Singapore Expats

we are moving from the UK to Singapore mid-August and my daughter will have just turned 15. The boys will be 13 and 10. We really want them to go to UWC and for Kate to start the foundation course for the Bacccalaureate. We all know waiting lists are long but, since this is a private move, we cannot put their names down on loads of schools because of the non-refundable registration fees. Any ideas of what to do until a slot comes up or a "holding" school? Thanks

We too are moving to Sg mid to late August, maybe even September at this rate, and have a student who will be turning 15 in October (and one who is 9 yrs old)...we are just now sending in the applications for UWC, however, I understand there is a wait list...

I am wondering the same as you...what to do if we don't get in to UWC and what other schools to apply for...if any. I'll watch this thread to see if anyone has any ideas or thoughts they can share !

Thanks for the advice. UWC and OFS have both been extremely helpful. We really want to do the IB and will go for OFS for now. Seems to have nice facilities, location etc.

Does anybody know if is it true that UWC is not accepting admissions until 2010. I could not believe when I heard this.

We were told Aug 2008 for my 15 year old daughter to get on to the IB scheme. I am not sure about other grades.

Sorry,I need to correct myself. They are not receiving new applications until 2010. Does anybody herad this too?

I called UWC today and was told all grades are full and that all of them have waiting lists, of varying lengths, so it depends on which grade your students will be entering when in Sg...I was then advised to get our applications in *now* and there *might* be a spot available for *next* school year, starting August 2008 for the grades that we were asking about.

Hi, there!

We are moving to Singapore in July and have kids 13 years old. We shall be enrolling them in OFS because UWC has a waiting. I am apprehensive too ,how it will work out for the kids. It will be nice to keep in touch, especially if you too have a 13 year old, new to OFS.

We are still looking for a condo to stay in and will try to find a place near the school. any ideas?

hey hey,

I dunno if this helps, but two of the students I tutor have recently taken the entrance examinations to UWC, and have been put on the waiting list after passing. They have to wait a year.....

They are currently in other International Schools.

I'm guessing that since they got accepted last month, UWC is still accepting new applications... You just gotta wait to get in.

If you want to wait for UWC, make sure your kids are very well behaved and very academic, the long list means they can choose the very best in grade 10, and will not hesitate to ask them to leave if they get into any bother, or have any problems at all. They are very concerned about their results and remove significant numbers in grade 10 to leave to make room for more able students from elsewhere.

From our experience OFS is a VERY EFFICIENT school.
The facilities are excellent.
My son is 10 and loves it.
The school teachers communicate with the parents very well and they have a good discipline code also, where they have zero tolerance for violence.
We found the school to be more advanced than Scotland and we said we thought the homework was excessive as we believe in a balance and we also believe children should be allowed to be children and play and not just study all the time(as some people have the right to choose for their kids) and the school listened and agreed and if we feel their is too much then our son can skip some, but upto now he is managing...but it can be time consuming.
We live in spring grove very close to the school, there are plenty of pals for them to play with, the facilities are great, but it depends on your budget.
The kids from all ethnic backrounds mix very well at the apartments and some go to school together.
If you need any more info just ask.

nillahcootie wrote:We too are moving to Sg mid to late August, maybe even September at this rate, and have a student who will be turning 15 in October (and one who is 9 yrs old)...we are just now sending in the applications for UWC, however, I understand there is a wait list...

I am wondering the same as you...what to do if we don't get in to UWC and what other schools to apply for...if any. I'll watch this thread to see if anone has any ideas or thoughts they can share !

Hi I also have adaughter aged 15yrs and a son aged 10yrs. We are moving to Singapore from London in Summer 2008. I have put down deposits for UWCSEA also. I am very worried about their waiting list and inability to offer places especially for my daughter who needs to study for either IB or A Levels.
I am also wondering about Tanglin but we also are putting down deposits privately and are wary of losing quite substantial sums. We are visiting Singapore again this October so if you are now settled it would be really nice to meet up. I also need to consider in which area we should settle.
It would be good to hear from you. My e-mail is [email protected]

be careful of the overhyped schools....overhyped by parents wanting to be part of the hype.
I have a son at OFS and it is an ok school and more advanced than the scottish school he was at and it uses the IB programme.
I seriously thought my son had made a mistake when he chose OFS ( because of the negative stuff i read on here, which i did not disclose to him or my wife) and The hype I heard about Tanglin and UWC etc.
I have met some parents from Tanglin and their attitudes are fitting to a school with 75% British classes.
1) My son loves OFS which is the most important thing.
2) He is learning at a more advanced level than if he were home.
3) We went with his gut instinct and so far he has been proved right and is extremely happy with the fact he has a wealth of friends from many countries, something which sadly he could not do at home as he would be slagged rotten for it and I for one am proud of what he has achieved in such a short space of time.
wish you luck and hope your kids are happy at whatever school you choose.

Hi,
Thanks a lot for that useful info. I will make sure that I check out OFS on my next visit in Oct.

Tanglin is a British School and British passport holders get first pick. For example, a work mate from OZ waited almost 2 years before their children got a place. The children started and the school realised that the daughter wasn't in the correct grade level, but they couldn't just place her, she had to wait until that spot became available. This family then had to run around and find a school who would take the daughter immediately, which OFS did. She finally was able to start Tanglin the following semester. Make your own judgement.