<![CDATA[School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children]]>Singaporean children returning from overseas and wishing to join secondary schools and junior colleges at the start of the academic year in 2010 can register for the School Placement Exercise from August 3.


http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/returning-singaporeans/

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/4662/school-placement-exercise-for-returning-s-porean-childrenRSS for NodeSat, 02 May 2026 00:54:29 GMTFri, 31 Jul 2009 09:20:44 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:57:47 GMT]]>

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2129513\" time=\"1708475949\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2129513 time=1708475949 user_id=53606]
Additional considerations: if u convert his citizenship to sg, he will have to serve NS. But if he is not an sg citizen or PR, he may not be able to enter a popular primary school, and will have to take the leftover slots like other foreigners.[/quote]
To add on: fees for international students in local schools are higher than for citizens or PRs.

And another consideration: how do you want your kids to feel about Singapore as they grow up, and when they are adults? If they go to local school, they will make Singapore friends, and get to know Singapore in a way students of international schools do not, and are likely to feel that Singapore is their \"home base\". However, if the time in Singapore is expected to be temporary, and they regard US or somewhere else as their home base, then the considerations will be different. If your family has decided that US is going to be their \"home base\", then US-curriculum international school will work well for them.

This is not to say that Singaporeans never live away from Singapore, but I think every person needs to have some sense of belonging to somewhere, and this is usually developed in their teen years. It gives them a point of stability even if they live and work around the world during their working lives.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2129514https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2129514Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:57:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:39:09 GMT]]>

vk83\" post_id=\"2129511\" time=\"1708473291\" user_id=\"204040:

Wow! Thank you for the heads up! Seems like there is so much more to think about that I had initially assumed. I have been pretty open to my daughter on her expectations on schooling and results in Singapore. I will look further out for more school options. The last resort would be for her to attend an International school. My son will enter P2 but we have yet to convert his citizenship. Again, many thanks for the advice. Much appreciated!
Additional considerations: if u convert his citizenship to sg, he will have to serve NS. But if he is not an sg citizen or PR, he may not be able to enter a popular primary school, and will have to take the leftover slots like other foreigners.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2129513https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2129513Wed, 21 Feb 2024 00:39:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:54:51 GMT]]>Wow! Thank you for the heads up! Seems like there is so much more to think about that I had initially assumed. I have been pretty open to my daughter on her expectations on schooling and results in Singapore. I will look further out for more school options. The last resort would be for her to attend an International school. My son will enter P2 but we have yet to convert his citizenship. Again, many thanks for the advice. Much appreciated!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2129511https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2129511Tue, 20 Feb 2024 23:54:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Wed, 14 Feb 2024 07:39:36 GMT]]>

vk83\" post_id=\"2128965\" time=\"1707876531\" user_id=\"204040:

...
Do you all have any recommendations for good primary and secondary schools around the area?
...
Schools around katong are mostly very much in demand and you might be forced to expand your search to the Geylang area where things are a bit more palatable. How about Geylang Methodist Primary school? I assume your kid is going to go in at Primary 2 or 3?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128995https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128995Wed, 14 Feb 2024 07:39:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Wed, 14 Feb 2024 02:50:58 GMT]]>

vk83\" post_id=\"2128965\" time=\"1707876531\" user_id=\"204040:

Thank you both so much for your responses! Very helpful and I will definitely try the email and then go down in person. I pray my daughter's results will be good enough. She is a straight A student and is a year ahead in Math than her peers. She is an avid writer and has been published a few times.. Fingers crossed!

Once I settle her school, I need to worry about my 8 year old boy.. haha...

Do you all have any recommendations for good primary and secondary schools around the area?

Many thanks in advance!
One of the things that kids who switch from US-type schools to Sg schools need to be aware of - the awarding of marks is extremely different, especially in sec school (other than Maths). US schools take marks away from 100 for mistakes; Sg schools start from a lower base (around 80+?), marks are taken away for mistakes, and marks have to be earned for good work (not always easy to earn) to push marks higher. Hence an A in US school is 90, but an A in Sg school is about 75-80. My daughters transitioned from a US-curriculum international school to Sg school at Sec 2 and Pre-U, and it took a while to accustom themselves to the \"terrible\" marks they were getting. My straight-A younger girl was terribly shocked at her first 70+ mark even though we had warned her what the marking was like in Singapore - her usual marks had been around 95 or higher for every subject.

I would encourage you to compare what your daughter has learned for Maths with the Singapore curriculum; by Sec 2, Sg schools are almost 2 years ahead of US schools. Since your daughter is joining in Sec 1, she has time to catch up if she wants to take A Maths in Sec 3, but if she is a strong student, a little extra prep won't be too hard for her. If she starts off behind, especially with all the other transitions she will be going through, it can make the initial period hard.

Can't help you with specific recommendations of schools. You should probably also start preparing for your son in the same way - identifying possible schools, and also preparing documentation about curriculum etc. And he will probably be required to take mother tongue language as he is still young, so some preparation in advance may be good. Since he's still in lower Pr, you could aim to put him in school after the June holidays if you think he might appreciate more time to adjust and acclimatise. But if he's an extrovert, he might like to join school asap.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128970https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128970Wed, 14 Feb 2024 02:50:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Wed, 14 Feb 2024 02:08:51 GMT]]>Thank you both so much for your responses! Very helpful and I will definitely try the email and then go down in person. I pray my daughter’s results will be good enough. She is a straight A student and is a year ahead in Math than her peers. She is an avid writer and has been published a few times… Fingers crossed!


Once I settle her school, I need to worry about my 8 year old boy… haha…

Do you all have any recommendations for good primary and secondary schools around the area?

Many thanks in advance!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128965https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128965Wed, 14 Feb 2024 02:08:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Sat, 10 Feb 2024 07:40:58 GMT]]>

vk83\" post_id=\"2128798\" time=\"1707507572\" user_id=\"204040:

Hello everyone!
Super thankful to find this discussion group and hope its still active!
My family has been in the US for the past 13 years and finally are coming home in April..Since it wasn't something planned way in advance, I was unable to register my daughter for the 2023 Spers. She is currently in 7th grade here so would most likely join Sec 1. I was wondering what would be the best way to approach as school for direct admission. Would I email the principal or is it better to go in person? The schools we are looking at are near Katong as we plan to live in that area..so we are looking at Katong Convent, Tanjong Katong Girls or Tanjong Katong Secondary. Really appreciate any advice I can get. Many thanks!
Try emailing first, providing as much info as you think they will need. If you don't get a response, then you can try calling, or get someone in Singapore to be your representative. You will need to approach each school individually. Going in person would be good, but if you only start when you return, that could put a lot of pressure on you when you will already be in the midst of a move. In these days of Zoom, you could suggest that as an option as well.

For the info that they will probably need/be interested in:
- your situation, why you missed SPERs, how long you have been away
- where you will be staying in Singapore
- your daughter's educational background and latest school report
- anything else that might help (special skills, links to the school, etc)

If the school has no vacancy, they will probably tell you quickly. Even if they have a vacancy, they may be concerned about what English, Maths and Science your daughter has covered in her present school. You probably don't need to provide this in a first email, but you should start preparing a list of topics covered, samples of written work, etc. Some schools may ask that your daughter take a test - they will be concerned whether she can keep up with schoolwork. You may want to find out what is covered in the first semester of Sec 1 and coach your daughter before returning to Singapore. Besides the academic - how does your daughter feel about the move? It's very important that she is not hating the idea as it will be adjustment even more difficult.

Hope this gives you a starting point. Do ask again if you have more questions.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128807https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128807Sat, 10 Feb 2024 07:40:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:12:46 GMT]]>You will have to call up each of those named schools of yours individually, request to speak to the Principal (P), ask whether still got any vacancy left, for that level (eg. Sec 1) you are interested in, for your child.


If P reply Sorry, no vacancy, then u just have to cast your fishing net wider into the ocean & consider some other Secondary schools, instead.

Only if got vacancies available, then can they consider your child. If need be, they may ask your child to come down to school premises, take some subject proficiency tests for each of the Core subjects, to see where exactly Is the standard of your child now, returning back from US. That is, provided got vacancies. Otherwise, u just have to consider some other schools, instead. Because now is not the time for u to choose schools. But rather, is there vacancy or not, in the first case.

You may google the individual school website for their phone number & start calling up one by one, to inquire on the status of vacancy availability.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128800https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128800Fri, 09 Feb 2024 20:12:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Fri, 09 Feb 2024 19:39:32 GMT]]>Hello everyone!

Super thankful to find this discussion group and hope its still active!
My family has been in the US for the past 13 years and finally are coming home in April…Since it wasn’t something planned way in advance, I was unable to register my daughter for the 2023 Spers. She is currently in 7th grade here so would most likely join Sec 1. I was wondering what would be the best way to approach as school for direct admission. Would I email the principal or is it better to go in person? The schools we are looking at are near Katong as we plan to live in that area…so we are looking at Katong Convent, Tanjong Katong Girls or Tanjong Katong Secondary. Really appreciate any advice I can get. Many thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128798https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128798Fri, 09 Feb 2024 19:39:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Fri, 09 Feb 2024 19:39:21 GMT]]>Hello everyone!

Super thankful to find this discussion group and hope its still active!
My family has been in the US for the past 13 years and finally are coming home in April…Since it wasn’t something planned way in advance, I was unable to register my daughter for the 2023 Spers. She is currently in 7th grade here so would most likely join Sec 1. I was wondering what would be the best way to approach as school for direct admission. Would I email the principal or is it better to go in person? The schools we are looking at are near Katong as we plan to live in that area…so we are looking at Katong Convent, Tanjong Katong Girls or Tanjong Katong Secondary. Really appreciate any advice I can get. Many thanks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128797https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2128797Fri, 09 Feb 2024 19:39:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:34:32 GMT]]>

sunnylai\" post_id=\"2111158\" time=\"1687178137\" user_id=\"178799:

May i ask a question regarding LOA here?
If we are still based and studying in oversea, and not back in Sg yet...
Can the LOA student apply to go back and study in their LOA SG school, just during their summer holiday of 2 months (July and August)?
THX!
ca.wedidthatfor6years

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2127104https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2127104Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:34:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:33:11 GMT]]>

MyUniverse\" post_id=\"2119096\" time=\"1694764534\" user_id=\"194350:

Hi, my son is taking the SPERs test today. I saw many AEIS students. May I know if we have priority over them when we select for schools? Thank you.
sure.citizeshipcouts

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2127103https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2127103Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:33:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:23:48 GMT]]>4years,fromMSHS2RI

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2127101https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2127101Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:23:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:20:53 GMT]]>

floppy\" post_id=\"1957512\" time=\"1578279398\" user_id=\"97579:

Ultimately, you are the final decision maker. As Esteema says, if you’ve identified a place that you think is good for your child, it’s not a requirement to come back to Singapore. As long as there’s no urgent needs (family, etc), and affordability isn’t a concern, he can stay put in SHSID.

That said, if SHSID fees isn’t an issue for you, you can always consider the international schools from one of the popular schools in Singapore (similar to SHSID which is an offshoot of SHS) rather than accept MOE posting. ACS International, SJI International and HC International fees are comparable with SHSID (~SGD25k vs ~RMB110k).
after4years,RI.....!!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2127100https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2127100Sun, 14 Jan 2024 14:20:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Wed, 08 Nov 2023 07:55:09 GMT]]>Hi would like to check anyone taking SPE? We registered for SPE as we missed the SPERS registration. I am wonder will there still be any good school space available by then? Anyone has any experience or information to share here. Much appreciated.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2122291https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2122291Wed, 08 Nov 2023 07:55:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:41:07 GMT]]>

MyUniverse\" post_id=\"2119096\" time=\"1694764534\" user_id=\"194350:

Hi, my son is taking the SPERs test today. I saw many AEIS students. May I know if we have priority over them when we select for schools? Thank you.
I'm not sure it's stated anywhere how they do it. But in general, I would think that Singapore citizenship wold count for something, especially if academics are about equal.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2119105https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2119105Fri, 15 Sep 2023 13:41:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:55:34 GMT]]>Hi, my son is taking the SPERs test today. I saw many AEIS students. May I know if we have priority over them when we select for schools? Thank you.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2119096https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2119096Fri, 15 Sep 2023 07:55:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Mon, 14 Aug 2023 08:12:27 GMT]]>

Rockson\" post_id=\"2116236\" time=\"1691995060\" user_id=\"201375:

Hi all ~ I have registered for my son attending SPERS-sec (Sec 2) exam this coming Sept. I wonder what if my son fails the exam, would that mean he's not able to get into any school next year? Reason I asked is that my son is educated in Mandarin and his English is very poor (according to Singapore's standard). Cos if he doesn't make it to any school next year, then I will have to apply for his NS exit permit and pay a large bond amount.
Depending on how poor his English is, he may be asked to got back a year, meaning that he may be offered a Sec 1 place next year. If his English is really poor, and they don't think he can manage Sec 1, I'm not sure what they will do. He won't be accepted in P6 as it's a major exam year, and it might be too much to ask him to go back to P5 (even if MOE allows it, and they may not).

It seems you are prepared to keep him overseas if he doesn't get into a Singapore school? If that's the case, you can try to help him improve his English over the next year or two, and try SPERS-Sec to get a Sec 3 place in 2026.

There are also other options in Singapore such as international schools, but they cost more.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116250https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116250Mon, 14 Aug 2023 08:12:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:04:22 GMT]]>

Rockson\" post_id=\"2116236\" time=\"1691995060\" user_id=\"201375:

Hi all ~ I have registered for my son attending SPERS-sec (Sec 2) exam this coming Sept. I wonder what if my son fails the exam, would that mean he's not able to get into any school next year? Reason I asked is that my son is educated in Mandarin and his English is very poor (according to Singapore's standard). Cos if he doesn't make it to any school next year, then I will have to apply for his NS exit permit and pay a large bond amount.
Your son won’t fail per se, because there’s no failure. It’s about the stream / school that will be made available to him. Hence, if his English is very poor and he is unable to understand or answer most of the questions, he could be placed in G2 and possibly G1 stream.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116239https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116239Mon, 14 Aug 2023 07:04:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Mon, 14 Aug 2023 06:50:26 GMT]]>

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2116237\" time=\"1691995396\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2116237 time=1691995396 user_id=53606]
You may wish to try this avenue (Assured School Placement for Returning Singaporeans). It does not seem to be conditional on any exam results:

https://www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/assured-school-placement[/quote]
Thanks for the reply, I've researched about the Assured School Placement, unfortunately, I don't have a residential place in Singapore since I've been away from Singapore for too long. So I guess I'll need to find a place to stay first then.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116238https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116238Mon, 14 Aug 2023 06:50:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Mon, 14 Aug 2023 06:43:16 GMT]]>

Rockson\" post_id=\"2116236\" time=\"1691995060\" user_id=\"201375:

Hi all ~ I have registered for my son attending SPERS-sec (Sec 2) exam this coming Sept. I wonder what if my son fails the exam, would that mean he's not able to get into any school next year? Reason I asked is that my son is educated in Mandarin and his English is very poor (according to Singapore's standard). Cos if he doesn't make it to any school next year, then I will have to apply for his NS exit permit and pay a large bond amount.
You may wish to try this avenue (Assured School Placement for Returning Singaporeans). It does not seem to be conditional on any exam results:

https://www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/assured-school-placement

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116237https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116237Mon, 14 Aug 2023 06:43:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Mon, 14 Aug 2023 06:37:40 GMT]]>Hi all ~ I have registered for my son attending SPERS-sec (Sec 2) exam this coming Sept. I wonder what if my son fails the exam, would that mean he’s not able to get into any school next year? Reason I asked is that my son is educated in Mandarin and his English is very poor (according to Singapore’s standard). Cos if he doesn’t make it to any school next year, then I will have to apply for his NS exit permit and pay a large bond amount.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116236https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116236Mon, 14 Aug 2023 06:37:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Sun, 13 Aug 2023 23:55:47 GMT]]>

e003808\" post_id=\"2116193\" time=\"1691936635\" user_id=\"142877:

Anyone knows where will SPERS test be conducted or detail test time?
MOE website says that the SPERS-Sec test is on 15 Sep 2023. No other details. If you have registered, you should have received the info since it's only a month away? You could also call the MOE helpline and see if you can get details from them.

Registration for this SPERS test has closed. If you missed this round, there is a supplementary round in Dec.
https://www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/secondary/spe

If you are asking about SPERS-JC/MI:
https://www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/post-secondary/spers

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116202https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116202Sun, 13 Aug 2023 23:55:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to School Placement Exercise for returning S'porean children on Sun, 13 Aug 2023 14:23:55 GMT]]>Anyone knows where will SPERS test be conducted or detail test time?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116193https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/2116193Sun, 13 Aug 2023 14:23:55 GMT