請教漢基CIS及寶山的家長/準家長

babylee

Thank you for the info, 03baby.  

babylee

smartb

Dear alicewong and babylee,
For the accessment, it last about one hour. It included interview with teaches (english and mandarin speaking). I did not know the content as my child was alone during the interview. After the interview, the children went to the playground and ran for a short racing, climbing up a frame and walking along a low bar (I think they access the child's gross motor skill).

SmartB

babylee

Dear SmartB

Thank you for the information.  Do you still remember when your kid attended the interview?  Alice and I have the same concern as our babies were both born in Nov, they may need to apply a year later.

babylee

smartb

Dear babylee,

My son was born in April 2000.
We applied Chinese IS in Aug 2003. We also applied Singapore IS, Canadian IS, HKIS, Japan IS and German Swiss (Primary 1).
We were called for interview in Feb 2004 by Chinese IS, Singapore IS, Canadian IS and Japan IS.
My son sat for all interviews except Japan IS (twice for Canadian IS as he cried in first attempt).
He was offered places by Chinese IS, Singapore IS, Canadian IS in April 2004.
Since we are happy with the IB system and the amount of mandarin in Chinese IS, we pay the $75000 debenture and settled in CIS.
We know we can protect my son from the stupid Hong Kong Government for 14 years (from reception to grade 13). We are also happy that my daughter can follow the same path.
If you have any question, just post it.

SmartB

alicewong

Dear smartb,

Thank you for yr reply.
May I know why don't you consider Canadian IS?
It also emphasize on its chinese curriculum in the website.
Besides, Did all the interviews probably being hold in Feb? As I will bring my daughter to UK for 1 year, I need to come  back to HK for the interviews. Do you think the school will arrange another interview for us if we are not in HK? I just want to stay in HK for 1 month which most of the interviews are held.
Meanwhile, I plan to apply the kindergarten sections of both Canadian IS and GSIS , might consider change to CIS if everything goes smooth. Mind to tell which kindergarten yr son is currently attending?

Thanks a lot.
B rgds,
alice

smartb

Dear alice,

My son is studying ESF Tsing Yi LK1.

I choose CIS because:
1) IB system vs Canadian system in Canadian IS
2) 1 mandarin teacher and 1 english teacher in the class all the time vs 1 session  per day in Canadian IS
3) cheaper debenture $75000 vs $250000
4) all my friends recommend CIS

For GSIS, very very long waiting list.
Some Singapore IS students switch to CIS in primary but they have to sit for written test in english and chinese (mandarin?).

For the interview, you have to contact CIS for time and arrangement. You can also visit the school (also Canadian, Singapore).

Any question? Just post it.

SmartB

Brent

Dear Smartb,

I am also interested in CIS and have applied the Reception class for my son who is one year younger than your son.  However, I am not sure whether I should let him study there even if he is accepted.  My greatest concern is that he may feel inferior because I cannot provide him with the toys (when he is still little) and money or exposure (when he grows bigger) easily and readily available to some or even most of his wealthy classmates.  I would therefore like to ask you some questions:

1. Do you have the same concern?  Do you know the ratio of middle-class to the rich?

2. Assuming that you are not living on HK Island since your son is attending ESF (Tsing Yi), will you move to the HK side?

3. Do you know whether the school bus service cover NT e.g. Shatin?

Thanks!
Brent

ChunMaMa

Hi! Mums

I am interested in your messages about GSIS that I didn't know this school before.

I saw the school website. There is only upto Form5 (Yr 11). What will your kids go next? And how much is the school fee? Any debenture needed?

Thanks!

2002mommy

Hi Jollymom,
I have read all your discussion under the topic "請教漢基CIS及寶山的家長/準家長", those were very useful info and especially you have very good idea of what is best for your child.
It would be grateful if you could give me some advise.  I am a mother of a child at 2 yr, next year I have to send my child to K1. My target for Primary is 1)DGS, 2) St.Paul Co-ed, 3) CIS.  
My child is currently attending Woodland playgroup. I know that you have sent your 1st child to BH, and 2nd child to Woodland then to Small world.  
1) Is SmallWorld better than Woodland?
2) How would you compare these three schools?
3) Have you heard about CCKG and St. Catherine?
4) Where should I place my child next year in order to reach my target?  Please advise.

Truly,
MichelleMom
  :wink:  

smartb

Dear Brent,

1) we don't know the middle:rich ratio. It is difficult to determine rich and middle: family income? living area? amount of pocket money? clothes you wear? food you eat?
As we have a faith that children have basic needs like: food, clothes, shelter, they also need parents love and care, which have not different in middle and rich.
It is ourselves, parents, that teach the child about values and concept of money. (You may read the book "rich kid smart kid" from Robert Kiyosaki)
We have seen cases that the parents are very rich but the child is very poor (in term of parents care and love).
We also know that some rich people do not give a lot of money to their children so as to teach them how to make moneyby themselve.
2) We will try the MTR plus school bus service first (last stop in central post office) before we made any decision.
3) School bus cover Kowloon Tong MTR, Clearwater bay, Ho Man Tin. They do not cover Shatin, Tsing Yi etc.

SmartB ?

Brent

Dear SmartB,

Thanks!

Brent

alicewong

Dear smartb,

As you said that CIS needs to assess both madarin and english, does yr son speaks good languages for both? how do you train yr son's language ability?
It is difficult to get a place in GSIS?

many thanks.
regards,
alice

smartb

Dear alicewong,

I talk to my son in English and my wife talks to him in Cantonese. Since he took a trilingual class on Mon and Wed afternoon when he was in PIPS, he learned a little bit of Mandarin, e.g. number, his name, weather, etc.  He also learns a little bit from ESF as they have 1 hr Mandarin lesson per week.

I did not know what had been asked during the interview but my son recalled that one teacher talked in Mandarin. I think Mandarin may not be a must but it adds merit that shows your child is ready for CIS culture- half English and half Mandarin.

Honestly speaking, I think every child should has exposure to Mandarin as we are facing an age of  China. Even some Western people study Mandarin in university as a second language.

For GSIS, my wife contacted them (my son 3+ year old) last year, they told her it was too late to apply for reception class. They put him on Primary 1 waiting list! You have to contact them and apply in advance.

Good luck.
  
SmartB

alicewong

Dear Smartb,

Thanks very much. You are very helpful indeed.

Regards,
Alice

Prema

Thanks a lot! Smartb,

Thanks for all your imputs as it is very helpful. You must be a great Dad.

Ms.M

Smartb
How's your son's writing skill in Traditional Chinese characters.  I don't worry much about spoken Chinese, Cantonese or Mandarine.   But I really want my boy can write and read Traditional Chinese characters as least as good as local high school level in the future.    Do you think CIS can do that?

smartb

Dear Ms.M,

Since my wife was a secondary school teacher, We know there is a wide spretrum in chinese writing skill in local schools. We also heard that some local F.5/7 students could not write a proper formal chinese letter. Since schools are teaching HK chinese rather than Taiwan chinese or Beijing chinese, writing skill can be a problem even in local schools.
In general, International school students have less exposure in chinese (at most 50% in CIS) compare to local school. However, they have more exposure in Taiwan chinese/ Beijing chinese. Also, they have more english exposure (at least 50% in CIS) that you can't find in local schools (except those english schools).
We hope my son can have a broad view of the world, respect of different culture and  happy school life.
For local school, under the ever changing educational policy of Hong Kong, with a slowly shrinking education budget, plus multiple unneccessary examinations, we worry that my son will lose his interest in learning or life?

SmarB

adachan318

Hi Ada,

Since your boy studies at GSIS, could you please share the interview process ?  What was it like and what were the questions asked ?

Did you have to apply very early because I know GSIS has a very long waiting list ?

Thanks for your comments.

Alam 寫道:
Dear Babylee,

Nice to meet you here.  Sorry I didn't check email yesterday.

My boy studies at German Swiss after Braemar Hill.  He will be at Grade 2 after holidays.  I chose GSIS because of its strict discipline and low key culture.  Actually my husband and I didn't consider any other international school at that time.  If our boy couldn't get into GSIS, we will remain in Braemar Hill and try St Paul and DBS.  However, we cannot rely on GSIS for Chinese learning.  I have arranged a mandarin tutor to come and help my boy thrice a week.

What is your planning?  There are many good international schools in HK.  My advice is to choose one that suits the parents' expectation on the child and the child's nature.  Let me know your next move.  Keep in touch.

Best wishes,
Ada