I checked with DS’ form teacher. There is no PTM for Sec 1 pupils. I was rather surprised and disappointed, as I think it is good for parents to talk personally to the teachers to find out how our sons are faring in his first year in secondary school.

LST:

Thanks freesia for the reply on RSP. Is RSP same as MSP? They got to learn malay till o level standard?

Hi LST

In Malay Special Program (MSP), the pupil will learn about the language, e.g. grammar, vocabulary etc. Regional Studies Program (RSP), as the name implies, concentrates on the study of the region, particularly Indonesia and Malaysia. A pupil must take MSP to qualify for RSP. There will be tests and examinations (including O level) for MSP, but RSP only has assignments and project work.

Like other third languages, the pupil may opt to drop MSP any time if she cannot cope. Of course, she will have to drop RSP at the same time.

However, once the pupil takes up the RSP scholarship, it will be more difficult to opt to drop. She will have to give an explanation to MOE for giving up on the scholarship.

Hope this helps.

LST:

Hi, any Cedarian can share their experience in the RSP?

The RSP lesson is held once a week, for one period, during curriculum hours. The girls will learn about Southeast Asian history and culture etc. Of course, there will be some homework given, but not a lot.

They can apply for a RSP scholarship later in the year. Selection will be based on overall results, results in MSP and teachers' recommendation. Scholars will be partially sponsored for trips to Indonesia and Malaysia, have their school fees waived and given an award of $1000.

The overseas trips are compulsory for RSP scholars, although all RSP pupils may participate. During the trip, the pupils will be given homework to do, e.g. to write down what they learnt for the day. The pupils will also have to do some project work after the trip.

For the girls taking MSP, they should really take up RSP. The commitment, especially at the beginning, is not heavy and they have the option of applying for the RSP scholarship later.

Hope this helps.

IrEnE06:

There will be a P5 & P6 workshop for English and Science tomorrow.

Does anyone knows if they will put up the slides at the school website?
I'm afraid I'm not able to go.

Yes. The school will post the materials on the website.

Callie Tan:

Freesias:

Not sure if there is any change but for our kids who have all along been under the CA/SA system, the weightage is:


SA1 (May 2013) 30%
CA (Aug 2013) 20%
SA2 (Oct/Nov 2013) 50%.

There is a parents notice on the examination schedule, which is usually issued in Jan.

Hi Freesias,

Oh is there a PN on examination schedule?? for P3s? I didn't get anything from my girl... will go back and ask her tonight. Let me try to to find the PN from the school website...

Yes, usually there is a PN on this at the beginning of the year. My kid in the upper level received the PN last Friday. The school is probably giving it out by level, starting with the upper levels, so don't worry if you have not gotten yours.

Not sure if there is any change but for our kids who have all along been under the CA/SA system, the weightage is:


SA1 (May 2013) 30%
CA (Aug 2013) 20%
SA2 (Oct/Nov 2013) 50%.

There is a parents notice on the examination schedule, which is usually issued in Jan.

rainbow05:

With no information on how the child is actually doing compared to his peers and clueless of how the posting of P3 is actually done. One cant really help the child much. I understand from this forum most assumed the deciding factor is based on CCA but is this really so? so simple..... I doubt so! It makes plain sense to group children of similar calibre together so as to ease teaching. It will then not be a waste of time to both the teachers and students. Some fast and some slower and hence repetition on a topic may drag longer than usual. If my child is slower, she may not want to ask or participate in class knowing that others already have good understanding of the topic and this will thus make her fall further away from her peers. Not so encouraging right?

Having said the above, we all know 5A and 6A are the best class for their levels but what about those in P3 and P4? If our children are not in the top 2 classes, we can then encourage and motivate them to work harder. This will then serves as a goal for them. I don't expect pcps to label the last class but at least disclose the top 2 classss for each level. I know of schools who will review the students based on year end results so as to allow these children who worked hard, join the top 2 classes and those who have slacken will be transferred out. We definitely need to know where our childrenn stand, as we do not want to be too hard nor too relax on em. Another helpful point here, the top 25% cert that one received at the end of the year from our constituency, kind of telling us if they qualify to be in the top 2 classes of 80 children. Last but not least, all the above also only my 2 cents worth!

Hi Rainbow05

Just to share my experience. Other than the sports class and the CCA class, the rest of the pupils are indeed sorted randomly in my child's year, with very good and not so good pupils in the same class. While this could affect the teaching, on the other hand it gives children more time to grow and develop. A child who has done well in P1 and P2 may not do as well when they are in P3 and P4 as there is a new subject and the standard is significantly raised. For a child who is branded as not so good at the end of P2, and is sorted to the last few classes, this could be quite a blow to the child's self esteem. I do not see any negative effects on my child, although he was in a class with children of mixed abilities.

I also like it that the school does not change the class of the pupils when they move from P3 to P4, and then from P5 to P6 (unless it is due to special circumstances like dropping of HCL). So, a child in 5A who did not do as well as someone in 5B at the end of the year will not be transferred to 6B the next year. This will be less disruptive to both the children and teachers and they can devote their time to preparing the children for the PSLE.

At P3 and P4, the teachers usually give out a slip of paper at the end of the exams showing the class mean, highest and lowest. You could ask the teachers for this if they do not give this out.

The above is just my opinion which I hope will help to alleviate your concerns.

quote=\"Callie Tan\"]

Freesias:

In my child's notice for the Math Olympiad class, it was stated that lessons will commence in the 4th week of Term 1 (next week is supposed to be the 1st week).

Found that piece of Parents' Notification cum consent form on Maths Olympiad class which was given to us last year before the holidays... it stated 1st week of Term 2. Freesias, the notice you referring to was the one we got before the dec holidays??[/quote]

Hi Callie

Yes, it is the notice before the Dec holiday, but then our children are in different levels, so the timing could be different.

Callie Tan:

Mummy_Tang:

[quote=\"Callie Tan\"]Any parents with kids going for the Maths Olypiad class? Hope to find out when the class will be starting...

Mine going.... heard fm the school bus that its not starting so fast de.....
will share here once have details....
haha.... such info heard fm sch bus aunty/uncle, rather than sch!

yes yes Mummy_Tang, please share if you have updated info, thank you sooo much!![/quote]In my child's notice for the Math Olympiad class, it was stated that lessons will commence in the 4th week of Term 1 (next week is supposed to be the 1st week).

Yes, the vendor will be there on registration day. You can place your order on the spot or do it later online.


Cedar offers Higher Chinese. The girls are encouraged to take it if they can.