Tuesday, November 18, 2003
A challenge, accepted.
"Someone should write an article about the boy schools"- azuresque
Well, I will.
DISCLAIMER: The following post was penned at ten past midnight, a time when the writer is notoriously asinine.
Without further ado, here goes.
I've thought a long time about it, and here's my decision. I will never force my sons to join the Anglo-Chinese family of schools. I have no other reason apart from the fact that I simply don't believe it's the duty of any parent to choose the "right" school for their children. Yes, not even their primary schools.
While it is no secret that Anglo-Chinese boys tend to be perceived as arrogant upstarts with a large pocket money fund and an even bigger attitude problem, that is hardly the reason why I would not encourage my sons to go there. And it is definitely not because ACS is an academically mediocre school compared to the other top institutions. Neither is it the automatic stereotyping atrributed to one who admits he is from ACS. Nor is it because of our affinity for the colours Red, Blue and Gold (though one must admit that these are mighty fine colours indeed).
I wouldn't force my son to go to an AC school simply because there is no reason for him to go.
He is not Methodist, nor can I trust that he has the strength of character for the school to mould. And there is simply no way I can be assured of a well-paying job to afford his high school fees and all the extras that come with being a member of the Family.
This doesn't mean that I'll make him wear an all-white uniform should he prove to be academically qualified for the "big time". Simply put, an ACSian does not send his son to Raffles Institution. It is just not done. I have met all kinds of male Rafflesians. They come from all backgrounds and cultures, but there is an innate confidence, usually a muted one, shelled by a cool, collected exterior. They are as level-headed as ACSians are brash, although there are times when the two might as well be one.
But I would not encourage my son to pass through the portals of RI. He has no reason to.
He does not have anything to prove to me, nor can I trust that he will not be severely disappointed should he fall short of his high-flying classmates. And there is simply no way that I will have my son grow up in that Bishan campus. The place simply scares the beejesus out of me.
Well, he could keep the all-white uniform, and don the badge of the top Catholic boys' school in Singapore. The Josephians I've come into contact with are all wonderful people who have only the Lord in their hearts and serving Him in their minds. They are morally upright, steadfast in spirit and loyal friends. But there is no doubt that they are but the creme of a very varied crop, and though I would love to see my boy grow up among such peers, I cannot be assured of this.
And there's the fact that, once again, an ACSian, even a Catholic one, does not send his son to St. Joseph's Institution. The rivalry between the schools is an old one, but the legacies still live on. It would not be fair for an ACSian progeny to enter the hallowed halls of SJI, not with the likelihood of his father's background weighing heavily upon his head.
So where then?
Good question. I'll get back to you on that.
"Someone should write an article about the boy schools"- azuresque
Well, I will.
DISCLAIMER: The following post was penned at ten past midnight, a time when the writer is notoriously asinine.
Without further ado, here goes.
I've thought a long time about it, and here's my decision. I will never force my sons to join the Anglo-Chinese family of schools. I have no other reason apart from the fact that I simply don't believe it's the duty of any parent to choose the "right" school for their children. Yes, not even their primary schools.
While it is no secret that Anglo-Chinese boys tend to be perceived as arrogant upstarts with a large pocket money fund and an even bigger attitude problem, that is hardly the reason why I would not encourage my sons to go there. And it is definitely not because ACS is an academically mediocre school compared to the other top institutions. Neither is it the automatic stereotyping atrributed to one who admits he is from ACS. Nor is it because of our affinity for the colours Red, Blue and Gold (though one must admit that these are mighty fine colours indeed).
I wouldn't force my son to go to an AC school simply because there is no reason for him to go.
He is not Methodist, nor can I trust that he has the strength of character for the school to mould. And there is simply no way I can be assured of a well-paying job to afford his high school fees and all the extras that come with being a member of the Family.
This doesn't mean that I'll make him wear an all-white uniform should he prove to be academically qualified for the "big time". Simply put, an ACSian does not send his son to Raffles Institution. It is just not done. I have met all kinds of male Rafflesians. They come from all backgrounds and cultures, but there is an innate confidence, usually a muted one, shelled by a cool, collected exterior. They are as level-headed as ACSians are brash, although there are times when the two might as well be one.
But I would not encourage my son to pass through the portals of RI. He has no reason to.
He does not have anything to prove to me, nor can I trust that he will not be severely disappointed should he fall short of his high-flying classmates. And there is simply no way that I will have my son grow up in that Bishan campus. The place simply scares the beejesus out of me.
Well, he could keep the all-white uniform, and don the badge of the top Catholic boys' school in Singapore. The Josephians I've come into contact with are all wonderful people who have only the Lord in their hearts and serving Him in their minds. They are morally upright, steadfast in spirit and loyal friends. But there is no doubt that they are but the creme of a very varied crop, and though I would love to see my boy grow up among such peers, I cannot be assured of this.
And there's the fact that, once again, an ACSian, even a Catholic one, does not send his son to St. Joseph's Institution. The rivalry between the schools is an old one, but the legacies still live on. It would not be fair for an ACSian progeny to enter the hallowed halls of SJI, not with the likelihood of his father's background weighing heavily upon his head.
So where then?
Good question. I'll get back to you on that.
