Kelvin in P3 (2009)

Primary 3 was said to be a big jump from P2. And indeed it was. 


In P3 they have one additional marked subject - Science. The exam in Science, if I would compare it to that in the Philippines, is very much different and more difficult. They don't just get information from text books. The children should also read other references and should have a wide knowledge on the topics covered. The exams are not just easy multiple choice questions. Some would even require the students to have conclusions based on the situations given or experiments presented.

Double Celebration - Kelvin's Prize-Giving Ceremony

This is the other half of the double celebration.

We had to get up early, good thing Ira was feeling a little bit better than yesterday. We had to be at Montfort by 10am so we can get good seats. Kelvin was informed to be there by 10:15am or else he won't be allowed to receive his award!

We were there quite early and waited for a long time before the program started. Anyway, after a few more minutes, we were able to see Kelvin on stage, receiving his "prize" for being the first in his class.  

Kelvin receiving his prize

 We were wondering what prize was. It was a rectangular object and was gift-wrapped. Is it a plaque? or a medal in a box? A picture frame to put his awarding ceremony photo? 
 

Kelvin opened his prize after the ceremony and voila! it was a book. Not really what we had in mind as a prize for being the top in the class (cause in the Philippines he would have received a gold medal), but it was a good gift because there were some activities that we as a family can do together.

After the ceremony, we had some snacks at the canteen then headed to Plaza Singapura. We still had to look for Kelvin's reward - either a PSP or a digital watch or maybe something else. He was undecided. But he said the PSP was too expensive.


All the best in your primary school life, Kelvin!

Weekend is swimming day

from Multiply / Oct 2008

Kelvin started taking swimming lessons in June (at Hougang Swimming Complex), during the school holidays. It was supposed to be a 10-day school holiday program but we he was only able to attend 4 sessions. We had a rush-rush Philippines vacation (yes, it was really rush-rush since Mark booked the tickets only one week before departure!!). In those 4 days of swimming lessons, he learned the breathing technique and simple “floating” kind of style.

Kelvin's Choice

December 2007

We went to Vivo City because Kelvin was going to watch a movie - Golden Compass - with my SIL and her hubby. While they were in the movie house, me, Mark and Ira were at the Sky Park.

My Little Ira

 taken from Friendster Blog Oct 2007

 Ira is turning 3 soon. This year, he has wowed me with a lot of new things he has learned. 

From Ira & Kelvin

Immunization Requirements (Singapore Education)

 BCG
1 dose (usually given at birth) 

Diphtheria*, Pertussis & Tetanus
3 doses (usually given at 3, 4 & 5 months)
+1 booster dose (usually given at 18 months)

Oral Sabin (immunisation against poliomyelitis) 
3 doses (at 3, 4 & 5 months)
+ 1 booster dose (usually given at 18 months)

Measles*, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) 
1 dose (usually given at 1 – 2 years)

Hepatitis B 
3 doses (usually given at birth, 1 & 5 to 6 months)

* Immunisation against diphtheria and measles is compulsory by law in Singapore.

Details taken from MOE website 

Required Documents for Primary One Registration Exercise in Singapore

For SY 2010, taken from MOE website

A: For Children who are Singapore Citizens

1. The child’s Singapore Birth Certificate.

2. The child’s Singapore Citizenship Certificate for those who are not Singapore Citizens at the time of birth.

3. Singapore NRIC of both parents or Entry / Re-entry Permits of parents if they do not possess Singapore NRIC.

Kelvin's 1st day in P1

3 January 2007 was Kelvin's first day in Primary 1. We were all very excited for him. We had him sleep early the night before because he needs to wake up at 530am. The school bus pick up time is at 6:20am. I think I was more excited than he was because I was waking up every hour or so. I was afraid I would miss the 530am wake up time - although we set the alarm at 530, take note 2 alarms! When the alarm sounded off, I got up and prepared breakfast, then woke Kelvin up so he can take his breakfast and take a bath after. The Montfort disciplinary officer emphasized that the boys should eat heavy breakfast because sometimes they don't eat well in school.

While eating breakfast, Daddy got up and took the video cam to record Kelvin's first day in primary school. We also took pictures of him dressed up in his uniform. At 6:15am we were ready to go down and wait for the school bus. Kelvin was pretty excited. We didn't see any hesitation or nervousness or any negative feelings. He was just eager to ride the bus and get to school.

I took his photo again before riding the school bus and reminded him of the things that he should do in school - like remembering to eat his packed lunch, washing his hands after eating and going to the toilet, listening to the teacher, always following the teacher, remember his bus number and dismissal group, and all the other things he must not forget.

Around 10am, Ira and I followed him to school to attend another orientation. We missed his recess but a filipino mom said she saw him without food so she just gave him a biscuit. It turned out that her son and Kelvin are in the same class. There were 2 other Filipino students in his class.

The school has a buddy system wherein higher primary students will be assigned to P1 students so they can guide them on the first few weeks in school.

During dismissal time I saw Kelvin tagging along with another boy in his class who is taking the same bus. He looked happy.  He seemed to be comfortable in school on his first day. So I was happy too!

Primary One Registration - Golden Dragon Batch (2006)

- this blog was done way back in 2006  -

My son was born in the year of the Golden Dragon. I found out that there was going to be a big batch of enrolees as most chinese chose to have their children in this year. This means more competition in choosing the right school for him. This added to the fact that even in the usual registration, it is already such a big deal (grueling?) esp for parents who want better schools for their children. I heard that some parents even have to do volunteer work to their choice of school so that they will have priority in registering their kids there!

This put the pressure on me to find a good school for Kelvin. I prepared for it (the best that I could). The Ministry of Education (MOE) gave away leaflets/brochures to K2 students. The leaflets were like Primary One registration primers. All the information for P1 Registration is there - step by step process, phase by phase.  I also checked MOE website for more info like requirements for registration, etc.

After reading and understanding the process, my search for school started. There are a number of primary schools near our place, around 3 within 1km. I took Kelvin to Sengkang Primary School first as it was one which had a good feedback and is a few minutes walk from our place. It is a government school and a co-ed.We were met by the admin officer and were brought on a tour around the school. I also asked about the dreaded Mother Tongue and options for exemptions. After the visit, I was satisfied with the visit.There were positives and negatives. But we still have one more school of choice so decision is not until we visit Montfort Junior. It is an all-boys-catholic school located in Hougang. It was recommended by Kelvin's preschool teacher. Her nephews were studying there. Kelvin and I visited the school. We were toured around the school and were briefed on what the school has to offer for the boys. I was more comfortable with this school. First, it catered more to boys needs and they know how to discipline boy students. Second, it has good campus and facilities (catering to boys again). Third, t got a good response from the president of the parent committee, Amos Choy. The "kiasu" parent that i am, i checked the school's website and found that they have a parents committee. Who best to answer my questions than a fellow parent?? I was glad that he was such an accommodating parent (i called him while he was on the train i think). And take note i called him more than once! I asked him for his feedback on his kids - if they enjoy going to school there, if they like the programs in the school, how discipine was in the school, etc etc. To make the story short, I was glad I called him. This reinforced our decision to put Kelvin in this school. After discussing with hubby, we concluded that this was the school for him. We are Catholics and we want a school which can impose good behavior among students.

The easy part is now over. Now for the more grueling, nervous-wrecking process of registration. And most importantly, waiting for the results of registration. I checked the requirements and prepared all the documents needed for the registration. Kelvin is eligible for Phase2B - For a child whose parent has joined the school as a parent volunteer not later than 1 July 2008 and has given at least 40 hours of voluntary service to the school by 30 June 2009; or whose parent is a member endorsed by the church/clan directly connected with the school; or whose parent is endorsed as an active community leader.

So everything was set. I have submitted the registration form and Kelvin's documents. After that was to wait for the confirmation letter from the school. I received a call from the school admin officer (we were in Bangkok at the time) and was thankful that Kelvin got accepted.

Next in the agenda, orientation day.

Ira goes to Nursery School

I brought Ira to enrol in nursery school when he was 3years 6months old (that was in 2008). He was pretty excited to be in school to meet new friends and teachers.

At home, I was already teaching him basic things like colors, the alphabet and numbers among other topics. I bought him Longman Children’s Picture Dictionary which comes with a CD, which he was very interested in. The songs are very enticing. All are original compositions. Even the alphabet song was new! This book is really entertaining and educational because it has almost all of the basic things kids need to learn - alphabet, numbers, colors, shapes, things around the house, animals, vegetables, things around the community, transportation, and a lot more, in colorful pages. It prepared him for his enrolment in nursery.

He joined nursery in the second semester. July 1, his first day in nursery. We were early. He put on his uniform. I took pictures of him (as we usually do when the kids go on their “firsts” ). He carried his own bag and water bottle and was pretty much ready to go. I was a bit nervous because i don’t know how he will behave in his first day. I was thinking that i would go with him in the classroom so he would feel comfortable even with new faces (his classmates and teachers) around him. But to my surprise, his classmates were quite friendly. A boy, Raunak, was talking to him and sort of welcoming him while they were still queueing to go inside the classroom.

in his PE uniform

When it was time to go inside the classroom Ira was asking me to go with him. But the chinese teacher brought him inside, to be with his classmates. The teacher said that if everything is ok with him then i don’t need to go in. I left the centre wondering if Ira would adjust well in his new environment. I was sort of waiting for a call from the teacher telling me that he is crying and looking for me. But that did not happen at all.

When i came to pick him up, what i saw was a smile as he stepped out of the classroom. Ira was happy he has a lot of kids to play with. I am glad he enjoyed his first day in school.