Our minister says
[quote]The main issue to address is that the way we currently score the PSLE is too precise, and differentiates our students more finely than necessary. A student may score one point more than his friend at the PSLE, but educationally, that one point does not mean that he is better prepared for secondary school than his friend. It also does not mean that he is very much smarter or will grow up to be more capable or lead a more successful or fulfilling life. We should, therefore, in time, move away from such fine distinctions, which are not meaningful, especially at this young age. [/quote]Frankly, I cannot figure out why are we moving to bands instead of t-score when it will amplify minute differences in scores for borderline students who are placed into separate bands.

If anything, going to bands will raise the stakes for PSLE especially for borderline students. Previously a difference of 1-2 score will mean the most you will miss out on 1 school. now, it could mean you will miss out of 10 schools if you are unlucky to just fall into the next lower band.

This change is really illogical

Hi,

My kid is in P1 next year. Anybody knows what we are supposed to bring on the first day of school? All the books? No, right? Also, is she supposed to turn up in PE attire or the school uniform?

My kid has been with Pat's Tanglin for the past 2 years.

When I first set out looking for a preschool (I visited 5 preschool organizations/various branches) for my girl, Ms Ada was the main reason why I signed up with the Pat's Tanglin. Her love and interest in the kids was obvious. 2 years later, I am glad that I have not being proven wrong. :rahrah:
In terms of layout, I like the fact that the school has an annex (aka. music room), bicycle area, playground and sandpit. Plenty of space for my daughter (super active) to run around.
Her English and Chinese teachers are great and would go an extra mile to make lessons more interesting for the class. Like most parents, the \"kiasu\" instinct in me causes me to wonder if she is playing too much and not \"studying\" enough.. I would sometimes question the lack of English or Chinese spelling homework. But, the teachers and principal would reassure me that the kids @ Pat's learn words via other means.
Just last weekend, my kid surprised me by reading the menu off the board at a food place... so, I guess there is some truth in what they are saying..
But since my kid has not actually gone into primary school yet, I am not able to tell if she is better or worse than the general population of kids her age (academic-wise). What I know for sure is that she loves school and would take the initiative to draw and write as well as browse through books herself.... so, Pat's did do a good job in initiating the love of learning in her...

MandyMummy:

jtoh:

[quote=\"sleepy\"]
I see. So first batch of GEPers will be 27 years old this year. And in order to have GEP kids of 10 years old, must be pregnant by 16 years old

No lah, first batch is 37 years old now. They were 10 years old (P4) in 1984. Your Math fail! So cannot be GEP. :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: Just kidding hor.

Heard Sim Ann is from the first batch of GEP.[/quote]you guys are all wrong lah.

Sim Ann is my batch GEP. We are the second batch. But there is another batch who entered GEP in Sec1. The oldest GEP student should be 40 this year if they entered in Sec 1.

Sim Ann was the top GEP girl I think. Dunno how she compared to the top GEP guy.

i have already communicated to the principal about our wish to change caterers… Can all other parents do the same? That way, they will know our concerns.

dreamersloft,

i agree with jworld... why not check out other branches? I know for sure that Tanglin has a very big outdoor play area (playground + cycling area) cos my kid loves it.

heard that there will be a parents' portal coming up where you can view your kid's pics in class + provide/get feedback from teachers. This is so cool. :celebrate: i am so looking forward to it...

Dear Kabalevsky,

Many thanks for your response.
Yes! Pls update on your child's progress when he goes to P1.

Hi Koolmama,

My kid is at Tanglin... but I guess we have the same problems. SIGH.

Wah, the teacher's response sound a bit irresponsible leh... Shouldn't the teachers insist that sick kids (esp those who are visibly sick) stay at home? Otherwise, the virus would be going round and round and round...

Oh... u have gotten me a bit worried. My kid's Chinese is really bad too. So, from your experience, the curriculum @ Pat's is not really good, izzit? Has your No. 1 gone to P1 yet? How is he coping? I would be really concerned if the feedback is that Pat's does not prepare their kids for P1... Any comments? :?:

hi smurfy & crystalbelle,


SIGH… dun know if can tahan till she gets her castle of immunity… she has stayed at home for 2 weeks already. And, crystalbelle is right, it is quite common to see kids with cough and running nose running around…

My kid is currently taking colostrum & multi-vits. But, at the rate she is falling sick, looks like it is not much use...

i am also like a mad-woman now, changing bedsheets every other day cos she has puked on it again after a coughing fit. :roll:
i wash my hands more often now but my kid is not the age where she has made a habit of covering her mouth when she coughs... So, she tends to rain saliva on us everytime she coughs... and so, we catch the bug almost 100 %.

wah... i understand the challenge if you have more than 1 kid. i probably would have gone nuts...

1 question... do they get better? i.e. does the frequency of falling sick drop? If yes, how long does it take normally? (I am trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel in this case... )