Urgent help needed--GSIS corporate debenture

[lsmum]

I was just able to gain assess to my company GSIS Corporate debenture which is currently vacant. We are interested in their English stream. Does anyone know if that will provide my son with any priorities? What is the chance of a child covered under a corporate debenture get accepted?

Any help are much much appreciated! Thanks a lot!

 

[Summer 2012]

That gives you priority definitely, but he needs to pass assessment first!! What year your kid is in?
Good luck!!

 

[lsmum]

He is in K1 now. So we would like to apply K2 for him.

 

[Summer 2012]

You mean K2 in This Aug? or next year?
My kid will start K2 this year at GSIS!

 

[lsmum]

Mom222, How difficult is the assessment? Any pointer? What are they looking for? K2 This sept.

 

[Summer 2012]

English is the key!! They see how well kids can speak English , I guess. I think they like talkative one... Good luck!!

 

[synoco]

Also more importantly, ability to be focused when asked questions, and take instructions from teachers well.
During the interview there will be 2 teachers there to assess.

 

[lsmum]

Hi Synoco, do they assess each child individually or in a group format? Thanks a lot for your advise.

Also more importantly, ability to be focused when asked questions, and take instructions from teachers well.
During the interview there will be 2 teachers there to assess.

 

[Hongkongmom2]

Hi Mom222,

I just read your posting about your child starting at GSIS. My son got accepted into both GSIS and HKIS. Please help!! What is the difference between the two schools? Why did you choose GSIS?
We are still in the US and I am not familiar with any of this process and the European curriculum.
Many thanks!

 

[howardcoombs]

Some big differences:
1) GSIS is on the Peak while HKIS is soutside and quite a bit apart from each other. Having said that there are school buses everywhere so it should not be a huge deal as long as you are on the island.

2) GSIS population is more cosmopolitan while HKIS is more American. Some people like to be with their own kind while others like to experience different cultures.

3) GSIS has an excellent sports programme but a lot of their sports are international (eg: Field Hockey) while HKIS also has excellent sports but they are mostly American (eg: Baseball & Football).

4) GSIS has practically no religious classes other than world religion classes while HKIS is a Christian school founded by Christians and religious classes are mandatory.

5) GSIS is seen/deemed to be a lot more academic, harder, more homework and where more gifted/high achievers go. HKIS is seen/deemed to be a middle of the road school with excellent teachers and facilities.

If you are coming here for a short time, pick HKIS. Its as American as you're going to get your kid wont know the difference.
If you are coming here for longer term, you should consider things more carefully as neither school has a particularly great Chinese curriculum and both schools are mostly English only with very little emphasis on Chinese.