KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

bbbay wrote: ↑

Tue May 24, 2022 4:30 pm

The case is not real, for illustration of community/ inspirational leadership.

Isn’t such a) community/inspirational leadership (likely no precedence/minimum guidance/unpredictable environment ) a better yardstick of the leadership quality than b) CCA/prefectorial (which are well structured and more predictable environments)?

A leadership applicant with both a and b will have better chance than another with just a or b. But will an applicant with only a) , stand better chance than another with only b)?

I would like to agree with..

~ Floppy, that most of these selections are relatively subjective, based on how strong your competition is and (perhaps) also who knows and talks about your achievements. You can have both qualities A & B, but still lose out to someone who has A, B & C. Eg. (A) Community service leader, (B) school student leader and (C) volunteering or a sports champion.

~ Phtthp, that having quality A or B only, is a weak resume. It would be better to have both or more.. Especially if applying to the Top Schools.


For discussion purposes,

IMHO, “community youth leadership” is significantly different from “school leadership”. The former leads the community in service, could be for people of all ages, a large variety of programs, targeted at residents or a close knitted community; whereas the latter leads a specific activity or school program with their peers, representing the school. Both are commendable but nope, not the same.

Perhaps in recent years, the candidates that these school had chosen reflected their wants and needs for more community youths. (For PA/ grassroots etc). So instead of plainly listing “leadership” in school settings, it is more apt to say they are looking for a specific type of personality, someone who would like to work with the community, serving the people by leading programs.

In my child’s school, some prefects are nominated by their peers, teachers and employees of the school. Yes, these kids are usually super obedient, studious, but also intelligent, helpful, kind, tactful and well-liked. Their role could also include, giving suggestions on how to improve the school. It all depends on how you approach your role as a prefect. Well.. Perhaps in some schools it is not done this way, like ZM said, in a traditional setting it is picked by the FT. Times are changing and I hope I am giving you another welcomed perspective here.

Some student leaders in schools do not like to mingle with the community. Living in an “ivory tower” and feeling like I’m the head prefect, top student etc. Having the heart of service, doing house visiting is probably a “bonus” in the past, but a requirement when it is changed to “community leadership”. Some CCA leaders are made leaders because they are excellent at their sport or club competition abilities, not so much leading or serving others.

All in all, as parents, we guide our children to their max potential, not just for DSA. For DSA, we need to give the schools what they are looking for if you want to get in by DSA. Hope this helps and all the best to those applying!

floppy wrote: ↑

Tue May 24, 2022 9:17 am

There are at least 2 other schools, apart from HCI (then TCHS), that participated in those "“vehement & outspoken protests” still in existence today.

I believe you are thinking of CCHS. The other, less well known compared to the other schools, is Yuying Secondary School (then Yoke Eng School). That said, if we were to include all the other members of the union, we would have to include NYGH and NCHS (then Nan Chiau Girls' High School) as well

People usually only remember CCHS and TCHS as the sit-in protests were held in their campuses. However, I was told (can't be verified though) that many leaders came from TCHS.

I read from the late LKY’s book “my life long challenge - Singapore bilingual journey”, he said he was impressed then by the students from the chinese medium schools during the fight for independence. That the students were disciplined and steadfast in the pursuing of their social cause. He felt these chinese schools’ values should be preserved. That is 1 of the reason we have our SAP schools now.

Just to correct my earlier post, Cedar calls this domain “social innovation”. I believe that’s a more accurate term of what they’re looking for than “leadership”.

zac's mum wrote: ↑

Wed May 25, 2022 1:26 am

Just to correct my earlier post, Cedar calls this domain “social innovation”. I believe that’s a more accurate term of what they’re looking for than “leadership”.

Inspirational leadership? Like Gandhi and Greta Thunberg, who started a movement and inspire millions to follow?

Man management is another type of leadership.

Hi all

Can I check what are the questions that might be asked for DSA through STEAM? And if it is very difficult to get in to NJC (Secondary) for DSA STEAM?

Also, can anyone please also share their experience for RV High School's DSA through Design & Technology Innovation?

Thanks for the advice!

As the candidate’s results will be forwarded to the sec school he/she applied to, does anyone knows whether teachers’ comments in report book will also be visible?

sugardonut wrote: ↑

Thu May 26, 2022 2:13 pm

As the candidate’s results will be forwarded to the sec school he/she applied to, does anyone knows whether teachers’ comments in report book will also be visible?

Yes, everything, including your Teachers' comments. Whatever content appeared inside your school report card, will be uploaded into the DSA server, for Secondary school to see.

phtthp wrote: ↑

Thu May 26, 2022 2:43 pm

Yes, everything, including your Teachers' comments. Whatever content appeared inside your school report card, will be uploaded into the DSA server, for Secondary school to see.

Thank you

phtthp wrote: ↑

Thu May 26, 2022 2:43 pm

Yes, everything, including your Teachers' comments. Whatever content appeared inside your school report card, will be uploaded into the DSA server, for Secondary school to see.

Do you mean the entire student life records up to this point as found on the report card will be visible to the secondary school?

Our mid-year report book entry only contains the results + form teacher’s comments. Traditionally it has been so & P6 was no exception (though I had thought it might be).

Perhaps the P6 CCA achievements would be in the MOE Cockpit system available to the secondary school, I dont know, but I for one will be kiasu and using up 1 field for this in the list of 10 “external achievements” just in case it is not sent over somehow.