Raffles Institution (Year 1-4)

[red rose]

The difference between Science RP and Science RA programme is in terms of the balance of O level and A level syllabus that is done in Year 3 and 4 (ie Sec 3 and 4). While Science RP students complete all of the O-level syllabus and study a few easy A-level topics, RA students complete the whole A-level syllabus for that subject by the end of Year 4. So yes, it definitely is much more difficult and challenging, and requires a lot more studying. Compared to RP, RA also gets higher-level projects to work on, a key example being the compulsory CHAOS project for all science RAs.

Q: I understand that there are additional topics covered under RA. Does that mean that he sits for 2 exams per subject instead of 1?

A: Thank goodness no. The RA assessment plan is completely different from that of RP. This means that RA could have more or less or even no tests at all. However, in reality, the situation is that RA always has a far greater number of tests than RP. For example this year, the RPs have had (I think) about 2 common class tests throughout the year, whereas the RAs had 2 common tests, as well as 7 topical tests throughout the year. The only test common between RP and RA is the end of year paper, which is used as a tool to benchmark the RA students against the RP students.

Q: Is it compulsory to do SMP if one is selected for Science/Maths RA?

A: I do not think so. However, you are expected to do a research project that is related to one of your RA projects.

Hope that helps. :D[/quote]


Hi! Thanks for the sharing.

I have a few other queries. If RA pupils complete the A level syllabus for that subject by year 4, does this mean that they repeat everything all over again in JC 1/2 (revision for them) or is there an extension of the RA programme in JC, whereby pupils do University level work ? I heard that the really outstanding pupils in the RA programme get to sit for their A levels in Sec 4. Is this information accurate ? BTW, what is SMP ?? :?

Thank you in advance. :lol:

[kohjl]

Dharma:

Many thanks to you, kohjl and your son for the detailed and clear explanations and also for your kindness to share.

You have been blessed with 2 brilliant sons and from their responses (including kohjljr in PSLE Science thread), I see humility and maturity in them. Well done.

Hi Dharma

All I have done is to try and maximise each child’s potential. More than that, it is important for the child to grow up with good moral values and a good character. It is an exciting (though sometimes frustrating) journey to be a parent, and it is I that have been blessed by my family. Thanks so much for your kind comments!

BTW – Please also see PM. Thanks.

[kohjl]

red rose:

Hi! Thanks for the sharing.

I have a few other queries. If RA pupils complete the A level syllabus for that subject by year 4, does this mean that they repeat everything all over again in JC 1/2 (revision for them) or is there an extension of the RA programme in JC, whereby pupils do University level work ? I heard that the really outstanding pupils in the RA programme get to sit for their A levels in Sec 4. Is this information accurate ? BTW, what is SMP ?? :?

Thank you in advance. :lol:

Hi red rose

My son’s answers are appended below. Hope they answer yr follow-up questions on RA matters:

======================================================

Q: If RA pupils complete the A level syllabus for that subject by year 4, does this mean that they repeat everything all over again in JC 1/2 (revision for them) or is there an extension of the RA programme in JC, whereby pupils do University level work ?

A: When the student goes to RIJC, he can choose to try for the RA programme in JC or continue with the normal RP programme. If the student chooses to take the normal RP programme, then I think he will be repeating quite alot of the same things during JC1 and 2. From what I've heard, the RA programme also focuses on the JC 1 and 2 work, but also goes in depth for those topics, and takes on far more challenging questions. In addition, I think there are alot more opportunities given for them in the form of attachments, as well as for national competitions for that subject. For example, Chemistry RA in RIJC offers chemistry olympiad training for the students in RA on top of the higher level stuff that RA does.


Q: I heard that the really outstanding pupils in the RA programme get to sit for their A levels in Sec 4. Is this information accurate ?

A: I havent heard of any of my peers sitting for the A level for that subject this year, so I dont really think this is true.

Q: BTW, what is SMP ??

A: SMP stands for science mentorship programme, where a group of students is attached to a professor at institutes of higher learning such as NUS or NTU, and this group of students will work with the professor on a science study project of their choice. For further information, please refer to the official website (Erm....I sound like some advertisment here):

http://www.gebsp.moe.gov.sg/SMP/index.htm


[Note from kohjl (the mother) – General Note to all members: My son’s HCL at “O” levels is coming up soon, so I’m afraid he will not have time to answer any more RI/ RA queries until after his exams in about 2 weeks. Bear with us! Thanks.]

Regards.

[corneyAmber]

krazy:

hey...


Thought I would share something: a conversation between 2 RI boys, I heard on the train.

RI1: A is a real genius! unlike B. He is a fake.
RI2: Yeah. B has to study like hell and he goes to tuition centre.
RI1: He is always studying because he knows he can't catch up. Whenever we ask B out, it's always a no. Like that, where got friends?
RI2: Yeah, miserable.

Haha very typical indeed, I hear from my source many are muggers to keep up whereas my source is not mugger-type but cruising along....so I tell him, don't worry, you've got what it takes to be truly successful in future as he has a gregarious nature and full of friends. But I find kids these days mature way too fast......not much innocence in their thoughts.

[Fluffy]

It is so sad to hear students and parents making judgement on other children about their intelligence level and the need to engage tutors despite being in a top school.


There is a parent from RI who had to engage tutors for almost all the subjects for their son because this boy is a special needs child and although his intelligence level is high but he is not able to follow through the school lessons due to his disability. Unfortunately, many people like to criticise without understanding the child’s background. The parent was very unhappy as their son was periodically mocked by his classmates.

My son is also a Special Needs student with executive function disorder, Irlen Syndrom and APD although many psychologist, teachers and tutors who know him well understand his potential and abilities. He has to work harder than anybody else. I do not feel a need to explain his disability but have also receive many criticism for his "fake" intelligence level. I do not expect high academic performance level from my son as I believe as long as he achieve average result and has a well balance school life, is happy and gets along well with his classmates and friends, he will go far in his own way. My son is by nature non-competitive, easily contented and good temper. He gets along well with his classmates and seniors. I only wants him to have good memories of his school life in RI.

[corneyAmber]

Fluffy:

It is so sad to hear students and parents making judgement on other children about their intelligence level and the need to engage tutors despite being in a top school.


There is a parent from RI who had to engage tutors for almost all the subjects for their son because this boy is a special needs child and although his intelligence level is high but he is not able to follow through the school lessons due to his disability. Unfortunately, many people like to criticise without understanding the child's background. The parent was very unhappy as their son was periodically mocked by his classmates.

My son is also a Special Needs student with executive function disorder, Irlen Syndrom and APD although many psychologist, teachers and tutors who know him well understand his potential and abilities. He has to work harder than anybody else. I do not feel a need to explain his disability but have also receive many criticism for his \"fake\" intelligence level. I do not expect high academic performance level from my son as I believe as long as he achieve average result and has a well balance school life, is happy and gets along well with his classmates and friends, he will go far in his own way. My son is by nature non-competitive, easily contented and good temper. He gets along well with his classmates and seniors. I only wants him to have good memories of his school life in RI.

Honestly, there is no need for you to feel sad. If you know your circumstances and the reasons why, don't worry about what people perceive generally. The fact remains that majority are not in your situation hence there are peers in the school who would want to \"lament\" about that fact as they faced immense pressure. I was on the receiving end of hearing such a comment from a young kid in that school but my message to him was, not to be affected by what others were doing. You need to know his strength and your child needs to believe in himself....as per my message to the boy.

[kohjl]

Fluffy:

My son is also a Special Needs student with executive function disorder, Irlen Syndrom and APD although many psychologist, teachers and tutors who know him well understand his potential and abilities. He has to work harder than anybody else. I do not feel a need to explain his disability but have also receive many criticism for his \"fake\" intelligence level. I do not expect high academic performance level from my son as I believe as long as he achieve average result and has a well balance school life, is happy and gets along well with his classmates and friends, he will go far in his own way. My son is by nature non-competitive, easily contented and good temper. He gets along well with his classmates and seniors. I only wants him to have good memories of his school life in RI.

Hi Fluffy

Hats off to you and yr son! It is already difficult for a special needs child to go through a mainstream secondary school in Singapore, what more the rigorous education at RI. The fact that your son works very hard speaks very well of him. He has the true spirit of the Rafflesian, and he should hold his head high among them! All the best to you and yr son. Regards.

[edanson]

kohjl:

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.

Hi Dharma

As requested, I’ve asked my son (now Year 4, RI) to give his take on your questions. I’ve also asked him to give an intro as to what RA (Raffles Academy) is about.

So here below are the unedited comments from my son (not to be mistaken for his P6 brother kohjl Jr who is now called PlasmaStorm in this forum.):

=======================================================

Preamble:
In secondary 2, RI students can choose to try for the RA programme, a programme designed to stretch the capacity and thinking skills of students with a high aptitude in a particular subject. Students that apply for the subject have to have a minimum of 3.60 GPA (ie, above 70 marks on average for all subjects), as well as being in the top 15% of the cohort in that particular subject. This also means that the subject that you want to offer naturally has to be of at least a 4.0 grade (ie, greater than 80 marks). The subjects that you can choose to offer an RA for are biology, physics, chemistry, maths, geography, history and literature, up to a maximum of two RA subjects of any combination.

After meeting the basic criteria, you have to sit for a selection test and go for an interview with a teacher. If you pass both of these sections, you will be invited to join that subject’s RA. You can choose to try out for as many RAs as you like as long as you meet the criteria, but even if you are accepted for all, you will eventually be only allowed to take two.

Hope that helps.

Dear kohjl,

Thank you very much for your sharing . I think all these informations are really precious and will help to clear the doubts of many students cum parents . Sincerely appreciated.

I have a few more questions that need you and your boy's help:
May I know if the child needs to prepare for the selection cum interview ? Does the child need to be a real expert (already reading way ahead of school about that subject personally ) in it before being selected? And may I know which subjects are your boy doing for his RA ? :oops: Just curious

Thanking you and your boy in advance. And have a nice day

[kohjl]

edanson:

Dear kohjl,

Thank you very much for your sharing . I think all these informations are really precious and will help to clear the doubts of many students cum parents . Sincerely appreciated.

I have a few more questions that need you and your boy's help:
May I know if the child needs to prepare for the selection cum interview ? Does the child need to be a real expert (already reading way ahead of school about that subject personally ) in it before being selected? And may I know which subjects are your boy doing for his RA ? :oops: Just curious

Thanking you and your boy in advance. And have a nice day

Hi edanson

My son's unedited comments are below as requested. Hope they adequately answer your queries.

Regards.

=========================================================

There is no need to \"prepare\" for the selection test or the interview, although it ALWAYS HELPS (hint hint) to read up more on the subject you are interested in. The student does not need to be reading way ahead of the school syllabus, but he definitely needs to have a strong interest in the subject as well as a natural talent in that subject.

I have a few friends who do have a strong interest in the subject, but are not able to cope with the coursework. They unfortunately suffer in their RA subjects as it is no fun not understanding and eventually gaining nothing from RA classes. **You have been warned.**

I am in a science RA and humanities RA. But sorry I don't really want to disclose which RAs I'm in... just in case SOME people read this. People might be able to identify me. Heh heh.

And have a nice day too.

[JHFMum]

Fluffy:

It is so sad to hear students and parents making judgement on other children about their intelligence level and the need to engage tutors despite being in a top school.


There is a parent from RI who had to engage tutors for almost all the subjects for their son because this boy is a special needs child and although his intelligence level is high but he is not able to follow through the school lessons due to his disability. Unfortunately, many people like to criticise without understanding the child's background. The parent was very unhappy as their son was periodically mocked by his classmates.

My son is also a Special Needs student with executive function disorder, Irlen Syndrom and APD although many psychologist, teachers and tutors who know him well understand his potential and abilities. He has to work harder than anybody else. I do not feel a need to explain his disability but have also receive many criticism for his \"fake\" intelligence level. I do not expect high academic performance level from my son as I believe as long as he achieve average result and has a well balance school life, is happy and gets along well with his classmates and friends, he will go far in his own way. My son is by nature non-competitive, easily contented and good temper. He gets along well with his classmates and seniors. I only wants him to have good memories of his school life in RI.

I feel that every parent knows what's best for his kid and does his best in whatever circumstances he is in. My very gifted cousin did not get a single day of \"tuition\" but has a graduate mum who quitted her high paying job since he was one to devote all her time to groom him. Did he get more help than a child that receives an hr or so of tuition for all his subjects once a week. The opportunity cost of his mum quitting her job to groom him is much highly than engaging a tutor for each subject.

I salute you and your son. Even if his results is just average in RI, it is already a great achievement and speaks greatly of his hard work and determination. Hope he is also a happy child.