boogie:

[zac's mum]

These niche programs are introduced at a very basic level for lower primary. At the upper primary level, only one or two selected teams per level get to participate. I won’t hold my breath.

[Estéema]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1966232\" time=\"1583725223\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1966232 time=1583725223 user_id=53606]
These niche programs are introduced at a very basic level for lower primary. At the upper primary level, only one or two selected teams per level get to participate. I won’t hold my breath.[/quote]

At least it was made available for P1 onwards. Mine was. Wet eager to join in but I didn’t hv a clue so got him in only fr P2. Thereafter, he had participated on the way up till P5.

Good programme for exploding kids’ creativity, imagination, teamwork, contribute to expressiveness esp for some boys who are shy, they bond well over 6 mths’ of togetherness practicing & performing. I had parents who were very proud of their boy coz at home he was very withdrawn but to see their son projecting their voice to audience! Some boys had good exposure to hands-on handiwork sawing, cutting, glue-gun their props! All the endorphins chanelled to their brains for joyful looking fwd to sch time & practice time. Happy memories of their final product hung at home too. Good old days!

[zac's mum]

Hi any parents of P5 boys here?


May I know when the school will transition to using the PSLE format for English Compo? I mean give you the 3 (unrelated) pictures and pick 1 or more picture to write about.

Cos so far in P4 they are still using the 3-4 sequential pictures for Compo…

[tiffanylys]

Hi there, may i know if I want to volunteer for GRL, which GRC does ACS Junior fall in?