How to keep my son educated waiting for the waitlist?

[mushi]

hi all,
my son is currently on the Esf Bradbury waitlist with no hopes or fixed date of joining.
1. Is there a way to get to other ESF schools to check on their waiting list without giving this one up? I am in Bradbury catchment but can move if need be.
2. Can anyone recommend a home tutor or a class to keep my son occupied?
thanks

 

[howardcoombs]

How old is your son?

 

[MommyTo3]

Others on the island are most likely just as bad, but you could always call. I know people (on the Island at least) going to Delia School of Canada in Taikoo while waiting. Not their first choice, but it still works out for them.

 

[mushi]

thank you. he is 7 yrs old.

 

[howardcoombs]

Have you tried begging?
I'm not joking, I'm being serious. Go to the school, call them regularly and beg; tell them that you have no other choices, your son is stuck and you really need a place. I know of 2 sets of parents that did this and got in; they didnt get into their catchment area but ESF was able to find a spot for them.

At the same time, check other schools and be polite and beg. Delia, KCIS and Others...

Lastly, you do have the choice of English government schools as well. The closest to you (just minutes from Bradbury) is Rosaryhill. Check with them and if they cant help you, beg first and then ask them to help you with suggestions.

 

[MommyTo3]

I am not saying begging doesn't help but unfortunately I know too many people begging on a weekly basis ...

 

[TheQuasimother]

Are you a native English speaker? If so, being in the New Territories would be to your advantage as far as waitlists go for Shatin Junior and Renaissance College. Might be the same even for Hong Lok Yuen. Schools on the Island are far more notorious as far as waitlists go even for Cat. 1. And over on the water, KJS and Clearwater Bay waitlists are just as bad.

 

[mushi]

Dear all....thank u so much for all yr help and advice ...i am pleased to inform u tgat my son has got admission in esf kennedy yesterday...though not our first choice we r very happy and plan to move closer to school...i know i have been very lucky as a lot of people r stil on wait lists and if i have to give advice jt would be to give sob stories which r true in any case since u have a big son staying at home....be persistent is all i can say.




OTE=TheQuasimother;14762]Are you a native English speaker? If so, being in the New Territories would be to your advantage as far as waitlists go for Shatin Junior and Renaissance College. Might be the same even for Hong Lok Yuen. Schools on the Island are far more notorious as far as waitlists go even for Cat. 1. And over on the water, KJS and Clearwater Bay waitlists are just as bad.[/QUOTE]

 

[MommyTo3]

Congrats!!! Will they be able to transfer him over the summer? There are a lot of intra-ESF transfers over the summer, so he may be able to get back to Bradbury (or the school in your catchment). As a student he'll have highest priority ... And the summer usually has a large number of leavers, especially at Bradbury. May not be necessary to move unless you wanted to anyway.

 

[testuser]

Congrats on getting into the ESF.

However, do keep the option open and look at moving your kid to Bradbury, specially if your child is academically oriented.

With Kennedy, I'd suggest you get involved with the school and try to help with the classes (if the teacher allows and encourages) - this will allow you to monitor what is going on in the school, there tends to be very little communication from the school about curriculum and classwork.

Needless to say, some teachers are exceptional and caring and do make that extra effort - so I'm not branding individual teachers, but as a school there is a fair bit of work that a parent needs to do to keep track of what is going on academically.