Local Secondary Schools

[katbh]

I am looking for a local secondary school for my daughter. We live in the east and 3 of my younger children are in local primary schools. We want to move our older daughter from International School to local secondary but all schools in our area seem to be 'selective' and only take in top students.

Any ideas? Any one know of any schools 'receptive' to expat kids?

[maneo]

Some schools do take expat kids.

You may need to meet with some principals.
However, it may be more difficult if your daughter is not a good student.

[katbh]

Do you have any names of schools?

[maneo]

Replied to your query on the other thread, "international schools vs local schools?".

If other forum members don't come up with one out east, check with the newspaper or MOE.
You (as parent) may still need to be "interviewed" by the principals.

[oku]

try CHIJ (Katong), Tanjong Katong Girls School, Tanjong Katong Secondary School

[Jo10]

I have also heard T Katong girls good. I have three children and International School and want to go local, can you recommend local school? T Katong Primary has waiting list. We are East Coast.

[katbh]

Yes I have three children at Tanjong Katong Primary and it is worth the wait on the waiting list. My children all love it. My other son was at Opera Estate Primary which is near siglap - it was excellent too. But moved him to TKPS for easier pick up etc.

Let me know if you need help

The local schools are the way to go - great education, brilliant teachers and good attitude.

[Jo10]

Thanks for that, a real help. If you have one child not so clever as others will they be swamped or will they get help if needed? Will definitely keep trying for the local schools.

Does anyone have children at St Stephens or Tao Nan? I am looking at both of those and don't know if they have many international kids.

[katbh]

I think Tao Nan has a higher chinese component as they are a 'chinese' school. I am not sure but I think it is the case.

Do not worry about 'not so clever kids' they sometimes surprise you when they hit the local schools. There is an emphasis on REALLY doing your best - not just lip service. They will be given every encouragement to do well and excel and the teachers do not mince their words - they will let you and your child know how they are going and what they need to work on.

It is a really advantage to know where you child is up to in their schooling so that you can help them in their weaker areas. You will be given regular weekly up dates in the forms of their marked worksheets, tests etc - You will not be left in the dark - as can happen in some International Schools where they are scared to tell parents what they really think!

In addition, the schools have remedial and 'extra' classes and sessions after school. These are not just for kids who struggle but also for anyone who wants extra - so do not be put off by the term 'remedial'.

Good luck.

[Jo10]

Sorry,last question. Do they all finish school at 1.30?

[katbh]

Local schools historically had two sessions - morning and afternoon. However most schools now just have the one session - usually morning.

This means you need to have the children to school at about 7.20am and they finish at 1.30pm. There are of course school buses - which are, not surprisingly, much cheaper than the International School buses. Also the uniforms are about one quarter the price of the international school uniforms. However, from p3 and up, you will find that they spend a lot of time at the school after 1.30pm - usually at their own choice.

The schools are open until evening and they have security guards etc. Parents are usually not allowed to wander around the schools so they can recognize who should be there and who should not. So if you are worried about the early finish time - do not be worried.

If you like the early finish time it can be great - you have time to have lunch with the children before they do their homework and then have fun.

It works very well once you are used to it!

[maneo]

Local schools historically had two sessions - morning and afternoon. However most schools now just have the one session - usually morning.

There's another round of dragon babies in the schools now, those born in year 2000.
I wonder if some schools may adopt the 2 session (morning/afternoon) schedule again to accommodate the high birth rate from that year.

[katbh]

My son was one of them. It was difficult getting him into his first school of choice, but tranferred later during the year. The schools have a tight squeeze but all seem to be sticking with the one session.

[madura]

Does anyone have children at St Stephens or Tao Nan? I am looking at both of those and don't know if they have many international kids.

My vote goes for St Stephens. There are aspects of Tao Nan which might not go down with some expats.

[martz]

forget about Tao Nan - its a sch for the Gifted & Talented & its quite chinese in culture & org. It has very stringent entry requirements.

St Stephen has actually very low academic standards - its prob will take your child in easily. Not surprising that it was recommended as most expats are drawn to just familar names without knowing the details.

If you are deciding betw Tanjong Katong Girls or Tanjong Katong Sec - both are good schs & are well run - the latter, a mixed sch has a special Science programme that is quite interesting. Its strong CCA is the Brass band that has always come up top in competitions all these years. The two schs are rivals & are just a stone throw away from each other. The all Girls sch however has lost the edge recently against the mixed Sec sch. I believe its former principal was a scholar from Cambridge Univ or some very prominent univ. but was posted out.