Totally disappointed with Kingston

parentsinhk

I had searched here before I let my boy joined Kingston but I couldn't find much information at that time and therefore I had made a very bad decision.  After joining there for almost half a year, we have to withdraw and the experience was very very very bad.  I want to share here to let other parents' know so that they won't repeat my mistake to put your kid to Kingston because after all we finally understand that the actual mission of Kingston is to earn money and they didn't use heart at all to teach your kids.

Here is my experiene.  My boy was originally a very good and gentle boy.  We never hit him and therefore he never learns to hit others.  A few weeks after school started, teacher told us that he hit other kids..it sounded quite strange for us....we asked a few times from teaches if he learned that from school..but the teachers just say nice words saying don't worry, etc.  

Since my boy grows bigger, he started to present himself better and better and we finally understand that he learn to hit others and shut loudly from another  naughty kid in the class.  Since we learned so well about the situation, teachers can't deny anymore...the fact is only that they are fail to control the situation.  In parents day, the teacher even told us it was bad that that naughty boy never got sick?!

Later, I recognize that my boy is not the only one like this.  I agreed with another parents in the class saying that the teachers only try to say nice words to please parents.  The school bascially has NO heart.

In the 2 weeks of Chiense New Year  holiday, my boy suddenly returned back to "normal" and became back a gentle lovely boy and stopped hitting others.  We then confirmed that it was bad to put him back to the Kingston environment where his emtion got upset (cause school was fail to teach the students...all they care is money).  

It is in fact definitely fine to have different kinds of kids in class and we tihnk it is good for our boy to learn.  However, in the whole process, the problem is how the teachers and even the school Principle deal with the matter.  Since we confirmed the environment brought damage to his growth, we had no choice but stop letting him go back to the class immediately.  We also inform school this problem and requesting either to let us go or otherwise change class for us.  

Believe it our not, they rejected us changing class so that they can charge us the $15000 deposit.  We fight back asking them to either change class or pay back the full deposit.  They still insist not to pay us back the whole deposit.  And the execuse they use to reject our request of changing class is that the School principle say there "could be" some people lining up to join the school?!  However, the truth was that a number of kids had withdraw from the schol.  

Anyway, we confrim from the whole process that Kingston is a very very money oriented school with no hearts...

Finally, I waste some deposit money and switched my boy back to another school..we asked him again if he likes Kingston or the newly joined school ... my boy answerd me the new one .. now, he sings more songs and never hit us again! back to normal.


I really hope that the information above could help.  I hope that no parents will repeat my mistake.  Send me email if you need more information.

nintendo

原帖由 BookloverJ 於 10-2-2 12:29 發表
Updated............

Tiffany1212

原帖由 Hos 於 09-3-22 02:54 發表
Hi BK parents,

Please allow me share my experience.

Both of my children studying at Kingston Kinder.  For my first child, this is the third year.  For my second child, this is the first year.  From  ...

(My children learn a lot at school and they like going to school very much.  Their class teachers are very caring and they really understand the children.)

agree with u!!  

parentsinhk

Pianokc, thanks for your "wishes", yes, my boy is now very happy and the fact is he obviously learn much more after leavning Kingston

Pianokc

Wingba, I have no idea what you are talking about. What people post here will not make me lose sleep. Nothing personal. But it is funny how you are the one who started the name calling, but turn around and say it's Wisekid first.

And then you started getting on my case too because I said something about Wisekid's point.

I am curious though, what could Kingston have done to make parentinhk satisfied and happy? Education is NOT same as business ? Well, I think many would disagree. More accurately, perhaps Education is not business ONLY, but it is a big part, and every institution has their own policies, and yes, there is a limit to what can be bended. Nothing to do with "having a heart or not."


I have nothing further to say about this, just wish parentinhk the best of luck that his/her child won't have any more problems with other classmates in the new school.

[ 本帖最後由 Pianokc 於 09-4-1 11:20 編輯 ]

Wingba

Ha ha, pianokc, you still take it personal. Unfortunately, HK people do not have a sense of humour. The way you use the capital YOU does imply you are still angry. Come on, we are engaging in rational discussion, even if I am launching personal attack, once I engage into rational discussion you should stop being nasty and stay calm.

You cannot rule out the experience of parentsinhk every case is different and the case you quote (?) that other parent took it up to challenge the parents of the mischevious child's parents and the school was a good way to tackle the problem but it does not imply that parentsinhk's request is not unreasonable. Try to put yourself into his/her shoe (as I just tried to make you experience the feeling of being "directly attacked") there are, of course, hard and fast rules governing the way of business but we would expect an educational institute will have more than $$ in than eyes.

As it is getting more interesting in the topic I have talked to my friend about Kingston and I learned that it was run by a successful business lady. Her feeling is she is commercial (but it does not imply that the school is not properly run) and seems not the type of an eduator. It doesn't matter as long as the "products" are properly trained but how to balance between $$ and the vision of education is a real challenge.

Am I rational now? I am just being adamant to win the argument with any means or foul. You are blinded by your anger and did not answer my question of whether using the words naive and coward are rational or not. I may be just wisekid2007 using another alias here. Ha Ha.... Back to business - rational discussion. One man's meat is another's poison the way you present your points in addressing parentsinhk's concern also reflects you are only indulging in your own experience without sticking out and look around.

I really think that I have spent enough time in this thread and hope that you see my point. My apologies of being a bit nasty but my point is very clear -  everyone should respect others and be polite to one another in BK. I can be very nasty and rough in other blog or forum when discussing politics but here I am just being naughty sometimes and mock on those who think he/she holds the ultimate truth.

Have a nice day and take it easy lah

原帖由 Pianokc 於 09-3-31 22:43 發表
Well Wingba, from THIS post only... one can't see how wisekid2007 was in anyway "rude" or insulting to the OP.

But it seems to be YOU, are the one who started calling names here and attacking Wisekid ...

parentsinhk

btw... i understand this could happen in other schools as well..but as i said before the tutition fee in Kingston is more than dobule of other kindergarten.  So, honestly, I do have higher expectation.  My another point is if "all other schools" could deal with students and parents by simply quoting policy, why Kingston? and that is how it relates to my email subject

I understand that they need to run the business but they seem to have forgotten that they are running education as well......Nowadays, a lot of school know well how to run the business but forget about the educational part.  One can't use the busienss mind to run education, one should use the heart. Students and parents there can feel it.......don't just do "surface" thing.

[ 本帖最後由 parentsinhk 於 09-4-1 00:33 編輯 ]

parentsinhk

Thanks for the comments ...as I said, I did respect their policy..all I looked for is just a suggested soution...the school didn't bother to offer any solution (switch class was originally mentioned by that Ms. Kwok but later she rejcted it herself...if it violated policy, why she suggested it at first place and then rejected later?!).....anyway, if switch class is not possible, there still could be many other methods ... I think  most of us have worked in the society, we know well there is always some work-arround which could achieve the purpose while maintaing policy...we can simply reject a request by quoting policy A, policy B bla bla bla or use our heart to listen and solve problem for others, that is where it makes the difference.

BTW, when I say Kingston, it is the kindergarten not the primary school (cause I saw someone mentioned, she/her think Kingston is best IS...i wonder if she/he means the primary school...which i had no info to give comment).

Smile2R

Pianokc,  totally agree with you with this point.  

"it's the wrong "conclusion" to say about Kingston, it could happen the exact same way no matter WHAT school you may be in."

You are right, Kingston is a really good school except the campus is really "small" by comparing with other IS.

marathon

Thanks for the info.  Currently, I have BIG HESITATION on Tutor Time, so I need to find a good backup!

原帖由 Smile2R 於 09-3-31 23:04 發表
Marathon, my kids are currently studying at Kingston.  I personally think Kingston is the best IS in Kowloon Tong.  

I highly recommend Kingston to all of my friends who are looking for a good IS in  ...

Pianokc

Smile2R, I too think Kingston is a pretty good school. The students I have from this school are all girls, and it's evident they are all very "proper" and "ladylike" with lots of poise, manners, confidence, and well developed own "identity".

The reason I declined for my daughter was because my husband and I felt the school campus was on the "small" side. I preferred a bigger campus, with more facilities for my daughters' future 6 years in a school.

I have had a friend who had the EXACT problem as parentsinhk, but in CDNIS, she dealt with the problem directly with the problem child, the parents, the principal, and the classroom teacher.
It took 2 months, but it did resolve.

I just hope parentsinhk understand our point, it's the wrong "conclusion" to say about Kingston, it could happen the exact same way no matter WHAT school you may be in.

原帖由 Smile2R 於 09-3-31 23:04 發表
Marathon, my kids are currently studying at Kingston.  I personally think Kingston is the best IS in Kowloon Tong.  

I highly recommend Kingston to all of my friends who are looking for a good IS in  ...

Smile2R

Marathon, my kids are currently studying at Kingston.  I personally think Kingston is the best IS in Kowloon Tong.  

I highly recommend Kingston to all of my friends who are looking for a good IS in Kowloon Tong.

Parentsinhk, it's really too bad that you did not see the good side of Kingston and you did not see the "heart" from Kingston.  From my "heart", it is a really good school.  

Pianokc, I agree with your points.  I feel sorry that you got attacked from others.  

原帖由 marathon 於 09-3-30 19:59 發表
may I ask... which school has your son switched to?  I am thinking of going to Kingston cos' my daughter's current school is not good, but I don't know which school to look at now!

Pianokc

Well Wingba, from THIS post only... one can't see how wisekid2007 was in anyway "rude" or insulting to the OP.

But it seems to be YOU, are the one who started calling names here and attacking Wisekid2007.

Sorry, I don't follow every post in BK, but this is the case in here.

We're all parents, and full grown adults, seems very childish to be calling each other names and "revenging" each other like bullies at school when I was in primary school.

I am not interested in playing such games.

Parentsinhk, btw, I like to say, although you are entitled to your own views, other forums (I don't know why this one doesn't) bans members from BADMOUTHING any business or schools or learning centers without ANY legitimate proof. You can discuss, but you cannot generalize your own experience to the ENTIRE school's reputation.

My point is, you cannot say Kingston has no heart because they didn't bend the rules of the school to YOUR wishes and views. I am sure you can understand every business, school, learning centers, restaurants, shops, boutiques.... airlines, agencies... have their own "policies" and "rules".

Even in your own HOME, you have your own "rules" that you surely expect your family, guests, relatives, or helpers to FOLLOW.

SO why should you expect or feel it was unfair or unreasonable for Kingston to have such reaction? Or this Ms Kwok to say such thing to you ?

You must have read the policies and conditions before enrolling the school? Just like the IS that I have applied, the school indicates very clearly, that the "deposit" is not refundable until the child leaves the school, and that is also subject to the child having completed at least 1 year in the IS.

That is very clearly said, and you now expect to be treated with "exception" because you feel your son has "changed".

You are happy with the present school, that's great, but what happens in the years to come when you are "unhappy" with the school's arrangements, and then you expect the school to "bend" the policies again, and you will once again say "the school has NO HEART?"

It has nothing to do with no heart, you simply refused to accept the set policies.

原帖由 wisekid2007 於 09-3-27 18:08 發表
What I saw here was a trivial matter but just encountering a parent who doesn't know parenting but provides over-protection for his/her little boy.

No matter how good a school is, there are always so ...

[ 本帖最後由 Pianokc 於 09-3-31 22:51 編輯 ]

Wingba

jjd,

Thank you. I am just being direct.

pianokc,

Your feedback is just as expected. I did not do any revenge or burst out my anger to you. I just want you to feel how would other parents were feeling when somebody was being "direct".

As I don't have any connection with Kingston and I also mentioned I might have talked too much as it's none of my business but I could not stand someone using offensive words teasing at others and pretended to be rational. I would ask you whether the word "stupid", "coward", "ridiculous" are rational?

I have replied to my dear friend wisekid2007/edexp/christof in other thread. I said he/she had a point but the way he "presented" his idea or "discussed" with others were not a good way to do.

I am just a stupid nose parker.

Have a nice day

Pianokc

wingba, being "direct" and being "rude" is two different things.

Anyways, I don't know Wisekid, please do not take aim your anger or "revenge" behavious at me because I said something in defense for Wisekid.

I am not part of Kingston in anyway, I simply put in my input because this is the reality of the education choices we have in HK for our kids.

I am not greedy, I voiced out what is my concern, it is entirely my choice what to do.

I prepared my daughter for CKY as best as I could, I don't need a Nobody on the forum insulting my daughter's ability. That's horrible.

To parentsinhk, I am not from Kingston, my daughter was accepted into Kingston, but I declined. And I have studetns who are in Kingston right now, just telling you that Kingston's way of handling situation is nothing personal, it's just business. They do have a school/business to run, and so if you cannot accept it, yes you did the right thing and moved elsewhere.

Glad to hear your child and you are happier now.

That's what we parents have to do constantly, look out for what is BEST for your child...... make decisions, and take action.

jjd

Wingba,
You have a lovely sense of humour.  Good on you!

pianohk,
I know quite a number of kids got accepted by CKY in the second round last year.  People who target for traditional local schools withdrew from CKY after the lucky draw in June.  However, those kids were not informed until the beginning of July.  Keep wriiting to CKY to show your eagerness in letting your child study there.  Good luck!

Wingba

You are so greedy. Either you take it or leave it. Don't criticize their campus is old. If you love the school you should embrace its deficiencies and try to help it to re-build. Perhaps you can contribute your savings.

Failing CKY is because you did not do a good job to train up your daughter to get accepted. You should befriend with PLK's directors or the principal.

So stupid!

What do you feel? I am just being direct.

Have a nice day

原帖由 Pianokc 於 09-3-30 23:10 發表
Regarding Wisekid2007, I have also followed many of his posts, I don't think he's really ever "wrong". He's very direct and to the point.

Regarding marathon's question:
I am presently really really t ...

parentsinhk

Marathon, I don't want to advertise for another school....cause it may not be a good school..just that it is better than Kingston from my experience...at least, they did proactively call me continously for a few days after they learn that my kid got sick..but I almost had never received phone call from Kingston proactively even my boy didn't go school...So, please pm me, let me share with you more!

parentsinhk

Pianokc and others,

As I said before, my original purpose is to provide my personal view on Kingston to those parents who needed this info =)  My focus is not to discuss parenting because I respect each parent and we should not critize others on this.  

So, let me continue to serve those who need this info.  BTW, some of you sent me PM and that may also be a good channel for me to answer you question.

Back to here...Pianokc, honestly, when I first read your message, I can't stop thinking you are the Ms. Kwok at Kingston cause I got exactly the same reply from Kingston just like the way you reply:
Kingston has a policy that you cannot withdraw with no notice, or you forfeit your deposit, and changing classes is typically not entertained because, it creates chaos, and it's not the solution to the problem ultimately

But no matter Pianokc is from Kingston or not, forum does provide a fair channel for different parties to voice out the point of view...just that you are helping me to confirm that Kingston has no heart.

Let me add a bit detail, what my kid experienced was not a "normal" naught kid...the kid is naughty to a point that the summer teacher particular warned the class teacher about this student...also, by chance, this kid particular like my boy and he treats my boy as best friend (my boy as well) so he had very strong influence on my boy...School and those teachers knew all these..and it was not happending all a sudden...we did reflect our concern to teacher and they knew well the situtation..only that they had not suggested any solution but only accept us to go and keep our one month school fee deposit.

The reason why I say "no heart" is exactly like Pianokc's comment "Kingston has a policy", "you forfeit your deposit", "it creates chaos" ... with these answers while at the same time, the school had never offer us any alternate solutions...i don't need to explain more =)  I understand every school has policy ... I respect their policy if they provide reasonable solution.  Also, i personally know a number of parents had withdrawed from the school and I am sure there is space ...so, if the reject reason is to "prevent chaos", you understand what I mean.  

Anyway, as I quoted before, similar comments were posted years ago, you can also refer to here
http://forum.baby-kingdom.com/viewthread.php?tid=785004&extra=&page=2  .  

Looking from a result point of view, after my boy switch school for about 1-2 months, he never had that emotion again...he was very upset before, he kept asking us again and again why we teachs him not to hit others while other kid is allowed to hit others in the class..we teach very hard for quite a period but the environment damage what we teach him........

Anway, we pay higher school fee to go to Kingston only because we hope the environment is better...if it is not the case, why Kingston?  why not go other similar school or cheaper school?  Our kid can still learn how to "hit" others in other school =) but not paying $7000 to learn that "skills".

In the new school, because his attention is no longer so distracted by that naughty kid, he really learns faster...he could sing only 1 new song since he joined Kingston for 5 months..but in new school, he can sing more than 5 new songs just in 2 months...he is much happier now and that is the result.

The new school doesn't need to be good ... may only need to be better than the previous one.

[ 本帖最後由 parentsinhk 於 09-3-31 01:14 編輯 ]