National/Private/International Schools??

My kids are a little bit like nomads...

All 3 of them studied in Chinese primary school, before they went through a series of different education:

1. The eldest joined a private school after completing secondary 3 in a national school.

2. The middle child joined a private school a few months after entering secondary 1 in a national school. (PT3 was introduced the year she started her form 1). And entered an international school after her form 3 exam

3. The youngest one joined private school right after standard 6, and will switch to international school next month for year 10 (she is currently in form 2)

Not sure shall I thank or blame our ever changing education system...

Actually there are many students from national schools doing very well in major exams, including SPM and A Level. Some parents will say "We were also from national school and we survived well too. No point of sending them to private or international school".

But how many choices we had last time?

Yes. It very much depends on the kids. Those hardworking kids will survive academically. 

But I also found out many students from private and international schools are doing as well too, and they are also as polite and humble (I must admit I once stereotyped those from expensive international schools as spoilt rich kids).

But education is not only about academic achievement!

Do they enjoy their schools, teachers and friends? Are there sufficient facilities and activities for them to take part and unleash their potential? Do they have more dedicated teachers than the less dedicated and inspiring ones? (trust me, every school has good and not very good teachers, but the ratio is different)

I believe every kid is like a seed that requires specific type of fertiliser and environment. Some may be strong in science subjects and others in humanities subjects. But all need a positive and inspiring environment, just like sunshine and water. 

If you can afford, are you willing to pay for a better fertiliser and environment for a plant to grow better?

Son, I am proud of you!

I must admit I was rather worried for my son's A Level result because he did not do well in 2 papers on his 2nd Edexcel Exam. I was so happy when he told me he scored A*AA for his math, physics and chemistry paper. With his result, he has successfully secured a place for law degree in University of Bristol (all 5 universities he applied gave him conditional offer with the condition of A*AA & AAA)

Looking back, he did well on all his major exams, be it UPSR, PMR or SPM. The only paper he did not do well was PMR Mandarin in which he got a D.

However, it does not mean he has no complaint: he did question my hubby and I on the following matters:

1) why we did not send him to international school so that he can "save" one year, just like his friends.

2) why we "forced" him to continue with the mandarin tuition after PMR

3) why we "forced" him to take A level instead of Foundation

4) why we told him to take Pearson Edexcel and not Cambridge International Exams

My reasons are:

1) He showed interest in Law and I know it is good to have a cert for SPM Bahasa Malaysia if he wants to work in Malaysia one day (And I am glad he scored A for that)

2) I want my children to learn Mandarin at least until form 5. But knowing well that he could not cope with SPM Mandarin, I got him private tutor and signed him up as a private candidate for O-Level Chinese first language (And I am glad he scored 78 marks for that)

3) Even though he showed interest in Law, he somehow does not mind Engineering. So, A level is the right choice since he could not make up his mind yet during that time.

4) He could retake paper (module) for Pearson Edexcel. He scored B for 2 papers on the 2nd exam & decided to retake. He did much better on the 2nd time and that have helped him to get an A* for math!

Today, he is grateful with our decisions.

Of course, he has to thank himself too.

He is hardworking, determined and full of fighting spirit.

And I am glad he loves fencing and has learned for 5 years and took part in many competitions even though he hardly won any prizes. He loves music and completed his grade 8 piano last year even though he nearly wanted to quit when he was in secondary one. Oh ya, he loves playing guitar & jamming with his band buddies too!

Son, congratulations to you on for all your achievements (including the muscle you gained through bodybuilding). May you stay happy, healthy and passionate, and continue to work hard and persevere. 

I love you and I am proud of you.