有冇弘立小學媽咪

warrrren

Hi Tzeyanmui,

The "expensive label factor" does not work on me, not a chance.  I have visited the schools that I am interested, met the staff of the schools, talked to the parents and watched the children before finally choosing ISF.  Simply put, I am more comfortable with ISF, which appears to me to be more education oriented, and relatively more independent of commercial interest and that something.  Please allow me not to actually compare the two schools.  Turning this thread into another 真道 thread is the last thing I want.  I suggest that you visit both schools, talk to as many people as you can manage.  Good luck to you and your boy/girl.

Regards,
warrrren

Tzeyanmui

Philipwhau

Seems like you are a big fan of Victoria.

Tzeyanmui

Philipwhau

not quite true. I think every school is distinct, and it's not fair to use one sentense to generalize all. if my girl is lucky enough to be admitted to one of my "preferred" govt schools, like Marymount or Maryknoll, I would have no hestitation but to send her to that school straight away. point is under the current "point counting" system, with a min of 15 points, the chance of my girl going to one of my dream sub school is probably even lower than winning a lottery, so I have to look into private/DSS as an alternatives or backups.

Tzeyanmui

Philipwhau

If you are referring to that then I can't agree with you more. I failed to see why we should place our child's primary education to some kind of stupid "point counting" and "central allocation" system. Anyway I think we are off the topic too far, don't think it's appropriate to occupy more space of this forum.

Tzeyanmui

Dear KC

thanks for the reply. Pls allow me to ask one more question, has ISF officially certified as a IB provide or is in the process of doing so? thanks.

so.san

Tzeyanmui,

I agree with you!

However, what if, my son cannot get into those "preferred" govt school just because he has low points, and he is not smart (or lucky) enough to get into those good DSS / private schools. Our family has no special background or connections, and we cannot afford expensive international schools + overseas universities. As a result, he will study one allocated by the central lucky draw system (which may be good or not good).....my god.....can't imagine that one's fate is determined like this.

Tzeyanmui

Philipwhau

"I can't agree with you more" implies I agree with you, totally.

Tzeyanmui

so.san

I know, it's sad isn't it, unfortunately that's the rule of the game, there's not much we can do about it given the limitations we have. But don't be too pessimistic about that, your child's fate would not be ruined as long as you have directed him/her to the right path, and give him/her the best study environment that you can offer. Your lovings and carings are far more important than sending him/her to a "famous" school. There are 10A students from not so famous local schools.

warrrren

Hi Tzeyanmui,

As appears from other forums, there has been much misunderstanding about the IB programmes.  Let's see if I can clarify some of the issues.  I'd be grateful if some kind souls here can correct me if I get anything wrong.

There are three IB programmes - the Diploma Programme (DP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Primary Years Programme (PYP).

There are, not including the higher education institutions, some six IB authorised schools in Hong Kong, namely Kingston, CIS, Yew Chung, Li Po Chun World, French International and Shatin College.  Only one of them offers PYP programme and that is Kingston.  CIS offers both MYP and DP.  The rests offer DP only.  It should be noted that the IB authorised schools are not restricted to IB programmes.  For examples, the number of IB enrolment at French International is 32 out of a total student population of 1071, and that at CIS is 150 out of 1,300 (source: IBO website).  Many schools have expressed interest in the programmes.  If I understand it correctly, most if not all of the newer schools are talking about MYP or DP in the long run (by the way, I recall that philipwhau said somewhere that Shanghai Victoria Academy will get PYP authorisation very soon.  I cannot find any such information on Victoria's website.  Perhaps you can turn to philipwhau for further information if you are interested in Shanghai Victoria Academy).  As for ISF, I cannot speak on behalf of the school, but my understanding is that the school is aiming at DP and MYP, but not PYP.

Although I am a supporter of the IB programmes, I shall ask people not to take the IB label as a guarantee for quality or success.  There are good IB schools are there are bad IB schools, just as there are good and bad non-IB schools.  The IB curricula may well be fashion of the season.

I know I'm repeating myself, but let me say it one more time (OK I promise I won't repeat again) - go to the school, talk to the principal, the teachers, the children and their parents. The label is the last thing in which you should be interested.  To me, the curriculum, the quality of the management, and that of the teaching staff and the parents are more important factors.

A nice weekend to everybody.

Regards,
warrrren

Tzeyanmui

Dear KC

Thanks for the info.  As you said IB label does not guarantee for quality or success, but I think it does affect the curriculum and the qualification of teachers. No offense here.

I think helping my kid to pick a "right" school at this stage is important, but what's more important thing is to keep monitoring the progress of my kid and make sure she fits in the teaching approach and the culture of her future school, IB or non IB.

warrrren

Hi,

Tzeyanmui, I do agree that the IB appears to be a better system.  That's one of the reasons I go for ISF.  But I still don't think that an IB school is necessarily better than a non-IB one.  You said it is important that parents should constantly monitor their kids' progress.  I can't agree more.  If things do not turn out to be what I have been expecting, I may well let girl go to another school.

ckwliu - the ISF's mode of education is indeed expensive. Take P1 class as an example (which I know best).  There are 25 P1 students this year.  They are divided into 2 groups, and having classes separately and led by 2 different teachers.  It is therefore 1 teacher to 12 or 13 students.  Most international schools, DSS schools and PIS schools are having 25-30 students in a class.  The smaller class size is the major reason for the high cost.  The present small student population is also a factor (for an example, there is a full time child psychologist for the 100 odd students).  I do hope that the per head cost will go down when the new campus is ready, but I really do not know anything about that.  Most of the ISF parents I know and have met are from middle class families.  They, including myself, are people who wake up before 7 a.m. to go to work to make a living.  Some people may think it is crazy of this warrrren and other ISF parents to spend that much on children's education.  For me, I really enjoy raising a kid, and, so long as I can afford it, will spare whatever resources (money, time, whatever) that I have for my girl.  I'm sure all parents love their kids as much as I do.  Lucky am I that I have more than one option when it comes to my girl's education.  To my understanding, the financial aid provided by the school is not for window dressing.  Contact the school for further information if you are interested.

I went to the school yesterday evening for the curriculum night.  After attending the briefing, seeing the children work and reviewing the materials provided by the school, I feel satisfied.  I will give a fuller description of the curricula some time next week when I have more time.  A nice weekend to everybody.

Regards,
warrrren

warrrren

Hi ckwliu,

I forgot to answer your questions about local schools.  My ABSOLUTELY SUBJECTIVE list of preference is as follows: -

1. DGS
2. Sacred Heart Canossian School (I re-rate it recently, purely because of Sister Agnes of SHC College.  She single-handedly changes my view of the school)
3. St. Stephen's Girls
4. St. Paul's co-ed (recently down-graded)

I do not put HKUGA Primary in my list as I don't consider it a traditional local school.  I rate it quite highly.

This is just a one person's list.  Even my wife doesn't agree to it.  As my only child is a girl, I do not include any boys' schools in my rating.

Rgards,
warrrren

ykwong

KC:

Sorry for interruption, I can't understand :

"For examples, the number of IB enrolment at French International is 32 out of a total student population of 1071, and that at CIS is 150 out of 1,300"

What does it actually mean?

yk

warrrren

Hi YK,

Many schools offer more than one curriculum.  Take French International as an example.  The school offers both IB and IGCSE for higher grades students.  The former for sixth form students, and the latter for students in form 4 and form 5.  Many "IB schools" offer DP only.  They should be called schools with IB-DP programme rather than "IB schools" generally.  I hope I am not making things more complicated.

Regards,
warrrren