g8009181\" post_id=\"2117173\" time=\"1692751526\" user_id=\"128610:

May i know what is the average AL students in SST?

During last year's open house, it was shared as 10 - 11.

Anybody already in the SST chat group ran by the parent volunteer group?

I signed up but didn’t hear anything. Anybody could help to ask the admin how I could add myself in?

I just went through SST Sec 1 booklist. No geography/ literature/ FCE textbook required?

phtthp\" post_id=\"2089429\" time=\"1669091868\" user_id=\"35251:

Zuen,

Parents' chat group,
go by individual Sec 1 class, then got meaning.

You need to wait until
you know which 2023 Sec 1 class, your son has been assigned into, before worthwhile, to join your own class's chat group.

Principal / VP are interviewing some SIE kids' application(s). Wait a while more, before the Sec 1 classes' enrolment students' names are confirmed.

Thank you. I am thinking if there is a chat group to discuss on things like school uniform, textbooks etc., could help before the Sec 1 class is confirmed.
I will be happy to start a chat group if any parents are keen. Not sure if there is a pm function but if yes, pls pm me your contact and I can create the group.

Is there a parent chat group set up already for those who are accepting the CO?

hdbmummy\" post_id=\"2087455\" time=\"1667209867\" user_id=\"53192:

Which session of the talk did you attend?

We were impressed by the student leaders, especially the male one who was very confident and eloquent. However, how the P and the teachers communicate didn't impress me. Some key points we walked away with is that parents should steer away from traditional mindsets that JC is better than poly, the kids will have internship opportunities/exposure with companies and that will be helpful for their portfolio, etc... In terms of their showcase of the applied learning subjects and the exposure the student could get, I think it is good. I also like the applied learning methodology in SST vs rote learning as I truly believe we learn better this way.

However, my reservations stems from not being impressed by the P and teachers. Considering that SST is supposed to be more tech inclined, I was expecting the use of tech for the Q&A, e.g. Slido where we can scan a QR code and post our questions remotely and upvote other relevant questions posted by others. This reduces the time needed to pass the mic around, or having to hear parents ask questions that sounded like a speech to the point no one really knew what the actual questions were at the end.

The school suggested parents to have breakfast at SST which I felt was a great idea. Some parents like me went early (7+am) to do so as the talk was scheduled to start at 8am. Yet some canteen vendors were not ready and said they were informed that parents would only be there after 8.30am. Although this is a minor issue, it suggests that communication broke down somewhere. Will similar communication breakdown happen between school and parents/students? Comms is not a strong point with my DS's primary school and we often have to reach out to the school to ask before a notification start coming out in Parent Gateway. Hence this is a factor that stood out for us.

I attended the later session.
I really did walk away with a slight changed in mindset that poly is (maybe really) no longer the 2nd class sibling to JC.
I like how the P assured that the students (most, I guessed) have no problems *qualifying* for JC and the parents not to worry.
I also like how he clarifies that the IDP is only for students who are already very clear about what they wanted.
Lastly, the fact that our kids were offered a CO indicates their inclination for the SST curriculum.

As for the tech use, I supposed they could be a lot more creative/ tech savvy but may want to cater to the bigger population and not everybody is tech savvy. Moreover, with the time crunch (they overran), may be tough to do anything too unconventional.

We arrived at the canteen at 8am and food was ready. The itinerary stated that the openhouse was 8am to 11.30am and we obediently observed the time schedule.

I was telling hubby that I am sure of the CO and then I read chancks' post and am not so sure again. Hmmm....

hdbmummy\" post_id=\"2087434\" time=\"1667198489\" user_id=\"53192:

We just went for the talk/open house last Saturday and are having mixed feelings too. I understand this new Principal is just 1 year into the role at SST. Has there been no improvement even with this new principal or did it deteriorate further under him?

I actually like what I have seen and heard during the open-house.
The students are vocal as well but of course these are the student leaders probably and we will be able to find such students in every school.

chancks\" post_id=\"2087429\" time=\"1667194253\" user_id=\"46096:

For those whose kids are driven, self-starters, and high-flyers, good for you. But for those whose kids are behind the pack like mine, I'm really disillusioned by the school after 3yrs. I feel they don't quite care about those who fall through the cracks. And mysteriously, basic school updates that we take for granted will happen, they will struggle even and we parents have to go out of our way to proactively get answers.
Over these 3 years, I really wonder what kind of a \"good\" school this is, or did it deteriorate from their initial good reputation to a terrible current state that no teacher dare to raise and address the elephant in the room.
If you are hoping to see caring teachers to help those who are behind to catch up like what I've experienced during my school time, you can give up to SST, because all I've experienced these 3 years are clouded, diplomatic responses from civil servants who dare not tell the truth. Oftentimes, I feel that I receive negligible support from the school and we are all alone struggling by ourselves...

Can you share more?

limsatine\" post_id=\"2084043\" time=\"1664458320\" user_id=\"122933:

Hi mummies & daddies,

My son has a CO from SST. Reading through the previous pages, I am concerned about the % of students who went to JC. Of course, it could be an issue of students who qualify and choose not to go JC.

My older boy is in Gan Eng Seng School where AL varies from 10 - 15. The % who qualified for JC at GESS was 97.5%. I am certain of the % as it was shared to parents during the talk. So far, I am happy with the holistic development at GESS, though the school is very academically driven. (e.g students are taught upper sec concepts in lower sec). Currently, older son is taking triple Science there. Being teenagers, he play games with his classmates, studies at the last min but results are still ok. Science papers are difficult but with the way the teachers are teaching, I am sure he will stand a good chance to go to JC.

My hubby is not keen to accept the offer and wishes for my younger one to go to a school with a higher % of students going to JC. While I know that it depends on my son's preference, I am also concerned if SST would prep my son for the national exams. Nonetheless, my boy is very excited to be there.

Would love to hear from fellow parents.

This is my concern too when we were considering if we should apply to SST.

I think the word here is \"qualifying\".
During the open house, it was shared that 55% of the SST graduating students \"go to\" JC. The qualifying cohort (to go to JC) would likely be much bigger but not shared during the open house.
I supposed the school's encouragement to poly admission, SST curriculum and peer pressure played a part in influencing the high % to poly.
In addition, there will probably be many who meet the JC entry cut-off points but their O level results may not be that great (enough) to go to good JCs and opted for Poly instead.

Do you know how many % of the 97.5% in GESS eventually end up in JC?

hdbmummy\" post_id=\"2080825\" time=\"1662108115\" user_id=\"53192:

My son received a CO from SST too! For a moment I thought the email was sent in error as there was no name and school listed. Thankfully they resent the email with the correct info to allay my fears!

Oh, that was why there were 2 emails! I didnt even know that the 1st one has no name.
I was just happily telling my son that he got a CO.

Son received CO too.

He is very happy, particularly to have the PSLE stress off his shoulder a little.