2ct:

Original Title: RGS or NYGH


If my gal is better at languages and weaker at math, which school should she choose. She is also an average student in her class. Any advice.

Last year around these period I was undecided on my girl choice of school.My girl have finally joined NYGH and she seems to like the school.At first I thought $here $ there is true(when she just started her study in NYGH) but as time passed, it don`t seem to be the case.

I think there is lots of school work and couple with CCA activities (something like 5 days a week for a month before performance)she is quite busy.As she likes her CCA (string ensemble) she has no complain.)

So far have let her handle all her school work by herself and she has to learn to juggles her between school work (which include group activities, in a way she also enjoy the group activities) and CCA.

Have not regretted my decision to let her study in NYGH. Overall quite balance, not as my initial concern that she will turn out to be \"too quiet /straight/obedient\"

NYGH has a very active parent support group, though I usually don`t participate in the event due to my own preference(not anything to do with the activities organised)

My girl tell me tomorrow will be the NYGH open house and she will be involved in her CCA.

For those choosing a secondary school, you may want to visit the school open house.

(One thing good about NYGH DSA selection, for those selected in the first batch, you are informed very early.Last year my girl received her selection result in the morning on the day she went for her RGS interview(afternoon).I was so glad as it cerntainly ease a lot of her pressure in the important PSLE year)

Today she started her sabbatical(which I thick is about a week of non academic activities such as dancing, home economic, toy story, silat and etc. She choose dancing and I am so glad when she came back she told she really enjoy the dance activity)

A bit of info for sharing.

All the best for those applying for DSA.

Perhaps "fairness" is relative. Wat is fair for one may be deemed unfair to another. I think it is unfair for my dd to have to go thru 6 yrs of studies before Uni whereas 2ppaamm dd can do it in a about a yr or 2. But to 2ppaamm it is fair, it is just tat I am a foolish parent not to choose otherwise .Actually.

Quite curious wat is the alternative sys tat was mentioned by 2ppaamm.Heard before of people who skip JC to do short diploma course and proceed to get into Uni oversea(shortening the process by 1or 2 yrs) but getting a dip at age 13(PLSE at 12) and applying for U at 14 is amazing.
Hope 2ppaamm can share as I guess many are curious to know.

mummyjoyce:

can I check if PSLE result 261 should apply and try for NYGH?

I personally feel that for girls of 260-270 range, NYGH should be a good choice.Last year heard of student with 259 + 2 that was not successful but later got through on appeal.

2ct:

Original Title: RGS or NYGH


If my gal is better at languages and weaker at math, which school should she choose. She is also an average student in her class. Any advice.

My dd got her result today and it about the average of her class.I am surprised that she got 4 A star and a Distinction for HMT.Guess because of the tough paper for math, the mark for A star has been lowered to 80+.

micko07:

MdmKS:

Any DSA sucess story to either of the schools by mainstream pupils in this forum?

Yup me! I was in the pioneer batch of DSA students, non GEPer.

I graduated from NYGH last year, currently in HCI. I'll admit that at times the workload made me go :stupid: but overall, I certainly wouldn't trade my NYGH experience for anything else.

For those of you who think that NYGH is more \"relaxed\" and \"laid-back\", I can tell you that depends on how seriously you take your work. There's always things to be done and good luck if you're trying to cram for 3 tests (in one day) while juggling a truckload of projects, CCA and whatnot. I will say that the environment is much less cut-throat but I don't think that makes us any less competitive. That is more dependent on the individual; on how driven and motivated you are. I did like the nurturing environment though; people were extremely helpful and you help to push each other up rather than push them down. As far as I can see, that trend has carried on to HCI; we share notes and good essays quite often! I'm not sure what the culture over at RGS is like and I'm not going to speculate. I did hear the \"thrown into the deep end of the pool\" analogy though; that came from my friend, who went to NYGH whereas her older sister went to RGS, so I guess there is some truth to the matter.

I'm probably a good example that the typical stereotypes of NYGH gals don't hold true. My Chinese is horrible (I must really thank my NY teachers for putting up with it), I'm fairly outspoken (or so I've been told) and I'm far from nerdy. In fact, I've lost count of the number of times people being surprised that I don't hail from RGS. I'm not sure what you define as \"traditional\" - Guai guai, cheena or what? I\"m quite guai (definitely not the rebel) but I will question things I'm not convinced in. I'm conservative; but I attribute that mainly to my upbringing in a Christian environment, not because I went to NYGH. I think if anything, NYGH made me more outspoken, my teachers often encouraged us to voice our opinions (we have roundtable discussions, Socratic seminars and presentations rather often) and the less intimidating environment certainly helped. Discussions were in a more discussive style rather than an all-out debate.

My mother (ex-RGS) has often said that had I gone to RGS, I might have become more meek because I would have been overshadowed by the other girls. I don't know how true that is but at any rate, I think I was very blessed with the opportunities that NYGH offered. I've done caving in South Australia, OCIP in India, science attachements to A*Star, a two-week attachement to a school in Tasmania, been to a space camp in Beijing and so on. I don't agree with some of the school's policies (we did voice them out in a forum with the V-P) but overall, I think NYGH did a good job of nurturing me to who I am today. I'm especially thankful to my teachers, many of them are genuinely caring and very supportive of the students. I've met teachers who went against the school management just because they felt the welfare of the students was being compromised; that really touched me. (Didn't like the principal though, mainly because I felt her bad English was going to cement the notion that NYGH girls can't speak eloquently forever).

My initial choice was RGS and I was very disappointed to be rejected for DSA. Back then, I signed up for the NYGH DSA simply because I had nothing better to do after PSLE and as a \"safety net\". Well, when the PSLE result were released, a lot of people thought I would appeal (I scored 278 - my form teacher was so shocked when she saw my posting slip!). I didn't and looking back, I think God really knew what was best for me. I did seriously contemplate transferring out in Sec 1 (yes I'm embarrassed to say I thought RGS was better than NYGH back then) but I stuck on. And I'm glad I did.

It was a stroke of fate that threw me off my original plans. I don't think changing over the RGS would have affected me very badly but it sure is one heck of a blessing in disguise.

For the record, I hail from a middle-class family. I'm quite spoilt in that I rarely take the bus (Mom quit her job in 2002 I think) but I'm definitely not snobby, nor do I discriminate against others. From my personal experience with GEPers, I would disagree that they are snobby. Maybe it's just a case of a few black sheeps - at any rate, such elitist mentalities should be corrected immediately. Don't ever get intimidated into thinking that you're any lesser than them. I'm currently in the Hwa Chong Humanities Programme - the students who rank at the top are mainly mainstreamers, for example.

Good luck to all in choosing between the two (I feel your dilemma!) and here's hoping that everything will turn out fine in the end

Sorry for the terribly long rambling, I felt that I needed to get my story out (particularly since it bears a lot of resemblance) and I really needed to debunk some of the myths about NYGH (which annoys me to no end).

To 2ct: Welcome to the NYGH family! Feel free to ask any questions you have! I'm always very happy to meet/ help new students

Hi micko07,

I'm 2ct's daughter. Thank you for sharing, it certainly has made me feel much better, it's good to know that I'm going somewhere nice.

turquoise:

Hi 2ct. Great to hear that you and your daughter have come to a decision (without resorting to tossing a coin ) What was the deciding factor?


NatTifMummy, have you come to a decision yet? Option forms are coming in next week.

Hi Turquoise

Firstly I guess my dd PLSE score will be in the range of 255-265.Based on the feedbacks on this thread and my friend who has 2 daughters in NYGH those pupils in this range fared reasonably well in NYGH.

Next is my daughter \"weakness\" in Math. Seems that GEP has not help her in this area but make it worse.Before GEP, she can get distinction in ICAS but since GEP, it is just credit.In fact she just drifted in GEP math which I supposed benefit those who are really good in the subject. I would prefer more \"guidance\"(instead of throwing into the water method on the very first day)for her as in secondary school, math will become increasingly important.

Currently my daughter is in a primary school which is not listed in the top 10 primary school in edupoll. The main reason we selected the school is the proximity.But in the school my daughter was given my opportunities.

I believe my dd will be able to fit well in NYGH as her current primary school share \"similar tradition\".

Most importantly is my dd personal characteristic. She do things slowly & in a relax manner, diverting to other things and then continue.She is not focus and time is an important factor. With NYGH she will save on travelling time. As in secondary school she is expected to stay longer and also handle more subject, I believe NYGH suit her better due to her slow and relax way of studying as shorter travelling time will allow her more time to do her stuff.

My daughter CCA will most likely be string ensemble.I can`t imagine her carryiing both her school bag and her full size violin standing long period in a crowded bus after a \"hard day\" at school.With NYGH, shorter travelling time and more buses for travelling.

Basically these are the reasons influencing our decision. As my daughter tell me she is okay with both school, the decison is easier.But if she is really determine for RGS, I will go along with her.Her main reason for RGS is because of friends, but as experience has shown, pupils will start to make new friends pretty soon. After our discussion she decides for NYGH but I told her, she still have her option open, till we indicate the school selection from 26-30 Oct.

3G:

turquoise:

NYGH will have a new Principal next year. The current principal of Nanyang Primary, Mdm Heng, will be taking over.


For those whose kids are in NYPS or who are familiar with the new Principal, how is Mdm Heng? Do you think there'll be changes at NYGH under her leadership?

Mdm Heng is the most Dynamic school Principal I have come across so far; not only she is totally dedicated to the well being of the pupils, she is very approachable to all parents, so happy for her promotion.

Glad to hear this info. Today, I had a discussion with my daughter and we have decided for her to go to NYGH.

[quote]

Hi 2ct,

My dd's only going to Sec 1 next year. I think you were referring to chengsmummy's dd when you talked about facing obstacles at RGS.

Please don't resort to tossing a coin. I'm sure your decision will become clearer in the days to come. Good luck with the decision. :)[/quote]Hi Turquoise,

Sorry for the mixed up.
Thanks you and mathsparks for the advice. Will seriously consider before making the school selection .

Seems that we have many parent of RGS students sharing their experience.It would be good if parent of NYGH students could also share some of their experience.

mathsparks:

hi 2ct,

what's keeping you up? anxious abt the psle or a regular insomniac like me?

tossing a coin to determine the next 6 years seems so extreme. You must be joking or tired.

May I suggest you try a point system and for each criteria (you and yr girl decide them), award a point of 1 or 2 and then you sum up the points..Something like vendor selection eh?

Ha ha, guess there are many night owls .Normally wait till everyone has tuck in bed, I will unwind myself for a while on the comp.

The reason for tossing a coin is becoz both are good school, and at times point system don`t really work due to different weightage and unknown factors.Sometmes is the head versus the heart.

turquoise:

In talking with a few mums, I've learnt that a few of them prefer their girls to go NYGH but the girls themselves prefer RGS. The reasons given by the mums are because NYGH is strongly rooted in tradition and culture, and that the teachers there are more nurturing. 2ct and NatTifMummy, have you heard the same?

Heard something like that, but each experience is slightly different.
A friend of mine has 2 gals who are from the mainstream in NYGH and is very satisfied with the school.Both her daughters enjoy the school activities very much and have done very well.The eldest is currently pursuing a medical course in local U.But from others, whether true or not there are remark like \"this money, that also money\"

I am very impressed with the RGS students during the open house.The students seems to enjoy very much.They are very confident and independent.The student tour leaders communicate fantastically with smoothness and exude great confidence.

A friend who has 2 daughters, one from GEP and 1 from mainstream commented about lack of nurturing.The one from GEP has coped well but the mainstream gal somehow just drifted along.Guess each experience is different .Glad to know that your daughter has overcome the initial obstacle and is now enjoying her study there.

In an activity grouping of 4 girls (all from different school),inclusive of my gal, \"3 has already make the decision to join RGS\" Only my gal havent decided yet.

Sometimes it is hard to make a decision as there are different point of view, egType A girl should for Type A school,Type A girl should choose type B school, to be more balanced,Type of school more important than travelling distance, vice versa , nurturing the strength of the student ..etc

After PSLE, if my daughter and I still couldn`t make up our mind, we might just consider tossing a coin.