recommend any local schools?

[Alisand]

Hello our 2 daughters are 10 and 4 we would like to send them to a local school.  Swiss Cottage Primary has beed suggested.  Anyone any comments or further schools we should look at when we come out next week on a fact finding mission?  Thank you

[Ozzy]

I can't help you but we may come to Singapore later this year and may have to consider local schools. When you have been on your visit, please may I ask you to post a message on this board to share your experience? I don't know how much choice you get, does it depend on the catchment area of where you are going to live? Thanks.  

[PatPat]

It's quite complicated. First of all, any speacial reason why you are considering sending your kids to a local school?  

The first thing you may want to consider is which "2nd language" you want your child to study.  Chinese, Malay and Tamil are the only 3 offered.  If you don't intend to pick any of these, you will need to apply for an exemption.

Next, going by school age, your 10 yr-old should be placed in Primary 4, which is the streaming year.  This is the level at which all children in local schools sit for a "streaming exam", after which the "weaker" students are separated from the "average majority".  It is a rather stressful thing to put your children through.

There are many more issues to consider, perhaps you can give more details about the children's background?

[Alisand]

Sorry, just learning how to use this message board!

Our eldest girl loves reading, she's sensitive, bright but does worry about getting things right.  Our youngest happy go lucky totally opposite!  

Are we really pushing it trying to send them to local schools.  We will of course see for ouselves when we come out next week but if you could suggest any schools to visit that would be really helpful.

Ozz - yes we will erply as soon as we retunr to the UK and let you know how we got on.

[Hope this helps]

Hello Alisand,
  We are here on 2 years assignment but did not get a full expat package.  Since the international schools (with lots of expat/western kids) are unreasonably expensive, we are sending our kids to locals schools.  My son, who is in 5th grade goes to Swiss Cottage.  He and only another expat kid (from Australia) are the only expat/foreigner/western - however they may be addressed without any offense) in his class.  
Swiss Cottage is located in Dunearn Road.  My husband has met his teacher and was quite impressed.
Unfortunately, Swiss Cottage in Dunearn Road will be demolished (well the building) soon.  I don't know where the new location will be.
If you are interested, I can give you the name and contact number of the person who helped us.
They were very accomodating.  I find it a nice place to send my son.
I also have a 4 year old who goes to a local pre-school. There are 2 expat/foreigner/wester in her class (Herself (US)  and another one from Australia).  She loves it there.  The only thing is that she's starting to pick up the Singaporean accent (not that it's bad) but were just not used to it.  
Oh, BTW, locals schools do require kids to study 'mother language (Chinese, Tamil etc...)  But my son is exempted since this is not his mother language.  He still goes to the class but is not teste.  So he learns a little bit..which is good.
For those who are interested, we pay SGD$13/Month for our 11 year old at Swiss Cottage.  That's a heck of a lot cheaper than the international school I'd say!
For our little ones, we pay SGD$285/month on halfday school plus SGD$80 on school bus, Just to give you an idea.
Hope this helps.

[anotherhopethishelps]

We sent our son to intl. school (P4) because the local schools here are quite agressive and we were worried about him having to play catch up, do tons of homework, and possibly get private tutoring.  On the other hand, we sent our daughter to local school as she was just starting P1.  We selected chinese as language.  We chose the local school closest to our house.  The MOE has a list of the local schools with vacancies.  It believe it also has a ranking of the schools.  However, dont waste your time applying to one of the top schools, only connected locals (e.g., alumni, etc.) can get their kids in these schools.  At elementary age, a regular local school should be fine.  Yes they will pick up Singlish, but if you teach them the difference, they can laugh about with you.

[mapleleaf]

Although we initially thought we'd send our nursery-age daughter to Tanglin Trust, we've decided on sending her to a local nursery then local school as the mandarin immersion starts from day one instead of at the primary level where I feel it's a bit late. We grappled with it for a while but frankly I'd rather sock away that money for her university. (We also can't fathom paying through the nose just to get the same education that she gets for free back home.)

As long as we don't pressure her to perform,etc.  I hope/think she'll be just fine. Hopefully we can get her into a convent school after nursery.  I think younger children shouldn't have a problem adapting to local schools but I do agree that if she was older, I'd probably send her to an intl school as streaming must have some effect on the childrens self-esteem.

But two good local schools are: Henry Park, Swiss Cottage.

[Alisand]

I can't thank you enough for your replies.  We were starting to think we were going to have to pay for 2 international fees that we couldn't really afford.  I'm with you in that hopefully our 4 year old should adapt well into local schools.  If anyone can give me any further advice beofre we come out on Friday for a fact finding mission that would be greatly appreciated.

[Colbster]

Hi
Juz a little of my input......

Elementary schools in sg are pretty much similar and it should not makes much different where your child goes to. Get a school near your place is the best bet coz schools start quite early at 0730 hrs and unless u want ur child to wake up at 0545 hrs to prepare and wait 4 the school bus.. get a school near ur house

Some better schools by locality are:

Bukit Timah Area
Swiss Cottage (quite a sizeable expat pop. vs the rest)
Singapore Chinese Girls Primary
Raffles Girls Primary (one of the best in my point of view)

Eastern Area (East Coast)
Katong Convent Girls Primary
Tao Nan School (highly competitive school to get into and definetely the best in the East Coast Area)
St Hildas Primary

Central
St Nicholas Girls Primary
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls Primary

There is however a certain gulf in standards between some of the neighbourhood schools especially those in the older estates.....

Hope this is of use to u

[Catholic]

Check out Marymount Convent.  It is an all- girls primary school conveniently located on Marymount Road.  Excellent facilities as the school is newly rebuilt (you will agree when you see it).  The school focuses on a balanced development rather than just on academic excellence.  

The only drawback could be that it is a Catholic School, in case you are not one and feel uncomfortable about your daughters being exposed to the faith.  Personally I know of many non-catholics sending their daughters there as well because of the reputation of the school.  My two nieces studied there although they are non- Catholic.