Tell me about Australian High Schools! (1 Viewer)

[Arrowshaft]

Just to add to the conversation about scaling and stuff, be careful with moderation. Since you’re going to a selective school you should be fine for the most part. However, (it’s hard to explain the mechanics briefly, but I’ll sum it up) what matters along with ranks is the mark gaps between the ranks, as NESA will take this into account during moderation. Don’t worry if you get bad marks as it’s only your ranks and your cohort’s external performance that will truly matter for your aggregate score, i.e. a 70% in maths 4u is actually considered a band 6 aligned assessment score (usually, 2019 was ez though so rip scaling ). Anyways, good luck and don’t hesitate to ask any questions! P.s. I’m addicted to bubble tea toooo
EDIT: also are you planning to take up extension 2 maths in year 12?

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

Extracurriculars are completely organised by yourself so you can have as many or as little as you want. They may take the form of sports, cadets, music, extra tuition, volunteering etc. If you don't have anything extracurriculars I would assume you would generally go home at 3pm (which a majority of students would also do).

I think I get it now, thank you so much!

I saw your latest question about textbooks. Your school will provide loaned copies for free so do not worry about them. I personally never used a single textbook whilst others have used them alot so their importance is subjective.

Oh that is actually a really smart system. How about literature texts etc which need to be annotated?

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

Just to add to the conversation about scaling and stuff, be careful with moderation. Since you’re going to a selective school you should be fine for the most part. However, (it’s hard to explain the mechanics briefly, but I’ll sum it up) what matters along with ranks is the mark gaps between the ranks, as NESA will take this into account during moderation. Don’t worry if you get bad marks as it’s only your ranks and your cohort’s external performance that will truly matter for your aggregate score, i.e. a 70% in maths 4u is actually considered a band 6 aligned assessment score (usually, 2019 was ez though so rip scaling ). Anyways, good luck and don’t hesitate to ask any questions! P.s. I’m addicted to bubble tea toooo
EDIT: also are you planning to take up extension 2 maths in year 12?

So aim for the highest marks possible, but ultimately focus on rank rather than marks. I think I got it thank u !
math has never really been my strongest subject so I think I’ll wait and see how year 11 goes! if I do well in ext 1 I might consider ext 2, but it would just be for the ATAR since I’m not planning on doing anything maths-related in the future
edit: forgot to say but YES bubble tea is going to give me diabetes one day

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

All provided for I should rephrase what I said earlier, I read all my English/literature texts but tended to not use Maths or Science textbooks.

Oh wow! But does that mean you’re not encouraged to annotate your texts, since you have to return them?

 

[Cherrybomb56]

Nope, I’m currently still in Singapore and haven’t got the book list yet. Is there anywhere in particular we have to get the books or can we just buy them at the school?
Edit: Wait there will be a book list of compulsory textbooks to buy right...?

no I don't think so. Yeah you can get books online or in store. some schools give our textbooks and some don't.

 

[Cherrybomb56]

Correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t English Advanced 2 units?

yeah.

 

[Cherrybomb56]

Extracurriculars are completely organised by yourself so you can have as many or as little as you want. They may take the form of sports, cadets, music, extra tuition, volunteering etc. If you don't have anything extracurriculars I would assume you would generally go home at 3pm (which a majority of students would also do).

I saw your latest question about textbooks. Your school will provide loaned copies for free so do not worry about them. I personally never used a single textbook whilst others have used them alot so their importance is subjective.

Since the new syllabus has changed, have the schools already bought the new textbooks?

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

I think pencil is fine, but I used those page markers/sticky tabs things. I think most people preferred books with plenty of annotations from the previous owner

Interesting!! It’s the opposite here

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

Since the new syllabus has changed, have the schools already bought the new textbooks?

Oh, when did the syllabus change? Are past HSC papers still relevant to use then?

 

[Cherrybomb56]

I have absolutely no idea about this one since I am no longer at school. Perhaps a more recent graduate could answer this question

oh ok thanks, cause our teacher says that we have to buy our own ones

 

[Cherrybomb56]

Oh, when did the syllabus change? Are past HSC papers still relevant to use then?

I think last year. Not all subjects but the main one's math, English, the sciences. Some questions from past papers will be relevant but not all. Btw in Singapore, how is the education there? When does school start and end for you?

 

[Cherrybomb56]

Correct me if I’m wrong and sorry if I sound a bit rude but can international students apply for selective schools?

Yes they can.

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

I think last year. Not all subjects but the main one's math, English, the sciences. Some questions from past papers will be relevant but not all. Btw in Singapore, how is the education there? When does school start and end for you?

I see. Guess the new textbooks will be pretty important for reference then, since a lot of existing resources would be outdated or incomplete

singapore education is pretty stressful with a whole lot of exams but we're used to it haha. By start and end, I'm not sure if you're referring to school hours or the school year, but the school year is pretty similar to Sydney's (Beginning of January to end of October) while actual school hours are typically from 7.30-2.30/3.30 with sport/music/dance/drama/etc after school about 2-3 times a week from 3.30 to 6

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

Correct me if I’m wrong and sorry if I sound a bit rude but can international students apply for selective schools?

Ah I was able to apply because I am an australian citizen! I just used the term international because I've technically never lived in sydney. I believe you can only apply if you're a citizen or PR, but I may be wrong.

 

[Cherrybomb56]

I see. Guess the new textbooks will be pretty important for reference then, since a lot of existing resources would be outdated or incomplete

singapore education is pretty stressful with a whole lot of exams but we're used to it haha. By start and end, I'm not sure if you're referring to school hours or the school year, but the school year is pretty similar to Sydney's (Beginning of January to end of October) while actual school hours are typically from 7.30-2.30/3.30 with sport/music/dance/drama/etc after school about 2-3 times a week from 3.30 to 6

oh nice.

 

[seremify007]

Wait, did you go to the Australian international school in Singapore then? Or did you enrol in one of the other privates since presumably you wouldn't have gone to the local schools?

Whilst I never studied in Singapore (but I lived there for a couple of years), my understanding is the curriculum and way of teaching is substantially different. Culturally and society's focus on academics is also very different.

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

Wait, did you go to the Australian international school in Singapore then? Or did you enrol in one of the other privates since presumably you wouldn't have gone to the local schools?

Whilst I never studied in Singapore (but I lived there for a couple of years), my understanding is the curriculum and way of teaching is substantially different. Culturally and society's focus on academics is also very different.

I’ve lived in Singapore my whole life so I go to the local schools! My parents are Australian and I was born in Sydney, hence the citizenship. Yep you’re right all that is very very different so I’m anticipating a bit of culture shock, although curriculum-wise the syllabus is pretty similar for the subjects I’m talking at least, so hopefully it won’t be too big of a change :”

Super cool that you’ve lived in Singapore before! How long were you there?

 

[seremify007]

I’ve lived in Singapore my whole life so I go to the local schools! My parents are Australian and I was born in Sydney, hence the citizenship. Yep you’re right all that is very very different so I’m anticipating a bit of culture shock, although curriculum-wise the syllabus is pretty similar for the subjects I’m talking at least, so hopefully it won’t be too big of a change :”

Super cool that you’ve lived in Singapore before! How long were you there?

I am pretty sure the curriculum is more different than you think at least based on my anecdotal comparisons with my cousins there particularly for maths and science streams. Whilst we have parallels with A and O levels, there’s a stronger focus on English and creative/arts subjects here and certain topics are taught earlier in Singapore.

Probably the bigger differences though will be the culture shock eg relationship between students and teachers here vs Singapore. I felt there’s much more respect for teachers and the profession in Singapore, and then in addition the general culture of obedience and respect vs challenging or speaking up.

To answer your question though, my company sent my (then) girlfriend (now wife) and me to our Singapore office for a couple of years. We lived in the east

ps. Be prepared for the staggering costs of food and drink here, and just general life. The only thing cheaper will be alcohol but given your age I will assume this was unlikely to be a large component of your budgeted expenditure

 

[Time&moretime]

I’ve lived in Singapore my whole life so I go to the local schools! My parents are Australian and I was born in Sydney, hence the citizenship. Yep you’re right all that is very very different so I’m anticipating a bit of culture shock, although curriculum-wise the syllabus is pretty similar for the subjects I’m talking at least, so hopefully it won’t be too big of a change :”

Super cool that you’ve lived in Singapore before! How long were you there?

Australian schools Vs Singaporean schools (you probably know this already...)

• There is a difference between country schools and city schools. Schools in the city tend to yield better academic results than country schools.
• There is a difference between HSC mark and ATAR. Students here use the ATAR to apply for further study in universities. The ATAR is a rank.
• The whole moderation process and alignment can be found on youtube. Most do a pretty good job in explaining how these two processes that influences your internal mark which is 50% of your total HSC mark. But if you don’t wish to bother about this whole moderation and alignment process all you need to do is to rank first in your internal assessment and be enrolled in a competitive school. (I know it sounds terrible but its common knowledge and a real pain if you don’t come first in your assessments.) You can find extensive information and grievances in this forum posted from students about this whole ranking and moderation issue.)
• Since you have schooled in Singapore and I presume you are a good student. You are going to top the class here in Australia. You might probably get all band 6, E4. The Cambridge GCE A and O levels are rigorous in Singapore.
• There is a new syllabus in place since last year. 2019 HSC sitters are the first cohort who recently sat for the HSC which tested content on the new syllabus (NSW). Maths is the only subject that has been held back therefore 2020 HSC sitters are the first cohort to be tested on the new Maths syllabus. So... choosing textbooks may be a little tricky. Past papers even tricker.
• Sports is pretty important in the country. It is a way to socialise. I know someone who went for a scholarship interview at a particular university and the topic of conversation was dominated by rugby. (Personally, I’m a league follower.)
• Final note: You are going to be fine and would love it here. Singapore is too stressful. Best of luck.

 

[addictedtobubbletea]

I am pretty sure the curriculum is more different than you think at least based on my anecdotal comparisons with my cousins there particularly for maths and science streams. Whilst we have parallels with A and O levels, there’s a stronger focus on English and creative/arts subjects here and certain topics are taught earlier in Singapore.

Probably the bigger differences though will be the culture shock eg relationship between students and teachers here vs Singapore. I felt there’s much more respect for teachers and the profession in Singapore, and then in addition the general culture of obedience and respect vs challenging or speaking up.

To answer your question though, my company sent my (then) girlfriend (now wife) and me to our Singapore office for a couple of years. We lived in the east

ps. Be prepared for the staggering costs of food and drink here, and just general life. The only thing cheaper will be alcohol but given your age I will assume this was unlikely to be a large component of your budgeted expenditure

Initially I also expected the syllabus to be pretty different but after checking the NESA website there were surprisingly more similarities than I thought. Yes some topics are taught earlier here especially in maths, but for bio and chem they were pretty close. As for English and creative arts it’s probably going to be a lot more challenging but I’m looking forward to it, I’ve always been more of an artsy person myself anyways

I’m actually pretty excited to get to experience a culture of challenging and speaking up. Singapore is too rigid x)

Thanks for the note on cost of living, will mentally prep myself hahahah

p.s I live in the east too wow!