Mummy bigeyedfish says Hello

[vividlaurel]

Hi bigeyedfish,


I like what I have seen about Beacon till date. Since it is a new school, the teachers are quite committed and seem quite eager. Also since there are not so many students around, all teachers know each and every child, including the VP and no child is lost in the crowd. To give an example, in the group that I was working on (P2) for the reading programme, there is one girl who is not so good - she has reading difficulty. One day I casually mentioned it to the VP who immediately knew whom I was talking about and today I learnt that the girl has been placed in a different group with readers of her level.

Also I did like the emphasis they place on ICT, but this is not at the cost of old fashioned reading and writing. However the real test for Beacon will come in 2012 when the first batch of children give their PSLE and we know how well the school has done.

As for Westview, well I have also heard some negative things about it. I have a friend whose son just finished PSLE there but who doesn't even want to consider his school for her daughter (for 2010). So maybe your wife is right in her attitude towards Westview. I have heard from this forum that Greenridge is a fairly good school, but I have no views about it at all.

If you are serious about BPPS and/or Beacon then you should seriously think about PV or doing community work. As for me I would prefer doing PV rather than Community work as PV gives me a chance to see the school and the staff at close quarters which Comm work would not. But then Comm work does give you the entire constituency which PV does not give.

Hope I have been able to help you, do drop me a line if you need more info.

Bluefish:

Hi Vividlaurel,

My son is turning 4 and is also due to register in 2011. Please share with me about your view on Beacon because my understanding this is a relatively new school.

I have sold my house and currently staying with my in-laws at Senja Road (short term stay). Thus, the nearest school is West View (less than 1km) but my wife has a very negative feeling of this school. Both Bukit Panjang & Beacon are more than 2km, whereas Zhenghua maybe less than 2km.

We are trying to scout for new home and being thinking hard where to move. :?

[bigeyedfish]

Hi vividlaurel, think you're confused as bluefish was the one who asked the question. Just to mention that we're not related except maybe our fondness for fish :lol:


I am also staying quite near to West View actually but I am not too keen in sending my son there either. Till now, I still have not made my choice but in case I want to do PV at Beacon, I'll let you know.

[vividlaurel]

Oops! That was a big blooper!! :oops: :!:


I guess that is what happens when you try and reply while trying to do some work in office!! Sorry about that...

In your case, you can choose between Beacon and BPPS. If you plan to PV in Beacon, let me know. Hopefully by then my kids will already be in P1 (since you need to PV next year) and I can tell you more if my decision was the right one or not!

bigeyedfish:

Hi vividlaurel, think you're confused as bluefish was the one who asked the question. Just to mention that we're not related except maybe our fondness for fish :lol:

I am also staying quite near to West View actually but I am not too keen in sending my son there either. Till now, I still have not made my choice but in case I want to do PV at Beacon, I'll let you know.

[Bluefish]

Hi Vividlaurel,


Thank you so much for your sharing. Since my family are staying put at my in-laws home but still my wife and I hope we can have our own shelter. Looking at the current HDB prices around this area, the pricing is still very stiff and inorder to get HDB loan again, we can only buy either EA or EM since our previous purchase is 5-room. Apparently, some of them >20 yrs old, can price >$400k.

If this is the case, she is thinking to move towards further North eg. Woodlands and by paying a bit more, we can get a resale Condo. Hence we have 2 problems ahead -> getting a new home and new school. :?

[jedamum]

Bluefish:

Hi Vividlaurel,


Thank you so much for your sharing. Since my family are staying put at my in-laws home but still my wife and I hope we can have our own shelter. Looking at the current HDB prices around this area, the pricing is still very stiff and inorder to get HDB loan again, we can only buy either EA or EM since our previous purchase is 5-room. Apparently, some of them >20 yrs old, can price >$400k.

Bluefish,
I am looking at getting our own shelter too!
You mean to get HDB loan have to get a bigger unit than the previous one?
I am not eligible for HDB loan at all...cos currently co-paying the ILs' private property....a whole load of criteria to fulfil before HDB allow us to purchase flat directly from them or enjoy any grant.
Are you talking about Bukit Panjang area's housing price? Actually compared to Bukit Batok, that area is more 'affordable' but also less accessible.

[vividlaurel]

Hi bluefish,


All the best with your new home. You have a lot on your plate now. In such a case, maybe you decide on a school first and then see if you can buy a house nearby.

Bluefish:

Hi Vividlaurel,

Thank you so much for your sharing. Since my family are staying put at my in-laws home but still my wife and I hope we can have our own shelter. Looking at the current HDB prices around this area, the pricing is still very stiff and inorder to get HDB loan again, we can only buy either EA or EM since our previous purchase is 5-room. Apparently, some of them >20 yrs old, can price >$400k.

If this is the case, she is thinking to move towards further North eg. Woodlands and by paying a bit more, we can get a resale Condo. Hence we have 2 problems ahead -> getting a new home and new school. :?

[Bluefish]

Hi Jedamum,


Everyone has 2 chances of getting HDB loan but with attached condition. For example, total combined income must be less than $8K/mth. If one has taken housing grant for the 1st home, the 2nd home (from open market) purchase must be a bigger unit than the 1st home. The only way to purchase the same or down size unit is to get bank loan.

Since I am jobless now without any income, we can take advantage of HDB loan for the 2nd time. If not, we will not able to do it. Thus, I am not sure whether it is blessing in disguise at this time when I lost my job. Honestly, my wife and I feel kind of pinch to pay >$400k for an old HDB executive apartment or maisonette. My 1st home was a 5-room.

Hence my wife is considering a condo in Woodlands area by paying a bit more. She hopes to provide our only child with a nice environment as well as to reward herself since she has been working so hard.

Any comment on Si Ling primary school?

[bigeyedfish]

Hi bluefish, actually we are in the same predicament as you. Now waiting to purchase EM or EA to upgrade but since we are looking around my mum’s area, I’ll still be looking for schools around BP.

[Bluefish]

Hi Bigeyedfish, which school are you targeting at?

[bigeyedfish]

Bluefish:

Hi Bigeyedfish, which school are you targeting at?

Hi Bluefish, looking at BPPS but just got a negative review from my colleague who sent her son there. Now trying to get reviews about St Anthony's because of its affiliation to SJI. Finally SVPS. Either way need to do PV for any of the schools because all are more than 2km away.