Goodluck 8

Welcome. Let me know if there’s anything I can help.

A big thank-you to Dreamaurora, piano princess and all others who pm-ed, on your honest sharing on the piano lessons, fees and one-month notice period.


Discussed with the piano teacher and she insisted on fulfilling the terms and conditions that we have signed. Whether the next few lessons are going to be effective or not is irrelevant to her.

For parents out there, just take note when you sign as we often don’t think of the bad things that could happen when the relationship first started. We will move on in our search for another piano teacher.

Goodluck8


Don’t worry too much. From what I see from my girl, there are various projects that require them to work in groups, but manageable. Same for homework.

My girl does not have whatsapp, because she is using a very very old iPhone so not able to install whatsapp. She uses Facebook quite a lot I think, when she has wifi connection at home.

I replied your PM too.

Hi all


Thank you for the reponses and PMs on my questions.

I have another question, albeit a bit kind of sensitive, but would appreciate your honest sharing.

If you have decided to terminate piano lesson with a piano teacher, generally what is the policy? Mine require one month notice or still have to pay one month fees. Furthermore, she is entitled to one week term break so still have to pay one whole month for Dec even if give notice now. When we stopped piano lesson with another piano teacher before the current one (they were with her for four/five years), she waived the one month notice so that we can start earlier with another teacher to prepare them for exam and to save time.

I just feel kind of meaningless to continue lessons as she will not be the one preparing them for exams, so she might just "go through motions"? If you had prior experience, can you share how do you handle such situations? I understand that teachers also have to pay their bills, but my girl probably feel kind of akward as she asked "What if teacher asked if we had found a new teacher, what should we say?".

Envy those who have the same piano teacher since they started piano lessons. But not everyone is lucky to find a suitable one all the way. Headache.

beariecrystal3

Did you and your girl attend the open house last Saturday? My girl was amongst the students manning the CCA stalls .

What CCAs are your girl interested in? From the school website, there is a listing of the CCAs - I counted 26 there, including performing arts, sports and games, uniform groups , clubs and societies. From what I see from my girl and her classmates, they are quite active in the CCAs. Each student need to only sign up for one CCA at a minimum, I think.

Are the kids there well-behaved? From what I see, yes. A few of her classmates came to my place to do projects quite often, and they are rather well-behaved – typical Singapore teenagers. In fact, my girl is the more laid-back type and I think they encouraged her to study, and of course, my girl listens to them more than me. They are also helpful and often took pictures of the textbooks and notes and send to my girl when she forgot to bring them back home the days before exam. I am quite happy that they are not too competitive. In fact, they are going out today to celebrate two girls’ birthdays, even though it’s school holiday.

How does school help weaker students? Umm… I think my girl was one of them … They do have supplementary classes for specific subjects if deemed necessary. I think in secondary schools, they are expected to be more independent and seek the teachers out if they need help. I remembered speaking to her maths teacher over the phone and she told me which topics my girl should work on, and even offered to help to mark extra maths work and explain to her. I suppose teacher quality varies - some taught more effectively than others. But I have seen many teachers there who are very approachable, and show a lot of concern for students, even the PE teachers and home econs teacher.
Feel free to PM me if you want.

Goodluck8

Ummm… maybe you can let me know what areas you are interested in?

beariecrystal3

My daughter stayed back a lot in the school. School officially finished at 145 pm everyday except Wednesday ends at 230 pm for assembly. Understand that assembly often overruns.

I think how often they stayed back depends on what activities they are in. My girl has 2 CCAs and in various other programmes. So she stayed back about 4 days a week, sometimes reaching home only 7+. They are much more busy in secondary school, so I suppose this is something parents have to get used to. However, she has made a few good friends and spending her time meaningfully. I have seen her blossomed from a shy girl to now more enthusiastic.

Hi beariecrystal3

The school has classes that took higher Chinese as well as classes that took normal Chinese. I spoke to my girl who is currently in Sec 2. She said in NCH, all pupils take Chinese culture but that does not really require one to be strong in Chinese.

I don’t think this is an area for concern. In fact, I see it as an advantage to learn more about the culture.

Hi Dreamaurora, piano princess, other piano teachers and parents,


Thought I could get some advice here. Not sure if I am being overcharged. I of course know that we have to pay more for better teachers, but as a parent who has zero music background, I feel inadequate to assess if what I am paying is really worth it.

I have 2 girls now 13 and 14 years old. In April this year, I switched to our current piano teacher, because their previous teacher wanted to help in her husband’s business and could not continue teaching. They were learning Grade 5 practical when we switch. Initially, the teacher told us that at their level, they could have taken P5 practical exam in Sept this year, but maybe the previous teacher was too busy to enrol or prepare them. I paid $560 for 2 hours lessons per month for both of them.

Then from September onwards, piano fees was increased to $600, as teacher said they have completed Grade 5 practical and now starting on Grade 6. Teacher also said that too rushed to take Grade 5 theory in September so taking in March 2014. She also planned to have them take Grade 6 practical exam in March 2015.

Now during school holiday, she suggested having 4 extra lessons of 2 hours each to cover piano theory and composing, for $600. She said all these needed as she wanted them to score well, to have confident, and composing is required for Grade 5 theory.

So many questions on my mind. Would appreciate if anyone could kindly advise:
(1) Is composing required for Grade 5 theory?
(2) Is one year enough to prepare for Grade 5 theory (ie one lesson per week in usual lessons, 30 minutes each time, 2 girls together)?
(3) For students that does not take practical exam at each grade, at which point does the piano fees increase? For example, they did not take Grade 5 exam, and fees increase from Sept 2013 to prepare for Grade 6 practical exam in March 2015.
(4) If they passed their Grade 5 theory in March 2014, will they be in time to take Grade 6 practical in Aug/Sept 2014?

Thanks in advance. Really appreciate any advice.

Today we bought another piano to upgrade, as my girls are now taking grade 5.

I am now looking to sell my pre-loved piano.
We had it since 2005, and bought it second-hand. It is not one with famous brand, and I understood that it was already 10+ years old when we bought it. We were told that it was made in a factory in Hong Kong.
The piano is 131cm tall, and is still in excellent condition. We had it tuned regularly, and last tuning was 2 weeks ago. My girls practised on it every week. In fact, after we bought our piano today, they came back and played on our old piano again - seemed unwilling to part with it. Piano should be good for beginners.
PM me if you are interested.