Headache?? ESF Beacon Hill or Creative??

marmama

My son is now studying grade 1 at Creative Primary school at Kowloon Tong.  It is indeed just started for few days only.  Yesterday, I'd got a call from Beacon Hill and ask if I can bring my son for interview on next Tues for interview.  If it is okay, they will expect him to start at their school on the coming Monday.  

I have the struggle whether it will be a good choice for my son if the enrollment is succeeded at BHS.  The teacher at Creative is very kind and patient.   They taught to the student really from their heart.  My son likes to have attention from the teacher and he is a very active boy that is why the ratio of teacher and student at creative is very good for him.  But the expensive monthly school fee (HKD6,000/mth excl. the fee for school bus and lunch box) is also my consider.   

Is anyone can help me out about this decision?  Or anyone can share more about the teacher in the BHS.  

Thanks a lot
Marmama

MomMom

BHS call you for which grade?  Primary 1 or 2?  What is the age of your boy?

Creative is a local school while BHS is an Int'l school.  The future way is different.  What is your perference?  What is the ratio of teacher/student in creative?

marmama

MomMom,

My son is 6 years old.  The officer of BHS told me that the interview is for primary 1 but they called it P.2, as K3 is their P.1.

In Creative, my son's class has 20 students with 2 teachers.  They taught Chinese and Putonghua lesson in Mandarin.  English and General Science / Studies in Eng.  Math. in Chinese.  

For me, I would like to give him a try for the interview.  But my worry is if my son is capable with full speak in English for all the classes and also communicate with the teacher and classmates.  He normally speak Cantonese with us at home and speak Eng. to the Philipano.  In summer, I had sent him to the YMCA English day camp.  I found him is only so so.   But if I really give him a try at BHS (if the interview is passed), it would be difficult for me to find another school to him or even going back to Creative Primary school.  

I don't know what can I do now.  Maybe I am just thinking too much.

Marmama

MomMom

I fully understand about your worry.  Same as you, my daughter was invited for an interview in BHS P.6 next Tuesday.  I think my case worse than you.  But I will try and persuade her to change if she admitted.  I have no confident that she will pass.  

When you apply BHS, why they call you interview of P.2?  Have you apply their P.1 before?

My son is now studying in BHS P.1, so my daughter is sibling so has chance for interview.

marmama

I had sent the application since my son was 4 years old.  Last year, they still ask me to update the info. on the waiting list and at that time they told me they have a very long waiting list.   So it is quite a sudden to receiving their call 2 days ago.   I have a friend's son was invited for interview on last Thursday for P.3 and have the confirmation by phone on Friday and ask him to start the class on Monday this week.   Indeed the arrangement looks very strange to me.  

Your son was now at BHS P.1, is everything fine for him and how about the teachers there??   The officer told me that they will finish all the works at school and don't get any homework at home, it that true??  Besides, it is indeed a very long hour at Creative from 7:50 am to 3:05 pm (Mon. to Thurs.) and till 3:45am (Fri.).  My son is now having problem in the sleeping time.  I sent him to bed at about 9:30pm but still very difficult to wake him up at about 6:45am on the next morning.   And I know that BHS has the class started at 8:30am and finished at 2:30pm which I feel much reasonable for a P.1 or 2 student.

MomMom

Would you mind to tell me your friend's boy who attended P.3 interview last week was study in local school before?  Which school?  Does his English standard is good?  Do you think it is easy to be admitted.  I'm very worry that my daughter will be failed in the interview as her oral is not too good.

It is too early to give you comment about BHS as my boy study there for 5 days only.  But my impression to BHS is quite good.  Yes it is no homework.

The school hour of BHS is 8:45am - 2:45pm.  The time really very good.

marmama

My friend's son was studying in CIAS before.   Therefore, Eng. is not a problem for him and I heard from my friend that his son did not find any problem at all in ESF clearwater bay.  

I asked my son if he want to change a new school if

1) no home work
2) shorter school hour
3) English speaking

He said it is okay.  But I am also quite worry about the interview in full English, as he did interview at CIAS but he did not answer any questions as he don't like the principal there.   He told me that she looks very fierce.  

wewangwang

Dear marmama,

You applied BH two years ago so I believe this is your dream school. Please treasure this chance as BH seems to be much  more  difficult to get in than 'Creative'. In case your son really do not adapt to BH life, I think it's not so difficult to 'return' to 'Creative'. But I think kids this will unlikely to hanppen as kids can easily settle in new school life and make thier own friends again.

Good luck and  best wishes to you and MomMom.  

MomMom

wewangwang,

Thank you.

marmama,

Agree with wewangwang.  Take it easy and good luck to both of us.

Regards

marmama

Dear wewangwang,

It is exactly what I had made.  I talked to my son already and he is willing to go for the interview.  Anyway, it is all depend on his performance.  But anyway, thanks for your advice.

Dear MomMom,
Good luck to your girl also.  I think too much pressure for both the parent and children is not a good way to solve the problem.

babyjc

Hello MomMom,
Do you mind telling how your son is doing in P1? Is he happy, is Chinese taught really next to nothing? What are your comments on this school? No one seems to have much comments on this school. Any comments on the teachers? Sorry for so many questions and thanks in advance! Pls pm me if not convenient to post reply. Thanks again and desperate for some comments on BHS as my boy has been accepted and I'm in a dilemma to decide!

原帖由 MomMom 於 04-9-10 10:56 發表
Would you mind to tell me your friend's boy who attended P.3 interview last week was study in local school before?  Which school?  Does his English standard is good?  Do you think it is easy to be adm ...

lottieclee

If I were you, go for the interview then decide when you get the admission call from BHS.

Your son needs the chance to visit the school and sees whether he likes it or not

Good Luck