We went for the OLGC P1 Open House yesterday morning. Actually, that was our second time there. Hubby thought it was a waste of time since we went there last year already but I insisted on going there again just to make sure we would be choosing a right school for Faith.
I decided not to bring Angie along so as not to disrupt her school routine. Initially, I was worried she might be afraid to get on the school bus alone without her jiejie. So I prepared her mentally the night before by explaining to her that jiejie could not accompany her on the school bus the next day because she would be going to the "blue-uniform" primary school. To my surprise, she actually remembered and repeated what I told her the following morning and went up the bus without a fuss! Awww....my little girl....
I decided not to bring Angie along so as not to disrupt her school routine. Initially, I was worried she might be afraid to get on the school bus alone without her jiejie. So I prepared her mentally the night before by explaining to her that jiejie could not accompany her on the school bus the next day because she would be going to the "blue-uniform" primary school. To my surprise, she actually remembered and repeated what I told her the following morning and went up the bus without a fuss! Awww....my little girl....
I think it is wonderful of the school to take the trouble to organise an annual P1 Open House, on a schooling day notwithstanding. Firstly, it showcases their daily activities so clueless parents like me will have a better idea on what the school has to offer. Secondly, it gives opportunities for their own students to develop in leadership skills - prefects from P5 were tasked to guide groups of parents around the school, with help from a parent volunteer whose child is already in the school.
In comparison, when I called SMPS to enquire, they told me they do not have an Open House and they also do not allow visitors in school during curriculum hours so as not to disrupt the students' learning. :( Anyway, as much as I like the "green-uniform" school, I have sort of given up already after learning the chance of getting in is only about 50% - 44 applicants in Phase >2km had to ballot for 22 seats last year. It would be a total nightmare if I couldn't get a place in BOTH SMPS and OLGC. Besides, the school is really too far from where we stay. It is almost double the distance from our house to OLGC.
Our reasons for choosing OLGC:
1) The school has a small population, only about 4-5 classes per level. This is important to hubby who hates the 'coldness' of big schools.
2) Being a convent school, I would think the school would place more emphasis on character development.
3) We observed the girls tend to be more well-behaved and less rowdy as compared to a co-ed neighbourhood school. This is important so that teachers can concentrate on quality teaching instead of having to handle disciplinary matters.
4) Their teachers seemed genuinely nice and friendly. They put in a lot of effort in decorating their classrooms and make them more conducive for learning.
5) The school has respectable PSLE results (all above national average) in previous years, even better than SMPS.
6) There is a higher chance of success in transferring from one IJ school to another like SNGS or IJ (TP), both of which have affiliation to a good secondary school.
7) It is in close proximity to my ILs' place (within 1km) whom we rely on for meals. Eventually, we may relocate somewhere there to cut down all the travelling.
8) It is a school of choice for 4 of my ex-colleagues and acquaintances - 1 now principal, 1 now HOD, 1 ex-teacher and 1 SAHM. The HOD and SAHM are old girls of OLGC - they must have good reasons for choosing this school for their daughters again.
Meanwhile, Faith doesn't seem particularly enthusiastic about OLGC. Then again, she was also indifferent towards the other 2 schools she has been to - Mee Toh and Horizon. Well, at least she said she liked the friendly teacher who taught the Math class she got to join in for 20mins (and gave her a sticker before she left - haha!).
It was a relief to know the school environment was not as hot as I had expected it to be. Last year, it was super duper hot and humid when we visited the school - Faith kept perspiring and complaining. But yesterday, the weather was fine and there was even an occasional breeeze blowing into the school compound.
Hubby seems to make up his mind about OLGC already - he kept asking me when we can start buying the uniforms and textbooks. -_-
We have another 20 days to registration. Hope we will make a correct decision for Faith. *gulp*
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