Can anyone share the school life or comment of DBSPD

iYellowbus

Hi everyone,
my son is one of the lucky guy who accepted by DBSPD,  but some people tell me that DBSPD is good for the rich people, and have the money donation every month.  Can anyone one tell me the truth school life in DBSPD.  THANKS   

Justin2002

Hi iYellowbus,

My son is now studying in DBSPD P.3 and the school does not ask for donation every month!  So far from the start of the school year, we have been asked for donation (for 135th anniversary and annual school fete purpose) twice (if I remember correct)!  Also, it is a totally voluntary-based and I myself only did once.

Your saying "DBSPD is good for the rich people" is correct to some extent because you have to be able to pay the school fee in the first instance and secondly, they really have a lot of extra-curricular activities which cost a bit too.

For your information.

Justin2002

easy

My son is a P.2 student in DBSPD.

I totally agreed with Justin2002.  
The donation is voluntary-based only .


My son always tells me his school life is happy and loves it very much. ( I think most of children love big school campus )

iYellowbus

Hi every DBSPD parents,
Is that the homework of DBSPD very heavy?  DBSPD use the traditional method or interactive method to teach their student?
How about the frequency of the Test and Exam.?
Thanks for share your valuable experience!!     

Justin2002

Hi iYellowbus,

To my own opinion, the homework is not heavy at all because kids have time to do their work at school also.  They have 3 tests and 2 examinations a year (as they have 3 terms).  I cannot say that they use traditional or interactive methods on teaching, but they have their own way of teaching.  In fact, to such a new school, everything is on trial and all people (teachers, children and parents) are adapting and finding a balanced but 'try-to-please and fit-all' way of learning and teaching.

Don't be too anxious about the school curriculum and I advise that let the kid learn by himself through trial and error.  The process is more important than the result!  Don't forget that they have more than 10 years studying in DBS (including secondary).  I am sure everyone admitted to DBSPD is brillant and smart in one way or other!

Cheers,
Justin2002

easy

iYellowbus,

My son homework is not heavy too. He always tell me only 2-3 each day.Sometimes he did it at school. It make him more time to learn extra-curricular activities. BTW, I also agreed with Justin2002 that DBSPD have their own way for teaching.

Rachethew

One of my hubby's colleagues told me that his son  studied in St.Paul Boy in P.1 and now in DBSPD  P.2, but he found that the materials that his son learning now in DBSPD are the same as he learnt in P.1. So he was a little bit disappointed with the curriculum in DBSPD.

stanleyywc

Hi Rachethew:
Can You tell me whether the boy's got a very good result in St. Paul Boy before he could admit to DBSPD and what's his ranking in the class? What other talents do the boy acquire ? Please advice me for I also want to get in DBS using the same method?
Thanks very much.

lochan

It is totally unfair to judge a school by making simple comparisons with what textbooks are used. DBS may have used books which are less difficult and I'm sure they have a purpose in it. On the other hand, does someone ever think that nowadays most schools offers way too difficult studying material for kids of that age. This robs the kids' interest to learn and study and that is what I persistently opposing.

Have the parents check on the extra-curriculum materials the kid learnt thru the year in DBS? I'm sure it will be way more than St. Paul's.

Give you an example. There 's a Geography class where a teacher following the textbook to teach and somehow found it in sufficient and he care about the students, brought in an extra book to explain the topic in more detail. At the end of the year, the children learnt a more complete picture of the topic but ironically, the teacher was being complained by the parents that he could not finished the materials in the textbook and thinking that it does not worth paying all the school fees! I'm not making a statement and I would let you decide which way do you prefer the teacher to teach and your decision will tell you which type of parents you are.

I firmly believe textbook will form a major part of studies but extra-curr. books are equally important as well. It is just that local schools tends to be bound by three things:
Competition with other schools;
Expectations from "normal parents";
EMB

DBS , IMO tends to offer something different and for those parents whose kids got enrolled should give them full support and realize it will NOT be a traditional local school approach that you are used to. However, it will offer your kid a wider scope of seeing things and a broader profile in knowlegde, which is way more important than just to finish teaching the textbook only.

regards,

MingMingMom

Deear DBSPD parents,

Do you send your sons to "Homework Assistant Group" or need to appoint private tutors or even  the boys are taught by full time mothers?

All school cirr are taught in English, but how much of them are taught by Native?

About the extra-cirr, it seems not much be mentioned on the school website. Are they taught by school teachers or out-sourced? Expensive??

Thanks for your sharing in advance.

Keleron

Dear DBSPD parents,

Can you tell me whether your son's classmates (and you son) mainly are elder boys?  I like this school very much but I'm afraid my son has less chance to be accepted by them since he is a small boy (born in year end).  Please share your experience.  Thank you very much.

iYellowbus

Hello Keleron,
my son is one of the lucky child who accepted by DBSPD this year, he was born in Nov, and we are not rich at all.  I thanks God who give my son that good place for his school life.

Justin2002

To MingMingMom,

My son is now studying in P.3.  I did not send him to any 'homework assistant group' or hire any private tuitor.  In fact, the school trains the kids to finish their homework at school wherever possible.  I am a 'lazy' mother because I roughly check his work according to the handbook but will not go into detail every sheet of paper or correct his answers.

Regarding native speakers, I believe all English teachers are native speakers but I also know that some Chinese teachers speak very 'native' English too.

Re extra-curricular activities, there are numerous choice and the fee is more or less the same as you learn from outside parties.  The school will hire outsiders to teach the children.

To iYellowbus,

Congratulations to your son!  I am sure he will enjoy his days at DBSPD!

Justin2002

lochan

Dear Just2002,

Your info is really helpful and this is pretty much in line with what I'm anticipating.

I also check their Secondary school website and they had shown some info on swimming courses for primary school and the coaches possess very good qualifications as well.

BTW, can you tell us more about the level of Chinese as this is more of a concern to my son. I was told it is easier than LSC's

regards,

Justin2002

Dear lochan,

Regarding the level of Chinese, I assume you mean the standard of Chinese subject?!  Luckily, as far as I observe, the Chinese language subject is not too hard and I believe the textbooks are in line with what the Education Department suggests.  Of course, there are always extra worksheet or supplementary exercises other than textbooks, but I do not see much 'pressure' or 'piles of sheets' on this particular subject.  My son can cope with the curriculum well though not perfect.

BTW, what's your concern on your son re Chinese level?

Justin2002

lochan

Dear Justin2002,

My son is studying in IS and am concerned he cannot catch up with the Chinese classes. BTW, does anyone has the P.1 Chinese book list so that i can go get one to peek and try to raise his level.

regards,

toffeeli

Matt'smum,

It is too bad that you cannot hear me clapping my hands through this electronic media. You have wonderfully pinpointed the essense of parent's attitude. That's why some schools would like to interview parents as well.


toffeeli