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Original poster

Singapore schools

8 replies

Kingyfam · 11/09/2012 07:39

Does anyone have kids that go to st josephs? Would love to know what you think of the school? Pm if prefer. Do you know what current waiting list is like? My son is 4 in oct so would have started school in sept 2014. Also any Dover court or Avondale mummy's out there could let me know what they think. Would really appreciate it. Have looked around the last 2 but good to know what people think who have kids there. I'm waiting to hear back about visiting st josephs. Thanks xxx

OP posts:
Merlion · 11/09/2012 09:37

My son (who turned 4 last month) is starting at SJI in January 2013. I have posted on this before but they are changing their school year so it is in line with the secondary school. So school year runs from 1 January to 31 December rather than 1 September to 31 August.

Regardless of this do you mean if you were in the UK your son would have started in September 2013 not 2014 (as my son would have just started if we were in the UK)? Your son would have been one of the eldest in his year whereas my ds would be one of the youngest in his.

Due to the changes your son, assuming he was born October 2008, would be in the same intake as mine i.e. to start January 2013 but would now be one of the younger ones. From other friends who have enquired I understand that there are over 60 on the waiting list for January 2013 intake. I have other friends whose DC attend St Josephs and they are all very happy with it (smaller size, nurturing, Singapore Maths curriculum and daily Mandarin).

There are DC Mums on here who would be better placed but the feedback I've received is always positive.

Re Avondale I visited for DS with my SIL who is a Reception/Y1 teacher and neither of us were that impressed but a lot of this was to do with the premises and they now have new buildings so this aspect might be improved. I'm even more confused about the Aussie school year so have no idea when your son would be due to start at Avondale. I think there is less of an issue for places though.

HTH but PM me if you don't understand my ramblings about SJIs school year - might be easier to explain Smile.

londonmoo · 11/09/2012 13:03

Hi there,
Am a new DC mum with a boy, 7, in Y3. He has had a tough time settling and I feel there are a few issues with hazy admin but I have also seen many good things as well as not so good.
From what I see of the infant school it is there that DC really excels so your DC is at the best age group to go, I think.
Another MNer is about to put you in touch with me...

Original poster
Kingyfam · 11/09/2012 14:47

Sorry merlion I meant 2013 not 2014. Had one of this days today. The reason for looking at both uk and Aus system is dh is from Sydney and not sure where heading too after sing. Just waiting to hear back from SJi.

OP posts:
butterfliesinmytummy · 13/09/2012 00:22

Heard yesterday that the waiting list for st Joseph's is very long and if you're looking at Dover court for primary 1 class 2013, you would need to register soon. I have 2 dds at dc, one in nursery, one in p3, been at the school 4 years, do pm me if you have any questions....

S999 · 13/09/2012 12:35

Londonmoo, sorry to hear the settling in has not been completely straightforward. I am already panicking and we don't even have schools yet. Although we were offered Dover court today just for years 1 and 3 but my kids are reception and year 2!
What are your main issues with the school? What year is your DS in?
We don't know whether to accept And move to UWC or tanglin later or just wait until we get the school we actually want. Dover was the only school who didn't let us visit when we came over last month, it was induction time I believe.
Thank you so much, hope you are having a better week.

londonmoo · 13/09/2012 16:29

Dover has had a massive influx this year and they were rushed when it was orienteering week. Things have settled down a lot, just in this last week. I'm a lot happier. I think part of it was my own concerns, and it was hard to talk me down as well as hold my son's hand. But we have got there. I persevered with communication and in the end got a lot back.

I think it is a great infant school. I see the benefits for the middle school, and I am not sure about upper. But I think we will be OK now. If you want to PM me more questions then please do.

What would the point be in moving? Because UWC & TT have better reputations? And when are you planning to move, I've forgotten? Thanks for the thoughts, we're having a better week, yes. It will be 2 steps forward and 1 step back for a while but I think we have turned a corner. Your kids end up doing it for themselves, I find. Bless him. He did it with breastfeeding too, just sort of 'got it' himself one day. Done the same here: two weeks of agony and he has suddenly just sorted himself out. The dear thing. Bracing for the next tricky time but at least now I know my queries will always be answered. Which is good.

MUCH harder than I thought, this relocation business, but the sun shines here and the palm trees are palmy and the food is outstanding. Come on in, the water is [mostly] lovely.

S999 · 14/09/2012 10:01

Hi! Thank you for your message...so glad to hear things are good now.

When you say infant school, is that up to year 2?

We are planning for jan 2013 but our whole move now depends on getting into schools, which we have been a little picky over rightly or wrongly! Both kids are more n the academic side and it will be a three year move with return to London for my DD's 11 plus. I thought UWC or Tanglin would be better for her with this in mind but not necessarily so, I guess.

What year is your son in?

butterfliesinmytummy · 14/09/2012 14:16

Hi s999, you are right to be picky over schools but January 2013 is cutting it fine. Tanglin's wait list is normally 2-3 years, uwc used to have a 3-4 year waiting list (some kids waited more than 5years) but they now have a first past the post system with a closing date some time in summer, and st Joseph's didn't have any places til autumn 2014 last I heard. I'm surprised you have places at Dover for January 2013 as a friend of mine has just joined the wait list although it might not be the same year as you. The schools you are looking at are oversubscribed and if you are really looking at January 2013, I would find out about wait lists pretty fast. You can pay a bursary to tanglin to jump the queue but it used to be about s$30k .... The other schools you mention won't accept payments to jump the queue.....

If you need more info, just ask, and good luck with those applications.

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