It depends on the teacher’s schedule and the student available time to attend classes. My DD just taken Grade 6 RAD exam and may be doing IF end of the year. This is provided the teacher can complete the syllabus in time for the IF exam. If not, she will take Grade 7 and IF next year.

taurbear:

limws1:

[quote=\"Reenie\"]hi mummies and daddies,


What is the average for the other art forms?

[/quote]6 for Theater and Dance. Most obtained 7.

Reenie:

hi mummies and daddies,


My daughter is keen in going SOTA (sort of make up her mind and i am exploring on her behalf ) and I'm not sure if you can help me out here with some questions:

1) as she is keen in visual art, she is not with any school CCA like art club currently, do we have to send her to any art class to get a portfolio done for the DSA purpose? If so, any particular school or course you can recommend ?

2) i understand its a 6 years programme leading to IB dip. is there a chance for her to further her studies to local uni after these 6 years? i am assuming she would like to pursue her studies after that but since its SOTA, any idea what ART related degree or higher tietary she can look at ?


3) For parents already have kids in SOTA, do you mind sharing the workload, teachers quality and culture? Sometimes by going to Open house we are not sure about all these except the vibes.

as we are tight in our finance, we are looking at local uni or course if possible, so SOTA is quite a \"dream\" to us or for herself to pursue, i am wondering if we need to send her overseas after 6 years there.

IF you like to PM me personally, its ok too! thank you so much for any input!!!! I really appreciate.

1. The DSA guide for VA which you can download from SOTA website will tell you what is needed for DSA submission. A portfolio is needed. Your child do not need to go for art class if she is artistically talented. She should be able to come up with her own drawings to compile a portfolio with your help. Besides artistic talent, solid English language skills is a must to enter SOTA.

Do take note VA art form is not an easy subject to score for IB. Last year's average for VA is 5. You should consider the potential total IB score your child can get if she is in VA. Anything below 35 limits the options for further studies after IB in local U.

2. It need not necessary be in the arts field. As SOTA'S IB course covers a wide range of subjects beside arts, your child can go into courses like law, science, engineering etc. It depends on subjects combination. If your child really want to continue with arts study after IB locally, the only place I can think of are Lasalle and NAFA.

3. Workload is manageable if your child is motivated and has good time management. IB workload is generally heavier than A levels because there are more subjects to cover. Learning is very much based on self-directed learning. Teachers will teach just the right amount and provide mostly advice. The students must research more to learn by themselves.

My personal experience with my DD teachers and academic VP give me a sense that they are supportive. The students must also take the initiative to approach the teachers for extra coaching if needed. Having said that, I have also seen a teacher getting angry with a parent and child during meet-the-teacher session.

How strict is subjective. Some may find the school strict while others are ok with it. At secondary level, with the exception of International program schools, all schools are strict. Just look at the ACS mobile phone case. But too strict impede creativity and the will to speak up.


DD told me during the orientation, Sec 1 students are required to march. They can only eat when they are told to eat. Just like Basic Military Training.

If you compare with other schools of about the same COP, 91% qualify for JC meaning, L1R5 <= 20 points, is quite good already. That is one of the reasons we enrolled DD in the school. It shows something about the school’s approach to teaching. The VP for academics is a very caring person. However DD resented the school for its strictness. And DD does not have discipline issues.


The school’s niche is in Uniform groups. However their Show Choir group is top notch.

AMKSS dancers are very good. Comparable to SOTA.

Not sure about NT intake. Better check with the school.


No issue with discipline when it is solely Peirce students because I think it is overly strict. Never have public caning before. Not sure about discipline after merger next year with Bishan Park Sec. Next year will have new principal. Heard is from Deyi, another strict school. Too strict a school cause students to resent the school. Some Peirce students choose to switch school due to this reason. Warning: orientation is like an army boot camp with the old principal.

I think SOTA still based its selection criteria more on academic results than artistic talents. Adopting the IB system, it needs students who can do well academically in order to do well in IB.

Another piece of advice. Save up for your child overseas study just in case. You have 6 years to save.