How would you choose: Renaissance PYP v.s. Shatin Junior

[miclint]

I am struggling between these two schools for my year 1 son. So far as I know, Renaissance is a ESF's quite new Private Independent School but running full IB from yr 1 to 13, while Shatin Junior is a well-established ESF school well-known for its academic achievements for years.

Since I am a Chinese and my husband is a British while Hong Kong will be our permanent home as far as I can plan ahead, the opportunity of learning Chinese and Putonghua as well as Chinese culture is therefore highly valued.

Would like to hear the advice from you who know about both or either of these schools. Or simply how would you choose over these two schools? Thank you.

 

[spockey]

Just my two cents...

I had a friend teaching at Shatin (from Australia) and he had nothing praises for the school. Particularly if the child continued on to Shatin College. Renaissance however, has a different reputation - it's plagued with teething problems. They may be sorted out given some time. I have also noticed that some kids at Renaissance need a good mouthwash. While the kids at Shatin are better mannered.

 

[Anchor]

I have heard that Shatin Junior doesn't give homework (or doesn't give much), but I do know that RCHK does -- quite a lot of large-scale projects and also daily assignments such as reader responses and math problems, etc. RCHK also has a good PTH program and a solid IB program. The principal is also (from what I can see) an effective leader who is very well-liked among staff and students.

I'd suggest checking out both schools personally. It might be that your child fits in at one better than at the other.

Anchor

 

[Josephine]

Hi mummies,

My kid has an interview with Shatin Junior next week. So does my friend's girl. According to my friend, Shatin Junior tests the kids on drawing. However, we understand from the school authorities that only English Language competence skills will be tested. My friend, however, insists that she is correct and that the information she obtained was from reading this forum.

I'm so worried cos my kid can't draw though he speaks very well. My friend's girl can draw very well.

Can anyone kindly confirm if my friend is correct?

 

[lesliefu]

i can not confirm if your friend is correct or not, but as a teacher from another international school that would just seem ridiculous! they may do drawings, but i am sure it is only to see what their fine motor skills are like a school can not possibly accept a student because their fine motor skills are good - there MUST be more than just that!

 

[FFONG]

My daughter has interview at RCHK today, only story telling, sing song, play game, etc, but I notice a sign in the reception that there is an one-on-one chat that I never heard from any ESF interview.... good luck to all!

 

[miclint]

Hi there,
My son has attended both schools' (SJS and RC) interviews this week. I am confused which one to go when he got admitted. Please anyone has knowledge about these two schools sharing your views would be highly appreciated.
Grateful to your opinion.
Thank you.
Miclint

 

[miclint]

So if you have a child, would you put him/her to SJS or RC if you got to choose from these two ?????

 

[FFONG]

So if you have a child, would you put him/her to SJS or RC if you got to choose from these two ?????

Academic wise, currently must be SJS.

So did the teacher in SJS tell you on-site that your kid got admitted? I know RC didn't said anything. But I saw some other parents said in our interview (non-PIS one) told them on-site about the result.

 

[miclint]

Yes they sort of did.
Anyway got the letter of acceptance already yesterday.

Do you have kids in SJS? Can you share how do you teach them Chinese? I mean reading and writing Chinese instead of Putonghua since as far as I understand Putonghua of many International School students are pretty good but they are just not good at reading/writing.

Cheers.