UPSR 2017 Dates And Timetable

UPSR 2017 is scheduled from 11-14 September 2017 plus 18 September 2017 for SJKC/T.

The timetable is as follows:

11 September 2017 (Mon) - BM Pemahaman & BM Penulisan

12 September 2017 (Tue)  -  BI Pemahaman & BI Penulisan

13 September 2017 (Wed) - Maths 1 & Maths 2

14 September 2017 (Thur) - Science 1 & Science 2

18 September 2017 (Mon) - BC/BT Pemahaman & BC/BT Penulisan

BM = Bahasa Malaysia

BI = Bahasa Inggeris

BC = Bahasa Cina

BT = Bahasa 

All language papers are 1 hour 15 minutes each while the Maths and Science Papers are 1 hour each.

This is the same format as 2016. One subject per day with SK students completing in one week while SJKC/T students sit for their extra language papers in the following week.

Why Monday to Thursday with a 3 day break in between before the extra language papers? I presume this is because we have different weekends for different states so this is to make things uniform for the whole country. 

Source for above information: Portal Rasmi Lembaga Peperiksaan, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia (Go to this link and look for "Muat Turun Jadual Waktu Peperiksaan UPSR 2017" to download a more detailed version of the timetable shown above)

SJKC - The Untold Story

As admin of the Malaysia Primary School Parents on Facebook group, I read each and every post (well, nearly all) to make sure there are no inappropriate postings. To my dismay, I frequently come across SJKC bashing posts or posts that generate a lot of fear for parents thinking of sending their kids to SJKC. Some of these include the tonnes of homework, the overzealous and strict disciplinary methods and lots more. Things are so bad it seems, it makes you wonder why anyone would want to send their kids to SJKC just to learn 6 years of Mandarin. Apparently, many don't even survive the 6 years, quitting at 3 or 4 to go to SK or jumping ship at 5 or 6 to "greener pastures" ie private or International schools. 

At one time, I too was filled with fear of all the things that has been said about SJKCs. I've since then survived 8 years with 2 kids going through P1 to P6 in SJKC. The kids did have a fair bit of homework, yes and their palms did meet the rotan a couple of times, not enough to leave any lasting impression on us, most of the time, what I saw at the school were simply kids being kids and having fun. 

No, our kids did not get punished for speaking in English in school as we had feared. In fact the teachers understood our situation and tried to speak to us in English whenever we met them.

I saw kids running happily in school corridors after school. I saw kids eating merrily at the school canteen. If you are a Chinese who is poorly educated in your own culture, as I am, you will learn quite a bit about your own culture as cultural events are often celebrated in SJKC. What a delight to see lion dancers during Chinese New Year and children dressed in their cultural best chasing after the lions and holding out their hands for angpows and mandarin oranges in school.

If you don't know Chinese but you are willing to learn together with your child to help them with the homework that you so feared you will not be able to help out with and therefore feel so stressed up about.....You know what? By the end of 6 years, you too will have learned an extra language!

There are many competitions in school for storytelling, singing, sports, arts, calligraphy etc. No, its not ONLY academics at SJKC. Many excel in other areas as well.  My kids weren't one of those who excelled in such things but we saw many who did brilliantly.

Here kids can be seen showing off their calligraphy.

What about donations? Ah yes, donations. Donations give rise to good maintenance and improvement of the school facilities such as this track field.

Our kids were fortunate to be greeted with a KL view that some pay a lot of money to stay in high rise condos for...

Parents work together to make back of the classroom lockers (sans the locks) a reality while kids decorate it to make it "theirs".

School shoes are often lost when kids take them off to go to the library. This school has cleverly come up with a cheap and functional shoe rack made of Mandarin Oranges carton boxes.

Chinese culture is celebrated in a fun way at school.

This picture looks calm and quiet but quite often it is filled with the hustle and bustle of happy kids running around the corridor.

This is but a small sharing of the memories that SJKC has left us. They are good ones and judging from the smiling faces of many kids that we see daily at school, they too would leave school with happy memories and look back with nostalgia. Only, this is the untold story. The silent story that seldom gets heard because they get drowned out by unhappiness, complaints, fear and hearsay.

So, if you are a parent contemplating SJKC, give your kid and yourself a chance. Don't enter with a negative heart. Instead, why not leave on a positive note?

Reviewing Just Enough By Allie Hill

Just Enough is written and illustrated by Allie Hill

Title: Just Enough
Writer and Illustrator: Allie Hill
No of pages: 36 pages
For Whom: Toddlers and Preschoolers (Age 4-7)
Published Date: 15 December 2016
Publisher: MPH Group Publishing

The beautiful illustrations and harmony of colours are the first thing that draws you to this book for preschoolers. When it comes to children's books, I love those that have beautiful illustration, rhyming words and a moral lesson. This book has them all.


Just Enough by Allie Hill is a feel good book about love, good times, good memories and family. The illustrations are eye-catching and pleasing even for adults who may be reading this together with their little ones.

Written in prose form, the book journeys through time as seen through the eyes of a little girl with her favourite blanky made with love by grandma for her to the time when she is all  grown up. Though the blanky is now reduced to a hanky it remains in her heart forever more.

The girl has exciting adventures with her blanket and takes away with her a lifetime of skills and lessons from her grandmother.

An easy and fun read with words that rhyme and lots of pretty pictures with important lessons about love and family for little ones. That is what you can expect from this 36 page storybook for toddlers and preschoolers.

The author, Alice Hill is a graphic designer and illustrator. Just Enough is her second picture book for children. She lives in Kuala Lumpur with her husband Phill and daughter Sasha.

We are currently taking orders and doing a mini giveaway for members of our FB group and blog readers from West Malaysia only.

Fill up this form latest by 23 March 2017 to order. Payment instructions will be sent to you after closing date once a minimum of 15 orders are reached. After payment, 3 lucky winners will be selected to receive this book free. Winners bear shipping cost. ie winners will be refunded the cost of the book minus shipping cost.

Electronics And Coding For Kids And Teens

Have your children ever wandered what's inside a tablet computer or smartphone, what makes an alarm clock go off or how a rice cooker works? Curious and inquisitive children may wonder how many household appliances and electronics works. Some may even try to pry open some devices to study them. Understanding electronics is a good living skill to acquire as more and more gadgets become "smart" and "digital". Coding and electronics is what make these gadgets work.

Electrical Engineering and Coding makes everyday gadgets come alive. This is one fun element in the computer courses for kids and teens offered by KidoCode.

Here are what kids will learn when they join the electronic course in KidoCode:

• They will learn how to program electronics using Arduino. Arduino is an electronics prototyping platform which you can use as creatively as you like to invent new and exciting gadgets that work in real life
• They will create fun DIY projects using Raspberry PI. Raspberry PI is a computer in the size of a credit card. It plugs into your TV and a keyboard. Raspberry PI projects is educational and help kids learn about coding, programming and computing by allowing them to build practical and creative inventions
• They will discover the basics of electronics while tinkering with jumper cables, buzzers, ultrasonic sensors, light sensors, and more
• They will make simple LED circuits with Push Button or Pull Up/Down Resistors. These are helpful in understanding their Science lessons at school.
• They will find out how a DC Motor works and its importance for many electrical and electronic devices.

All of these lessons are hands-on and incorporate STEM, the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math into the course syllabus. Besides satisfying kids natural tendency to build and invent, kids are learning essential coding and computer programming skills that is essential in 21st Century Learning.

Kids can also learn Python programming, Mobile App Development, Web Development, and Game Development depending on their own knowledge and capabilities by learning using an adaptive learning system using artificial intelligence.

Interested in introducing your child to the world of Coding, Electronics and Robotics? Sign up for a free demo class today. The 3-4 hour demo class is an eye-opener not only for kids but for parents too. 

Schedule for Demo Classes in March - April 2017:
Venue: KidoCode (Solaris, Mont Kiara)
Click on the Sign Up link above to book your free demo class

Time Slots: 10:30 A.M. or 2:30 A.M.

March 16-March 19

March 21-March 26
March 28-April 2
April 4-April 9
April 11-April 16
April 18-April 23
April 25-April 30

English Language Enrichment Classes For Kids Aged 4 To 18

There is no denying that learning is essential at any age. Many parents want to send their kids for English Language Enrichment Classes but they are not sure where to start  or how to go about it? How many times a week is enough? Should you send for phonics, reading or writing, speech and drama or public speaking? Which is better?

We were able to catch up with Lorna Whiston during their recent Open Day at Taman Tun on 25th February 2017 to write this mini guide. We hope this will help you to understand what type of courses are available so you can pick the right one for your child.

Lorna Whiston Open Day

At Which Age Should You Start Your Child On English Lessons?

Lorna Whiston Taman Tun accepts children starting from 4 years old. This is because they are a government registered institution and this is in compliance with requirement. 4 years old would therefore be a good age for you to start thinking of English Enrichment Classes.

How Many Times A Week Should My Child Attend English Enrichment Lessons?

Lorna Whiston Taman Tun runs several types of English Language Programmes. Once a week, intensive daily or specific focus programmes.

You can sign your kids up for English Enrichment Classes for once a week classes for kids on weekdays (2 hours) or weekends (2 1/2 hours). Parents have a choice to select between weekday or weekend classes. The syllabus for both is the same. Weekend classes are 30 minutes longer and therefore may include a little bit more practice for an extra fee.

Classes are available for kids of all ages, Language Development Classes for kids age 4-6, Language Extension for Primary Students and Advanced Language for Secondary students.  All areas of English language are covered in these programmes. (Who is this for? We feel this is suitable for parents with kids in public schools who wish to give their children extra exposure and help in English language to supplement school lessons or existing preschool. The native English speaking teachers and different style and approach will widen kids horizons from their current school based learning especially for SK and SJKC/T school going kids. These classes also provide valuable support for children at International Schools as they help improve grammatical knowledge.)

Language Development Class 

They also have an intensive daily English class from Mondays to Fridays for 3-4 hours each day for kids from 4-6. (Who is this for? We feel this is suitable for those who are planning to send their children to International Schools. This will give children the early preparation they need in a fully immersed English speaking environment for kindy or preschool years with Math, Science, Art etc taught in English by native English speaking teachers. These classes also provide a solid grounding in all areas of the curriculum for children who proceed to National Schools. However, they will need extra tuition in BM and Mandarin before primary school.)

In addition if you prefer a specific focus, you can go for the Phonics, Creative Writing, Speech and Drama or Public Speaking or you can mix and match your programmes. (Who is this for? We feel this is suitable for everyone who wish to train their kids in these particular areas specifically)

Speech And Drama Class

What Do They Teach My Child In English Enrichment Classes?

Lorna Whiston uses their own syllabus and materials in their English Language Programmes which cover vocabulary, speaking, writing, grammar, comprehension, composition and all other aspects of English Language development. In addition they encourage all their students to read a lot with their extensive student library. Parental involvement is very much promoted as well.

What Is The Classroom Size Like?

At Lorna Whiston Taman Tun, classes are small and cozy with no more than 12 students to a class for individualized attention.

Lorna Whiston Classroom

So Where Do I Start?

This depends on the age of your child.

For example a 7 year old child may be required to sit for an assessment to decide whether it is more suitable for him/her to join the Language Development Classes for kids aged 4-6 or the Language Extension Classes for primary students. (Note: Parents can call up for an appointment for their children to do a free assessment which is conducted on Thursday afternoons or all of Saturday)

After assessment, secondary school students go to the Advanced Language Programme. Teenage students will benefit from classes with native English speakers to prepare them for tertiary studies overseas in later years.

Your child can join starting from age 4 and continue right up to age 18 progressing steadily as he or she goes along. The programmes runs over 4 terms in a year. Each term is 11 weeks long.

We wish to thank Lorna Whiston Centre Taman Tun Dr Ismail for providing the information for this post.

Lorna Whiston English Language Centre

Units 8-10, Jalan Wan Kadir 1

Taman Tun Dr Ismail

60000 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: 7727 1909