MCS or DGJS- a parent's dilemma

Msma

唔係嗎 ？希望佢係歐遊未歸啦  

Chinese_B

Hi coolobserver,

I am a current CCKG parent.

As far as I know, more than 30 out of 42 CCKG girls are accepted by DGJS in the first round for 05-06 year.

Chinese_B

coolobserver 寫道:
I just cannot resist re-posting what I posted somewhere else.


"Users of this website tend to be of the "Kowloon Tong" herd and it is not surprising that people they know tend to be from Kowloon Tong schools.

Myths are very often self perpetuating. When I refer to the "Kowloon Tong herd" I mean those parents who go to those few private-run kindergartens (pkus CCKG) and who make "getting into DGJS" their lifelong mission (SC for K1, CCKG for K2-K3, etc). It is true that some girls from these KGs get into DGJS, and because their parents tend to be more aggressive than those from other KGs (and more prepared to talk on-line: hence the myth created in this forum), they are the ones who will (for example) start study groups in P1, gather other parents' tel no., compile (and compare) data on kids' performance, etc. In a way the good name of DGJS is slightly tarnished by parents like these - there are lots of mellow, down-to-earth parents from all over HK (and all kinds of KG).

As far as I know, there is not one particular school that can claim a particular stronghold in terms of DGJS admission (CCKG apart - and even for CCKG the rate is not, apparently, as staggering as a lot of people are led to believe). You also have to consider matters such as the number of applicants from a particular school. Saying that "x number of kids from a particular school got into DGJS" is rather meaningless, because if if that school is a "chain store" type school with hundreds of students, then "x" may be a comparatively small number.

My point is that I know from personal knowledge that there are a lot of good KGs around (and those know will know, and I do not want to advertise for any particular one) which produce lots of students who are well liked by lots of prestigious primary schools. Try to widen your horizon, parents, and not get stuck with the Kowloon Tong herd. "



Please have some dignity. Believe in the ability of your kids and stop asking "which school can give me a better chance of getting admitted to DGJS" (you will end up getting the same names, because users of this site are mainly parents from those few, or friends of parents from those few). We as adults know that in real life nothing is as simple as "you go to this school = admission to DGJS" (just like "what stock should I buy if I want to make money?"). Only the most simple minded person will think in this way and I feel absolutely disgusted that parents here (who are supposed to be sophisticated enough and have sufficient analytical power) still think in this simplistic way.

coolobserver

1.  That leaves 70-odd places for non-CCKG students.

2.  Actually, as a matter of curiosity, do CCKG parents form their own small circles, regarding entrants from other primary schools as "outsiders"?

Chinese_B 寫道:
Hi coolobserver,

I am a current CCKG parent.

As far as I know, more than 30 out of 42 CCKG girls are accepted by DGJS in the first round for 05-06 year.

Chinese_B

[quote]
coolobserver 寫道:
I just cannot resist re-posting what I posted somewhere else.


"Users of this website tend to be of the "Kowloon Tong" herd and it is not surprising that people they know tend to be from Kowloon Tong schools.

Myths are very often self perpetuating. When I refer to the "Kowloon Tong herd" I mean those parents who go to those few private-run kindergartens (pkus CCKG) and who make "getting into DGJS" their lifelong mission (SC for K1, CCKG for K2-K3, etc). It is true that some girls from these KGs get into DGJS, and because their parents tend to be more aggressive than those from other KGs (and more prepared to talk on-line: hence the myth created in this forum), they are the ones who will (for example) start study groups in P1, gather other parents' tel no., compile (and compare) data on kids' performance, etc. In a way the good name of DGJS is slightly tarnished by parents like these - there are lots of mellow, down-to-earth parents from all over HK (and all kinds of KG).

As far as I know, there is not one particular school that can claim a particular stronghold in terms of DGJS admission (CCKG apart - and even for CCKG the rate is not, apparently, as staggering as a lot of people are led to believe). You also have to consider matters such as the number of applicants from a particular school. Saying that "x number of kids from a particular school got into DGJS" is rather meaningless, because if if that school is a "chain store" type school with hundreds of students, then "x" may be a comparatively small number.

My point is that I know from personal knowledge that there are a lot of good KGs around (and those know will know, and I do not want to advertise for any particular one) which produce lots of students who are well liked by lots of prestigious primary schools. Try to widen your horizon, parents, and not get stuck with the Kowloon Tong herd. "



Please have some dignity. Believe in the ability of your kids and stop asking "which school can give me a better chance of getting admitted to DGJS" (you will end up getting the same names, because users of this site are mainly parents from those few, or friends of parents from those few). We as adults know that in real life nothing is as simple as "you go to this school = admission to DGJS" (just like "what stock should I buy if I want to make money?"). Only the most simple minded person will think in this way and I feel absolutely disgusted that parents here (who are supposed to be sophisticated enough and have sufficient analytical power) still think in this simplistic way.

[/quote]

coolobserver

Sorry, type.  "entrants from other kindergartens".

coolobserver

sorry, "typo".

coolobserver

And do you believe that CCKG students get a better admission rate because

(i) they are intrinsically bettter than the rest, or because

(ii) they are regarded as a "feeder school" and hence DGJS feels more comfortable in accepting students from CCKG?

Chinese_B 寫道:
Hi coolobserver,

I am a current CCKG parent.

As far as I know, more than 30 out of 42 CCKG girls are accepted by DGJS in the first round for 05-06 year.

Chinese_B

[quote]
coolobserver 寫道:
I just cannot resist re-posting what I posted somewhere else.


"Users of this website tend to be of the "Kowloon Tong" herd and it is not surprising that people they know tend to be from Kowloon Tong schools.

Myths are very often self perpetuating. When I refer to the "Kowloon Tong herd" I mean those parents who go to those few private-run kindergartens (pkus CCKG) and who make "getting into DGJS" their lifelong mission (SC for K1, CCKG for K2-K3, etc). It is true that some girls from these KGs get into DGJS, and because their parents tend to be more aggressive than those from other KGs (and more prepared to talk on-line: hence the myth created in this forum), they are the ones who will (for example) start study groups in P1, gather other parents' tel no., compile (and compare) data on kids' performance, etc. In a way the good name of DGJS is slightly tarnished by parents like these - there are lots of mellow, down-to-earth parents from all over HK (and all kinds of KG).

As far as I know, there is not one particular school that can claim a particular stronghold in terms of DGJS admission (CCKG apart - and even for CCKG the rate is not, apparently, as staggering as a lot of people are led to believe). You also have to consider matters such as the number of applicants from a particular school. Saying that "x number of kids from a particular school got into DGJS" is rather meaningless, because if if that school is a "chain store" type school with hundreds of students, then "x" may be a comparatively small number.

My point is that I know from personal knowledge that there are a lot of good KGs around (and those know will know, and I do not want to advertise for any particular one) which produce lots of students who are well liked by lots of prestigious primary schools. Try to widen your horizon, parents, and not get stuck with the Kowloon Tong herd. "



Please have some dignity. Believe in the ability of your kids and stop asking "which school can give me a better chance of getting admitted to DGJS" (you will end up getting the same names, because users of this site are mainly parents from those few, or friends of parents from those few). We as adults know that in real life nothing is as simple as "you go to this school = admission to DGJS" (just like "what stock should I buy if I want to make money?"). Only the most simple minded person will think in this way and I feel absolutely disgusted that parents here (who are supposed to be sophisticated enough and have sufficient analytical power) still think in this simplistic way.

[/quote]

Chinese_B

Hi coolobserver,

You go to a party, and you find many old friends there. At the same time, there are many people you don't know. Who would you choose to talk to?

Chinese_B

[quote]
coolobserver 寫道:
1.  That leaves 70-odd places for non-CCKG students.

2.  Actually, as a matter of curiosity, do CCKG parents form their own small circles, regarding entrants from other kindergartens as "outsiders"?

Chinese_B

Hi coolobserver,

Both, though I would not regard CCKG a feeder school of DGJS.

Chinese_B

[quote]
coolobserver 寫道:
And do you believe that CCKG students get a better admission rate because

(i) they are intrinsically bettter than the rest, or because

(ii) they are regarded as a "feeder school" and hence DGJS feels more comfortable in accepting students from CCKG?

coolobserver

Human nature would drive me to speak - at the very beginning - to those whom I know: that much I accept.  

But I would be open to speaking to other whom I do not know, because they could (or are likely to be) very good and nice people too.

There may be very little difference between us.  

Chinese_B 寫道:
Hi coolobserver,

If you go to a party, and you find many old friends there. At the same time, there are many people you don't know. Who would you choose to talk to?

Chinese_B

[quote]
coolobserver 寫道:
1.  That leaves 70-odd places for non-CCKG students.

2.  Actually, as a matter of curiosity, do CCKG parents form their own small circles, regarding entrants from other kindergartens as "outsiders"?

coolobserver

What, even if their uniforms are virtually the same?

If you believe in (i), then

(1) you ain't see nothing yet; and

(2) good luck to other new DGJS parents this year.

Chinese_B 寫道:
Hi coolobserver,

Both, though I would not regard CCKG a feeder school of DGJS.

Chinese_B

[quote]
coolobserver 寫道:
And do you believe that CCKG students get a better admission rate because

(i) they are intrinsically bettter than the rest, or because

(ii) they are regarded as a "feeder school" and hence DGJS feels more comfortable in accepting students from CCKG?

Chinese_B

All parents were advised on day one of school by the headmistress that CCKG is not associated with any primary schools and therefore not to put all the eggs in one basket.

coolobserver

Actually how do you view/regard non-CCKG (or SC) entrants to DGJS?  Do you think I have been too harsh in my views on what I have jokingly called "the Kowloon Tong herd"?   

Chinese_B 寫道:

All parents were advised on day one of school by the headmistress that CCKG is not associated with any primary schools and therefore not to put all the eggs in one basket.

Chinese_B

Every year, more than 10 SC girls are accepted by DGJS. Though they are not from CCKG, they are by no means less smart.

coolobserver

How about your views on non-CCKG and non-SC entrants?  I take it that you either have a daughter already in DGJS, or have done research in this area.

Chinese_B 寫道:
Every year, more than 10 SC girls are accepted by DGJS. Though they are not from CCKG, they are by no means less smart.

Chinese_B

Let me put it this way. What is the particular kindergarten you have in mind?

coolobserver

Chinese_B 寫道:

Let me put it this way. What is the particular kindergarten you have in mind?

Don't get me wrong: I am not speaking in advertisement of (or in defence of) any particular KG.  My point has always been that (rightly or wrongly) Kowloon Tong KGs (and parents from Kowloon Tong KGs) are perceived or seen as more "aggressive" or "assertive" towards their kids' education.  There is also more of what I have called the "Kowloon Tong herd" mentality (making it a lifelong mission to "prove yourself" by trying at all costs to get into SC for K1, then CCKG for K2/K3, then DGJS, interview classes, study groups in P1, compiling data on kids' performance even after admission to P1, etc).   

I have always thought that this is not a rather healthy mentality because it leads one not to appreciate that there is a world outside Kowloon Tong (frog under a well, if you like).   That may (or may not, I don't know, what is why I have asked the question) lead to a mentality that kids from Kowloon Tong KGs are somehow the "preferred species" and that other kids from other KGs are somehow "outsiders" (or, worse still, that they get into DGJS just because there are bound to be spaces left after taking in all CCKG kids and other kids are just let in as a matter of mercy).  The "ganging up" phenomenon I mentioned earlier could be another manifestation (although I accept that it might be due - as you said, to a desire to speak to those you know better).   

As I have suspected earlier, what I said here might offend a lot of people but it is intended to provoke discussion, not hostility.  No hard feelings, OK?

Coming back to the question: the question is not about one KG versus another KG.  It is about Kowloon Tong KGs -v- rest of HK (something like USA -v- the world?).  How do CCKG/SC parents look at kids (and parents of such kids) from other KGs who also get into DGJS?

Chinese_B

I agree that birds of a feather flock together. As so many kindergartens cluster in Kowloon Tong, no wonder many of their students go to "top" schools.

I understand that tens of students from Hong Kong Island are accepted by DGJS every year, notably from Victoria, Braemar Hill, Sheng Kung Hui and St. Paul's Kindergarten etc. Yet the figure is significantly less.

Actually not all CCKG students start their school life in SC.

coolobserver

Hmmm, interesting views.  

A few follow-ups:

(1) Do you know any non-Kowloon Tong parents ?  Do you find them more "laid back" than Kowloon Tong parents?

(2) This started off as a joke but on reflection, it may have some truth: what are your views?  Most professionals (lawyers, investment bankers, accountants, etc) live on HK side (closer to main financial district etc - TST is not in the same league).  The only category of professionals who are likely to live on Kowloon side (and send their kids to Kowloon KGs) are doctors (because hospitals are scattered around HK and Kowloon).  Again, rightly or wrongly, doctors' wives , or "yee sang tai"'s (who may not be doctors themselves but who take pride in being married to doctors), are more - how should I put it - you know, "bar bai"
(want people to acknowledge them, their importance, their existence, etc).  Hence the desire to groom one's kids - not just to groom them (as I said all parents want their kids to do well), but to do so with a degree of aggression and "show-off" ("O, your daughter is so clever!", "O yes (smug smile), of course, she is destined to succeed from birth and I am very strict with her" (subtext - I and my genes take the credit).

I know I am generalising to an extreme - as I said this started off as a joke.  But does that accord with your experience at least in CCKG?  (sorry in advance to all "yee sang tai"s).  :)

Chinese_B 寫道:
I agree that birds of a feather flock together. As so many kindergartens cluster in Kowloon Tong, no wonder many of their students go to "top" schools.

I understand that tens of students from Hong Kong Island are accepted by DGJS every year, notably Victoria, Braemar Hill, Sheng Kung Hui and St. Paul's Kindergarten etc. Yet the figure is significantly less.

Actually not all CCKG students start their school life in SC.

:wink:  :wink:  :wink:

Chinese_B

For (1), I am sure that you have friends whose kids go to Kowloon Tong and other kindergartens. Have a chat with them, and find out for yourself whether the latter are more "laid back".

For (2), I can see no reason why doctors' wives are more snobbish than businessmen's wives. Anyway, it has nothing to do with admission to DGJS. If you think that the headmistress prefers this kind of parents, I have nothing to say. Only Mrs. Dai can answer you.

My personal experience with CCKG is that it is like a big family with 168 children. Most if not all parents are warm and friendly.

Declaration: I am not a doctor's wife.