St Gabriel's Primary

[wenthena]

:goodpost: hi! I thoroughly enjoyed your post. It's good to know that there's another parent like yourself, hands-on and still finding like me, that this may not be smooth sailing all the time.


Which class is he in? My son was hoping to join soccer but he was svouted for badminton instead. So he does mon and fri training. Fortunately for me, he's been in morning star since day 1. So that sorted out the logistical nightmare for me. You can consider it, since he will also be able to do his homework there before going home:)


So what are your other interesting stories??

the-third-son:

Hi Everyone,


Notice most of you here are actually mummies. I've been lurking around the forum for a long while now though I hardly post. But I thought I'd just intro myself and perhaps make some post contributions with fellow parents who I reckon would consider ourselves as being in 'the same boat'.

I'm a daddy of a P1 Gabrielite. So far, P1 has been both a learning adventure for both him and us as parents. P1 has obviously opened his eyes to many new things and people. It is my hope that apart from the academics, he also learns to be more independent and street smart.

Some of my encounters and observations:

- P1 kids seem to get quite a fair bit of homework. No matter how tired or busy we are, we have to monitor the homework diary on a daily basis as well as guide him through the work and put him through the regimen of spelling and tingxie practice; and also try to read with him.

- I personally emphatise with the kid. Especially when it takes more than an hour and sometimes even 2 (with short breaks in between) to clear through homework and other revisions. I wish sometimes I did not have to put him through all this, but I guess discipline and responsibility to complete work given cannot be avoided.

- The School Bus has been a focal point of negative and positive encounters: From the start, being a P1 boy has opened him up to being bullied by the bigger boys on the bus. This made me recount my own experience back when I was in P1 30+ years ago and I told him that he cannot just sit back and get bullied and would have to stand up for himself especially since the driver cannot control and doesn't care.

- He has reported back many times that the older boys have been pushing and spouting vulgarities. But I am glad that he has shared and clarified all his encounters so we can guide him appropriately and teach him where to draw the lines. I was actually quite happy that he also has taken a firm stand and fought back the bullies on his own, although he still does share with us that there are still some troublemakers from time to time, like just yesterday, someone took a marker and drew on his PE tee.

- From the earlier PTM, the teacher reported that he is generally OK with his schoolwork, though he is noted to be talkative and sometimes inattentive especially in the company of his table-mates in class. I suggested to the teacher to give him some responsibilities and so far the teacher gave feedback that he performs his duty of maintaining the class' book corner very diligently.

- CCA-wise, he is enrolled in Soccer. Soccer is twice a week and ends at the later time of 530pm, which means I have to rush down or make some alternative pick-up arrangements if I cannot make it down from work. I didn't enroll him to Morning Star, although I am considering it for the future; But what I did was to accompany him on his first day of CCA and guided him through what I expected him to do between dismissal at 130pm to the start of CCA at 330pm. So essentially I went through with him to get lunch and after lunch to head to the library and finish up his homework and revision exercises, and read books on his own up till 310pm before changing to his gear and going for CCA. So far he has been doing this on his own for the last 3 weeks. There was an occasion where he deviated from instructions and proceeded to play with some friends and not do his work. But since he was reprimanded by us for that, he has been sticking to the instructions.

There have been other 'interesting' encounters and incidents, but I guess I'll leave that for another time. Hope to get to know you guys better and perhaps we can help each other out.

Thanks for listening!

[eileenp]

Yup. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your experience and can totally relate to most of it.

My son is still quite dependent on me checking on his diary. Cause he will NEVER do his homework on his own. My colleagues also mentioned that 7-9 pages of math homework is kind of too much for a P1 kid.

He does not have any cca at all. Not chosen. Therefore, he goes home early everyday.

Yup. Do tell us more stories! Can’t wait!

[flyboy744]

That’s very strange, either my son’s class teacher is super idle or he has covered a lot in the class. My son’s homework’s next to nothing.


Any homework assigned, whether English or MAths are so little and easy that he finished within 10 mins, sometimes even none. I have to supplement him with something else to keep him occupied.

He is in 1 PER.

[wenthena]

flyboy744:

That's very strange, either my son's class teacher is super idle or he has covered a lot in the class. My son's homework's next to nothing.


Any homework assigned, whether English or MAths are so little and easy that he finished within 10 mins, sometimes even none. I have to supplement him with something else to keep him occupied.

He is in 1 PER.

Hey flyboy744,

Look on the bright side, you got a boy who does his homework fast! according to my son from 1SIY, they get time to do homework in class. So most times I see his diary have many pages, but by the time he gets home, almost all done. Initially I felt the learning of spelling and 听写 is quite heavy but as he progress along, now he learns faster, in 1 sitting as opposed to a few nights. So maybe you can take pride in his efficiency and also can use the spare time in other constructive activities like reading w him??

[the-third-son]

Hi Wenthena,


Glad to share on our experiences so far. My Son's from 1 SEL.
We will be moving soon and my helper's contract is due to end next year. So in view of this, I am considering sending him to Morning Star.

Was wondering if you could fill me in on more details on how Morning Star works, the costs involved and also some feedback on how beneficial it'd be for the child?

Will share some of the other stories shortly!

wenthena:

:goodpost: hi! I thoroughly enjoyed your post. It's good to know that there's another parent like yourself, hands-on and still finding like me, that this may not be smooth sailing all the time.

Which class is he in? My son was hoping to join soccer but he was svouted for badminton instead. So he does mon and fri training. Fortunately for me, he's been in morning star since day 1. So that sorted out the logistical nightmare for me. You can consider it, since he will also be able to do his homework there before going home:)

So what are your other interesting stories??

[Cherubsy]

Hello


I am considering sending my boy to SGPS. But I am staying >2km away so likely need to do PV to secure a place. Any one did PV before and could share their experience?

Also, I have been seeing some form of ‘bullying’ from the older boys. I’m not sure whether this is a trend in boys school but my nephews in Maris Stella are very rowdy also.

I’m still contemplating whether to send to a neighbourhood school near my home or do PV at SGPS since my DD will be enrolling in PL…

[flyboy744]

Cherubsy, my advice to you, please decide your PV time wisely…


Cheers!

[Cherubsy]

Eh… Meaning??

[eileenp]

Hey Wenthena,


Can I check with you? Did your son receive the compo book today? Mine dun have leh.

[wenthena]

No but my boy mc 2nd day Liao. Tmr then he go school. Any homework or happenings these last 2 days??