My son is slowly failing in the Singaproe school system...

[morenangpinay]

why don't you try the old fashioned approach first. Talk to him heart to heart and ask whats wrong. im sure he has some reason why he is failing. Maybe its teenage angst, peer pressure, too much stress, girls, depression..it could be anything and not necessarily bout the school system. back in college i used to try to get myself kicked out from school just so my parents would allow me to transfer to another school where my friends were. Unfortunately i didn't get kicked out

[the lynx]

Probably some learning disability. Gotta have it verified by expert although I do not have anyone in my mind to recommend for you.

Or perhaps, puberty?

The thought has crossed my mind....

He is 11! What puberty?!

[v4jr4]

Or perhaps, puberty?

The thought has crossed my mind....

He is 11! What puberty?!

Early puberty (maybe)

[Strong Eagle]

why don't you try the old fashioned approach first. Talk to him heart to heart and ask whats wrong. im sure he has some reason why he is failing. Maybe its teenage angst, peer pressure, too much stress, girls, depression..it could be anything and not necessarily bout the school system. back in college i used to try to get myself kicked out from school just so my parents would allow me to transfer to another school where my friends were. Unfortunately i didn't get kicked out

Five bucks says it is boredom. Classrooms have become so highly structured, course materials so nit pickingly defined, that teachers can't stray afar without running afoul of the bureaucratic authorities.

The kid needs a stimulus... something to make him think... something to jolt him into his own sense of reality and capability. Listen, I've got a 14 year old granddaughter... into all the pre_IB programs as she starts ninth grade... she is BORED... she makes straight A's... and she is bored. Tells you something what your/our/my children get exposed to these days.

[Zeenit]

I know of a family, mother is Singaporean father is British and both boys are born here and have only Singaporean Citizenship and not dual and they both go to UWC because ONE parent is not local.

[scarbowl]

I know of a family, mother is Singaporean father is British and both boys are born here and have only Singaporean Citizenship and not dual and they both go to UWC because ONE parent is not local.

Still must have permission of MOE.

[v4jr4]

why don't you try the old fashioned approach first. Talk to him heart to heart and ask whats wrong. im sure he has some reason why he is failing. Maybe its teenage angst, peer pressure, too much stress, girls, depression..it could be anything and not necessarily bout the school system. back in college i used to try to get myself kicked out from school just so my parents would allow me to transfer to another school where my friends were. Unfortunately i didn't get kicked out

Five bucks says it is boredom. Classrooms have become so highly structured, course materials so nit pickingly defined, that teachers can't stray afar without running afoul of the bureaucratic authorities.

The kid needs a stimulus... something to make him think... something to jolt him into his own sense of reality and capability. Listen, I've got a 14 year old granddaughter... into all the pre_IB programs as she starts ninth grade... she is BORED... she makes straight A's... and she is bored. Tells you something what your/our/my children get exposed to these days.

So, what's the trick? Perhaps, something like an outdoor games or camping?

[Strong Eagle]

why don't you try the old fashioned approach first. Talk to him heart to heart and ask whats wrong. im sure he has some reason why he is failing. Maybe its teenage angst, peer pressure, too much stress, girls, depression..it could be anything and not necessarily bout the school system. back in college i used to try to get myself kicked out from school just so my parents would allow me to transfer to another school where my friends were. Unfortunately i didn't get kicked out

Five bucks says it is boredom. Classrooms have become so highly structured, course materials so nit pickingly defined, that teachers can't stray afar without running afoul of the bureaucratic authorities.

The kid needs a stimulus... something to make him think... something to jolt him into his own sense of reality and capability. Listen, I've got a 14 year old granddaughter... into all the pre_IB programs as she starts ninth grade... she is BORED... she makes straight A's... and she is bored. Tells you something what your/our/my children get exposed to these days.

So, what's the trick? Perhaps, something like an outdoor games or camping?

The "trick" is teachers capable of challenging each student at the maximum potential, instead of rote spewing of course materials.

[PNGMK]

I thought I'd post an update. I used to be OSOD.

My son has just pulled in a bunch of A2's and is absolutely enthralled in his secondary schools NPCC (Police Cadets program) - to the point where I think he has a chance of being the first Private promoted to Lance Corporal in his section.

He is doing extra work to make up for some failed subjects last term (Art of all things - how the heck do you fail Art?) and seems to have found himself a bit.

Secondary school certainly has been a better deal for him than P5/P6. All I need to do is find something to fill the gap from 230 to 600 on some week days - any ideas?

He scrapped into this secondary school (express stream) by ONE point in his stupid PSLE - it's walking distance to both his parents house and the teachers seem to be positive and enthusiastic.

Anyways he turned 13 today I thought of sharing the positive news with some of you who supported me.

[taxico]

i'm glad things are working out the way they are. it's a never ending battle, especially at that age, so keep your wits about.

have you asked your son what his interests are/could be - and go from there?

or are we talking about academic enrichment-type activities?

[PNGMK]

i'm glad things are working out the way they are. it's a never ending battle, especially at that age, so keep your wits about.

have you asked your son what his interests are/could be - and go from there?

or are we talking about academic enrichment-type activities?

I'm thinking stuff that burns off lots of energy.

[earthfriendly]

Very nice to hear about his progress. Sometimes, they just need time and space to grow into their own and get their footing in the world.

[PNGMK]

My son was in the NPCC Parade Day Guard of Honor. He's in this group. I was fit to bust with pride (GOH is a competitive thing to get into - he had to work hard). NPCC has completely changed him. He's tall, fit, works hard on his academics and is turning into a leader. Never despair and NEVER criticism NS or the associated school cadet programs (Red Cross, NCC, etc). Singapore does a good job with her teens - those are 13/14/15 year olds marching in precision and standing at attention for 45 minutes. The discipline and dedication is impressive. Next time your fat kid whines about walking to the bus or your kid fails to do up his shoe laces think about why you don't want them to do NS again....
https://www.dropbox.com/pri/get/Public/ ... qTiXJD9dpQ

[nanana]

My nephew did the spartan race at age 11. Could be something worth consider cos u definitely need time and commitment to prepare for the race.

[jmwhite]

What are my options?

He's 11, Australian born Aussie citizen but also a SC. Currently in a local school and really not doing well. He's inattentive and bored to put it bluntly. We've tried after school tuition and more recently in the last two terms a private tutor (gave up on the tuition centre). He's not stupid but no longer engaged in learning.

He hates Malay (his M/T) and I'm divorced from his mother which adds difficulty. I'm considering enrolling him the Australian school. Any other ideas?

hi. yes, enroling him to an International School would be a definite option. also, based on the information you provided, i think it may be a good idea if studies in a small school or one that offers small class sizes. here's an article on the benefits of small class sizes http://www.methodschools.org/blog/what- ... lass-sizes

feel free to research further on this.