[Serangoon] Primary Schools

[Cartier]

My PV friend queried the logic of the school recruiting PVs staying beyond 1km and the response is the school wants to give a chance to others staying beyond but in this instance, it’s a double edged sword.


IMHO, when the school knew of its reduction of 30 vacancies at the beginning of the year or even much earlier, the school should inform those PVs staying beyond 1km the option to drop out or continue at one’s peril.

Mantaray, 150 hours are exceedingly over the top, I salute you for that.

BTW, there have not been much commented regarding Zhonghua Primary School. Anyone has any feedback? My neighbour’ son who is studying there, seems to be very happy with the teachers and the mother told me that the principal is very kind and nice.

[mummyo]

toddles:

Hi mantaray

those things quoted above are the school's fault and not MOE's fault. Maybe that's why MOE is not replying...

the number of PV hours is determined by the school, they are the ones who requested that you do more right? and even if you do much more you still get an equal chance with the grassroots folks so I'm not sure why they asked parents to do more in the hope of securing a place.

the number of PVs they accept is also up to them... some schools are wise and try to accept a rational amount to make allowances for grassroots etc assocations, so that PVs have almost guaranteed chance of getting in. The number of spaces available in 2B and 2C follow a formula, after the 2A intake, so it's not like it can be predetermined for any school... or planned for by MOE.

I've heard that the PV applications for roysth are always far in excess of the places, sometimes 140 applications and only 20 PVs are chosen. Perhaps so as not to disappoint, Roysth should just accept 10 PVs instead. Agree that it's very demoralising to have volunteered 150 hours and still not get in...

In any case balloting within 1km for phase 2B for Roysth has been around for the past few years? So it's expected, esp in a year of higher number of births?

If it makes you feel a bit more comforted, the situation is the same if not worse for Nanyang pri... those who PVed but do not stay within 1km also don't even get a chance to ballot...

imho, parents who want to PV should only do so in schools where there has not been balloting for phase 2B within the distance that you stay from the sch, for the past few years just to be safe...

Hi mantaray

My heart goes out to you. I too PVed for over 100 hours in my school of choice so i understand the attachment to the school and how after you get to know the staff and teachers that it is hard to imagine your child studying in another school.

The intake for my school also reduced this year. Honestly, I don't know how early the schools are informed of the reduction in intake. I met my school's principal in late June and he didn't think the intake will be reduced but when the official announcement from MOE was made, they cut intake by 1 class size!

I narrowly missed out on balloting as I was 1-2km and managed to JUST get in.

Much as we gripe about the current system, I'm in a way grateful as my child will have ZERO chance of getting into this popular school if I didn't PV. They have balloting for Phase 2c <1km every year.

Going into it, we were told that we are not guaranteed a place and had to sign an acknowledge form. It's unfortunate in your case that it came true, that you didn't even get to ballot?

My advice is, leverage on your relationship with the school, get your child on the waitlist. As far as I know, most schools will give priority to PVs on their waitlist compared to GRL as you have personally served the school.

I wish you all the best. Good luck with securing a place for your child. :xedfingers:

[Busymom]

Dreamygal:

Yes. I can confirm that Rosyth was and is now still in AMK GRC. I checked the school before and after the GE just to confirm which GRC is it under. But under AMK GRC, there are some changes to the boundaries.

But even if there is a change to the boundaries for AMK GRC, shouldn't the letter for GRL be based on the respective GRL's address as per pre-GE boundaries? :?

I agree that PV selection and the number selected is determined solely by each school. Nothing to do with MOE.

[Dreamygal]

I also thought so. I read before somewhere that it should be based on the pre-GE boundaries. Changes will only affect next year registration.

[Dreamygal]

Anyone have feedback on Yang Zheng?

[mantaray]

Dreamygal:

I also thought so. I read before somewhere that it should be based on the pre-GE boundaries. Changes will only affect next year registration.

I thought that should be the right way as well. But this issue was highlighted to us as a cause for a large number increase.

[Dreamygal]

Mantary,


I really feel quite bad for you. I think the decrease in intake plays a big part. What do you plan to do now?

Are they going to further decrease in the coming years?

[Cartier]

mantaray:

Dreamygal:

I also thought so. I read before somewhere that it should be based on the pre-GE boundaries. Changes will only affect next year registration.

I thought that should be the right way as well. But this issue was highlighted to us as a cause for a large number increase.

Mantaray
So I assumed wrongly it's not so much as the PVs moving houses. Which school have you decided for your child?

Kudos :rahrah: to all those who PV and contribute through the grassroots, I cannot endure the heart palpitating journey and then face disappointment.

[limchen]

Hi toddles, very well presented views.


This is a very good experience sharing and PVs really need to continuously assess their own risks and ask for information all the way up to registration.
Rosyth has made it clear in the communication to PVs (see extract from school site) that there is no guarantee. As it is, Rosyth takes in so few parent volunteers as a % of applicants which I see as an effort on the school's part to make it a good ROI for PV. It will be 10% or less success rate for PV applicants in 2011. It is difficult to please everyone.

This is where Kiasuparents forum is so useful :lovesite:

Most important, whichever school the child ultimately goes to in 2012, the child should never be made to feel negative about their new school. They should be made to feel that P1 is the start of a wonderful learning journey!

All the best to all who are moving on to Phase 2C!

***extracted from Rosyth School Admission Matters***
8. There is no guarantee that an applicant’s child will get a place in Primary 1 in Rosyth School even though he/she may have successfully completed the Parent Volunteer Programme since the following information is not available:
-Annual P1 Intake (as this is determined by the Ministry of Education)
-Number of children registered under Phase 1.
-Number of children registered under Phase 2A1 and 2A2.
-Number of children registered under Phase 2B's Grassroots Connection.

9. Parents are strongly encouraged to read through the past years registration statistics before application. Kindly note that balloting was conducted at Phase 2B in year 2006 and 2007.
********

[Busymom]

mantaray:

Dreamygal:

I also thought so. I read before somewhere that it should be based on the pre-GE boundaries. Changes will only affect next year registration.

I thought that should be the right way as well. But this issue was highlighted to us as a cause for a large number increase.

From my experience, school admin actually do not know much about the PA process and the letter given to GRL. What the school has highlighted may not be true.

Best to verify directly with PA as they are the ones giving out the letter.