2011: Turning points for my 2 boys

2011 is going to be a challenging year for my boys.

Ira just entered primary school. He is P1 at Montfort Junior School. So far it has been a good adjustment period for him. I guess that's because he didn't have to "adjust" to the environment so much. He has been going in and out of the school whenever Kelvin had events in the past 4 years. He is also quite sociable so I didn't really about him having new friends. And he is quite vocal and independent. On his first day in school he already bought his drinks from the canteen drink shop! That's an accomplishment I should say. The term is almost ending and he has shown some improvements in his hand writing, reading, vocabulary and grammar skills, as well as MT language learning skills. I think it helped that they have a new teaching method and assessment method for P1 and P2. Hopefully, he could progress as expected of a P1 student, if not better. His form teacher and MT teacher has given him good feedback during the parent engagement session. I'm hoping he will continue to do a good job in class.

Kelvin, on the other hand, is now in P5. The starting point in preparing for PSLE. First week in class and they have already been asked about their target PSLE mark! I think it's good in a way because it gives the students a goal to look forward to and work on. It will keep them focused on their studies to reach their desired marks. So far he has been doing ok in his English and MT spelling, considering he doesn't have his MT tutor now. They have more homeworks now compared to last year. And the math problems are becoming more and more difficult. Sometimes even I couldn't figure out the solutions! It's going to be a big challenge for him to do better. The hardwork that he puts in this year will have an effect on how he will fair in the coming PSLE next year. He just needs to be more focused. And he really needs to believe in himself. His teacher gave a good feedback on him based on his performance in class. With consistent monitoring on my side, and more focus, practice and self-confidence on his side, this year will be fruitful for us.