With the P1 registration date looming in about 3 months' time, I am feeling a heightened sense of anxiety and apprehension in deciding a school that is suitable for Ying Ying. I started fretting about this when Ying Ying was in K1. Then, I was appalled that the PV registration of my 'dream' school for her had been closed early due to overwhelming response. Putting that disappointment behind, I have moved on and lowered my expectations.
So far, I have shortlisted 3 schools. Each has its own merits and demerits. I hope by listing them down here in black and white will help to make my decision-making easier.
School A
Pros:
1) Within walking distance.
2) No need to ballot despite its huge popularity - I am an ex-student so will qualify under Phase 2A1.
3) Higher academic standards - read some feedback about their homework being very challenging than other schools so good for Ying Ying but not so good for meimei...
Cons:
1) Big school - 10 classes for P1. We went to their Open House last year and the atmosphere seems to be rather impersonal and almost suffocating because there were just too many kids running around. Not sure if Ying Ying can thrive in this kind of environment.
2) Partial double session - P1 and 2 are in the afternoon. Husband dislikes the idea because he feels children learn best in the morning because they are more alert plus the weather is not as hot.
3) An ex-colleague who is now a Principal (!) declared (albeit jokingly) never to send kids to study there - cos a few notorious students in our secondary school came from this school. *faint*
4) Bad omens - The night we went to reccee the school, Pum Pum tripped and chipped her front tooth which had to be extracted out. Then the weekend after we went to the Open House, Ying Ying accidentally got her corneal scratched by a balloon stick. Call me superstitious but don't you find it creepy? How am I supposed to have a peace of mind sending my kiddos there for SIX years?!? Am I thinking too much???
Score: 2 - 3 = -1 pts (!)
School B
Pros:
1) Within walking distance.
2) No need to ballot - school is very new and so not as popular compared to other more established schools in the area. Should qualify under Phase 2C (1km)
3) Good communication between school and parents - school website is regularly updated and newsletters can be downloaded too.
4) Heard teachers and principal are friendly and approachable.
5) Later reporting time - 7.45am.
6) Single session.
Cons:
1) Academic standards and expectations may not be as high - heard the worksheets given are very simple compared to other schools. What if Ying Ying feels bored during lessons? She is already doing worksheets at P3 level. If the P1 worksheets are simple, then how???
2) Soon-to-be big school. Right now, they have seven P1 classes. I am sure the number will increase, with more and more people moving into the estate.
Score: 6 - 2 = 4 pts!
School C
Pros:
1) Small school - only 5 classes for each level due to small premises.
2) Girls' school - those coming from girls' schools seems to be generally more outspoken and confident.
3) Holistic IJ education focused on character-building and traditional values.
4) Long history - a sense of belonging.
5) Higher chance of success in transferring over to my 'dream' school at the end of P2 (I think they give priority to fellow IJ girls because academic standards are similar).
6) Cosy and tranquil environment - the school is situated deep in the middle of a private estate.
7) Single session.
8) I personally know 3 mothers (all teachers - 1 principal, 1 HOD and 1 on NPL like me) who chose to put their girls in this school. I am sure they have some very good reasons for doing so, right?
Cons:
1) Must travel (about 15mins' drive) :(
2) May need to buy second car ($$$) or rely on school bus which husband is not keen because journey to-and-fro may take up to more than an hour.
3) Must change address to IL's place or risk balloting under 2C (>2km).
4) Traditional early reporting time - 7.25am.
5) Another ex-colleague felt the school is not doing enough to push the students academically, unlike other neighbourhood schools, even though their PSLE results are usually above national average.
Score: 8 - 5 = 3 pts
OK, School A is definitely out for now. School B is a practical choice but I am feeling somewhat perplexed and reluctant in giving up School C because I feel it can offer a more well-balanced education. Very vexed!! @_@
Well, I will review this again in May after we find out about the gender of baby #3 (will blog about this when I have the time). If it's a girl, I will go for School C. If it's a boy, then School B! ;D
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