Maris Stella High School
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I just realized the books I bought from MS bookshop didn’t come with the CDROM as mentioned in the book list. Does anyone know why is this so? A friend told me in another school, the bookstore stamped on their booklist for the students to collect the CDRom in Jan. But no stamp for me. Perhaps it will be installed in the macbook? What gives??
Also, does anyone know anything about Maris Stella’s CCA points system? Seems we’ve to select CCA strategically taking into consideration the child’s interest plus points that can accumulate… Any input on ODAC and Infocomm or sports?
Thanks! -
skyjuice:
Hi Skyjuice,
Thanks, MintLeaf. Tat's very helpful. My son is very weak in Chinese. Do you know why the booklist doesn't come with Ch textbook? Any advice on CCA? My son is thinking of joining Infocomm cos he likes robotics and web design work. How many CCA are they required to join? Thanks in advance.
My son was given the eBooks sometime in the term, but some books such as Chinese and Literature were missing. For Literature, it could be due to copyright issue. As for Chinese, I am not sure why. The teacher gave a Word document for Chinese Book A during the first semester. But I did not see Book B for the second semester. They use the same Express textbooks that you can buy from Popular book store. I bought them on my own accord. The teacher does not teach every lesson in the textbook. I have listed the first 10 lessons for you below, so that you can check out the textbooks at Popular.
1\t您贵姓
2\t学好本领
3\t久别了的阳光
4\t挥一片春意
5\t给予是快乐的
6\t你给我拉车
7\t神农尝百草
8\t放心的地方
9\t这是怎么一回事
10\t新加坡河－我们的母亲
The HOD for Chinese was a contributing member for this text. Hence it's highly likely that they will be using the same textbook. By the way, my son is not doing HMT. If yours is, he will definitely be using different text.
Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the CCA. It's so complicated nowadays with the LEAPS system. I am not sure what the Infocomm CCA does. I only remembered one of my son's friends joined the Artificial Intelligence related CCA and quit because he felt he was not learning anything. He became a Scout in Sec 2.
A couple of CCA I thought could be interesting are Archery and Air Rifle. I have the impression that my friend's son bought his own bow for Archery and a good one may cost quite a fair bit. Your child can also volunteer to be a student councilor. If I knew about this earlier and the possibility of contributing to Leadership CCA points, I would have asked my son to volunteer. -
MintLeaf:
Thanks, Mintleaf, for such valuable info. My son is doing normal Chinese. I've bot the Chinese text for easier revision as he's rather weak in the subject.
Hi Skyjuice,
My son was given the eBooks sometime in the term, but some books such as Chinese and Literature were missing. For Literature, it could be due to copyright issue. As for Chinese, I am not sure why. The teacher gave a Word document for Chinese Book A during the first semester. But I did not see Book B for the second semester. They use the same Express textbooks that you can buy from Popular book store. I bought them on my own accord. The teacher does not teach every lesson in the textbook. I have listed the first 10 lessons for you below, so that you can check out the textbooks at Popular.
1\t您贵姓
2\t学好本领
3\t久别了的阳光
4\t挥一片春意
5\t给予是快乐的
6\t你给我拉车
7\t神农尝百草
8\t放心的地方
9\t这是怎么一回事
10\t新加坡河－我们的母亲
The HOD for Chinese was a contributing member for this text. Hence it's highly likely that they will be using the same textbook. By the way, my son is not doing HMT. If yours is, he will definitely be using different text.
Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the CCA. It's so complicated nowadays with the LEAPS system. I am not sure what the Infocomm CCA does. I only remembered one of my son's friends joined the Artificial Intelligence related CCA and quit because he felt he was not learning anything. He became a Scout in Sec 2.
A couple of CCA I thought could be interesting are Archery and Air Rifle. I have the impression that my friend's son bought his own bow for Archery and a good one may cost quite a fair bit. Your child can also volunteer to be a student councilor. If I knew about this earlier and the possibility of contributing to Leadership CCA points, I would have asked my son to volunteer.
Yes, you're right about the CCA being complicated. But I guess bottomline, it has to be something the kid enjoys. We'll soon find out what appeals to him at the CCA open house. Thanks again for your kind advice. -
skyjuice:
Anyone has boys in Maris Stella to share about the school? My son will join the sec 1 class next yr there. It seems so happening. 1st week already has 3D2N Orientation and Discovery Camp. But i guess this is the best way to get to know one another. Thanks!
Hi Skyjuice,
My boy is also going Maris Stella.. I was puzzled by the CDrom as well.. BTW are you aware if they allocate the pupils based on the T-score, or randomly? thanks! -
skyjuice:
Yes, you're right about the CCA being complicated. But I guess bottomline, it has to be something the kid enjoys. We'll soon find out what appeals to him at the CCA open house. Thanks again for your kind advice.
That's true. The kids should enjoy their CCA. Maris Stella seems to have a number of interesting CCA options that are open to all. My son has always been playing table tennis, that's why I don't know much about other CCA options except for the little I hear from his friends' experience.
Hope your boy finds something he enjoys. -
CJS:
I thought they install MS Windows to play Windows games since not all games are available on the Mac. Having said that, the Windows licence is not cheap so we didn't buy a copy. It's good to teach the kids about copyright law. If one just wants to get past parental control, there is an easier way round it than to install Windows. But I have observed that the kids are not at that level.The students have to buy a Macbook and it comes with a parental lock system. However, it is no use. The students are so smart. They load in Microsoft OS which will bypass the parental lock system and play internet games.
The only foolproof way to prevent them from computer games is to guard the laptop physically. Very \"Leh-jeh\".
I have to confess that my son is into games too. He started with Runescape in primary school, and is an avid Xbox fan. He mousehunts and uses facebook quite a fair bit. He has also installed games like Red Alert, Command & Conquer, etc that his friends offer him. We asked him to remove them since he does not have the licence.
Since late last year, we have been blocking facebook, etc at home during term time. The school forbids gaming, so the rest is up to the parents to control at home.
Frankly, I am more concerned about porn than game. But my son has told me that he does not know anybody who is into porn. We are perfectly fine with him playing some games as long as it does not affect his studies. -
Hi Mintleaf,
really appreciate your valuable advice. My son is in Maris Stella too, Sec 1, taking normal chinese too. I will sure get a copy of the ch textbook later at popular. Need to brush up his ch abit, been out of touch since PSLE.
We've been quiet confuse with the CCA and LEAPS systems too....i was having Archery in mind for my son and with your suggestion, will definately go learn more on the coming CCA Maze. A pity that they do not have fencing, cos my boy been taking it outside school for 3 years and i'm contemplating whether to stop as i worry he might be too stretch....u think??
Oh well, as we speak, my son is off for their Sec 1 3D2N camp, hope he enjoy the experience and get to know more friends.
Thanks for sharing.....MintLeaf:
Hi Skyjuice,skyjuice:
Thanks, MintLeaf. Tat's very helpful. My son is very weak in Chinese. Do you know why the booklist doesn't come with Ch textbook? Any advice on CCA? My son is thinking of joining Infocomm cos he likes robotics and web design work. How many CCA are they required to join? Thanks in advance.
My son was given the eBooks sometime in the term, but some books such as Chinese and Literature were missing. For Literature, it could be due to copyright issue. As for Chinese, I am not sure why. The teacher gave a Word document for Chinese Book A during the first semester. But I did not see Book B for the second semester. They use the same Express textbooks that you can buy from Popular book store. I bought them on my own accord. The teacher does not teach every lesson in the textbook. I have listed the first 10 lessons for you below, so that you can check out the textbooks at Popular.
1\t您贵姓
2\t学好本领
3\t久别了的阳光
4\t挥一片春意
5\t给予是快乐的
6\t你给我拉车
7\t神农尝百草
8\t放心的地方
9\t这是怎么一回事
10\t新加坡河－我们的母亲
The HOD for Chinese was a contributing member for this text. Hence it's highly likely that they will be using the same textbook. By the way, my son is not doing HMT. If yours is, he will definitely be using different text.
Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the CCA. It's so complicated nowadays with the LEAPS system. I am not sure what the Infocomm CCA does. I only remembered one of my son's friends joined the Artificial Intelligence related CCA and quit because he felt he was not learning anything. He became a Scout in Sec 2.
A couple of CCA I thought could be interesting are Archery and Air Rifle. I have the impression that my friend's son bought his own bow for Archery and a good one may cost quite a fair bit. Your child can also volunteer to be a student councilor. If I knew about this earlier and the possibility of contributing to Leadership CCA points, I would have asked my son to volunteer. -
Did anyone look at the Maris Stella Sec 1 time table? Seems 3-4 times a week my son only off school at 5.35pm. Tat’s really long hrs. Is this how it’s going to be? How can CCA be 3.5hrs?? Would they have lots of homework too?
I had already signed my son up for chinese class on Wed 7pm, thinking that would be the safest time not to clash with school times. But now I see his CCA only ends at 5.35pm! He’ll barely have time to make it home, bathe and have dinner before rushing off to class!! Tat sounds so torturing! -
allets:
Hi Allets,skyjuice:
Anyone has boys in Maris Stella to share about the school? My son will join the sec 1 class next yr there. It seems so happening. 1st week already has 3D2N Orientation and Discovery Camp. But i guess this is the best way to get to know one another. Thanks!
Hi Skyjuice,
My boy is also going Maris Stella.. I was puzzled by the CDrom as well.. BTW are you aware if they allocate the pupils based on the T-score, or randomly? thanks!
School bookstore told me the 3 vouchers to redeem the CDRom are inside the plastic Art folder. We are to redeem the CDRoms these 3 days at the Pri Grandstand bookstore. Till Fri that is.
Which class is your son in? Mine is in 1C.
Not sure how the kids are allocated. I also wonder does the school have top classes, etc... -
von72:
Hi Von72,Hi Mintleaf,
really appreciate your valuable advice. My son is in Maris Stella too, Sec 1, taking normal chinese too. I will sure get a copy of the ch textbook later at popular. Need to brush up his ch abit, been out of touch since PSLE.
We've been quiet confuse with the CCA and LEAPS systems too....i was having Archery in mind for my son and with your suggestion, will definately go learn more on the coming CCA Maze. A pity that they do not have fencing, cos my boy been taking it outside school for 3 years and i'm contemplating whether to stop as i worry he might be too stretch....u think??
Oh well, as we speak, my son is off for their Sec 1 3D2N camp, hope he enjoy the experience and get to know more friends.
Thanks for sharing.....
You are welcome.
Yes, it's a pity Maris Stella does not have fencing. If your son enjoys fencing, it could turn out to be a stress relief for him if he continues. I must admit Secondary school is stressful. However, for Sec 1, let them bump around a bit. To be promoted to Sec 2, the child needs a pass in English and an overall average of 50% and above. You want to practise in Sec 1 and go for it in Sec 2, as streaming depends solely on Sec 2 results.
The school has put some programs in place for all the students to help them achieve the CCA points. But I am still not sure how to compute and where my son stands. Yesterday, my son found out he could check his CCA point status at the General Office. He has yet to make the enquiry at the GO.
I have the impression that annual camps is a Marist tradition dating back more than 20 years. They generally survive well for the Sec 1 camp. At Sec 2, they are not really crazy about going for camp before the fact, but seem to conclude they enjoyed it much more than the Sec 1 camp after the fact. You must miss your son.
I did too when he was in Sec 1. Time flies and he will be back soon. Just pray that the weather will be kind to them.
Do you know that if the child takes Malay as a third language, he gets 2 bonus points for JC admission if he passes it at 'O' level? I didn't know about this 2 years ago. This could be a way to work around the lack of HMT advantage, but again, it may tax the kid too much. I understand the 3rd language classes only start next week, so it should still be possible to request to be admitted now. fyi.
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