Singapore Sports School

[tankee]

This is the Parents' Networking Group for Singapore Sports School.

Once you have gotten your child in this school, come introduce yourself to other parents in this school and network with each other. Share tips, on-going news and alerts and discuss issues pertaining to the school.

[dovetail]

There is very little talk here about the Singapore Sports School and I think many parents, even the school teachers and even the Sports Coaches, do not know very much or understand what the school does other than the obvious. It really takes a student-athlete or a parent of one to know why these kids are willing to put themselves through such a different live from their fellow teens.

I have a son in the Singapore Sports School. He is 14 and doing the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. He is in the Soccer Academy. We are very happy with both the academic and sports development program there and what really comforts us is knowing that the school cares about his whole-person development. We see our son blossoming as he struggles to balance his sports and studies and also staying on his own has helped him gain confidence and independence.



Here's some information:

Singapore Sports School has a very small students population of around 400. All students stay in boarding to save traveling time, for student bonding as well as for character building.

It's like a small community there, where students-athletes study, train, play and live together. The principal- Mrs Deborah Tan, sports director - Dr Irwin Seet and quite a number of the teachers and coaches stays with the kids in boarding.

Class size is 25 and the student-staff ratio is low to ensure close monitoring of the students academic studies and sports development.

The school is under the MCYS but the academic curriculum is using the MOE's, except for those doing the 6-year IB program All Sports School Students are registered with a mainstream school just in case they find that a student-athlete life is not suitable for them or due to disciplinary problems, the student is expelled, they go back mainstream. The mainstream school is the choice the student makes during the S1 Option Ex after the PSLE results is released.

Sports School was established in 2004 and is helmed by Mrs Deborah Tan since 2009, the former RGS principal. She mentioned that she wanted to work with kids gifted in Sports after so many years of working with the academically gifted ones. She's a very wonderful and inspiring lady, and a great principal who treats the kids there like her own children.

The school has 10 Sports Academies, the latest addition is Shooting. Fencing is the next addition and Gymnastic is under consideration.

The student-athletes are also supported by a Sport Science Academy which comprises the physiologists, physiotherapists and nutritionists.

To learn more about the school and it's mission and goal:
www.sportsschool.edu.sg


I hope all parents who wants to know anything about the school to post in this section and also those with kids there, to share their experiences or concerns.

[ANobleNerd]

Thanks so much for your write up about the school.

Since my son went to the Sports School for his fencing school's fencing camp last year, he's been utterly captivated with the idea of studying at the school. He was housed in a 6-bedder dorm, and he really enjoyed himself in such an environment.

I heard from his coaches that SSP will have a Fencing Academy next year, so we felt that it was perfect timing for my fencing-mad son to try to gain a place there, so as to hone his skills.

I'm concerned, though, about the sleep hours for the student-atheletes. According to what I've read about the time-table, the kids wake up at 6am and the time-table ends at 10pm. Between 10pm to 6am is only 8 hours, and if the last period ends at 10pm, does that mean that the kids go to bed only after 10pm? Also, most researches on sleep indicate that athletes need more sleep than the average person to be on top form. Furthermore, growing teens need an average of 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep for optimal development.

Do the kids have down time during the day? Are they allowed to nap? Or are they just rushing from point to point throughout the day?

[dovetail]

I'm concerned, though, about the sleep hours for the student-atheletes. According to what I've read about the time-table, the kids wake up at 6am and the time-table ends at 10pm. Between 10pm to 6am is only 8 hours, and if the last period ends at 10pm, does that mean that the kids go to bed only after 10pm? Also, most researches on sleep indicate that athletes need more sleep than the average person to be on top form. Furthermore, growing teens need an average of 8.5 to 9.5 hours of sleep for optimal development.

Do the kids have down time during the day? Are they allowed to nap? Or are they just rushing from point to point throughout the day?

Your welcome!

Many apologies to reply so late. I haven't been around for so long I almost forgot my password.


Regarding sleep. I believe many teens sleep less than 8 hours anyway. Those in top schools have homework to keep them up to 12am sometime. Those in less stressful ones have computers and other stuff to keep them up late.

Yes, the kids there are kept very busy. Although, it is stated there are 2 trainings a day but that is the max possible. A lot of times, the coaches will decide if it is necessary for 2 times training. There is a need for recovery time from competition, especially for soccer. Sometimes, they do gym training. They also have a monthly outing in the afternoon. So all in all it is not the 20 hour a week that we envisage. If Mon mornings there's no training, my boy will stay home Sunday night and only check in the next morning at 8 pm.

There are 2 long rest time in the day. Time between end of school around
3pm and afternoon training at 4. If there's no training, they can nap until dinner time. Dinner and Recreation time is 6 to 8 pm. After that is mandatory study time 2h.

I think there is no need to worry about sleep. Alot of time, my boy sleeps late. He studies till 11 or 12 am if necessary because of module tests. He is surviving well. There's are peaks and lulls periods. A little less sleep during peaks is okay.

Yes, Fencing Academy starts this year I heard. I think there's Shooting Academy too. Is your son selected? There's open house on 21st this month. Do drop by to visit the campus and get to know the staff and principal, Mrs Tan.

My son is also enjoying the boarding life. Teens, after all, wants to be with their friends. If we have lived in hostel in Uni days, we can understand how boarding was a highlight of our student lives. Every time I see teens gallivanting at the malls, McDonalds, or hear parents worrying about what their teens are up to after school, I'm so glad my kid is in SSP. He's kept busy all day doing what he loves, study, his sports, his friends and teachers and principals who are like their guardians.

Feel free to check with me anything about Sports School. I can understand the many concerns parents have, separation anxiety, balancing study and sports, etc.

[ANobleNerd]

Thanks for your reply, dovetail.

I'm glad to hear that there are pockets of rest for the student athletes. Rest is usually underrated in our kids' lives, as we think that productivity in doing more gives the best results. Unfortunately for sports, this isn't always the case.

Nevertheless, we'll be attending the open house later this month and applying for the Fencing Academy. My son did well enough for a Top 8 placing in last month's Selangor Open Fencing Championship for his age group, so we're hoping that that will be a plus for his application, and help him pursue his fencing dreams.

[dovetail]

Thanks for your reply, dovetail.

I'm glad to hear that there are pockets of rest for the student athletes. Rest is usually underrated in our kids' lives, as we think that productivity in doing more gives the best results. Unfortunately for sports, this isn't always the case.

Nevertheless, we'll be attending the open house later this month and applying for the Fencing Academy. My son did well enough for a Top 8 placing in last month's Selangor Open Fencing Championship for his age group, so we're hoping that that will be a plus for his application, and help him pursue his fencing dreams.

There are not many kids doing fencing so the number who go for trial could be small. How many are they getting to enter the academy?

Have a great time at the open house. Let me know if eventually, your son get an offer and if you decide to let him join. Usually, those kids that have good PSLE results have a big dilemma whether to stay mainstream or go specialized independent. The top schools also offer them a place via DSA or via their good results. Currently, the kids in my boy's class range from 230 to 265 for PSLE score.

[Lavender33]

My husband and I took our son to visit the School's Open House last Saturday. Though he is only in P4 this year, we thought it would be a good idea to let him experience and see what the school is all about as he is very passionate about badminton. He was bought-in by all the fantastic facilities at the school and the possibilities of excelling in the game.

The admission criteria by the school mentions that "priority will be given to applicants who have competitive experience in representing their schools or who have the talent or physical attributes to succeed in the sport."

My son currently undergoes training with a private badminton centre. Quite happy that he is progressing well there. Unfortunately, his primary school does not have badminton for its cca and he wont be able to fulfill the school representation requirement. What can we help him with to make-up for this? Will the Sports School consider favourably achievements from private competitions in the same way as school competitions?

[dovetail]

The admission criteria by the school mentions that "priority will be given to applicants who have competitive experience in representing their schools or who have the talent or physical attributes to succeed in the sport."

My son currently undergoes training with a private badminton centre. Quite
happy that he is progressing well there. Unfortunately, his primary school does not have badminton for its cca and he wont be able to fulfill the school representation requirement. What can we help him with to make-up for this? Will the Sports School consider favourably achievements from private competitions in the same way as school competitions?

Is great to hear your son is passionate about the sport, it is the most important thing to have for him to develop his talent. Even, better when he's clear about what he wants, he'll take ownership of his choice and whatever consequences that comes along. That itself is education too.

I'm not sure exactly the assessment mode they use in badminton but I believe competition background helps. I think they have some MOE Centre
of Excellence (COE) for various sports. You can check if there's one for
badminton. You can go for trial and if you get in, you get to train with the skilled players. That's important as you need iron to sharpen iron. I suppose COE should help to provide some competitions.

Also, can check if SSP about their JSA ( juniou sports academy, not sure what it stands for). I think some P5/6 start training at the SSP before they are even offered a place. I think there should be a selection test to get in. They have for shooting, fencing and some other sports I think. I think if can get in JSA better than the COE.

Just in case you are not aware, a lot of these kids are talent scouted way
before the open house day. The trials starts way before the open house. Don't wait till the open house to go for trial. Keep track of the website from early April for announcements. The trial they do at open house is just to make sure everyone get a chance.

So basically, trial early and if possible try to be selected for Training in SSP or the MOE COE. Let your son know that at the end of the day, for badminton, if you can beat many others in the trial, your chances are high. It doesn't matter whether you have competition background or Badminton CCA

Don't feel inadequate that your son is not doing competition now, SSP is very serious about sports development unlike mainstream school that just takes in the best to win medals. So if he is identified to have potential, they may still take him. Some of my son's academy friends don't have soccer CCA in their schools. Neither have they played in national tournament. Somehow, the coaches have some way of assessment based on learning attitudes and potential also.

All the best and ask your boy to work hard to get min 230 to join the IBDP. It's a good education program that is hard to get in Singapore.

I hope this helps.

[coast]

Just in case you are not aware, a lot of these kids are talent scouted way
before the open house day. The trials starts way before the open house. Don't wait till the open house to go for trial. Keep track of the website from early April for announcements. The trial they do at open house is just to make sure everyone get a chance.

So basically, trial early and if possible try to be selected for Training in SSP or the MOE COE. Let your son know that at the end of the day, for badminton, if you can beat many others in the trial, your chances are high. It doesn't matter whether you have competition background or Badminton CCA

I hope this helps.

Hi dovetail,

Thanks for sharing so much useful info about Singapore Sports School.

There is an article in the Straits Times today regarding Singapore Sports School

I read a few days ago (also from Straits Times) that 1000 over went for the open house trials. I was disappointed to read that there are only 4 to be selected for Badminton (I think it is also 4 for Table Tennis).

I am not sure what you meant by "a lot of these kids are talent scouted way before the open house day"? So will these kids still be taking part in the trials during open house day or they do not have to go for the trials as they are already offered a place in Singapore Sports School?

[coast]

My husband and I took our son to visit the School's Open House last Saturday. Though he is only in P4 this year, we thought it would be a good idea to let him experience and see what the school is all about as he is very passionate about badminton. He was bought-in by all the fantastic facilities at the school and the possibilities of excelling in the game.

The admission criteria by the school mentions that "priority will be given to applicants who have competitive experience in representing their schools or who have the talent or physical attributes to succeed in the sport."

My son currently undergoes training with a private badminton centre. Quite happy that he is progressing well there. Unfortunately, his primary school does not have badminton for its cca and he wont be able to fulfill the school representation requirement. What can we help him with to make-up for this? Will the Sports School consider favourably achievements from private competitions in the same way as school competitions?

Hi Lavender33, could you share the facilities and other things you have observed during the open house?

Could you also share what private competitions your son is competing or going to compete? I think if the competitions are at national level (I don't think there are many for Badminton), then it should be recognised favourably. Why don't you contact Singapore Sports School and tell them the particular private competitions (e.g., Kason tournaments in the past) and see what they say about it.

Have you considered transferring him to another school that has Badminton (if he is selected into their school team)?

As for JSA, there's some discussions in KSP, please refer to following link:

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum ... 91#p431491

Thanks.