Yew Chung Vs Anfield

buu0605

1) which one's playgroup/prenursury/kindergarten is better?  Pls share any of your comments.  I want to train language skills and want my son to be more outgoing and independent, and happy learning.

2) when should I apply if I want to join their playgroup when my son is 1 yrs old?

3) it it easy to switch to mainstream kindergarten like St. Catherine, HKPS and then mainstream primary schools? which one provides better chance?  

4) if continue to be in international schools in primary education, which one will the Anfield students normally go?  

5) what kind of curriculum do they adopt (US or British oriented)?  

Great thanks.    

Fattymom

buu0605,

I may try to answer some of your questions.

1. Anfield is famous for its languages training and discipline. My son is very very ....happy

2. the minimum age for Anfield playgroup is 1.5 yrs.

3. last year, 4 of my son's classmates went to St.catherine for K1.  Another one is offered a place in K2 next year (applied to late)

4. most of anfield kids go to IS, otherwise, they will go to local kinders, like st. catherine for K2

5. Anfield - UK oriented

Make an appointment with the targeted schools, u can make up your mind afterwards.

sks

Fattymom,

As I help my daughter applying Anfield K1, I would like to know more about it, could you please give some comments for the followings (for kindergarten):
1) Does the mobiliy of teachers high?
2) Does the mobility of student in K1, K2 high?
    You have mentioned, some of the child will go to   
    local kinder.

Fattymom

sks,

sorry for my late reply.  The mobility of teachers is not high.  For this year, 1 P.E. teacher, 1 Mandarin teacher & 1 teaching assistant are changed.  The teachers are quite stable.  As the school is small, they like a big family.  

The mobiity of student is higher for my class (7 classmates have left).  Last year, most of the classmates are 3 yrs sth., they are not eligible to the local school or another Int'l kinder; and therefore they studied at Anfield for one year and left.  Nevertheless, their classes are always full.  The mobility is not so serious that would affect the kids. .  sks, have u ever visited the school?

sks

Fattymom,
My daughter has joined the Sat playground.
I found the mobility of student at playground is high, therefore, I would like to know if it is the same for K1 too.

My daughter will study K1 in Anfield next year.
To be honest, up to now, I still not yet make up my mind wether to let her study ESF or local DSS (for primary) as I would like her to learn Chinese.

RC seems to be a choice for me, but it is too new.

sks

Fattymom,
Should be Sat playgroup    

buu0605

Thanks for the info. re: Anfield.  Can anyone share more or comment on Yew Chung Vs Anfield?  esp. on what students can learn and what kinds of kindergarten/primary schools the kids will usu. go?  Thanks.     

KaKaYa

If you've interest , you can read this message and some comment for this school.I think it was so amazing and very sad in this school student/their parents.
http://www.baby-kingdom.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?mode=viewtopic&topic_id=752872&forum=43&start=30&viewmode=flat&order=1

Re: Comment on 耀中國際學校(九龍塘)  
Yew Chung Kindergarten -- very good; based on feedback from many parents who have kids attending the kindy.

Peronal opinions on primary and secondary

Primary -- fine and children generally have an enjoyble learning experience. Some teachers are good and caring. But parents should note a few things:

Chinese curriculum -- use material from Mainland China, not suitable for local context; some kids struggle and are not successful in building up a solid foundation in Chinese language; standard of their self-developed textbooks may not reflect the actual standard of students, esp their writing skill!

English -- definitely stronger than local schools ( esp reading ability) but not as strong when compared with other IS; absence of an English speaking environment due to very few native English speakers among students

Very expensive school fee ( over $12,000 per month); not value for money in terms of campus facilities (very small campus) and the range of extra-curricular activities offered.

Secondary -- a total disappointment in all aspects! My opinions based on the experience of my child:

Academic standard not good; poor results in public exams.

Rapid expansion of enrolment in the last few years has led to the admission of students with poor standard and discipline problems.

Low morale (as I perceive) among teachers. Many students have a negative feeling towards the school.

School not responsive at all to parents' feedbacks; no parent teacher association so far despite strong request from parents; strong resistance from school against forming PTA.

Substandard campus at the moment; new campus ready in early 2007 but $200,000 debenture, in addition to the very expensive school fee ( actually all fees at YC are expensive: lunch, uniform etc)

A note of caution: YC is opening new schools (one after one) in the various parts of China. Parents can't help feeling that the money they invest in their children's education have been channelled to China!

Anna-friend

Hi, very happy to see this panel of discussion.  I am considering to put my two and a half year old child into preparation class, and perhaps later kinder.  Will the school offer a lot of freedom for the child?  Are the teachers loving and caring?  And in K1-3, will Anfield teach Chinese lessons ?  

If comparing Anfield and kindergartens like St Cat  or other similar schools, sure Anfield will deliver much better English teaching.  Besides this, what are the strength of studing in Anfield?  

Do you think it is possible for the child to enter good local schools after K3?  Is it really hard for child to learn Chinese in an international environment, if parents pay more efforts?  

Someone say the school is a bit worn out...but I think as long as things are safe, that is okay.

Look forwards to more opinion sharing. Thank you.