International schools

[Pink girl]

Hi
I am aware that this topic might have been discussed to death, but as a newbie I would really appreciate some up to date advice.
We are relocating to singapore in January and I am looking for a school for my dd aged 5. We have visited tanglin and am happy with sending her there, but they can't accommodate her until sometime in 2014.
So, I have been looking for an interim school. I am limited with options due to wait lists, but ISS have suggested there will be a place for her come January as has nexus International School. Also, rosemount kindergarten (although we will not be living in the east coast). Dover court unfortunately is full. The Canadian school said they could possibly fit her in, but weren't particularly convincing- although very nice.
Could you please give me some feedback regarding these schools- I believe nexus has had a chequered history, but is now on the right track. I have heard that facilities at ISS are limited- sporting wise. There are probably other preschools I could look at, but I am presuming (please correct me if I'm wrong), that their facilities will not be as advanced as that of an international school.
Any advice/help very much appreciated.
Thank you

[nutnut]

Where will you be living? What constraints and requirements do you have?

Also, there is a singapore International School book that has all the information in regards to all schools in Singapore, maybe the right way to go.

Link

[offshoreoildude]

Hi
I am aware that this topic might have been discussed to death, but as a newbie I would really appreciate some up to date advice.
We are relocating to singapore in January and I am looking for a school for my dd aged 5. We have visited tanglin and am happy with sending her there, but they can't accommodate her until sometime in 2014.
So, I have been looking for an interim school. I am limited with options due to wait lists, but ISS have suggested there will be a place for her come January as has nexus International School. Also, rosemount kindergarten (although we will not be living in the east coast). Dover court unfortunately is full. The Canadian school said they could possibly fit her in, but weren't particularly convincing- although very nice.
Could you please give me some feedback regarding these schools- I believe nexus has had a chequered history, but is now on the right track. I have heard that facilities at ISS are limited- sporting wise. There are probably other preschools I could look at, but I am presuming (please correct me if I'm wrong), that their facilities will not be as advanced as that of an international school.
Any advice/help very much appreciated.
Thank you

I would recommend ICS.

[Pink girl]

Thank you nut nut- I have bought the book you are referring to, and whilst very helpful, it provides only factual information. I would really appreciate some personal experiences.
Dh will be working at Alexandra hospital, so we will be looking at surrounding areas. I think in this respect nexus would be a good choice for us.
Dd is currently in a very good private school in Australia, with very up to date and plentiful facilities and technology. As she is used to this, I would really like to send her to somewhere similar, even as an interim school- it still will be for 18 months-2 years, so the right choice is still very important to us. Unfortunately whilst we were recently in singapore, we were only ale to visit tanglin. I am not sure when, or if, we will be back before our move (maybe a visit is required), but I was hoping to get some personal feedback on either ISS or nexus as a possibility.

Thank you

[nutnut]

I can recommend Chatsworth, but know nothing of the other schools, also OSFS and UWC seem to be popular choices. Have you looked at the Aussie school? It's dearer than Tanglin though....

[sundaymorningstaple]

Pink girl, so, what you are asking for then are individuals clouded perceptions rather than the facts. The facts are consistent while perceptions often are clouded by the individual's idea of perfection, in their eyes, which may not be consistent with others.

Good luck on finding the right school. Hope you don't have to go through to many to find something suitable.

[Pink girl]

Thank you nut nut.
SMS- as I said, the book is very helpful, but considers, size of the school, class size, curriculum offered, facilities availbale, extra curricular activitis, registration and annual fees, wether there is a bus service etc...
not, do the children seem happy, are the parent's happy with the education the children are receiving, what are the academic achievements and results, are the teachers good, how many mandarin classes (for example) a week does the school offer etc. these things, alongside factual information (which i agree is very useful), would be very helpful, even if they areonly opinions. I know that people's perceptions vary a lot, which is why I think personal experiences might be of more value.
I also hope I do not have to wait long to find a suitable school- the whole thing, I find quite stressful (it is harder when one is of the expat lifestyle- never in one place to get a feel for anywhere)!

Thank you all

[dundee17]

I highly recommend Avondale Grammar on Tanglin Road - it is a great school - both of my children go there - we have great teachers and although the school seems to get bad press on here - since we have been here things are heading upwards. Both children have excellent teachers and the staff and students (and parents) are very supportive. We love it and would not change it for the world. The fees are cheaper and the children love school. I can't ask for anything more.

[nakatago]

...

On your first post, you're recommending something? I'd like to be proven wrong that you have an affiliation with them.

-Moderator

[baird]

My family and I moved from the UK to Singapore in May of this year. So I understand how stressful looking for a good school is and hope the following will be of some help to you.
My son has been at NEXUS International School since August. We are very happy with the choice we made. He has made friends very quickly and is enjoying school.
There is a wide range of afterschool activities to chose from. My son loves the school swimming pool. The newly refurbished library seems to be popular with both students and parents. There are regular communications from the school via email. The school has a "Nexus Parent Group" (NPG) which meets once a month and all parents are welcome to go along. This gives you the opportunity to meet other parents who have been in Singapore for some time and are willing to share their experiences with you.
In answer to your question regarding languages; there is the choice of learning French or Chinese. These lessons take place daily.
I have always found the staff to be very friendly and helpful.
I am sure your daughter would be very happy at Nexus and would recommend that you visit the school if you have not done so already.
If I can be of further help in answering any questions about Nexus, please feel free to ask...