KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

I guess we have no option but to send my daughter to Grils schools, unfortunately , she will have to travel on her own taking public trasnport to reach in time( i heard they are very strict about punctuality) as schools are in central areas like bukit timah/Payalaber & house prices are unaffordabble there

What is experience of parents , is it foolhardy to expect this.. Will you regret decision in 3-4 months & switch back to neighbourhood school>

What time Secondary school starts 7.30 or 8 AM. If it is 8 AM, it is still possible .. she is early riser , but quite kiasu in terms of keeping lots of allowance to reach in time

Is it possible to put her on the schoolbus in the mornings and take public transport after school?

I know of kids as young as P4 who take public transport to and from school, with journeys lasting about an hour. They're doing fine, although they sometimes turn up late for school.

Hi DadofGirl,

Some schools start at 7.30am, i know one that start at 8am. NYGH will start at 8am on Mondays only.

Many of my son's classmates stay very far away, some need to change 3 buses to reach home. They normally take school bus in the morning, and get home by themselves after school.

1 hour including waiting time for the bus / MRT, is not very far, in my opinion.

Hi DadofGirl, my girl is taking public transport to school and back home since P6. Her primary school and now Sec school, takes about 1 hour. Take MRT + change bus (stand all the way, no seats). She wakes up at 5:30 am, leave home at 6am to reach school at 7am. Althought school starts at 7:30am, she prefers to reach school earlier. Sometimes to run some errands or discuss some class event or project with the classmates.

It can be tiring but so far, she has no regrets or think of changing to another school nearby.

Maybe you can share which school you are looking at and parents with kiddos in that school can share more info?

I know for PLMGS, if you don't mind HDB, the prices of the houses in that area are affordable plus good ammenities nearby. If budget permits, there's private houses within walking distance too. Else there's a condo (Minton Rise) converted from old HDB flats.

For S1 student, 1 hour bus ride is quite alright. Assuming assembly is at 7.30am, it's good to reach school by 7.15am. 1 hour bus ride means leave home by 6.10am. Wake up at 5.30am? I think it's quite alright. For PL, they do have school bus (with PL Pri). Quite a number of them take school bus to school, then take public transport home.

mrswongtuition wrote:Maybe you can share which school you are looking at and parents with kiddos in that school can share more info?

I know for PLMGS, if you don't mind HDB, the prices of the houses in that area are affordable plus good ammenities nearby. If budget permits, there's private houses within walking distance too. Else there's a condo (Minton Rise) converted from old HDB flats.

For S1 student, 1 hour bus ride is quite alright. Assuming assembly is at 7.30am, it's good to reach school by 7.15am. 1 hour bus ride means leave home by 6.10am. Wake up at 5.30am? I think it's quite alright. For PL, they do have school bus (with PL Pri). Quite a number of them take school bus to school, then take public transport home.

Tanjong Katong Girls is school we are looking at... it has quite allright COP .. Open house was quite impressive & Choir & vocal CCA is choice for my girl too. It is quite central unfortunately .... & school is strict about punctuality...

PLMGS COP is much higher 249 & school has not admitted non -affliated express student for last two years... It is school with good HBD units ... but school is too good to get in ...

Wake up 5.30 in morning should not be problem for her ...unfortunately she likes to keep lot of allowances ..cries easlily , if late... not a gogather type ... who makes up for delays...

daisyt wrote:Hi DadofGirl, my girl is taking public transport to school and back home since P6. Her primary school and now Sec school, takes about 1 hour. Take MRT + change bus (stand all the way, no seats). She wakes up at 5:30 am, leave home at 6am to reach school at 7am. Althought school starts at 7:30am, she prefers to reach school earlier. Sometimes to run some errands or discuss some class event or project with the classmates.

It can be tiring but so far, she has no regrets or think of changing to another school nearby.

From what i read , it is possible to put them thro' this . I guess like your daughter , my girl also wants to go to good school , even if means stretching a lot.. Thank you all for reply

DadOfGirl wrote:Tanjong Katong Girls is school we are looking at... it has quite allright COP .. Open house was quite impressive & Choir & vocal CCA is choice for my girl too. It is quite central unfortunately .... & school is strict about punctuality...

PLMGS COP is much higher 249 & school has not admitted non -affliated express student for last two years... It is school with good HBD units ... but school is too good to get in ...

Wake up 5.30 in morning should not be problem for her ...unfortunately she likes to keep lot of allowances ..cries easlily , if late... not a gogather type ... who makes up for delays...

I always had the impression that TKGS has higher COP than PLMGS(S).

Anyway, they are changing the affiliation points system for PL Pri, so this year might be the year they'll take in alot of students from other primary schools.

No harm calling them after release of results to check. This is a school in which you can get in rather easily through appeal

mrswongtuition wrote:

DadOfGirl wrote:Tanjong Katong Girls is school we are looking at... it has quite allright COP .. Open house was quite impressive & Choir & vocal CCA is choice for my girl too. It is quite central unfortunately .... & school is strict about punctuality...

PLMGS COP is much higher 249 & school has not admitted non -affliated express student for last two years... It is school with good HBD units ... but school is too good to get in ...

Wake up 5.30 in morning should not be problem for her ...unfortunately she likes to keep lot of allowances ..cries easlily , if late... not a gogather type ... who makes up for delays...

I always had the impression that TKGS has higher COP than PLMGS(S).

Anyway, they are changing the affiliation points system for PL Pri, so this year might be the year they'll take in alot of students from other primary schools.

No harm calling them after release of results to check. This is a school in which you can get in rather easily through appeal

Wow that's good informatio....thank you. PL MGS is surely better school... may be COP will drop because of this change .. I am thinking of putting it as first option already

Thanks Mrswongtuition for your info. I was thinking of putting my girl to PLMGS too cos my DD prefer a girls school. Any other girls sec school near North zone?