Raffles Institution (Year 1-4)

[kiasuson]

kuzco:

mathsparks:

Haiz, it's difficult to be a mum. If yr son does well and gets into a premier (don't slam me for this word...it's commonly used when they refer to that school in bishan) school, you worry if he can cope with the rigours. If yr child doesn't do well and goes to a neighbourhood school, you worry if he'll be influenced by his peers.

Whether a child finds a premier school stressful or not really depends on his ability. If a child is one who is able to score 270 and above, he may find it less stressful than one who scores, say, 250+ who may have to struggle to keep his head above the water.

As for being influenced by peers in a neighbourhood school, I think every school has some bad apples which, hopefully, doesn't spoil the rest of the barrel.

I think the PSLE scores is not a good indication of whether the child will struggle in the premier schools. If the students mugged and keep doing assesment to get the 270+, I believe they will struggle in the premier schools as there are no time for the students to mug and keep working on assesments.

[turquoise]

Thanks kiasuson. I don’t have a son but I find your info useful nonetheless. I wonder if anyone has similar info on RGS.

[mathsparks]

kiasuson:

My son is in the first year. I will like to share some of my observation during the past 9 months and try to answer your questions.

My son joined the sports CCA which requires him to train 3 times a week. The schedule is pretty tide but he since able to adjust to it. He used to sleep at 9pm sharp during primary school. In RI, he has to adjust to sleep at about 10.30pm to 11pm. I keep asking if the school is stressful but he keeps replying that he is enjoying it. I believe this is up to individual. He played another sports for the school and also in some of the committees to organise events.

As for results, they have CA reports in May and August but there are no ranking information. From the result slips, you can know his GPA and his individual subject results percentile in his cohorts. My son feedback that a few of the students that score very well in the PSLE is struggling. He analysed that those who has mugged and keep doing assesment during primary school to get good results suffers in RI. In RI, there are not much time for students to work on assesments. The test or EOY questions are very different from normal assesments you find in the bookshop or tutions centres. A lot of time is put in on projects, presentations, portfolios, etc. This is the area that my son enjoys and scored. In PSLE, you are not assess in this area. There are still about 50% of the marks assessed thru paper assesments and exams. Their exam or CA format is completely different from other normal schools.

BTW, my son's PSLE results is at the mid 260 and in the mainstream. He is admitted thru DSA.

The seniors are friendly so far. There will be some naughty students around. My son is from an SAP schools and my observation is that students from SAP schools still retain the teaching from their primary schools. My son still bows to the teachers/principals when he met them in school. My son has become more agumentative but I think this is the natural characteristic of teenagers. He is able to anaylse things with more detail and systematic way.

I stayed in the east too. In my block, there are about 3 RI students. In order to save the $90 monthly school bus fee for the single way transport to school, we have decided to car pool. The 3 parents will take turns to ferry our son to school. In one year, we have to drive about 12 weeks a year. It save us about S$1080 yearly. There are a few places that you can drop off your students. Like many other schools, it will always be congested. The trick to avoid this is to drop them in school before 7 am.

I hope my feedback helps. Feel free to PM me if you need any feedback.

Thank you so much kiasuson for the details. Have a better understanding now. Yes..argumentative teens..I know what that means..used to spar with my girl often. I'm glad being in a pri sap school somehow may keep them more grounded. I never fail to be amazed how these kids will bow to every teacher and greet them. Will consider carpool too when I find out anyone else in the neighbourhood is willing.

So, no taupok incidents? :!: (Nah...you don't have to reply..we don't wan the world to know that this premier school has such cases). What about remedial classes? Thanks again. :celebrate:

[kiasuson]

mathsparks:

Thank you so much kiasuson for the details. Have a better understanding now. Yes..argumentative teens..I know what that means..used to spar with my girl often. I'm glad being in a pri sap school somehow may keep them more grounded. I never fail to be amazed how these kids will bow to every teacher and greet them. Will consider carpool too when I find out anyone else in the neighbourhood is willing.


So, no taupok incidents? :!: (Nah...you don't have to reply..we don't wan the world to know that this premier school has such cases). What about remedial classes? Thanks again. :celebrate:

There are remedial class cater for the weaker students. The remedial class are taught by the old boys. The Rafflesian spirit is very strong. You can feel it the moment you step into the school.

[mathsparks]

Thanks kiasuson.


My son has been to the RI campus a few times and already knows his way around. He likes the school a lot. Hope he can feel the Rafflesian spirit in no time at all.

I did my first 3 months of JC in RI (when they were in Grange rd, back then they weren't called RJC) but didn't continue..can't recall if it was my results not good enough to continue or the distance was too far for me...perhaps I perceived those kids as snobs.

Anyway, I'm so glad that he's been given a chance to do his A levels in RI...a chance which I either didn't have or foolishly threw away.

[kiasuson]

mathsparks:

Thanks kiasuson.


My son has been to the RI campus a few times and already knows his way around. He likes the school a lot. Hope he can feel the Rafflesian spirit in no time at all.

I did my first 3 months of JC in RI (when they were in Grange rd, back then they weren't called RJC) but didn't continue..can't recall if it was my results not good enough to continue or the distance was too far for me...perhaps I perceived those kids as snobs.

Anyway, I'm so glad that he's been given a chance to do his A levels in RI...a chance which I either didn't have or foolishly threw away.

Welcome to the Rafflesian family. He will enjoy and well taken care by the seniors. The RPA is also very helpful to get the parents orientated and also feel the Rafflesian spirit.

[father_of_3]

[quote]mathsparks:Anyway, I'm so glad that he's been given a chance to do his A levels in RI.[/quote]
Hi Mathsparks, u hv decide RI for yr son?
Cheers.

[mathsparks]

Hi father_of_3,


It was a joint decision made with him.

Hey kiasuson,
Thank you so much for the welcome. It’s very comforting and reassuring to hear from you.

[Dharma]

Hi kohjl,


I understand that your older son is doing RA for 2 subjects in RI. Will appreciate your kind advise on some of my queries below.

How is the level of difficulty as compared to the rest of the subjects in RP? Is the workload very much more for RA? I understand that there are additional topics covered under RA. Does that mean that he sits for 2 exams per subject instead of 1? Is it compulsory to do SMP if one is selected for Science/Maths RA?

Thanking you in advance.

[kiasuson]

Dharma:

Hi kohjl,


I understand that your older son is doing RA for 2 subjects in RI. Will appreciate your kind advise on some of my queries below.

How is the level of difficulty as compared to the rest of the subjects in RP? Is the workload very much more for RA? I understand that there are additional topics covered under RA. Does that mean that he sits for 2 exams per subject instead of 1? Is it compulsory to do SMP if one is selected for Science/Maths RA?

Thanking you in advance.

It is good to know all this. Can we create a Parents Network Group for Secondary schools?