Canadian Scool

[Liya]

What is the first imperssion that comes to your mind when you hear the name Canadian Scool?
We are seriously considering send our daughters to the Canadian's.

[Iceman]

Hi Liya

I know three teacher's at the Canadian School (altho I'm not Canadian) and from the stories I hear them tell and the passion that they have for their jobs I don't think that you will have any complaints.  

A lot of what they try to do is make school 'normal' for the kids (expat kids can be quite trying...) and not pamper them, like some of the other schools.  I'd have no problems sending my kids there - if I had any and if I was Canaidian???

Good luck, Ice

[This message has been edited by Iceman (edited 06-12-2000).]

[MaryD]

Hi! My husband and I went on the Great School Hunt, and we liked Canadian School best for the interaction between kids and teachers, variety of course offerings and extracurricular activities, and price. We're hoping to start our son there in JK in the fall. My boss raves about United World College of SE Asia and I have to admit the campus and staff are spectacular and you pay for it. Most disappointing was Chatsworth.

[expat]

To Mary D:

What was it about Chatsworth that you found disappointing? I know that the premises look grotty from Orchard Road, but how about the teaching, curriculum or any other aspects of the school that you didn't like? I'm curious as I know very little about this school and ISS as I don't know anyone whose children have ever attended these two schools.

[MaryD]

We didn't think there was the curriculum for younger kids had a good variety, nor did there seem to be many activities for the younger kids. Our son is 3 and he enjoys just about any game with a ball involved, so we were looking for a school where he could run and play and join some organized sports. The outdoor play space isn't very large, and the extracurricular activities are geared for the older kids. Also, the school has a small swimming pool but hasn't set up a swimming program yet; the person we spoke to was very vague about when the program would be up and running. However, I did appreciate our tour guide's focus on our son during the tour. She took his hand and led him around and talked to him, even though his conversation skills are pretty much limited to dinosaurs and Power Rangers.   I think if Chatsworth were the only international school in town, it'd be OK, but it's got a lot of strong competition.

[Liya]

Iceman, forgive me for asking, but how do you know about the Canadian school, if it appears that you don't have kids yet? anyway, thank you for the information, it really helps me in my judgment.
MaryD, as a mother to kids with similar age as mine (3+,7+), what do you know more about the school attidue to non speaking English pupils, though in kindergarten it seem no problem to catch the language?  

[This message has been edited by Liya (edited 08-12-2000).]

[Dad]

British friends sent their kids to the Canadian school two years ago and they have been very happy with it. We looked at it then as our son wasn't getting on with his school  and wished we'd seen it earlier. The kids seem happy, lively and stimulated.

[jackie]

To Mary D,
         I have to get in my 2p's or 2 cents worth here and defend Chatsworth school.
I have two kids, one 19 and the other 9. The 19 year old started at Chatsworth when it was fairly new at the old school (upper Searangoon)he was 16 then, arriving from the average UK secondary school it was all very strange for him. I cannot praise the principal (Mrs Gay) or the vice Principal (Mr Leah) enough. They are both very rare teachers, they seem to have the ability to bring the best out in pupils. They genuinly take time out to show an interest in the pupils at Chatsworth School. My 9 year old daughter has been at Chatsworth for three years now and she has learnt such a lot there. She is getting an education and she actually looks forward to going to school every day. They also have a great ECA program at Chatsworth. So to Mary D, there is a saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover" ok, so Chatsworth school premises may look a bit tired, but i trully believe it beats UWC,American School and all the others here in Singapore hands down. If your child actually enjoys going to school every day then the school must be doing something right.

[Sammy]

Alos Mary D,
You will find that Chatsworth International School is way cheaper than any other International school here.

[Also Looking]

Seems like Jackie's kids had a great experience, being older .. but that for little people there may be better options. I grew up in Canada and generally you went to one primary school, a different middle school, and then a different high school. Although here it seems there is a lot of pressure to pick one school for preschool and stick with it right through. Is that true? Mine is 18 months so starting to think about it.

[Liya]

First, thank you all of you for the replies.
Another question who prompt right now to my head, we intend to arrive on July, and to live near Orchard/River valley/ Bukit Timah, is it far from the Canadian School? Are they other expat class mates do live in the area?
Does the School have GOOD security company to secure the school?

[To_Liya]

You are not going to be living in Beirut! All the international schools have a security post, but basically the guards never seem to be too fussy about whom they allow to drive past their gates - although they always check workmen etc.

Don't worry, the kids don't go around with knives or weapons etc. There was an isolated incident about 18months ago with a teen stabbing another teen at OFS but I think that was with a pair of scissors at school - which all schools have.

The Canadian School is in Upper Bukit Timah, another place you might want to consider is the Clementi district which is adjacent. River Valley and Orchard are some distance away.