Anglo-Chinese School (Primary)
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ezmummy:
My son just finished his PSLE and will be moving on to ACSI IP Programme next year.ooohhhhh now I get you clayman.
I agree w you that HMT is for enrichment. Unless the teachers (and we parents) are able to impart a great interest in the language, else I won't force son to take it up too.
you son is in which level now? Or already graduated?
Like I told Shalomger, you can just give me a shout if you need any questions answered about the school, teachers and GEP. Will be most glad to help. -
clayman:
Congrats on your son's success to move on to ACSI
My son just finished his PSLE and will be moving on to ACSI IP Programme next year.
Like I told Shalomger, you can just give me a shout if you need any questions answered about the school, teachers and GEP. Will be most glad to help.
Yes, you have been very helpful.
Eh, just last thing. I heard some school's GEP very siong, with lots of homework.
How's your son's experience in ACS' GEP programme these 3 years? How's the homework load? And is it true that the school don't teach much of the mainstream curriculum?
I'm asking so that I know how much help I will need to give to my son. And also to decide how much commitment I can give to my job, which I'm very prepared to have lower income so as to help my kiddos. -
ezmummy:
Thanks.
Congrats on your son's success to move on to ACSIclayman:
My son just finished his PSLE and will be moving on to ACSI IP Programme next year.
Like I told Shalomger, you can just give me a shout if you need any questions answered about the school, teachers and GEP. Will be most glad to help.
Yes, you have been very helpful.
Eh, just last thing. I heard some school's GEP very siong, with lots of homework.
How's your son's experience in ACS' GEP programme these 3 years? How's the homework load? And is it true that the school don't teach much of the mainstream curriculum?
I'm asking so that I know how much help I will need to give to my son. And also to decide how much commitment I can give to my job, which I'm very prepared to have lower income so as to help my kiddos.
I'll try to answer your questions as best as I can.
First of all, ACSP's GEP is probably the least stressful amongst the 9 centres across Singapore. There is not much drilling (which should be the case with GEP) except when SAs are around the corner. Most of the work is done in school, but the most important thing my DS learnt from the programme is time management. There is a fair amount of writing for English and Social Studies, so he just needs to keep track of the timelines and submission dates. Yes, you are right. They do not do much mainstream curriculum. In fact, my son did not even touch his maths textbooks in P5 at all....not to mention Science. Lessons and topics are interesting so the boys will definitely be engaged.
As for my son's experience, I suppose each boy goes through the GEP programme differently. If I may say, it boils down to the parents' expectations. Some boys in my son's class has tuition at that branded centre at United Square for all 3 subjects. To each his own, I suppose. You know your son best. In comparison, I would say my son kept up with the momentum on his own. He did not have English or Science tuition. He had about 9 months of Maths Olympiad training at a neighbourhood centre but switched to mainstream Heuristics problem solving class to prepare for PSLE. As for MT, he only had about 6 months of compo writing at Tien Hsia but switched to a home tutor for compo and oral for PSLE early this year. So I suppose he had it easy. I don't think the parents can help much curriculum wise, but it would help to just make sure he does his projects on time.
In the first 2 weeks of term, the boys would probably be made to take some assessment tests in all 4 subjects for the teachers to understand each boy's level. From the results they will pay more attention to the weaker ones. Do not be alarmed if your son had to go for remedial classes somewhere down the road. Take it as free tuition. The boys really benefit from this and you can see the improvement. These classes are strictly for GEP boys.
Overall, the boys will manage in the end. This year's GEP class had 21 boys score above 260 for PSLE and they only started their revision in June. That speaks volume about the boys and the teachers and I'm sure the less stressful environment helped in some way.
All the best to your boy in his GEP adventure!! -
clayman:
clayman, you have replied better and more than expected! Really really very very helpful and greatly appreciated!!! :thankyou:
I'll try to answer your questions as best as I can.
First of all, ACSP's GEP is probably the least stressful amongst the 9 centres across Singapore. There is not much drilling (which should be the case with GEP) except when SAs are around the corner. Most of the work is done in school, but the most important thing my DS learnt from the programme is time management. There is a fair amount of writing for English and Social Studies, so he just needs to keep track of the timelines and submission dates. Yes, you are right. They do not do much mainstream curriculum. In fact, my son did not even touch his maths textbooks in P5 at all....not to mention Science. Lessons and topics are interesting so the boys will definitely be engaged.
As for my son's experience, I suppose each boy goes through the GEP programme differently. If I may say, it boils down to the parents' expectations. Some boys in my son's class has tuition at that branded centre at United Square for all 3 subjects. To each his own, I suppose. You know your son best. In comparison, I would say my son kept up with the momentum on his own. He did not have English or Science tuition. He had about 9 months of Maths Olympiad training at a neighbourhood centre but switched to mainstream Heuristics problem solving class to prepare for PSLE. As for MT, he only had about 6 months of compo writing at Tien Hsia but switched to a home tutor for compo and oral for PSLE early this year. So I suppose he had it easy. I don't think the parents can help much curriculum wise, but it would help to just make sure he does his projects on time.
In the first 2 weeks of term, the boys would probably be made to take some assessment tests in all 4 subjects for the teachers to understand each boy's level. From the results they will pay more attention to the weaker ones. Do not be alarmed if your son had to go for remedial classes somewhere down the road. Take it as free tuition. The boys really benefit from this and you can see the improvement. These classes are strictly for GEP boys.
Overall, the boys will manage in the end. This year's GEP class had 21 boys score above 260 for PSLE and they only started their revision in June. That speaks volume about the boys and the teachers and I'm sure the less stressful environment helped in some way.
All the best to your boy in his GEP adventure!!
I let my son read your reply, and both of us like what we read and happy that what you said are very inline with the reasons why we chose ACSP. Actually my son and I secretly prayed that it's ACSP or nothing else, ie, if we don't get ACSP, we will just stay in his old school.
I personally don't believe in excessive homework that are not suited according to the child's needs. Neither do I believe in sending son to unnecessary tuition classes. He hasn't really been to any formal tuition classes yet too. Not because he is very bright, but just that my expectation not very high and so far I have been able to help him. But he just may need Chinese Compo writing, we will see how he progress under ACSP's teacher's hands before deciding the next step.
I shall just wait and see if I will be needed before taking on more jobs
oh btw, we don't even need to get the Math textbooks for next year! Only workbooks.
Thank you and we are both looking forward to the new journey actually. (minus the missing old friends part.) -
Hi, we’re living in Jurong West and are wondering if any of you know of school bus services that operates in this area? We need the bus to send our son to and from ACPS.
Would appreciate any advice.
Thanks. -
tsy8978:
Hi tsy8978, got this from the school's website:Hi, we're living in Jurong West and are wondering if any of you know of school bus services that operates in this area? We need the bus to send our son to and from ACPS.
Would appreciate any advice.
Thanks.
School Bus Transport
Ms Carrie Lee, Bus Co-Ordinator
Tel: 6560-8032 / Email Address: carrie@transland.com.sg
And I did call Ms Carrie.
Just that the pick up time is too early for us, so we decided not to take it up. She is pretty prompt. I emailed her my pick up address, followed by a call.
HTHs -
ezmummy:
My DS is \"jiak kantang\" sort. Lol. We decided to put him in MT. I think it is only by the sheer grace of God that he has been doing okay for mandarin. Keke.
hi shalomgershalomger:
Hehe. Ezmummy, yup I am a mom.
Nm that they are in diff classes, it is still a similar journey for the boys & we can cheer each other on regardless. Hehe.
I am gonna let DS take the school bus to school this year and then take the public transport back. Am kinda concerned about the recent MRT disruptions though as Newton was affected. Worse still, it was reported that Newton's staff did not seem well-prepared. Have told hubby we need to work out a plan B for DS for when 1) he misses the school bus, or 2) when the MRT line breaks down and he is stranded due to the service disruption.
Oh, I will be concern too. Even while taking the circle line today, I got worried
for us, we don't have to take train, so that kind of ease of worry.
I think if the boys are taking public transport, will have to bring handphone? So anything wrong can call us.
And oh yes, glad to know someone to walk the journey together
and btw shalomger, is your ds taking higher MT or normal MT?
I asked cos I'm wondering how they allocate the classes. Thinking if it's according to the MT. My son taking normal MT. -
Hey Ezmummy,
Yes when Clayman told me ACSP has a more holistic and balanced outlook towards GEP, I felt so relieved. Like u I don't believe in drowning kids in additional tuition and enrichment UNLESS absolutely neccessary. DS has only been to a Compo writing class at the TPY West CC near our place. I only supervise his mandarin and give him spelling for it. Otherwise he is pretty much on his own for his studies.
I am very happy to hear, Clayman, that the MT teachers are excellent. DS enjoyed the ones at his previous school. And yes, if kenah remedial I prob won't faint or panic. I will prob be relieved that he gets great help.
I am glad they will assess the kids from the start and give them appropriate and timely help in areas of weakness. Indeed, the PSLE scores speak for themselves.
EZmummy, how will you bring DS to school? Be wary of the infamous traffic jams k? -
ezmummy:
Yes. Carrie is very prompt. Still waiting for the bus driver to call so I know the timing. Crossing my fingers that it won't be too ridiculously early or too much of a roundabout ride. ^.^\"
Hi tsy8978, got this from the school's website:tsy8978:
Hi, we're living in Jurong West and are wondering if any of you know of school bus services that operates in this area? We need the bus to send our son to and from ACPS.
Would appreciate any advice.
Thanks.
School Bus Transport
Ms Carrie Lee, Bus Co-Ordinator
Tel: 6560-8032 / Email Address: carrie@transland.com.sg
And I did call Ms Carrie.
Just that the pick up time is too early for us, so we decided not to take it up. She is pretty prompt. I emailed her my pick up address, followed by a call.
HTHs
Carrie replies her emails around MN btw hehe... From what I have observed. -
Hi all,
Just found my way over to this forum. My son will be joining the ACSP family in 2012 too. Thank you for all the important details shared.
Hubby will be taking the public bus with DS to school as it’s along the way to his office but I expected they will reach school really early in order to avoid the jam.
Can I check when do we actually go into school and is it necessary to get the ID pass ?
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