Ying Wa Vs St. Paul boys

DOTCOMO

Hi everyone,

I really have a dilemma and want to have a
practical advice from other mums and dads. I thought my son will not be accepted by St. Paul boys comparing with his performance in the Ying Wa 2nd interview, but lucky he got offer last week. If he got offer from Ying
Wa as well, then I really need to pray a wisdom from above to make a right choice for him.

We don’t worry much about the academic side for both schools. They are good schools I believe.

We live in Kowloon side and transportation time is really a matter of my son to go to st. paul boys. One major concern which is the secondary part of these two schools, are they as good as their primary school?
No doubt, Mrs Lam from Ying
Wa is the main reason of my consideration. Should I let my son to study in Ying
Wa primary school and apply for better secondary school later?
I have also looked at some of articles from Dr. John Kennard, St.Paul college. His messages inspire me as parents in modern world on how we can motivate and equip our kids in this complex world.
And I have two boys, the little one will follow the elder one eventually.

Please advise if anyone. Thanks,

chunchunmommy

Abmum and 2046,
Thanks for your sharing. Both schools are good schools and we have to make use of the "entry" ticket to get our boys well prepared for the future studies.

2046

Abmum, thanks for your sharing. Just want to add one more point for parents' consideration. Many people consider that the academic standard of SPC is higher than Ying Wah. But don't forget that not until 2007, ie. last year, Ying Wah has changed to a DSS school. I experienced how headmistress Lam selected candidates this year and I'm pretty sure that she carefully selects the background of parents as well because she places great emphasis on the influence of parents on their children. Therefore, I guess the future academic standard of Ying Wah students will be high and this school has great potential and room for improvement. Once headmistress Lam can establish everything for the school, even she will retire 5 to 6 years later, I don't think the school will collapse. But of course, we need her right now.

I remember that last year's P.1 admission of Ying Wah was very chaotic, particularly when the school has to go through three interviews and the schedule is so tight. The school still adopted traditional means to post the interview letters. But this year, the school responded by posting all the results online. From the submission of application forms to every details of the interview, I'm quite satisfied. Therefore, I found that this school has the ability to cope with changes.

Please forgive me if my words make any people unhappy. Just a sharing of my feelings only. I also love St.Paul's boys but it's time for the school to make improvement quickly. I can see the improvement of SPC in recent years. But it's just too slow.

I love the post of LS+MCS in another thread. My son also prayed over these few months. But we only ask for a "suitable school" arranged by the God but not a particular school.

No matter which school you will select at the end - SPC or Ying Wah, they are good schools indeed. Don't worry.

abmum

你們的討論勾起了去年今日我有着你們的uncertain,你們對st paul boy 和 yw 的點分析，每個感受，像是重演我的經歷，令我忍不住分享一點。

我的兒子是今年的小一生，我們為兒子shortlist 了最後這２間小学。經過不知多少回的debate, information serach, 最終選擇了英華。原因....

1. My boy was inspired by Mrs Lam so much.
2. My boy was impressed by the school building.
3. The presentation for P1 parent's orientation to introduce the symbus and is professional (precise, interesting, goal setting and organised)
4. YW demonstrated the strong team work in the school.  Mrs Lam and all the subject teachers presented to be dedicated and devoted.
5. Location
6. School Time  (YW day off at 2:30 pm)
7. Canteen cooking instead of lunch box outsourcing.

My boy started his primary life for 3 months.  The change is great to him and it is not easy for him to accomodate.  So, please consider this for your child and you should get a school that he loves, enjoys and provides him the best package in terms of transportation, timing.....

The competition in YW is keen.  You know, all selected boys were shortlisted from the best of 1800.  Therefore, it is not easy to be the first in the class.  For example in my son's class, 2/3 of the class can get mark with over 90+ for ALL subjects (chinese, english, math and general studies) in the 1st assessment.  But if you are not eager for that, it is for sure that all children's ability is high, they should have positive influence among themselves.  Parents so far are nice and educated.

Teachers in the school is another key reason that I take YW. The teachers there are relative "young look" and engertic.  They demonstrated their enjoyment in the school and always have smile on the face.  Getting know of them, their skill is not so "young" and they are capable to train up the boys.

I once wondered whether I'm too silly to give up St Paul Boys, but knowing my son is so desire to be a YW boys, I believed at least it is a good choice for him.  

For the parents, both schools are excellent and what you need to do is to take the one with style that your boy and your family fit.  I remembered Mrs Lam of YW reminded the parent, not to choose the school because it is "famous" and "good", but choose the one that have the same value and style you fit, otherwise, you and your child may not accomodate well which affect the situation and outcome.      

原帖由 chunchunmommy 於 08-11-24 23:31 發表
2046,
Thanks for your sharing.
These two schools give me two total different impression.
YW is more energetic and SPCPS is "traditional". Of course, these two types of schools have her own fans...It a ...

chunchunmommy

2046,
Thanks for your sharing.
These two schools give me two total different impression.
YW is more energetic and SPCPS is "traditional". Of course, these two types of schools have her own fans...It all depends on what kind of primary school life we are expecting for our boys.
I must say that Ms Lam of YW has her charisma while Mrs Chan of SPCPS is a very "traditional" educator. From her speech given during the briefing, you can sense that she has her own belief in education pilosophy.
It seems that the information I gathered tends to suggest me that if you want a happy and caring school life, then go for YW. As for SPCPS, the academic standard is good! So many ppl told me that SPC is better than YW college...

2046

Chunchunmommy,

Before I applied for these two schools, it's really difficult for me to select. I even got preference towards St.Paul's boy as it has longer history. But after we have gone through the interviews conducted by the two schools and how the respective headmistress interviewed the candidates, I got quite a different feeling. But I tried to tell myself maybe I got a wrong perception. But after attending the seminar on Friday, I have made a decision. To be honest, I'm quite disappointed with the culture of the school. The whole setting of the briefing is "amazing". Maybe I expect too much because it's a DSS school since 2003 already. But the progress of the school to catch the current trend like other DSS schools is relatively slow. I believe it's a good school too. However, I guess my son will be more happy to study at Ying Wah because it suits my child and my expectation more.  I don't care too much about the location as long as it's a good school. Also, I don't agree with the headmistress's theory about the total useless of phonics.  I can only comment that primary school students may need more advanced approach to learn English skills. I like CKY and St.Stephen's good language environment. Therefore, I consider St.Paul's boys may be, as the headmistress described, too traditional for me. These are just my feeling after attending the P.1 briefing and its interviews. But you know, for all these comparison, it depends very much on the schools you're comparing, the personality of your child and your own expectation. With different school combinations, the result may be different.

Just like LS and DBS also got different fans. You may need to know what you want to pursue for your child. You can go and browse the web site of Ying Wah and you will know this school more. Also, listen to what the existing parents commented particularly those being accepted last year.

chunchunmommy

Hi Bilobi and 2046,
So both of you are going to take the offer of YW and give up St Paul Boys?
Are you living in Kowloon side?
I attended St Paul Boys briefing last Fri...your observation is quite true...
One thing was very disappointed for me was that I asked the teacher who lead the school visit some questions, but it turned out he just did not want to answer my question and had no patience to listen or chatting with us! Maybe I just asked the wrong person...I saw the other female teacher discussing happily with other parents...Hope the reaction of this teacher is just an isolated case.

2046

Bilobi,

Sorry to say that I got the same feeling like you after attending the school's P.1 seminar last week. Therefore I can make my decision quicker. Select Ying Wah rather than St.Paul's boys at the end.

Bilobi

Luckily, my son got the offer from both YW & SPC.

We attended the talk by SPC last Friday and were quite disappointed. The presentation of the management and those senior teachers were very traditional and sounded like "unwilling / inactive to change".  We fully understand that SPC is a traditional school and somehow we appreciate its traditional values & culture. However, the attitude, wordings and presentations we've seen/ heard in the talk were very "Do-36; Not do-36".

I trust that the English standard of SPC should be good while it's "safe" to choose a so-called "traditional famous school". However, when I think of the situation where my son has to be supervised under such an "inactive" and "not energetic at all" atmosphere, will he have a happy school life?

Am I "misunderstanding" SPC? Could anyone give share opinion? Anyone, who attended the talk last Fri or current SPC parents, share your views?

Thanks a lot!

smartcar

My son is studying P.1 in YW also.

The complaint I have so far is the arrangement of school transport.  My son is picked up at first stop and alight at last, i.e. 0630 and 1540 hrs.

However, I found it is worthwhile as my boy was trained to do his HW fast given the limited of time and could be finished within two hours or less.  It is hard to tell it is a lot as teacher will give lesser HW after test or dictation.  Then he would have a break to fool around.

The standard of English is high at least the story book is carefully selected.  For the last book "The Quest", it is of level six(in England but I do not know how it refer to).  

For the Mathmatic lesson, it is taliored made in house with consultation to professor in college.  It is not hard but could build strong foundation to kids in the long term.  The school had organized a talk to parents about the syllabus of Maths alone.  The professor had delievered a talk to parents and answered queries.  Tough my boy already knew "X and /" before P.1, I don't feel it is waste of time in following the class, as I am aware that a solid base is more importance than paper drill.

For after school activities, there are more than ten sport/interest group to choose from on Sat.  You do not have to pay more and enjoy the school discount on music, sport etc.

My boy's schedule is loaded with school works, after school private tutoring, sport, music and sunday church lesson.  I am sure I will depressed if I was him.  
However, I ask him if he feel boring to go to YW six days a week and he said he love the school very much.:;pppp:

[ 本帖最後由 smartcar 於 08-11-22 13:08 編輯 ]

andrewpapa

To savoy,

yes, i m trying to have diversify thinking especially when I have to face such a choices.  

last year my son got one of the Band 1 lucky draw and SPCPS offer (plus other).  My wife and I need to make the decision in 2 days time.  We called other primary school teachers that we know, talked to KG teacher, reviewed our own situation, attend the briefing.  

Then I try to think about what my wife and I can support our son without thinking about the school name.  We also think about our son's characteristics.  his interests and most important, how can we motivate him.

savoy

原帖由 andrewpapa 於 08-11-19 12:21 發表
Dear parents

Is me, the 口水佬 again.  My son is SPCPS P1 student

Please try not to compare school to school.  I think we are all matured enough to find the best choice to our children.  

We migh h ...

What you have said could be a good reference for parents who do not take the school name as a main factor to decide a school and your statement can show you are a person of broad thinking. Thank you.

savoy

原帖由 814 於 08-11-19 11:23 發表
My son got an acceptance from St. Paul Boy and he is waiting for Ying Wah Result .  But I decided not to choose St Paul Boy.  
The reason were:
(1) I do not like the school environment.  
(2) During  ...

Does it just tell none your relative had studied in SPC. Do you know how many Old YW teachers are still teaching in this (YW-originally from Kei Wa)?, although a number of Kei Wa teachers were forced to resign due to the plan of change to DSS.
I think your family case can tell the history only.

lsltennis

grace chung,
請問你覺得多功課嗎?
你個仔每日要做幾個鐘?他算快嗎?

DOTCOMO

We will go for the briefing in St. Paul tomorrow night, and let my son to look around see whether he likes it or not.

In fact, we are also waiting for the result from Ying Wa, hopefully we can make our decision sometime next week and let other kid can take a place sooner.  

Good luck to everybody. Once again ! They are our kids and nothing can replace our relationship with our them.

原帖由 gracechung 於 08-11-19 14:03 發表
storyteller, check pm please

gracechung

storyteller, check pm please

gracechung

其實中學部情況，我都唔清楚！最恐怖有時流言滿天飛，唔知邊句真邊句假，自己又生得一粒，真係要睇得好小心，選擇自已認為最適合。

如不嫌棄，不如大家交流下。

入小一前，曾經都掙扎過，因為我地其實有第二樣offer。舊年係第一年收生，更冇參考！唔呃你，曾經諗過一唔掂就要轉校。

可幸現時我十分滿意，現時我體會唔同左，我覺得現在小朋友實際得益相當多，實際得益比名氣得益更大，個人觀點，細路實際上的長進=基礎好實力夠，基礎好才能走更長遠的路。而且，就我所見，我地同級的小朋友相當唔錯，家長都十分重視教育，希望呢d將會成為有利條件。更具體的資料我就講唔出，因為我所知不多。

原帖由 DOTCOMO 於 08-11-19 12:18 發表
Hi Grace

Thanks for sharing your profound and indepth experience towards Ying Wa.

I totally agree with you that headmaster Lam works in very detail and practical. I really appreciate her vision and ...

storyteller

地點在現今交通綱絡己不成問題！
港島區學校不等於往在港島區方便，
st paul在中西偏西，除非往在附近，其它區車都要預半個鍾至九個字。
現在位置還好，2014-15有地鐵到，出口在附近。
遲d入南區，反而冇地鐵到，遠很多，好似將所有名校，貴校 move to 南區。

九龍區學校不等於往在九龍區方便。
好似Ying wa，其實方便好多新界往的人，看乘西鐵or西九線or 由香港站去南昌有幾方便就知。

原帖由 Geni 於 08-11-19 11:17 發表
我覺得兩間都係好學校, 兩間都值得讀, 所以如果俾我揀, 我唯一會考慮o既就係地點. St. Paul 係o係港島, 仲要係中西偏西, 遲d就會入南區, 如果要讀就最好係住番港島. 我一直都同我老公講, 如果st paul收我個仔, 我地 ...

andrewpapa

Dear parents

Is me, the 口水佬 again.  My son is SPCPS P1 student

Please try not to compare school to school.  I think we are all matured enough to find the best choice to our children.  

We migh have many reasons to take the offer or reject the offer.  Every school has their own advantage and disadvantage.  There is no absolute and scientific comparison between schools.  

check every details that you concern.  Bus route, location, homework, extra-curriculars, teachers, headmaster etc.

remember don't just ask via BK, ask the actual responsible party.  Like school bus, sometimes far from school it doesn't mean you need to wake up early.  Take an example, we live in HK east, we get on the bus @ 7:00am; his classmate live in Robinson Rd, need to get on bus 7:15am.  Do you find the difference.  i will say "no".

also, we often compare school to school by what our neighbour say.  I don't think is fair at all.  how reliable the feedback will be.

for all parents who have a chance to study SPCPS or Ying Wah, pls attend their briefing session before you make your decision.  Ask question if you don't confirm.  even after the briefing, you still can call the school to ask.  Of coz before deadline lah.

Most important, this is only an entry ticket.  Success of Alumni cannot guarantee the success of our children.
I believe each school will have above average and below average student.
Most important is how we use these 6 years.

think twice before you make decision.

DOTCOMO

Hi Grace

Thanks for sharing your profound and indepth experience towards Ying Wa.

I totally agree with you that headmaster Lam works in very detail and practical. I really appreciate her vision and contribution as an educator for our next generation.
I am not worry too much my son in Ying Wa primary school, but secondary school would be our concern.

原帖由 gracechung 於 08-11-19 11:51 發表
你知嗎，林校長對學生生活的安排真是既細心又實際！我個人是十分激讚！佢把小朋友的上課時間大膽改為8:00，放學2:30，原本可以令學生唔需要咁早起身，可恨校長公司咁早上車，7:25就到校，你話攪乜？！

放學早有咩好處，或者家陣家長未有體 ...