Archive for the ‘Education’ Category

Brendan received a surprise prize when he won 3rd prize in school for this artwork on Racial Harmony. It was done in a hurry amidst preliminary and PSLE preparations.

Indeed a pleasant surprise when he came back with the prize last week:)

I felt bad putting Brendan through extra pressure. However, if we don’t try, I would blame myself for giving the opportunity a miss. Haiz…

So for past few months, mother and son were extra busy identifying secondary schools to enrol in, going for OPEN HOUSES and registering Brendan for Direct School Admission (DSA). Then as a result, there were the General Abilities Tests (GAT) and interview that he has to attend for secondary school’s DSA shortlisting, in addition to preparation for his preliminary/PSLE examinations.

[Our boy was tested on his higher ability analytical thinking and articulation skills while being recorded during face-to-face interview. Imagine myself going through a grilling interview at 11 years old. I would have cold sweats but we are proud of our boy for passing it with smiles:)]

I felt like a step mother breathing down his neck. It was really madness for past few months with my adrenaline soaring high. It seemed like I was the one enrolling for schools and attending the interviews! Our comfort is that our boy actually volunteered to attempt for DSA without us psychoing him. He discussed the schools with us too after learning more about them. Seriously,  I feel blessed to have a self-motivated boy.

We are over the moon….

Then, I was 10 times more elated than being told my own achievements when we received the good news!  Brendan was given a confirmed place in an ideal secondary school with 6-year Integrated Programme (IP) leading to the ‘A’ Level examinations before he has officially sat for the PSLE:)

Our boy made it, being one out of the only forty over successful applicants!  As long as he meets the criteria of express stream in his PSLE.

If our boy pursues the Integrated Programme (IP and also known as through-train programme), he will bypass the GCE ‘O’ Level examinations and eventually sits only for GCE ‘A’ Level examinations at the end of his 6-year education in the programme. The IP targets to expose the students to a broad-based education and enrichment activities besides those core subjects.

It has always been our hope to expose our boy to a broader education and enable him to develop in other areas besides just studying academic subjects for a certificate. Eg. social responsibility in life, leadership and entrepreneurship.

Then we started to think twice….

I have this concern : “What if students in IP do not make it in ‘A’ Levels and in the end, do not even have a GCE ‘O’ Level certificate to fall back on?”

Well, this is a true worry but I guess it is a risk that all students in IP has to take, including our boy. Do I really want to worry that far as in 6 years later?

If you are interested to know more about Integrated Programme, you may read here and here.

Now, I like school holidays as much as young kids because it means less “rushing” and less “multi-tasking” for me.

Unfortunately, it is only half way through the brief one-week school break and Brendan has already started lessons in school.  He spent his brief school holidays completing many school worksheets and gearing up for the PSLE preparation.  His June school holidays was also shortened as his Primary 6 level started school lessons earlier than other students. 

How I wish Brendan could be given this precious one-week school term break to really “freshen up” from the recently over Primary 6 Preliminary examinations and recharge for PSLE examinations round the corner INSTEAD of having a shortened school break.  His tutors are also requiring him to attend extra lessons during this crucial month.

[I didn't recall so much pressure being placed on me when I sat for my PSLE more than 20 years ago.]

My poor boy:(

How he wished to be able to enjoy his school holidays like Darren

Has PSLE put too much pressure on the schools and tuition centres and SO… also on the kids? Everyone seems to be squeezing as much time as possible from our boy.

Haiz… Is this the typical stress of a Primary 6 student or the pressure of  our boy being in a local top school?

How nice if our boys were borned 20 years earlier because the PSLE fever was seriously less infectious then.

Son, bear with it one more month. This will soon be over. JIAYOU!:)