After the no-tuition route that we had strongly believed in to prepare for Missy’s PSLE last year, what has happened in the year for Missy in Secondary school life? Missy did not enter a TOP branded school. We knew that was not a route for Missy and it was not a necessary path for our kids either. Missy entered a neighbourhood Secondary School. It is a perfect school for Missy. Here is why.
After receiving Missy’s PSLE results last year, we went for a big celebration regardless what results she got. If you would have remembered, we sent her a big bouquet of flowers one day before the PSLE results were out, to send her the message that we were really proud of her efforts put in rather than focusing on the 3 digit score. We went for 2 Open Houses that weekend, let Missy choose the Secondary Schools she wished to put in her Choice list, and we were happy that she got her first choice of school, a 7-minute walk neighbourhood school.
Fast forward to one year now, I must say Missy has matured in all aspects in this awesome school. It was an eye opener for Missy and for myself on what a neighbourhood Secondary school is like.
Principal
One of the most important thing we did when we visited the Open Houses and checked out the Secondary Schools is to talk to the Principals. We found out from friends in education sector about the principal of the schools, ensure they have a passion of nurturing students in all aspects apart from academic, hear from teachers’ feedback on the principals’ leadership and the changes that took place in the school under the principal. We find that this is the fastest way to help us understand if this school’s culture and values are what we wish for our child to grow up in. We were happy and convinced that from numerous sources, Missy’s current school principal is a very committed leader and have in place good initiatives that put students’ interests and growth as top priorities.
Distance from Home
I have never appreciate proximity as much as now. Missy could be home within 10 minutes. She saves lots of time from travelling and more time for rest and she can wake up at a later time.
CCAs
Interestingly, while TOP schools may have an extremely competitive and stressful selection of school team players especially when there are so many DSA players, we are happy that Missy shines in multi-CCA selections in a less competitive environment. However, she could only choose one CCA. When Missy joined the sports team, the school had never been close to entering the Nationals. After she and a few school team players from her Primary School joined the cohort, they created record and the school relived the honour of the sports! It was a proud moment that they have the potential to create history in the school! A niche CCA can really come from a humble beginning!
Leadership Opportunities
When Missy entered Secondary 1, one of my top advice to her is to encourage her to take on leadership roles whenever possible. It is not so much for the deduction of points when she goes on to post-Secondary education. It is more of a golden opportunity to learn soft skills, meet different kinds of people, deal with challenging situations and problem-solve. Missy was lucky to be the monitress cum chairperson of the monitors in her class. She faced lots of issues and challenges along the way for the entire year and there were times that it was too trying for her. But she soldiered on and we often discussed these issues on how she could have handled better or thought of creative solutions together to tackle problems. She really grew up a lot. I am so thankful for the opportunities that she had in this school.
Right now, she is in the selection stage of becoming a student leader in the school and potential Captain in her sports team. I am so proud of her. Such leadership opportunities may be more competitive in a TOP school where there are many potentials than available positions. In comparison, I would think that as long as you have a positive attitude, leadership opportunities are much within reach in a neighbourhood school.
Academic
I do not think that teachers are allocated bias-ly to different schools. In fact, I think from Missy’s experience, neighbourhood schools have good teachers too. Teachers who make a difference to the love of learning, and able to impart concepts to students for clearer understanding are good teachers, no matter where they are teaching. Coupled with the cooperation of the students’ own learning attitude, it takes two to clap. Hence, it does not mean that neighbourhood schools will not produce good students or less of them. At the end of it all, the students’ learning attitude dictates the type of students they make out to be.
School Programs
While I cannot speak for TOP schools’ programs and deemed it any fairer when budget is in the picture, I must say that neighbourhood schools have their own good curriculum too. Missy was attracted to this school when she first learnt that they have some sort of camps from Sec 1 to Sec 4. I believe other schools may have something similar. The important thing is that Missy enjoys the activities the school caters for them.
Friends
There are days and periods of time when each of our children encountered friendship issues. They were precious lessons to learn from and many good opportunities to hone their social skills. Each issue they faced and teared, was not lost to wallowing in self-pity or bad-mouthing peers. Every time it happened, I had a chance to discuss with each kid on stepping back to take a different look from another person’s perspective. It was refreshing and satisfying after the storm might be over and they see the fruits of their calm demeanor to amend, solve, make peace or the ability to see the true colours eventually. Friendship woes happen everywhere, regardless if it is a neighbourhood school or not. But in a neighbourhood school, the mix of students’ characters can be more diverse and I take it as a real society’s mix that the children will eventually see and face. Why not learn to handle and deal with a good mix of characters and differences now than later?
ATTITUDE MATTERS
The conclusion, after seeing what Missy has gone through in the entire year in this neighbourhood school, is that we are glad she has flourished in a school environment suitable for her learning pace, and plenty of opportunities to practise important life skills. It could be jolly well be a TOP branded school or a neighbourhood school like us. Nevertheless, I am convinced that with a good personal attitude towards herself and towards life, she can excel anywhere, in any school. The only difference is whether you are able to see and welcome every life’s opportunity positively or not.
Yes, environment plays a part, but if environment is such that it is not so favourable, would you be able to turn it around to your advantage such that you learn from the experience? This is what I want all my children to be and have – a POSITIVE MINDSET regardless where they are.
