陳守仁小學 comments N advises 家長報到!

bobee

Thanks Principal for your prompt advice.  My primary language at home is English.  My husband speaks fluent Mandarin but he rarely speaks to my son :(  Will have to force him very soon ^_^

If you don't mind, may I ask you more questions about TSL as I am not too familiar with schools in HK?

(1) My son is studying at Kiangsu local stream and do you think the Mandarin level at TSL will be much lower than Kiangsu?  Kiangsu is still in consideration as the teaching style is too traditional and I heard they push the students on academic a lot; and basically don't care on the extra-curriculums.  Actually, I just want my son to be fluent in Mandarin-at least sufficient to communicate via verbal and written.  I don't need him to be as good as those with Mandarin background.   However, I know if I don't let him study at Kiangsu, I will miss the chance of letting him to learn pure and fluent Mandarin.  But I really want my son to get the most both academic and extra-curriculum out from the school and I think Kiangsu is somewhat not all-rounded.

(2) How's the French level?  As we are from Canada, sooner or later, my son will move back to Canada and knowing basic French will help him a lot.

(3)  My biggest concern is secondary school.  But, will worry about that later.  However, how's the secondary schools' allocation in general?

(4) What about the school workload?  On average, how many hours of schoolworks each day?  I have talked to some of my colleagues, schools like St. Joseph/Wah Yan is around 1-2 hours, Kiangsu is around 2-3 hours each day. On top, they need to send the kids to tutor schools.  OMG!  That's not school life at all.  It's like jail life!!!

(5) How extracurriculum life at TSL?

Thanks very much Principal for your help and advice!

principal

bobee,

(1)        My son is studying at Kiangsu local stream and do you think the Mandarin level at TSL will be much lower than Kiangsu?  Kiangsu is still in consideration as the teaching style is too traditional and I heard they push the students on academic a lot; and basically don't care on the extra-curriculums.  Actually, I just want my son to be fluent in Mandarin-at least sufficient to communicate via verbal and written.  I don't need him to be as good as those with Mandarin background.   However, I know if I don't let him study at Kiangsu, I will miss the chance of letting him to learn pure and fluent Mandarin.  But I really want my son to get the most both academic and extra-curriculum out from the school and I think Kiangsu is somewhat not all-rounded.

-        Kiangsu is one of the schools in HK which is quite renowned for good Mandarin level.   
To be honest, I would only say that TSL pupils will have more exposure to Mandarin during the Chinese lessons when compared to other primary schools where Cantonese is used to teach Chinese subject.  
From that perspective, I would say TSL’s Mandarin level might not be as high as that in Kiangsu.

(2) How's the French level?  As we are from Canada, sooner or later, my son will move back to Canada and knowing basic French will help him a lot.

- You can choose to submit your application under either French stream or Chinese stream.   
For pupils in the French stream, they will learn “normal” French curriculum but just basic Chinese.   But perhaps the French level might not be as high as that in the French International Schools in HK.  For pupils in the Chinese stream, they will learn normal Chinese curriculum but just basic French.   Therefore, it will depend on which language (French or Chinese) you would like your son to put more focus in.   
It seems that you would like your son to have quite good level of Mandarin.   
If either you and your husband can help your son with the Chinese schoolwork, perhaps Chinese stream may be more suitable for your son.

(3)  My biggest concern is secondary school.  But, will worry about that later.  However, how's the secondary schools' allocation in general?

-        You can go to TSL’s school website and have a look at the allocation results in the
past 3 years.


Students --> SSPA results

-        Whether the results are satisfactory or not, it depends on individual judgement.
- 
(4) What about the school workload?  On average, how many hours of schoolworks each day?  I have talked to some of my colleagues, schools like St. Joseph/Wah Yan is around 1-2 hours, Kiangsu is around 2-3 hours each day. On top, they need to send the kids to tutor schools.  OMG!  That's not school life at all.  It's like jail life!!!
 
-        In general, I would say it takes about one to one and a half hour to finish the homework from Monday to Thursday.   
Apparently, there might be somewhat more homework given on Friday or prior to long weekend.   
But the speed of finishing homework may also vary from one kid to another. 

(5) How extra curriculum life at TSL?

- There are LOTS of extra-curricular activities, both free and paid.   
You do not need to worry about the number of choice.
The only thing you need to worry is the limited time that your son has.

原帖由 bobee 於 09-8-13 17:43 發表

Thanks Principal for your prompt advice.  My primary language at home is English.  My husband speaks fluent Mandarin but he rarely speaks to my son :(  Will have to force him very soon ^_^

If you don ...

flostangraphy

Dear principal and Kung Fu Tingmum,
i'm still fighting myself between chinese or french stream.
actually my choice is still toward to the chinese stream as my big concern about the choices of secondary schools...
the result of the tsl secondary school allocation last year is very encouraging!!! however, it's hard to tell that how many pupils with this result are from the french stream....
on the other hand, what you have pointed out about that i'm the only one can help him out with the chinese homework is quite right as well which i have to really consider as one big cons....

bobee

Hi flostangraphy, nice meeting you in BK.   I am also contemplating to apply my son in the French stream.  Although we aren't French, my son needs this language when we move back to Canada.  It's a good opportunity to start him as early as possible.  However, you are in a much better position as your kids are knowlegeable in French already, thus quite easy to follow thru.  Quite a lot of debates and thorough thinkings over the weekend before we send in our application next week HEADACHES!!

bobee

THANKS SO MUCH Principal!!!  That helps tremendously.!

flostangraphy

hi bobee,
nice to meet you too. you are right, it's really a hard time for us, as me and my wife concern so much that at the end of the P6, my son will neither good enough in french nor chinese......due to our wrong decision today.....
hope that our kids will be classmate in the next year!!!
bon courage!!

原帖由 bobee 於 14/8/2009 11:41 發表
Hi flostangraphy, nice meeting you in BK.   I am also contemplating to apply my son in the French stream.  Although we aren't French, my son needs this language when we move back to Canada.  It's a go ...

[ 本帖最後由 flostangraphy 於 09-8-15 00:19 編輯 ]

Little_Princess

Hi bobee,

My daughter was also from Kiangsu.  She would be in TSL P1 next month.

I have similar concerns as yours regarding the language development.  I think for Mandarin standard, Kiangsu is No. 1.  My daughter completes her first 4 year schooling in Kiangsu.  She could communicate well in Mandarin.  The thing is she is quite introvert and a bit shy.  I dare not to continue the traditional form of education in Kiangsu.  I chose TSL.  I believe it is a better choice for her.

However, I don't want to waste her 4-year in Mandarin development.  I decided to let her join PTH program outside.  Actually, in Kiangsu, she didn't learn any Pinyin and her chinese standard is not so high.  She should need some efforts to catch up the Chinese language.

My daughter chose French as her third language in TSL.  Again, I am considering to let her enroll additional French lessons outside school.  I hope she could make use of the language environment in school to reinforce her French learning.

If you are really afraid of the traditional style of teaching in Kiangsu, I believe TSL is a good choice.  The thing is we need to give them supplements on Mandarin development.

原帖由 bobee 於 09-8-13 17:43 發表
Thanks Principal for your prompt advice.  My primary language at home is English.  My husband speaks fluent Mandarin but he rarely speaks to my son :(  Will have to force him very soon ^_^

If you don ...

bobee

Hi Little_Princess,

So glad to get in touch with you.  Sounds like my situation is very similar to yours.  Yes, I must admit I can't stand the "extreme" traditional form of education at Kiangsu.  Just too much stress on academic!

My son is also very shy now (don't know why, he used to be okay and thus I think it's the teaching style at Kiangsu kind of affected his behavior-just sit down and listen to the teacher!).  That's why I think TSL maybe a good school to groom and education him.  

Your girl can get in TSL despite of the massive applications.     I am so scared my son won't be as smart as your girl.  I heard it's really hard to get in TSL.  Will see.  Frankly, I don't have too much confidence on my son.

Also, do you live in HK or Kowloon side?  Is there any schoolbus picking up kids from HK side to TSL?

Thanks very much and best wishes to your daughter.

principal

Little_Princess,

I think you have prepared very well-planned programs for your daughter in maintaining her level in both Mandarin and French.  

Besides the chances to practice both languages in classroom, there is something called “Language Kingdom” at TSL where pupils can go there during recess to speak different languages to the French/English/Japanese/Mandarin teachers as well as their schoolmates.

You may encourage your daughter to go there more often in future.

The new school term will start in 2 weeks’ time!
This summer holiday is really too long! 

原帖由 Little_Princess 於 09-8-14 13:10 發表

Hi bobee,

My daughter was also from Kiangsu.  She would be in TSL P1 next month.

I have similar concerns as yours regarding the language development.  I think for Mandarin standard, Kiangsu is No. 1 ...

[ 本帖最後由 principal 於 09-8-14 18:35 編輯 ]

Little_Princess

Hi Bobee,

Very glad to meet you here!  

Don't worry too much!   I don't have much confidence on my daughter when the game started.  I applied 10 schools for her. hahaa...  

Praise God!  Her result is not bad though she is not on the top schools as expected.  I like TSL the most among the choice.   I think TSL could provide sufficient opportunities for my daughter to develop in a wide spectrum.  In Kiangsu, the major problem is not giving chance to every kids.  All the opportunities were given to the 4-5 top students in class (even they are just in Kindergarten!)

Just be relaxed!  Your kid would do well in every interview.  

原帖由 bobee 於 09-8-14 15:26 發表
Hi Little_Princess,

So glad to get in touch with you.  Sounds like my situation is very similar to yours.  Yes, I must admit I can't stand the "extreme" traditional form of education at Kiangsu.  Jus ...

Little_Princess

Hi Principal,

haa...  I really don't know whether my plan could implement well and effective.   It seems that the school hour is very long.  I doubt my daughter could finish her homework + revision on time everyday.   Adding ECA to her may be a bit stressful.  I need to monitor her progress closely.

There are many good choices of ECA in TSL.  If I were a TSL student, I would be very happy.  

Yep... there are 2 weeks to go.  I am a bit excited towards the new school term.  hahaa.. I kept my daughter quite busy in the summer vacation.  Probably, she would think that it is too short.

原帖由 principal 於 09-8-14 18:28 發表
Little_Princess,

I think you have prepared very well-planned programs for your daughter in maintaining her level in both Mandarin and French.  

Besides the chances to practice both language ...

Little_Princess

Ar... forget to tell you where I live.  I live in Tiu Keng Leng.  My daughter needs to get on the school bus at 7:15am ( about 30 mins ride from Tiu Keng Leng to TSL).  I regard it as acceptable.

原帖由 bobee 於 09-8-14 15:26 發表
Hi Little_Princess,

So glad to get in touch with you.  Sounds like my situation is very similar to yours.  Yes, I must admit I can't stand the "extreme" traditional form of education at Kiangsu.  Jus ...

principal

Little_Princess,

There is “homework lesson/ECA period” at the end of the school day so some pupils can make use of the time to either do some homework or participate in ECA.
If the kid can finish most of the homework at school, he/she will then have more time to do something else after returning home.

Yes, you are correct that you have to closely monitor your daughter’s progress in the first few weeks of the school term and then assess how many/what kinds of ECA will suit her the best.

The choice of ECA will always be too many but the available time will always be too limited!!

原帖由 Little_Princess 於 09-8-15 00:45 發表

Hi Principal,

haa...  I really don't know whether my plan could implement well and effective.   It seems that the school hour is very long.  I doubt my daughter could finish her homework + revision o ...

principal

Little_Princess,

7:15 a.m. boarding time is not too bad!  

原帖由 Little_Princess 於 09-8-15 00:46 發表

Ar... forget to tell you where I live.  I live in Tiu Keng Leng.  My daughter needs to get on the school bus at 7:15am ( about 30 mins ride from Tiu Keng Leng to TSL).  I regard it as acceptable.

flostangraphy

what time do they start school?!?!
is that at 8am?!

flostangraphy

Hi Little Princess,
10 schools?!?!
wahooo.... we don't have 9 schools for back up....
did your daughter make all the interviews of all 10?!! should be quite hard to manage all the schedule, i imagine!!!
mind to pm me what other schools you have back up for your princess, as i find we have similar thinking about the school type for our child?!?!
thanks in advance!!!

原帖由 Little_Princess 於 15/8/2009 00:40 發表
Hi Bobee,

Very glad to meet you here!  

Don't worry too much!   I don't have much confidence on my daughter when the game started.  I applied 10 schools for her. hahaa...  

Praise God!  Her ...

principal

flostangraphy,

The 1st lesson will start officially from 8:30 a.m. 
Pupils are required to be back BEFORE 8:10 a.m.
Between 8:10 - 8:30 a.m., it should be the class period.

Hope my memory is still correct after such long long summer holiday!  

原帖由 flostangraphy 於 09-8-15 10:03 發表

what time do they start school?!?!
is that at 8am?!

Little_Princess

hahaa... it is really quite hard to imagine.  I was quite nurvous last year.  I let my daughter take more tries because she is quite introvert and need time to warm up.

I selected different types of school for her and see which school would pick my girl.  haha....

Here are the types:
(1) Top schools, like DGJS, SPCCS, St Stephen's College
(2) Schools full of God's love : Kau Yan, ICQM
(3) Near to my residential place like Evangel, Logos
(4) Activity-based shcool : TSL & HKUGA
(5) Traditional type : True Light  

Well... she failed in all the top schools while the others have positive results.  Finally, I chose TSL. :)

Well... the whole family was extremely busy during the peak interview period.  However, I found that my daughter learnt a lot from the interview process.  She was not stressed and enjoyed the process very much.   Actually, after rounds of interview, she's able to tell me which school she likes and which one she doesn't like.  She told me that she likes TSL the most because of the swimming pool and all the teachers are friendly.

Don't worry, flostangraphy.  I am sure that your preparation is much better than mine.  You are quite active in this forum during the past whole year, right?  

原帖由 flostangraphy 於 09-8-15 10:07 發表
Hi Little Princess,
10 schools?!?!
wahooo.... we don't have 9 schools for back up....
did your daughter make all the interviews of all 10?!! should be quite hard to manage all the schedule, i imagi ...

Little_Princess

Yep... it is acceptable.  Hope that she won't be too tired after the whole day school.  

I did consider to move to Olympic so that my daughter won't miss any activities at school.  However, the property market is toooooooo HOT these few months!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am forced to suspend my plan.....

原帖由 principal 於 09-8-15 08:52 發表
Little_Princess,

7:15 a.m. boarding time is not too bad!  

principal

Little_Princess,

1)        The school donor and the school management should be very glad to hear your daughter’s comments as another proof that they have made the right investment in adding the swimming pool in the school campus.  
Besides facilitating TSL pupils to learn/practise swimming with ease, this is also an attraction to potentially good applicants!!  

2)        You are correct that flostangraphy is even more active than the current TSL parents.   
Gradually, we have already treated him as part of the TSL family now!!  


flostangraphy,

The exciting game will start very soon.
It’s your turn this year!!   
Please enjoy the process as it will definitely bring you unforgettable memories in your entire life!! 

原帖由 Little_Princess 於 09-8-16 00:05 發表

hahaa... it is really quite hard to imagine.  I was quite nurvous last year.  I let my daughter take more tries because she is quite introvert and need time to warm up.

I selected different types of  ...

[ 本帖最後由 principal 於 09-8-16 08:03 編輯 ]