KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

My child will be going to sec 1 in 3 weeks time. Wonder how many CCA each student need to join in sec school? As many as you like so as to keep him occupy due to both parents working? or 1 sport and clud/UF Gp or either one will do? Does the student need to join the same CCA through out his 4 yrs and what about IP student whoes course will take 6 yrs? Along the way is it possible to change CCA and how will it impact the CCA score?

Any experience or knowledgeable parents care to share sec CCA scoring system and the usefulness of sec school CCA mark?

Thanks in advance

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In general, just 1 CCA. It's pretty rare to have 2 CCAs because of the time commitment and the workload.
CCA can reduce up to 2 points off your L1R5/L1R4(?) at O levels, depending on what grade you get (A1/2 - 2points, B3/4 - 1 point). It's graded on the LEAPS system. See http://www.scgs.edu.sg/downloads/misc/L ... SYSTEM.pdf for details.
Most people take the same CCA for the 4 years throughout, reason being you lose all your CCA points if you transfer (or so my school claims), probably unless you have very special reasons, eg medical. It's not advisable to change CCA and it's a great hassle (school admins are normally unwilling) so my advice is choose smart. For 6 year IP, those going on to the affliliated JCs can choose to change, as for schools like DHS/RVHS/ACS/NUSHS, I'm not too sure, probably yes because I heard you get more options at year 5.
Sports/ Perf. Arts requires A LOT of time (training can be 3 - 5 times per week leading up to competitions/SYF/concert) and this will take a toll on your studies and free time. UG is less time-consuming but it's very disciplined and physically demanding. Clubs is probably the best; not so time-consuming, more relaxing. If I were you, I'll try to go for the smaller CCAs to increase your chances of being in the executive comm as this will help to boost your leadership points under LEAPS as well as your portfolio.
But of couse, interest is the most important imo. There's no point in joining a CCA and hating it for the next 4/6 years (like me). Best if you could ask the seniors of the school or anyone who is in the CCA you are interested in because it'll give you a good idea of what to expect.

Micko07,
Thanks very much for sharing. I really don't know what to reccomend to my boy. He is also not sure ... cos once join mush stay with it for at least 4 years. In secondary school, if they don't get into school team for sport, are they allow to stay on for recreational?

I would say just go with the interest. only that will help you sustain through the years.

wiimum wrote:I would say just go with the interest. only that will help you sustain through the years.

I agree.
I never thought that joining CCAs have so much knowledge.
My secondary school's CCA required us to turn up for practices three times a week and every morning for national anthem. And although I went away with only a grade that hardly helps in my O-level, I left the school with great memories.

Zann wrote:Micko07,
Thanks very much for sharing. I really don't know what to reccomend to my boy. He is also not sure ... cos once join mush stay with it for at least 4 years. In secondary school, if they don't get into school team for sport, are they allow to stay on for recreational?

Sorry for late reply. Yes, can stay on for recreational, so-called sleeping member or just ordinary (don't do so much) member. But if you're aiming to gain points through CCA, you should not just be this.

Besides interest and talking to senior members, check out the CCA "storeroom" or "clubhouse". For less popular CCAs in the school, funding/budget may be limited and you can see if you visit home base.

Generally, UGs and performing arts get bigger budgets so have more stuff. This stuff is also well-maintained. Smaller budget means lesser stuff, older stuff, broken down stuff, etc. But more popular CCAs will mean higher expectations from members. (No free rides hor.)

Why is this a problem? Well, let's say your child joins IT club but it's not popular in that school so smaller budget. This may result in not so up to date (or really not up to date) IT equipment and less equipment. This may hinder enjoyment as you may end up not having fun projects and having to wait for a long time for to use the equipment.

CCAs may have open house within first week of school so make full use of this time to snoop around and ask and ask and....you get the point.

micko07 wrote: Most people take the same CCA for the 4 years throughout, reason being you lose all your CCA points if you transfer (or so my school claims), probably unless you have very special reasons, eg medical. It's not advisable to change CCA and it's a great hassle (school admins are normally unwilling)
....

There's no point in joining a CCA and hating it for the next 4/6 years (like me)....

I sympathize.

Is all this true of all/most sec schools? It's new to me.

If so, I congratulate MOE and Singapore again for creating yet another red-taped policy based on our obsession with scores and KPIs, instead of one based on a true interest in a proper holistic education for our children.

Heard some of the CCAs need parents to co-pay, as high as $600 per semester. Any parents come across this in govt or indpt schools?

Heard some of the CCAs need parents to co-pay, as high as $600 per year. Any parents come across this in govt or indpt schools?

I have never heard of CCAs or schools asking parents to co-pay before. Even for bands where uniforms, instruments, scores are very expensive, schools budget for them and pay for them 100%. If they can't, they make do with lower quality stuff (not necessarily bad quality, just lower) or re-do their budget or find legitimate ways to raise funds.

The only thing that comes to mind where parents were asked to pay is maybe the group needs/wants to go overseas and the cost is very high. Otherwise, no other valid reason I can think of.

Yes, children in schools must do CIP. Do you know that teachers must do CIP too? They can do it together with the students while supervising their CIP or they can do it separately, e.g., "volunteer" to provide free services to community like the parents of their students. And if the students cannot fulfill CIP hours, get bad grade. If teachers cannot fulfill CIP hours, they will be due for a "chat" with their supervisor. If still cannot or don't want to fulfill CIP hours, then get a bad grade on their work review and this will hinder promotion and pay rise in future.

Yes, life is very tough. In fact, so tough that I personally feel teachers already fulfill their CIP hours everyday when they restrain themselves from putting their murderous thoughts into action concerning recalcitrant students with over-protective, "in-denial" parents.