School of Science and Technology
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hdbmummy\" post_id=\"2087434\" time=\"1667198489\" user_id=\"53192:
I actually like what I have seen and heard during the open-house.
We just went for the talk/open house last Saturday and are having mixed feelings too. I understand this new Principal is just 1 year into the role at SST. Has there been no improvement even with this new principal or did it deteriorate further under him?
The students are vocal as well but of course these are the student leaders probably and we will be able to find such students in every school. -
ZuEn\" post_id=\"2087451\" time=\"1667207014\" user_id=\"4514:
Which session of the talk did you attend?
I actually like what I have seen and heard during the open-house.
The students are vocal as well but of course these are the student leaders probably and we will be able to find such students in every school.
We were impressed by the student leaders, especially the male one who was very confident and eloquent. However, how the P and the teachers communicate didn't impress me. Some key points we walked away with is that parents should steer away from traditional mindsets that JC is better than poly, the kids will have internship opportunities/exposure with companies and that will be helpful for their portfolio, etc... In terms of their showcase of the applied learning subjects and the exposure the student could get, I think it is good. I also like the applied learning methodology in SST vs rote learning as I truly believe we learn better this way.
However, my reservations stems from not being impressed by the P and teachers. Considering that SST is supposed to be more tech inclined, I was expecting the use of tech for the Q&A, e.g. Slido where we can scan a QR code and post our questions remotely and upvote other relevant questions posted by others. This reduces the time needed to pass the mic around, or having to hear parents ask questions that sounded like a speech to the point no one really knew what the actual questions were at the end.
The school suggested parents to have breakfast at SST which I felt was a great idea. Some parents like me went early (7+am) to do so as the talk was scheduled to start at 8am. Yet some canteen vendors were not ready and said they were informed that parents would only be there after 8.30am. Although this is a minor issue, it suggests that communication broke down somewhere. Will similar communication breakdown happen between school and parents/students? Comms is not a strong point with my DS's primary school and we often have to reach out to the school to ask before a notification start coming out in Parent Gateway. Hence this is a factor that stood out for us. -
hdbmummy\" post_id=\"2087455\" time=\"1667209867\" user_id=\"53192:
I attended the later session.
Which session of the talk did you attend?
We were impressed by the student leaders, especially the male one who was very confident and eloquent. However, how the P and the teachers communicate didn't impress me. Some key points we walked away with is that parents should steer away from traditional mindsets that JC is better than poly, the kids will have internship opportunities/exposure with companies and that will be helpful for their portfolio, etc... In terms of their showcase of the applied learning subjects and the exposure the student could get, I think it is good. I also like the applied learning methodology in SST vs rote learning as I truly believe we learn better this way.
However, my reservations stems from not being impressed by the P and teachers. Considering that SST is supposed to be more tech inclined, I was expecting the use of tech for the Q&A, e.g. Slido where we can scan a QR code and post our questions remotely and upvote other relevant questions posted by others. This reduces the time needed to pass the mic around, or having to hear parents ask questions that sounded like a speech to the point no one really knew what the actual questions were at the end.
The school suggested parents to have breakfast at SST which I felt was a great idea. Some parents like me went early (7+am) to do so as the talk was scheduled to start at 8am. Yet some canteen vendors were not ready and said they were informed that parents would only be there after 8.30am. Although this is a minor issue, it suggests that communication broke down somewhere. Will similar communication breakdown happen between school and parents/students? Comms is not a strong point with my DS's primary school and we often have to reach out to the school to ask before a notification start coming out in Parent Gateway. Hence this is a factor that stood out for us.
I really did walk away with a slight changed in mindset that poly is (maybe really) no longer the 2nd class sibling to JC.
I like how the P assured that the students (most, I guessed) have no problems *qualifying* for JC and the parents not to worry.
I also like how he clarifies that the IDP is only for students who are already very clear about what they wanted.
Lastly, the fact that our kids were offered a CO indicates their inclination for the SST curriculum.
As for the tech use, I supposed they could be a lot more creative/ tech savvy but may want to cater to the bigger population and not everybody is tech savvy. Moreover, with the time crunch (they overran), may be tough to do anything too unconventional.
We arrived at the canteen at 8am and food was ready. The itinerary stated that the openhouse was 8am to 11.30am and we obediently observed the time schedule.
I was telling hubby that I am sure of the CO and then I read chancks' post and am not so sure again. Hmmm.... -
chancks\" post_id=\"2087449\" time=\"1667205741\" user_id=\"46096:
Do u have the email of this subject Teacher who has taught your kid in the subject(s), in which he (she) has failed in ?
Nothing much more to add.
Report cards late, end of term still don't have, just a slip of paper, says change reporting system.
CCA report?
Afterthought, I have to personally chase to figure out what needs to be done, else nobody knows.
Subjects failed, not a phone call nor a word of concern from any teacher, as if it is business as usual in Sec 1 and 2.
Suddenly, end of Sec 3,
now tell me my kid is in danger to clearing O levels. Nobody from the school saw it coming last few years and reached out to us to take proactive action?
As a parent, what does failing in a gd school mean? Ok, not ok? Am I supposed to know by myself when I don't get any calls from any teacher? Only get diplomatic replies all these years during PTM until now. I personally feel they have many quiet quitting staff.
If No,
ask your kid for this subject Teacher's name. Then google on SST school website, for this Teacher's actual email address.
Next, write an email to this Teacher, ask him (her) to call u back ?
Write down your handphone contact number inside the email, so that the Teacher can call u back directly, because u (parent) need to find out from this Teacher, the following info.
If \"After\" you have sent out this email but the subject Tr in charge still never bother to call u back, then give General Office a call, inform the Admin person in charge that
\" I have already written an email to this Teacher, so and so. But this Teacher still never call me back.
So, my phone call now is actually a follow up action. Can u pls convey my message to this Teacher, to call me back, ASAP? Thank you \"
Info, that u (parent) need to know, are as follow :-
1) how is your kid's behavior and learning attitude in the class so far, for this entire whole year of 2022 Sec 3, taught by this Teacher ?
2) ask the Tr.
if your own kid doesn't understand certain concepts, did he (she) ever try to approach this subject Tr on his (her) own initiative, by booking \"one to one\" consultation session, to clarify all his doubts, at one shot ?
3) can summarize which are the Secondary 3 topics in this subject, that your kid is weak in so far?
After identified,
can u seek advice from this Teacher :-
\"Going forward, any suggestion(s), on how to help my kid improve ?\"
4) can u (parent)
then hire a tuition teacher, to coach your kid intensively, during this year end (Nov-Dec) school holidays,
so as to
catch up quickly on all his (her) weak topics, before a brand New year 2023 January Sec 4 (O-level) comes ? -
Thx phtthp for your reply. My response will be: do we have to go to such extents to have the teacher be aware that he/she has a failing kid that needs help? Isn’t this quiet quitting to a large degree already? I remember having teachers who care more during my time, just that they were not using technologically advanced tools to teach. Did i trade off care and concern from teachers with technology by choosing SST? How sad…
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It all depends on
how the new school Principal (SST), run the school.
There are only 2 possible scenario :-
1) If the school Principal is on the ball that type, want all SST students to do well in their O-level
and
his team of staff (VPs + HODs) share the same vision as him, clearly and properly communicated by the leader of this school to all the staff level down, then through the constant regular staff meeting conducted, the teachers esp. In Upper Secondary (3 and 4) will know what to do, dare not laze around nor be " chin chye type". They will know which Sec 3 / 4 students in their class need help, based on monitoring closely the regular Termly (1, 2, 3) tests conducted, their students’ results and act accordingly. If they have to conduct re-medial lessons for the weaker ones, they will do so readily, because they have to report to their supervisor higher up there, do want to help the weaker students , to improve.
2) But, if the new Principal come in don’t really bother, wishy washy type, adopt a non chalent attitude, don’t provide proper leadership vision to lead the school well nor communicated clearly down to all the staff in SST, then situation become …
is up to the individual class Teacher behavior lor, whether they want to be hardworking, walk the extra mile, or be lazy. If they are lazy teaching , just go to school daily to collect monthly salary, don’t bother about welfare of the students & if no one is checking on these class Teachers, everyone just doing their daily business-as-usual, then nobody will know, if no one report.
Thus,
whenever there is a change of school Principal, parents ought to observe how the new P style of leadership, to the entire whole school, is like.
===========================
Evaluate the Secondary student’s own Personal responsibility in learning, too.
============================
By right,
if a student is weak and need help, one can always book consultation to see class Teacher one to one, to clarify doubts, after school dismissed. Bear in mind they are already Sec 3, aged 15 (no longer P6 kiddos), and the responsibility to want to do well or not, ultimately still lie in themselves. So,
when parents after taken a look at their (mid-year or year-end) Report card,
if parents sense that something is not quite right, then parents ought to take the initiative to contact the individual subject class Teacher in charge, inquire, find out if anything has gone wrong. If Yes, do an investigation, what (or where) have gone wrong, and act accordingly.
Why?
Ultimately, if u want your child to do well, you need
1) a good working partnership to co-exist,
between
parents & the school ( subject Teachers ) support,
2) your Secondary school kid’s learn to bear own personal responsibility, in handling his own studies affair management, as part of his (her) life growing up process through the teenager years,
Because
as parents, u can only do so much for your beloved child. But, parents cannot study on behalf, for their kid in Secondary schools. You cannot live their life. You are you, and your child is a different person, not you. -
Hi
Any parents start to buy school uniforms for their kids already? Is it better to buy at school, order online or go down to Jee Sing Fashion to purchase? -
May I ask how much pocket money do you all usually give your kids per day or week?
Other than money for recess, do you give extra money for them to grab drinks with friends, etc…? -
chancks\" post_id=\"2087595\" time=\"1667291697\" user_id=\"46096:
I feel it depends on the culture of the school. For SST, they are consider quite new and the culture of the school is not established yet. The impression I have is always schools with religious background are more caring and holistic. SST is set up for a specific purpose. That might play a part in how the school is run. Disclaimer : my personal opinion and I don't have any child in SST.
Thx phtthp for your reply. My response will be: do we have to go to such extents to have the teacher be aware that he/she has a failing kid that needs help? Isn't this quiet quitting to a large degree already? I remember having teachers who care more during my time, just that they were not using technologically advanced tools to teach. Did i trade off care and concern from teachers with technology by choosing SST? How sad... -
siyuntan\" post_id=\"2081591\" time=\"1662695335\" user_id=\"77506:
Hi I am interested to carpool from east.My daughter starts SST next year
Anyone doing carpool from east?.can pm me? Thanks!
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