As most mom's I believe we want the best for our children. So when addressing the topic of schools as an expat, one often relies on forums and posts, recommendations from other parents but the final decision sometimes just is not in your hands.
In Singapore there is a large variety of "choices" so they advertise.
That is not the case.
Many factors go into applying to the
International Schools and then there is being accepted. The stigma and outright elitism in Singapore is shameful and how the parents who dog out other schools is laughable and frankly not a good example for their children.
There are the "top" schools SAS,UWC, Tanglin,Raffles,etc... The 2nd tier that tout they are 1st tier AIS,SAIS,OFS, there are the Country specific and Religious Private schools and the "others".When I arrived, I was told Dover is for special needs and everyone knows it, on top of which the admin is difficult. I do not know that to be factual. UWC is snobbish and only the best of the best get accepted. This is true and your child will be asked to leave if they do not make the grade, especially in HS with the IB.I thought we were a shoe in for SAS as we are American….no so.
The stuff I heard goes on and on and on. Some, in my personal findings were correct but others were "mommy mean girl" attitudes.
I have 3 kids. all have been or are currently being schooled in an
International School, 2 right now here in Singapore. They attend different schools for a variety of reasons. Would I have liked them in the same school?…yes. Was that an option?... At the time no. There in lies my comment that it is not in your control.
So now Avondale…
It is a small school and growing organically. It's a nice way to say they have low numbers of enrollment. Does that make it bad…NO. Is it posh with all the bells and whistles…NO, Are the Staff and Admin, kind..YES! Are the Teachers
Qualified, caring and involved…YES. Are the Standards on par with NSW…Above the median by the reports.
There is no one size fits all for your children.
If your child received a million dollar pair shoes, but they were too tight would you make him or her suffer because they were expensive?
Apply the same logic to education.
Primary, intermediate education and for that matter even middle school is all basically the same. Your son or daughter will not get into the best university based on their lower education. Your daft if you think so. Sorry to be so harsh.
But what they will get from you choosing the right school (Avondale being small) for them is a love of learning, confidence and hopefully good moral foundation that will take them on to High School and then University.
So if your a mom that buckles under the "mommy pier pressure" then apply to all the schools in the top 10 list, there is a very good chance your child will be rejected, or wait listed which will leave you feeling gutted and think about how your child will feel as well.
It's not uncommon to be told there is no space, or your child is not a good fit. If you have a child with any medical issues no matter how small thats another check against you. If your child has ADD/ADHD or is on the spectrum…be prepared for rejection.
You should be applying to at least 3 if not more schools…period.
Singapore as a country that provides a vast amount of resources for children, education and sport... but they are very expensive.
So that's what I know and am experiencing to date.
Avondale is a lovely school, no glam but it's got a good heart and my child will
probably out grow it. But he or she will depart with all the tools needed to be a positive, sensitive, world citizen. He or she will have a good sense of self and as you can gather I have been around the expat block…best of luck
