[Bukit Merah] Primary Schools

[ChiefKiasu]

Yes, caroline3sg is right. Pei Hwa seems to be the better choice because there is no balloting, and your transport problem may be solvable using the school bus.

[ChiefKiasu]

...
(iii) Radin Mas Primary (1-2Km).
I'm 1.5 Km away from Radin Mas Primary
Would it be good to perform volunteer or as Grassroot member so that at least in Phase 2B(2)? Heard that usually only in Phase 2C there would be balloting?

Target Radin Mas then. It is a good school and it is NEAR you. Be a grassroots leader only if you really want to do good for your community. Don't do it just to get your kid into a school. So I would say just do your parent volunteering and be done with it. Better do it soon... some schools close their PV by June.

[titank]

Hi Chief Kiasu,

Just to clarify that if I do volunteer for the following 3 schools is it confirm that I would be in Phase 2B(2)? If in Phase 2B confirm there is no balloting scenario?

(i) Radin Mas
(ii) River Valley
(iii) Fairfield Methodist

If there is balloting occur, based on the distance (Above 2Km) I would be at a disadvantage?

[titank]

Dear gelfish,

Perhaps you can consider do volunteer for CHIJ so that you can get into Phase 2B. I still think that distance is one of the important issue.

Wish you good luck in the enrollment.

[ChiefKiasu]

Hi Chief Kiasu,

Just to clarify that if I do volunteer for the following 3 schools is it confirm that I would be in Phase 2B(2)? If in Phase 2B confirm there is no balloting scenario?

(i) Radin Mas
(ii) River Valley
(iii) Fairfield Methodist

If there is balloting occur, based on the distance (Above 2Km) I would be at a disadvantage?

Not even the school itself can answer your question until they have completed Phase 1 and 2A. Balloting can occur at ANY phase - including Phase 1!

Consider this extreme (which is actually not so far out for certain schools) - suppose it so happens that all the places were taken up by school alumni members, staff members, siblings, ... etc, then the allocated places for Phase 2B will be squeezed. If too many qualifying parent volunteers apply for Phase 2B, there will also be balloting for 2B.

The main advantage of entering in the earlier phases would be that it gives you more chances to win the ballot at various phases.

From MoE: "Should the number of applications exceed the number of vacancies in any phase, places will be balloted according to the following order of priority:

Children living within 1 kilometre of the school of choice.
Children living between 1-2 kilometres of the school of choice.
Children living outside 2 kilometres of the school of choice.

At the end of Phase 2A(2), 50% of the remaining places will be allocated for phase 2B and the other 50% for Phase 2C registrants in a school. In the event that less than 50% of the allocated vacancies is taken up at Phase 2B, the remaining vacancies will be carried forward to Phase 2C."

[gelfish]

There is no volunteer for CHIJ.

For PH, I checked with the school bus service and they say where I live is too far. I am in the Alexandra area, actually the distance is not too far. But CHIJ is nearer.

Can anyone tell me, will the MOE announce the number of vacancies on Day 1 for each phase or only after each phase, then they will announce the no. of vacancies for the next phase?

Cos I am thinking if I miss Phase 2B for PH, then I ballot for CHIJ and if I fail, then i have nothing but wait for the school to be allocated.

thanks

[gelfish]

Oh another thing, CHIJ is pretty new too. Their building at Bt Teresa only completed construction in 2002. They only have 200 pupils for primary one which is quite cosy.

PH is 360 students. Another factor which is, although not so impt, PH is co-ed and CHIJ is all girls. I though for girls to be in all-girls school, they learn what girls/ ladies should behave or I am wrong??

I am also from co-ed pri school and I remember the boys being very naughty and teachers spent more time on getting them to stay still and listen.

[caroline3sg]

Hi gelfish
It depends on priority of your selection criteria:
1) all girls' sch
2) distance
3) etc etc

Seems your choice is CHIJ Kellock. As Alexandra not really near to Pei Hwa.

I recently met one parent who has an elder child with South View. He only take one way return sch bus. But she can't register her younger child at same sch coz sch bus does not want to go to Hillview. This is first time I heard about such issue. I wonder if only good schs, buses have to ferry all children but for neighbourhood sch, bus driver has the final say.

[caroline3sg]

gelfish
One more thing, your husband ex-sch, phase 2A2, not 2B.

[gelfish]

thanks caroline. If I opt for PH, I can definitely get my kids in right cos Daddy is ex-student?

But I am puzzled abt the story u said, if the elder child can take the school bus to Hillview, why cant the younger child do the same?