Category Archives: Education

2019 Secondary 4 Week 8 Update

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This is a normal week for both BB & GG. GG had some weighted assessments (one of which was very sudden for her as she had not seen the date for this exam) and so is currently busy studying. BB, on the other hand, has his common tests starting from Monday and is still blase about it as ever.

GG suffers from examination anxiety where she pretty much freezes and forgets all her learning during an important exam. This happened to her four years back during her PSLE exams and I very strongly believe that this was the cause of her lower than expected marks in the exam. She seemed ok during the first few years of secondary school and I was relieved that she had overcome this fear. But this year, with the O levels looming, I fear this anxiety is making a come back. I have been coaching her constantly and try to motivate her, and I hope this is working. This is going to be a year-long project for me, so wish me (and GG) loads of luck.

That’s all folks from the children this week. Happy Sunday everyone!

2019 Secondary 4 Week 7 Update

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There’s really nothing that stands out this week in terms of BB & GG in school.

Weighted assessments and common tests start soon and the children are beginning to feel the pinch of having national exams at the end of the year.

I had a talk with BB earlier in the week about his future plans. I had given him time till the end of the week to think it over and then we can discuss it further. I will be speaking with him later this week on this topic.

I always wonder how it is that two children, born at the same time, given the same education and opportunities are so different. GG is so ambitious, diligent, driven to succeed and motivated. BB, on the other hand, likes to take things easy and will work hard only when it is imperative to work and seems almost disinterested and unmotivated. I really am hoping that he ups his game soon so that he is able to do the course he wants to do.

Happy Sunday folks!

2019 Sec 4 Week 6 Update

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This was a very short school and work week due to the Chinese New Year holidays.

Monday was a half day for everyone and the children were released from school around 10 am and were home for lunch. Tuesday and Wednesday were the CNY holidays and they went back to school on Thursday which was a full day of school.

Surprisingly this year, both didn’t have loads of homework during the CNY break, so the children also had a good break from their studies.

Next week will again become the hectic week they both usually have with the first common tests starting the week after.

Hopefully, I have better updates next week. Happy Sunday folks!

2019 Secondary 4 Week 5 Update

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Month one of Sec 4 is over. Next week is a very short week because of Chinese New Year. Monday is a half day with hardly any school work as the schools will celebrate CNY. They will go back to school only for two days this week.

School has been fine so far, with no major issues coming out. So I am thinking it as no news is good news.

I’ve drastically reduced BB’s computer usage from this month and when he came back saying that his friends don’t study so much, I countered that if he can get as much marks as his Best Friend (who is in the top 5 in the class) then I will back off. So we will make another call after the first common test which will take place at the end of this month.

GG, as part of being her CCA leader, was asked to meet with her school’s vice principal. The VP was meeting all CCA leaders from the graduating cohort to talk about school work and how they are coping with school and CCA pressures. He also asked about future plans and has told them to reach out to their Teachers if they need any help.

So that was our school week. Happy Sunday!!

2019 Secondary 4 Week 4 Update

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We are in the last week of January and I can’t believe that one month is over.

The children are busy with school and their schedules have been quite tight these days. They hardly have time to even go for tuitions and I’ve been quite busy trying to reschedule timings.

We also went to GG’s school for a parents night and I was quite surprised to not see enough sec 4/5 parents around. After all, this is one of the most important years for their children. I didn’t really learn more at the session, but it was good to see the principal and vice principal who are both new to the school.

The school also has been pushing the direct admission scheme to the polys and junior colleges, and while I am happy that the school is doing this, I feel this will increase competition to the courses that BB & GG are applying to.

The week after is the Chinese New Year and will be a short work and school week for everyone. I am for one, looking forward to the CNY break.

Have a wonderful Sunday folks!