It's indeed a very thorough description of the school characteristics. I'm sure that the school puts great effort in creating a good English learning environment for the children. But ...
The school has managed to be balanced on all subjects, not just English. The number of lessons in P1 for Chinese, Maths and General Studies is similar to that of English. Its emphasis on English is in context of using English to teach General Studies, Maths, Religious, PE ... Students all learn the substance of each subject but are all taught in English.
Up to this moment, I find from my boy the workload in Chinese and Maths are much more than English (just one worksheet and dictation on 10 words so far).
In response to your query on whether other subjects are in par with other local schools, there is no strict answer. It depends on which school you are benchmarking to. I would say the syllabus is in line with that outlined by the Education Bureau. However, I understand some schools are more advanced in the academic aspect - DBS / DGS have been using P2 materials in teaching P1. Good Hope is in general 1+ term in advance.
It depends very much on the calibre of the kids to decide which type of school should be chosen.
SMC provides me with the confidence that my boy can smoothly "transit" from kinder to primary. He likes going to school very much and is happy to learn - these are what I am looking for.
原帖由 AaronMa 於 08-9-24 16:28 發表
Hi monkeydad,
It's indeed a very thorough description of the school characteristics. I'm sure that the school puts great effort in creating a good English learning environment for the children. But ...
Thank you again for your sharing. I'm not comparing those that are one grade up, but I would hope that the standard of the other subjects is what it should be for that grade.
For my boy, he's been studying in the trilingual environment in the last few years so I want him to keep that up. He dislikes writing / copying and you just cannot make him remember the words through repetitive writing. However, if you ask him to learn by doing project or through games, he can pick up much better. So I reckon SMC / TSL would be the type of schools that he should attend. I also agree that kids should enjoy a happy school life.
That said, I wouldn't go for an international school for its lower Chinese / Maths standard, and lax discipline.
Which grade is your boy in? My boy (indeed my family) will be attending the 2nd interview this Sat. and I hope he will be admitted for P1 next year.
My boy is in P1. Like your boy, he dislikes writing, copying and pure memorizing.
I shared the thoughts of G-Ma - I want my boy to love learning in the early stage (otherwise both he and me will find it very painful) and possess high proficiency in both English and Chinese.
SMC has less workhome comparing to other local schools including TSL. He can have more time to do reading. This also allows us more time for family / other non-academic activities which can add exposure to the kids, not just dictation, test and exam. If you find your kid can take more, you can give him additional homework. You can totally control the load.
If yr kid didn't like copying, writing, dictating..etc, forgive me to say that then both TSL & SMC may not your cup of tea.
As per my kid's experience in P.1 in SMC, he needs to write, to copy and to dictate. The standard and requirement at the begining seems not so high, but fr P.2 onwards, students need to work hard to meet the up-grading requirement.
So, you can consider CKY / International school which really on PROJECT & READING basis to educate students.
I'm not discouraging you but you must realize what's yr kid's strength and then find a suitable school to build it up. Then it's the best way for both u and yr kid.
Good luck
原帖由 AaronMa 於 08-9-24 20:08 發表
Monkeydad,
Thank you again for your sharing. I'm not comparing those that are one grade up, but I would hope that the standard of the other subjects is what it should be for that grade.
St Margaret 擁有很多如你們這般高質素的家長，確實對我為囝囝選擇 SM 大大加強信心；明天是他的 1st interview，希望幸運之神會眷顧他，能順利入讀SM。
Once again, thank you for your valuable sharing.
原帖由 monkeydad 於 08-9-24 15:56 發表
Hi CHIULHJ,
I didn't attend this year's briefing. From the one I attened last year (quite similar to what you commented), to be frank, I got bored and shared some of your thoughts.
P1 is not easy even. What the school teaches in P1 so far is very "life" and I find my boy learns quite a lot of vocabulary in the class. He knows the pronounciation, meaning and application but not yet able to dictate.
發表於 08-9-24 16:58
