Navigating the Maze: A Guide to Singapore's Primary 1 Registration Phases

For Singaporean parents with little ones nearing five years old, the annual Primary 1 registration exercise can feel like entering a complex maze. With its intricate phases and eligibility criteria, securing that coveted school spot can seem daunting. But fear not! This blog aims to illuminate the path, shedding light on each phase and guiding you through the registration process with confidence.

Phase 1: Siblings First!

Like a warm handshake at the entrance, Phase 1 welcomes children with siblings already enrolled in your desired school. It's a family affair, prioritizing continuity and building upon established connections. If your kiddo has a sibling paving the way, this phase offers the smoothest entry point.

Phase 2A: Alumni Advantage and Proximity Perks

Think of Phase 2A as a two-part gateway. In 2A(1), alumni pride takes center stage. Children of former students get a chance to follow in their parents' footsteps, fostering a school's legacy. Then, 2A(2) throws open the doors to the immediate neighborhood. If your home falls within the magical 1km radius, this phase promises a familiar path to your preferred school.

Phase 2B: Expanding the Circle

Step outside the 1km zone, and Phase 2B welcomes you with open arms. This phase caters to families living within the 2km radius, offering a wider pool of school options. If your desired school lies just beyond your doorstep, this phase might be your key to a successful registration.

Phase 2C: Open Sesame for All!

For those who haven't found their perfect fit yet, Phase 2C swings wide the doors to all Singaporean citizens and permanent residents. It's a melting pot of possibilities, where preferences take a backseat to available vacancies. While competition can be fierce, this phase offers a chance for serendipitous discoveries and hidden gems.

Phase 2C Supplementary: A Second Shot at Success

Didn't secure a spot in your dream school? Don't fret! Phase 2C Supplementary provides a second chance. This phase allocates any remaining vacancies based on various criteria, offering another opportunity to snag that coveted place.

Remember:

• This info here is a simplified overview. For detailed information and eligibility criteria, always refer to the official MOE website.
• The registration process is dynamic, so stay updated on the latest announcements and guidelines.
• Don't get overwhelmed! Choose schools that align with your child's needs and values, not just based on perceived popularity.
• Trust your instincts and approach the process with patience and a positive attitude.

With careful planning and a good understanding of the phases, you can navigate the Primary 1 registration maze with confidence, ensuring your child's smooth transition into the exciting world of primary school. And hey, who knows, maybe this blog has served as your Ariadne's thread, guiding you out of the labyrinth and towards your ideal school destination!

Bonus Tip: Don't hesitate to seek help from the MOE and school officials throughout the process. They are there to guide you and make this important milestone as smooth as possible.

Good luck on your registration journey!

Official Resources:

• Ministry of Education (MOE) Primary 1 Registration website
• Primary 1 Registration Phases and Key Dates
• How to register for P1

Additional Resources:

• SchoolFinder
• Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) 

#SGParents #SingaporeEducation #Primary1Registration #SchoolChoice #PrimarySchool#SingaporeanSchools #SingaporePrimarySchools

Watching for Signs of Distress in Children

When our children are going through distress, they send out warning signs through their behaviour, but do we know what to watch for? Are we catching the signals for help being sent out?

Being familiar with these distress signs will help us identify problems early. If these signs are present in combination, or in more extreme or long-lasting forms, it may be an indication that your child is experiencing significant distress. If in doubt, please seek help and advice from your child's School Counsellor or mental health professionals. If you suspect your child is at risk of suicide, get help immediately from SOS 1800 221 4444.

Also, find out more about how parents can talk about issues related to anxiety, distress and suicide. 

	DISTRESS SIGNS	EXAMPLES THAT MAY INDICATE POSSIBLE MALADAPTIVE BEHAVIOUR
D	Displaying out-of character behaviour	Becoming quieter or more talkative than usual Giving away possessions Saying goodbye to loved ones Behaving strangely Talking and/or writing about things that do not make sense (including online behaviour) Complaints of unexplained pains
I	Injuries that are unexplained	Bruises, burns, cuts or scars on bodies Tendency to hurt self
S	Sudden changes in appearance, interests or habits	Neglecting personal appearance and/or well-being Unkempt appearance Poor hygiene Sleeping or eating too little or too much Sudden loss of interest in previously pleasurable activities Sudden loss of interest in studies
T	Temperamental changes	Becoming more irritable, agitated, moody, stressed or anxious than usual Expressions of worry, anxiety and/or fear
R	Rebellious/ aggressive behaviour	Display of defiant behaviour Unaccountable rage, anger and/or aggression Overly irritable or hostile Excessive smoking and/or drinking Drug abuse
E	Extended absence/ deliberate social withdrawal	Unexplained and repeated absence or truancy Declining to join social activities Becoming withdrawn and avoiding others Having a lack of social contact
S	Struggling to pay attention/ increased lethargy	Inattentiveness Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
S	Sending/ posting moody or morbid messages (including expressions of death)	Expressing frequent negative and/or illogical thoughts Expressing feelings of hopelessness, helplessness and worthlessness, and/or perceived loss of control Threatening or expressing plans to hurt or kill themselves

This article was originally published on SCHOOLBAG The Education News Site

Suicide Games and Online Media: What Should Parents Do?

You may have heard of the Blue Whale game and Thirteen Reasons Why (13RW), or them trending on your social media feed. Such content has been circulating and may negatively influence our children to view suicide as a viable way to deal with their problems, or even romanticise or glamourise the act of suicide.

Thirteen Reasons Why (13RW) is a fictional story released on Netflix surrounding the traumatic events recounted by a high school student who chose to end her life by suicide. The sinister but unverified Blue Whale game allegedly incites teenage players to carry out tasks involving self-harm in a 50-day period and culminates in a final task to commit suicide in order to win the game.

While it is difficult to verify if suicide deaths are caused by online games, such games with dark themes related to self-harm or suicide are still of concern.

Viral content about self-harm or suicide is worrying and raises important questions about media influence and the power of social media. As parents, we play a very critical protective role that can minimise the negative effects of such exposure.

1. Teach our children media literacy to discern between fake and real events
2. Help our children discern and avoid online gaming or social communities that could present risks of suicide contagion
3. Take stock of the media influences that our children are exposed to
4. Engage in conversation with our children to find out what they have been watching or playing online
5. Encourage our children to post sensitively on social media so that they do not contribute to rumours or reports that sensationalise suicide

As we talk to our children, we need not be hyper-vigilant or transfer our anxiety to them, but instead communicate our concern for their well-being and a commitment to support them through any struggles they may be facing. Together, we can help them build their resilience to overcome challenges without resorting to suicide or maladaptive behaviour.

Here are some pointers on how to talk about issues related to anxiety, distress and suicide.

1. First, know the warning signs

When our children are going through distress, they send out warning signs through their behaviour. But are we catching the signals for help being sent out? Look out for these signs and read more about distress signs and behaviour.

1. Displaying out-of character behaviour
2. Injuries that are unexplained
3. Sudden changes in appearance, interests or habits
4. Temperamental changes
5. Rebellious/ aggressive behaviour
6. Extended absence/ deliberate social withdrawal
7. Struggling to pay attention/ increased lethargy
8. Sending/ posting moody or morbid messages (including expressions of death)

2. Talk about your child’s thoughts and feelings

Start with some questions to show concern for your child’s well-being, such as, “I noticed that you…. Is there anything you would like to share?” or “Is there something troubling you?”

Take your child’s comments seriously. Refrain from minimising what they are feeling or telling them that they should not feel negative about something. That could pose a barrier for them to open up further. Instead, be open and empathetic by showing that you are trying to understand what they are thinking and feeling. Don’t judge them or their thoughts. Listen, and be caring and kind.

3. Discuss what your child has seen or heard

If your child shares that he/she has watched a movie or played a game that has themes of self-harm or suicide, discuss his/her thoughts and feelings. Share that while people may identify with the characters in a movie or story, there are many healthy ways to cope with the issues faced and acting on suicidal thoughts is not one of them. Most people who have distressful experiences will reach out to someone, talk to others, and seek help. They can also find other positive ways of coping such as exercising, finding ways to de-stress and doing breathing exercises.

If your child has watched 13RW in particular, check out these points you could use as you talk with your child.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask your child a direct question about suicide

Contrary to what we may think, asking them such questions does not put the idea in their head but invites them to share what they are feeling without stigma or shame. Direct questions could include, “Are you having thoughts about killing yourself?” or “Do you wish you could end your life?”

If you suspect your child is in danger, get help immediately from SOS 1800 221 4444 or speak to your child’s School Counsellor. Ensure your child’s physical safety and explain that you cannot keep the secret but need to break confidentiality to get the help that they need. Remind them that the thoughts of suicide are just thoughts and that they need not act on them. The impulse to do so may pass after a while.

5. Use the S.P.A.C.E tips

The S.P.A.C.E tips can guide your conversation and foster resilience in the longer term.

(Click to download)

6. Encourage a healthy lifestyle and a wide range of coping strategies

Encourage your child to develop a sleeping routine to help them get a good night’s sleep. For example, waking up and getting to bed at the same time, avoiding caffeine during lunchtime and shutting down electronics before bedtime.

Physical activities can help relieve stress and provide a good distraction from worries. Find a physical activity to carry out together with your child if your child is struggling to get active, or play sports with friends. Eating well can also help with sleep and general health and wellbeing. A well-balanced diet helps the body and brain to function well.

Other coping strategies include talking with people they trust, keeping a journal, drawing and expressing themselves through art, practising relaxation and deep breathing. It is helpful to build up a toolbox of a variety of coping strategies.

7. Encourage your child to be a positive influence

You can also encourage your child to be a voice of hope and positive influence for his/her peers. Your child can play his/her part to look out for warning signs if a peer is distressed or at risk of suicide. Encourage your child to refer the friend immediately to a trusted adult for help.

This article was originally published on SCHOOLBAG The Education News Site

Life Size Zoo - Books I Got For My Kid

My wife came across this series of books that have pictures of the animals which unfold to life sizes.
As my kid love animals and love to read. These books would be a great addition for our library.

However, getting the books from within Singapore are really expensive. Each book cost almost $40 dollars!  An so i turn to amazon. Just around $12 - $13 USD per book! that works out to be less than $20 SGD.  And with vPOSTUSA shipping the books into Singapore will take only about a week.  And so i decided to buy more copies for friends and family, averaging out the shipping cost on the books will save more money than buying them in Singapore!

Each book cost around $13 USD = $16.90 SGD
Shipping for each book cost $6.99 SGD so total cost me = $6.99 + 16.90 = $23.89
Per shipping of books cost $8.99 so total for 7 books is 23.89 X 7 + 8.99 = SGD 176.22
Average out across 7 books, each book only cost me 176.22 / 7 = SGD $25.20
This is more than $10 savings off the price per book i can get off Singapore's book store!

Here are the books that i bought:



I wanted to get this too. But at the time of buying, the book is just for preorder for 2012...



Anyway.... I am eagerly awaiting the shipment =D

St. Hilda’s Primary School Awarded School Excellence Award 2010

Quoted from MOE website:

"
Three schools are awarded both the pinnacle School Excellence Award for educational excellence and the Best Practice Award for Student All Round Development for holistic development of their students under the Ministry of Education (MOE) Masterplan of Awards (MoA)¹ 2010. The three schools are St. Hilda's Primary, Chung Cheng High (Main) and Dunman Secondary. In addition to the two awards, Dunman Secondary is also conferred the Outstanding Development Award for Character Development this year. A total of 225 schools will receive 467 Special²and Level Two³ Awards under the MoA. These awards will be presented to the schools at the 2010 MOE Work Plan Seminar on 23 September 2010 by Minister for Education, Dr Ng Eng Hen.
"

The School Excellence Award recognises schools for their excellence in both education processes and outcomes. It is the highest and most prestigious award under the MoA structure and serves as a mark of distinction for schools that have sustained achievements in a wide spectrum of student development processes.

For more information about MOE's award. Check out MOE Awards Information

Disciplining Kids :: Different strokes for different folks

SINGAPOREANS sometimes assume that since I'm a white guy, I don't cane my kids.

I do.

I'm not proud of the fact, but neither am I particularly ashamed - I file it under "You gotta do what you gotta do."

When my youngest son Skyler was still a toddler, he had a problem with biting.

Well, actually, HE didn't have a problem. He bit just fine.

It was the people he bit who had the problem.

One night while my wife and I were getting the kids ready for bed, Skyler bit his big brother Jet on the arm.

He filed it under "When diplomacy fails."

But I was having none of it.

I got the cane from the next room, and then returned to the kids' bedroom.

"Skyler," I said, "do you want to bite Jet again?"

My adorable little angel nodded his head, a beatific grin on his face.

Then he went in for the kill.

And I whacked him.

Read More from Asiaone
This article was first published in The New Paper

P1 exams to be abolished by 2013

There will be no exams for primary one students across the nation by
2013. That is the target put forth by the Ministry of Education for all
primary schools, reported the Straits Times.

The implementation follows positive feedback received from 16 schools
that participated in the pilot programme for the new learning methods to
support students' learning and development.

... Read more at Asiaone ...