Do expat children go to local schools?

Post by **sundaymorningstaple** » Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:28 am

Try googling them and see if they would be the kind of school you could see your child being happy in. I have no opinions, but I find that is a good way to shortlist initially. For instance, if you child in Chinese, do you think s/he would be comfortable in what is essentially an Indian school like DPS International School & Indian International School. Or if you are a Canadian of western extraction, a religious 7th day adventist chinese school? I'm not saying there is anything at all wrong with any of them, but they just might not be suitable.

k1w1 · Post by **k1w1** » Sun, 28 Nov 2010 4:53 am

Shona, if you are still reading, I would strongly recommend a look at home-schooling. Secondary school in Singapore is a completely different kettle of fish to primary school. The independent schools are cheaper than the International Schools, but have their own set of problems. International Schools are outragously expensive.

I know New Zealand correspondence schooling will send full curricula to students overseas, and the fees for this are in the region of $4k a year. Maybe you could find something suitable for your kids from the UK too.

There are so many extra-curricular activities and clubs etc that your kids could then join for social contact.

AMYinSGP · Post by **AMYinSGP** » Wed, 12 Jan 2011 7:32 pm

Hi Shona and all!

I hope you have managed to make some progress in your attempts to enroll your kids at a school you are happy with.

We also wanted to look for advice. Due to changing employment circumstances we are starting to look at ways for transferring our daughters from an International School into a local school. We see there are different options and wanted to ask if anyone has had similar experiences, and if anyone can suggest a good 'mainstream' secondary school. We of course recognise the strength of many of the independent schools but also recognise the competition!

Has anyone also got any advice regarding the change from IB diploma to the O / A - level system?

Both girls are PRs...13 and 16?

Thank you all!

madura · Post by **madura** » Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:50 pm

AMYinSGP wrote:Has anyone also got any advice regarding the change from IB diploma to the O / A - level system?

Both girls are PRs...13 and 16?

Thank you all!

Keep the 16-year old in the International School. At 16, the kids in the local system would be preparing for the O-level examinations and I would discourage you from putting your kid in at that stage.

AMYinSGP · Post by **AMYinSGP** » Wed, 19 Jan 2011 3:12 pm

Thanks Madura...good point!

We are now thinking about waiting until the start of the new school year in January 2012...so she can start the 2 year A-level course (and miss the O-levels). This will be instead of her 2 year IB diploma. We were just wondering whether the change between A-level and IB will be a big culture shock for her???

Thanks!

gardenia · Post by **gardenia** » Wed, 19 Jan 2011 8:47 pm

From what I understand, your daughter will be sitting out on school this year? I think it would be difficult to be accepted into A levels without O levels or equivalent certification.

madura · Post by **madura** » Fri, 21 Jan 2011 9:59 pm

gardenia wrote:From what I understand, your daughter will be sitting out on school this year? I think it would be difficult to be accepted into A levels without O levels or equivalent certification.

Possibly difficult, but not impossible.
There are Singaporeans who switched from IB (studied at International School overseas) to local A-level system. The issue is whether there are vacancies for non-Singaporeans to enter at this stage.

Shona Trench · Post by **Shona Trench** » Sun, 30 Jan 2011 1:11 am

Hi AMYinSGP
My two children are now in a local school, different ones, as the MOE decide and allocate schools to students after the AEIS in Oct. It has been a huge culture shock for them, coming from a small Scottish village. They have been there for 3 weeks now, and are still struggling a bit. We are taking it one day at a time, and hoping that they will settle in soon. I hate to see them upset like this.
So, you may find that it will be a challenge for your children to swap schools, I'm assuming that you've lived here longer that we have (as they are PR's), so maybe they'll cope better than my two.
Good luck!

ushers · Post by **ushers** » Fri, 11 Feb 2011 5:14 pm

Mumsie wrote:Hi Shona...(I am a newbie to this forum)
How are you getting on with your childrens schooling? We arrived from New Zealand 4 months ago and we were in the same situation as your family. We have 2 girls age 9 and 14. The 9 yr old have been accepted for enrolment at a local school after an entrance test but will only start in the new term January 2011. Our 14 yr old will be sitting her AEIS test through MOE, on 14th Oct. She'll be tested on English and Maths, where only upon passing that she'll be allocated a school next year...here's hoping!! I have to say that it has been quite stressful for our 14 yr old...studying for her test and especially not having any peers here.
I know where you're at, its been a long process..and we're not finish yet. I'd recommend for you to ring MOE personally as we've found that we didn't get much help by ringing the schools.
If I could be of help please let me know.
Wishing you all the best

Hi Mumsie, we are kiwis relocating shortly from Aust to Singapore. Would you mind letting me know what local schools you ended up in as we will be following this avenue too.

Cheers

tiyalynn · Post by **tiyalynn** » Thu, 03 Mar 2011 4:56 pm

Mumsie wrote:Hi Shona...(I am a newbie to this forum)
How are you getting on with your childrens schooling? We arrived from New Zealand 4 months ago and we were in the same situation as your family. We have 2 girls age 9 and 14. The 9 yr old have been accepted for enrolment at a local school after an entrance test but will only start in the new term January 2011. Our 14 yr old will be sitting her AEIS test through MOE, on 14th Oct. She'll be tested on English and Maths, where only upon passing that she'll be allocated a school next year...here's hoping!! I have to say that it has been quite stressful for our 14 yr old...studying for her test and especially not having any peers here.

Hi Mumsie
I am going throught the same situation still.... my son did not pass the AEIS last year. just wondering how you made out with the oldest girl getting into a school? why did your 14yr. old have to take the test did your younget one not have to? Such a process here wish it was as easy for foreiners to get into schools as back home...but then I suppose the schools would be totally flooded with expats.

Thanks

Crido · Post by **Crido** » Wed, 04 May 2011 7:25 pm

tiyalynn wrote: Hi Mumsie
I am going throught the same situation still.... my son did not pass the AEIS last year. just wondering how you made out with the oldest girl getting into a school? why did your 14yr. old have to take the test did your younget one not have to? Such a process here wish it was as easy for foreiners to get into schools as back home...but then I suppose the schools would be totally flooded with expats.

Thanks

Hi,tiyalynn!

What have you done with your son up to now if he was unsuccessful in AEIS? Has he been at home for the past 6 months?
Had he taken any specific prep.course before he took the AEIS?

Thanks,
Crido

Crido · Post by **Crido** » Wed, 04 May 2011 7:28 pm

Mumsie,
If you're still around, would you take the time to write an update on the AEIS test, the school MOE sent your daughter to, etc?
I hope both your daughters are happy in school and Singapore now.

Thanks,
Crido

tiyalynn · Post by **tiyalynn** » Thu, 05 May 2011 10:20 am

Crido wrote:
tiyalynn wrote:
Hi,tiyalynn!

What have you done with your son up to now if he was unsuccessful in AEIS? Has he been at home for the past 6 months?
Had he taken any specific prep.course before he took the AEIS?

Thanks,
Crido

Hi crido,

Well we've put him back into a prep course school just hoping for the best now. The test is end of September/October. Such a process here what are you doing with your kids how old are they what area are you trying for?

Thx tiya

evelynho73 · Post by **evelynho73** » Fri, 28 Oct 2011 2:36 pm

Hi
I have been viewing the posts, well I used to teach in an International School which help students to prepare for AEIS exams and PACT exams.
Good news to all of you, MOE will be conducting a S-AEIS in February / March 2012 if any candidate fails in Sept / Oct exam
Do take a look:

http://moe.gov.sg/education/admissions/ ... n-process/

Hope this will help anyone of you in distress

Eve

davidasaph · Post by **davidasaph** » Sat, 29 Oct 2011 2:46 pm

Hi, I believe that, before you choose to put your children into the Singapore Education System, you should find out if the system is suitable for your children. After all, there is a major difference between the education system and syllabus between your home country and Singapore. It would be advisable that a little bit of research is done before deciding on government schools.

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