Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

[Estéema]

mommyNg\" post_id=\"1999650\" time=\"1603249530\" user_id=\"2838:

Estéema\" post_id=\"1999648\" time=\"1603249146\" user_id=\"66413:

The ACS class have only 20 boys this year & they’re boys who are not from GEP, but allocated all the best Science teaches. ACS class students are selected by a FT & HOD & students not offered will not join. There are boys who declined offer coz its a very rigorous Programme.

ACS The diff in 1)-3) compared to the rest of classes is that they’ll complete syllabus early & do more graded projects towards IB score. Seems also they’ll be exposed to more national competitions (which drives them to want to learn more). Not sure if it’s a good thing but depends on individual student’s interests & motivation.

For Options 7) & I’ll hv to check for you if u really keen to know. Honestly, I’ve not checked what’s the difference.

Thanks Estéema for sharing! My friend’s DS1 in Sec 2 IP, so many things she is unsure of, so I thought I could help her find out a bit more. But I’m sure she will be able to navigate the system fine.

I u’stand the feeling. As parents, we’re anxious to know how our children’s options will lead them to next level in life. Like a maze, we watch the outcome.

Even last week, I’ve parents anxiously asking if their boys shld drop HCL! After 2 years’ journey & they’re still uncertain & anxious. For us, we’re thankful we didn’t push ours to do HCL in primary knowing boys typically hv hurdles with the chinese language. He did well to qualify for HCL & we saw his confidence & motivate him to do so he can be relieve fr doing CL all the way to A level Chinese. He’s motivated to work 4 years for it & relieve for Year 5&6. We were initially not too certain if we shld let him take HCL exams but when his Year 3 results were all 7 average points, we decided that there’s nothing to worry about since in IB, the max score is 45 points. 😂😅 His tutor is confident he’ll do well.

At the end of Year 2, it is impt for parents to sit and hv a heart-to-heart conversation about options vs interests of the child. We don’t dictate his choices but discuss the choices & a BIL came in to explain how his choices might maroon his future. Esp during teenage years, they’ll be much influence by peers. I’ve in many conversations adv that he keep up with the Sc options & his Math all his strong subjects, but always get non-committal response.

Mine was initially averse & refused the family to discuss professions of doctor, scientists, banking, or digital technologist. We went thro many many discussions of diff careers. He didn’t even know what he wants to do - just don’t want any of those (list was heaps, yet ... 😬). In the end, we decided to leave option open & not push. Over one dinner with retired dental prof BIL when he visit fr Melbourne, he listened to my son & offered his advice to son to ensure he’s got the MASTER KEY (all subjects that’ll be flexible leading up to more options whatever profession). He was hooked! Just in next 2 months of his year 2, he did so well & was even offered ACS class.

Moral of story, we parents can do whatever we anxiously want to do, but s’times it just takes an ‘outsider’ to click that button to light up. So, my belief is we don’t live in our own cocoon & it’s good to hv friends fr every walk of life & we support each other in our journey. Just as mu frds’ kids love to talk to me & I helped ease their parental stress, I’m thankful BIL helped me out.

Hope u’re affirmed of your active help for your friend MommyNg. I’m sure if your information & ideas can help your friend & her boy to make that decision as he crosses that Impt Year 2 to Year 3 milestone.

[zac's mum]

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1999661\" time=\"1603255467\" user_id=\"2964:

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1999652\" time=\"1603250600\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1999652 time=1603250600 user_id=53606]Most parents are familiar with O level History and Geography, which are mostly ASEAN history and generic Geography that’s applicable in Singapore climate.

O level history has ww1 and cold war. Is this world history?[/quote]

Has the syllabus changed then? Cos I remember my friends telling me how they enjoyed memorizing all the Thai kings’ long names as well as Indonesian history such as Confrontasi etc. for their O levels.

[MerlionInGermany]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1999670\" time=\"1603258561\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1999670 time=1603258561 user_id=53606]

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1999661\" time=\"1603255467\" user_id=\"2964:

[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1999652 time=1603250600 user_id=53606]Most parents are familiar with O level History and Geography, which are mostly ASEAN history and generic Geography that’s applicable in Singapore climate.

O level history has ww1 and cold war. Is this world history?[/quote]

Has the syllabus changed then? Cos I remember my friends telling me how they enjoyed memorizing all the Thai kings’ long names as well as Indonesian history such as Confrontasi etc. for their O levels.[/quote]I dont know if it has changed. But yeah I can imagine how hard it would be to learn to spell long Thai names, my Thai friend always joked that by the time he finished writing his name on every page of the exam paper, it was pens down. So he gave his son a short name.

[Swc]

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1999674\" time=\"1603259508\" user_id=\"2964:

zac's mum\" post_id=\"1999670\" time=\"1603258561\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=1999670 time=1603258561 user_id=53606]

I dont know if it has changed. But yeah I can imagine how hard it would be to learn to spell long Thai names, my Thai friend always joked that by the time he finished writing his name on every page of the exam paper, it was pens down. So he gave his son a short name.

The syllabus has changed a lot. For the new O level syllabus Pure History, they study World Wars and one SE Asian (choose between Vietnam or Indonesia).

[muffin]

Hello, in the IP track, is History content similar to the "core" or "elective" History in Express?

[entei17]

Some interesting data:


https://www.acsindep.moe.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/School-Profile-2019-20_updated-Oct19.pdf

[miaomead]

anyone got any experience on interview of transfer exam? what are the questions which may be asked ? my son joined the transfer exam for admission to S2. the interview is on 11 Nov

[horizons1]

Hello all,


My son is considering admission to ACSI express program. He was interested in ACSI IB but might be missing COP by 1 point. I am hoping he can transfer to IP in Sec 2 if he gets admitted to express program.

I know this question had been asked on this forum in other years but just want to lay my hands on the latest data.

For those who recently transferred their children from express to IP program, could you please enlighten me on the following.
1. On an average how many places are available for transfer? How many are shortlisted for consideration and how many finally selected?
2. What are the min scores needed in Sec1 and Sec2 to be eligible for transfer?
3. In your experience, can interviews make or break the decision? I saw some messages where the student cannot get the transfer despite high scores.
4. If at all my son couldn’t make it for transfer and has to apply for ACSI IB post O levels, will he have any advantage over non ACSI applicants?

Thanks in advance.

[manorway]

If a ACSI IP child takes HMT from year 1 to 4, does he take O levels CL exam at end of Year 3 and then O levels HMT at Year 4?


If so, can he stop taking CL at Year 5 and 6?

If so, is there a minimum grade that he must get at O levels?

[autolycus]

Disclaimer: I’m not a parent of a child in this situation. However, I did design the first draft of the ACS(I) IP, as well as write the recommendation paper for introducing the IB Diploma Programme to ACS(I).


For horizons1:

1. Internal transfers to the IP are limited by the total allowed in Y5. This means the maximum number is roughly 20; places are reserved for the O-level intake and transfers from MGS IP. The shortlist length depends on how many apply for transfer. There are not many candidates annually.

2. Typically, scores are in the 80+ range. A good overall performance across different kinds of subjects, and a demonstrated capacity to manage time well are also notable advantages.

3. As someone who has designed and executed such interviews, it’s rare that the interview ‘makes’ the decision, since all the interviewees are very close to, or exceed, the requirements. However, it’s possible for an interview to break the decision, because the interviewee may demonstrate some ‘veto quality’ in a negative way.

4. There is no procedural advantage. ACS(I) O-level candidates do not get an affiliation bonus for ACS(I) IB, as far as entry is concerned—these candidates are treated like O-level applicants from any other school. There may be hidden advantages in the sense that appeals may find more support from certain areas.

For manorway:

1. Yes, they will take the MT exam at end of Y3 and the HMT exam in Y4.

2. The IB Diploma requires that students do a second language. However, if the MT requirement has been met by passing HMT in Y4, then the student is free to choose any other language for that slot; such a language can be taken at entry level (they call it ‘ab initio’, meaning ‘from the beginning’).

3. Yes, the MT requirement is a pass in HMT in order to drop MT in Y5 and Y6. But remember, IB students must still do a second language. I had students doing French, German and Spanish. Some schools offer Bahasa Indonesia and so on. This expands the student’s effective range and suitability for future career options.