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ESF vs Singapore Int'l School

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Dec 2006
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    Hong Kong
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    5

    ESF vs Singapore Int'l School

    I have my son studying at K1 at ESF, and we are recently offered a reception class at Singapore Int'l School.

    It is a difficult decision as both schools are very different. Our son is very happy at ESF and we also love the reputation of the school (though always good or bad comment but to me it is a great and well established school organisation).

    On the other hand, SIS focus on academic acheiverment through test and homework, and has strict discipline but the through-train system as well as the strong second language teaching in Mandarin are the advantage. What i concerned a bit is the quality of students at SIS that under a traditonal exam based system and strict discpline, would children just learn to be "obedient' rather than vocal to express their view, lack of self confidence and reluctant to stand for their viewpoint? Would the SIS parent correct me if I am wrong.

    We are a typical HK family, and no particular preference in any countries for his tertiary education. We incline to choose SIS for the obvious reasons mentioned above but it is not easy to decide to give up a seat at ESF that has been our dream school and these days it has long waiting list (though there is no guarantee for the primary admission).

    Is there anyone having similar situation as ours? Anyone previously studying at esf moved to SIS?

    Bi-lingual teaching is the key consideration of our choice of school. If the mandrain at ESF is not sufficient, i would put my son in private tuition. Would that be as efficient as the classroom teaching in mandarin that SIS can provide?

    Can anyone share the experience and provide their insight.


  2. #2

    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    Hong Kong
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    I think you've answered your own question.

    Just so you know, Renaissance College (a PIS under the ESF umbrella) has one of the strongest Putonghua curriculum around. Traditional putonghua is taught not simplified putonghua. There are 3 Putonghua streams for 3 different sorts of pupils based on ability.

    We're waiting for our ESF/PIS application results and rooting for RC because of their ever growing reputation and respect for Chinese (as an important language). They take it very seriously there. But RC is over subscribed. This year, there were 603 applications for 150ish places.

    All other ESF schools will probably not cater for your bilingual needs. Putonghua is taught as a foreign language (not a second language).


  3. #3

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    Dec 2006
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    Hong Kong
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    Thanks TheQuasimother. Wish you luck in getting application of ESF and RC.

    Do we stand good chance to get into the ESF P1 if we are the ESF kinder students. What is the success rate this year?

    Another reason i want to change to SIS because of the train through system that will be otherwise a risk for me if we stay at ESF kinder to get to ESF P1 when there is no guarantee admission.


  4. #4

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    Nov 2009
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    Hong Kong
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    Wongdym, our son got into the ESF school we applied to. Still waiting for RC to respond.

    Whether or not an ESF school has a place for your child depends on whether you are in Cat 1 or 2 and your catchment area. The number of applications at all ESF schools seem to worsen each year but in general, if you are in Cat. 1, you'll get in (if you've attended the kindergarten for at least 2 terms). If you're in Cat. 2 (and you're a new applicant), it depends on which school you applied to. E.g. Shatin Junior is very popular so you may not get a spot but be placed on a waitlist because of the high number of Cat. 2 applicants. For my son's school, everyone who applied - Cat 1 or 2, got in (even though there were 4 times more applications this year than places).

    To be honest, I would go with SIS if I'm looking for a bilingual education, especially for the kids to come out with Chinese as a Second Language (Not foreign language). I have no faith in ESF's ability in general to produce bilingual kids (without external parental intervention/support). RC though, is different - based on what I hear (from other parents with children there).

    The governance at SIS is probably better in terms of expectation of quality of education because it is answerable to the MOE in Sg. There are variances in the ESF system.

    Good Luck with your choice.


  5. #5

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    Dec 2006
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    Hong Kong
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    thanks so much TheQuasimother


  6. #6

    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Midlevels
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    We just heard from our ESF (Peak) for Primary 1. We got an email yesterday saying that letters had been mailed and it arrived this afternoon. I think all the ESF's are on the same schedule for sending out letters, etc so I imagine most people will know shortly.

    We had our assessment at SIS a few weeks ago, but haven't heard back from them yet.


  7. #7

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    HK Island
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    If you have a confirmed spot from SIS I would go with that. ESF is indeed madness, and it doesn't seem to get any better, so you would have no guarantee for next year, even with ESF Kindy.

    We got our letters today from ESF (QBS), and my friend at Glenealy as well.


  8. #8

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    Nov 2009
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    Hong Kong
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    We've received all our letters from all schools under the ESF umbrella we applied to.

    Seriously, I think if you're in Cat 2 with no sibling priority, skip ESF and go for SIS.


  9. #9

    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    16

    Hi TheQuasimother, would you say the a child in cat1 who is currently attending an ESF kinder will have guarantee spot in ESF primary (assuming he/she performs well at the interview)? Which one do they give priority to - cat 1 but not esf kinder background or cat2 but with esf kinder background?


  10. #10

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    HK Island
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    No guarantees for siblings and ESF kindy! Priority interview but that's it! Technically Cat 1 w/o ESF Kindy should have priority over Cat 2 w/ ESF Kindy, but I am not sure how this works in reality. However, I have heard of Cat 2 w/ ESF Kindy not getting interviews this year.


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