Seeking advice on transferring my boy from a local school to an IS

Spiderdodo

Long story short, my boy was born in the year end of 2006, going to a P4 class of a government subsidized local school now.  We are thinking of transferring him to an IS.  I've done some research online and have narrowed down my targets to two primal choices (ESF Shatin Junior and CAIS).  I know there are knowledgeable and experienced parents here who could probably give me advice on:
1) In terms of increasing the chance of getting a seat, should we apply Year 6 for the enrollment of 2016/2017 or  or Year 7 of 2017/2018 school year?  In either case, when should we submit our application?

2) Any good advice or strategies would be much appreciated.

We are HK citizens without foreign passports, living in Shatin.

Any comments are welcome.

rakui

Shatin college had a very outstanding IB result this year, but I guess there are long wait lists across all ESF schools.

Spiderdodo

回覆 rakui 的帖子

Tks for your response which I take as "Don't bother to apply!  You will waste your time and money!"  Unless someone else has a different view, I'll take yours as a valuable advice.  Thanks anyway.

Radiomama

Spiderdodo 發表於 15-9-16 16:31
Long story short, my boy was born in the year end of 2006, going to a P4 class of a government subsi ...

For Shatin residents, you could try Shatin College, RCHK and ICA for year 7.  Chance is there, don't hesitate!

Be prepared as English & Maths will be tested.

charlieau

just go try, there is no harm for trying.
no need to put pressure on yourself/son.

Spiderdodo

回覆 Radiomama 的帖子

Thanks for your response!  Year 7 is for those who were born in 2005 and for Year 1 and Year 7, the deadline for application is end of this month.  I am just wondering if I should apply for Year 6 then, which is like a General Application that is open for any time of the year.   Do you have any idea how it works?

Radiomama

Spiderdodo 發表於 15-9-17 11:05
回覆 Radiomama 的帖子

Thanks for your response!  Year 7 is for those who were born in 2005 and for  ...

I mean Year 7 of 2017/2018 school year.  

For Year 6, the chance is slim but you can still make a try.  Treat it as an exercise.

FattyDaddy

Spiderdodo 發表於 15-9-17 11:05
I am just wondering if I should apply for Year 6 then ...

Year 7 is a mass intake when primary school students proceed to secondary school so there will be more movements and thus more chances. Year 6 is the last year of primary school and students are unlikely to switch schools or leave so there won't be many vacancies.

lui

原帖由 Spiderdodo 於 15-09-17 發表
回覆 Radiomama 的帖子

Thanks for your response!  Year 7 is for those who were born in 2005 and for  ...

If I were u , I will go ahead for year 6, if a place is not given, then year 7. ( ESF confirmed one should reapply if they apply for secondary).

Spiderdodo

回覆 FattyDaddy 的帖子

I see.  I thought it was the other way around; i.e., students graduating from P1 are flocking to apply Y7 of IS or other private schools.  I was thinking that some students might leave at any grade, Y6 for instance, due to relocation or other mobility reasons.

oooray

U are right. Students in any year will leave the school by different reasons.
Theoretically, there will be spaces available in every year. ESF schools have detailed statistics in their annual report.
Practically, most schools have been accumulating a long queue (since Year 1) of waitlist.
In fact, some parents will hestitate to change after their children have settled down in other schools for years.
As suggested by other parents, therevis no harm to act immediately. The worst scenario is merely waste the application for nothing.

caa

If you apply there is chance. If not apply there is no chance. If fail y6, then apply y7 next year. Why need to ask???

Spiderdodo

oooray 發表於 15-9-17 16:10
U are right. Students in any year will leave the school by different reasons.
Theoretically, there w ...

Got it!  I think I'll give it a shot anyway.  However, the worst scenario is not about losing the application fee (HKD 2,000 which is not cheap btw), but we are quite determined to transfer him to an IS, a reputable one hopefully. For this ESF application, I feel totally off control.  All we can do is wait, and by the time we find out that the app is not successful, it will probably be another year gone, which is frustrating.  Any suggestions for me?   

Spiderdodo

caa 發表於 15-9-17 16:19
If you apply there is chance. If not apply there is no chance. If fail y6, then apply y7 next year.  ...

I understand that but I need to seek advice on the best strategies that would help me with increasing the chance of successfully securing a space, hoping that other experienced and knowledgeable parents here can give me some guidance or tips, for example timing, school backups, cycles, criteria, etc..  

FattyDaddy

Spiderdodo 發表於 15-9-17 15:12
students might leave at any grade, Y6 for instance ...

It is true that if students are going to leave (say they're going to another country), they could leave at any grade, but nowadays the majority of IS students are from local families (albeit with foreign passport), and typically don't want to switch schools in the last year. HK is geographically small and moving house usually don't require a school switch.

In any case, no harm in applying for Year 6 now, and if your child is unlucky then try Year 7 later.

oooray

If $ is not an issue, think about nomination right if applying ESF.

Amongst different schools in ESF, the waiting time does vary.
Someone claims they did not need to wait too long for a place but i did wait for 20 months (with silbling priority) before an interview could be offered.

Spiderdodo

oooray 發表於 15-9-17 16:48
If $ is not an issue, think about nomination right if applying ESF.

Amongst different schools in ES ...

$ is an issue or we wouldn't have put him to the local system in the first place.  I don't think i'll go for the nomination right. Tks for your information, 20 month waiting time with sibling priority!
That sounds really depressing!  

Spiderdodo

FattyDaddy 發表於 15-9-17 16:31
It is true that if students are going to leave (say they're going to another country), they could le ...

True!

c200

Anyway your kid must pass the interview test first, otherwise just a dream!

birdbird

原帖由 lui 於 15-09-17 發表
If I were u , I will go ahead for year 6, if a place is not given, then year 7. ( ESF confirmed one  ...

I share the same view. Perhaps, y5 for 2015/16 is also an option.