The Complete Guide for PSLE Parents Open House for Secondary Schools 2024
After the hurdle of PSLE is over, parents need to guide their children to choose a secondary school. The stakes in secondary school are higher, as the topics students learn grow increasingly complex. Students will also need to undertake more subjects in secondary school, as well as balance CCA commitments and other activities. As children grow to become teenagers, they may face other issues such as their changing moods and bodies, as well as peer pressure and expectations of them from parents, teachers, and themselves.
When parents walk their child through their secondary school journey, there are many things they need to consider. Open communication and honesty should be paramount when discussing what kinds of secondary schools your child wants to go to, as well as their potential subject combination, career paths, and views. Parents and students may attend open houses to find out more about what the school cultures of their chosen institutions are like.
1. What are My Child’s Aptitudes and Interests?
Knowing what your child’s aptitudes and interests is highly important when deciding on a secondary school. Parents should find out what appeals to their child and what are their common worries when entering secondary school. Discussions should be had with their child about their favourite lessons in primary school and what they think they are good at. Different schools have different specialty subjects and paces of learning, and it is important for students to pick a school where they can truly thrive and flourish as they grow into teens.
Parents should be honest and sincere in finding out what matters to their child. When their child talks about their passions, parents should not be quick to play devil’s advocate and shoot them down, or give a contrasting opinion – at times, their child is just looking for someone to reassure them that they are on the right track and that they will be there for them, no matter what. Parents should try to lend a listening ear to their child’s fears and worries.
2. Where Should the Location of the School Be?
Some institutions of choice are very far away from home. Taking a long commute to and from school may be physically and mentally taxing, especially if the student is part of a high-commitment CCA which requires them to stay back in school until late. As students have many things to juggle – the secondary school workload and their other commitments are just some things that come to mind – they may not appreciate a long commute to and from school.
Parents should have frank conversations with their children about how they are going to get to and from school, and whether going to an institution of their choice is worth the long commute. As secondary school is a marathon, not a sprint, students need to put up with 4 years of long commutes to go to their chosen school if the place is far from home.
3. What Do I Want My School Experience to Be Like?
Secondary school is filled with many memorable school experiences which students will remember for a lifetime. There are many different CCAs and programmes to join, both within and outside of school. Students will be exposed to so many different people and programmes, which will benefit them in future as they will have experience organising events and taking part in competitions. Different schools will have different specialty subjects and CCAs, and doing some research before deciding which school to apply to may benefit your child.
Certain institutions have a strong school culture, which will be proudly displayed during the open house. Students can talk to their peers and parents who may know more about the school culture of a particular institution. When going to an open house, students will experience the school culture firsthand. They can have conversations with their parents or friends about the people they meet and the general atmosphere of the school before deciding.
To conclude, parents should sit down with their child and look at their aptitudes, attitude, and interests holistically before deciding. Parents should shortlist schools and use all 6 options to increase your child’s chance of being posted to a school of their choice. In this list, parents should include two or three schools where their child’s PSLE score is better than the school’s cut-off point for the previous year. Ranking your child’s preferred school higher in the choice order will increase the chance of your child being posted there if tiebreakers are needed.
In secondary school, parents should also think about how their child’s English proficiency will affect their proficiency in all other subjects. Every subject in school (barring their Mother Tongue) is taught in the English language, and having a better mastery and command of the language will help students master their other subjects as well. Furthermore, English is a compulsory subject, and students are required to at least achieve a pass if they want to attain a spot in a Junior College or a polytechnic. If your child is struggling with English, come visit Writers At Work to find out how we can help! With our dedicated team of teachers and relevant syllabus, your child will be able to tackle secondary school English in no time!
School Directory (by MOE)
Disclaimer: As of 30th April 2024, the information below is correct. Parents who want more updates and information should check the respective schools’ websites for details.
Prepare Your Child for Secondary School with Writers At Work!
English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.
At WR!TERS@WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. W@W reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how W@W makes a difference, feel free to explore our website and watch our YouTube videos!
If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WR!TERS@WORK has expanded to 8 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WR!TERS@WORK!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
1. How Can I Improve My English Creative Writing Skills?
The secret to writing better is to practice more while emulating good examples of writing. Having constructive feedback is extremely important in honing your creative writing skills, as often, students are not aware of what they are doing right or wrong. Trying to copy good examples of writing will help the student intuitively pick up essential skills like grammar rules and vocabulary. Reading good examples of writing will also give the student more ideas.
2. What is the Main Purpose of Creative Writing?
Creative writing helps students express their thoughts more clearly and develop a sense of logic. In crafting a believable plot which flows properly given the premise and characters the story features, a student will be able to hone their critical thinking and their ability to put things in a systematic manner. Creative writing is further important for communicating ideas concisely.
3. What is the Benefit of Creative Writing Classes?
Having good feedback will help a student tremendously, as parents often leave creative writing to the student to “do their best and see how it goes”. However, this is the wrong approach to creative writing – like all skills, creative writing can be taught. It will require a significant amount of work and trial and error to get right, but it is certainly a skill worth learning.
4. How Do You Make a Creative Writing Class Interesting?
Making a creative writing class interesting is something that W@W specialises in! Teachers are engaging, fun, and witty, allowing students to explore many possibilities of plots and characters. Our composition topics are funny and memorable, allowing students to draw on them when they face their actual exam questions. Students participate in discussions with their classmates, giving them the chance to speak up and voice out their own thoughts and ideas during the lesson.
5. Who Benefits From Creative Writing?
The benefits from creative writing are lifelong – all throughout our lives, we will need to communicate with people important to us, not only at work but also in our personal lives. Being able to express our thoughts and ideas clearly is highly important to ensure other people understand what we are saying. By having a logical flow to our thoughts, other subjects in school will become much easier to learn. After all, the English language is the foundation to everything.
