Transition to local school for 11 year old

[Year 6/7 Mum]

I have been reading the recent postings about local schools with interest.  In our instance we could not get my oldest enrolled when arriving in Singapore originally (waiting lists and time constraints) and ended up in International School.  A change will be required at the end of Year 6 and fees will be more, so we are seriously considering the local option.  My younger child goes to a local preschool and has taken to it like a duck to water. 

It seems a lot of expat children have managed/adapted quite well to the local schooling system and environment - they seem however to be younger children.  In the case of my child I would appreciate input of parents with children of similar age (10/11).  Anyone out there who managed to get their children into schools at Year 6/7 level and how did they manage?   

[caution..]

Can't comment on how easy or hard the transition would be, but be careful on when you want to transfer. There are restrictions on several stages where transfer isn't allowed by MOE, including Primary 6 as it's the PSLE preparation year around age 11.

[locals schools are OK]

Our eldest found the social aspects pretty hard, but the academic side was fairly straight forward, she found the level of english and science easier than what was being taught back 'home' whilst the math was about the same (covering some topics she hadn't, but also introduced some topics later in the year when she had already covered them earlier etc) what she really struggled with was the Mandarin - for the first year or so, then it seemed to come together.

The MOE does have rules about transferring across prior to the PSLE exam , so seek advice from them.  My only advice (and this was given to me by the only mother of a 'other race' child in my eldest daughters year) is this: the Singaporean education system is a stressful as you make it.  So take a relaxed view, teach your children how to be efficient in learning and homework and it will be a breeze.   Getting a good grade in the PSLE to get into places like RGS etc is pretty straight forward, no real need for extra tuition lessons, except maybe for Mandarin! check out the thread "Alternatives to expensive International Schools" there are tons of good advice there.