Q4. Why do we need to focus on character development as early
as in pre-school?
A. Bringing up children today is different. We have to take our
children's upbringing seriously, while at the same time remaining
full of hope. Problems should be dealt with when the first
symptoms appear. Therefore, it is never too early to develop your
child's character for good. The years between zero and eight are
the most important in his upbringing. 80% of the learning is done
before the age of twelve. It is worth remembering that children
learn a lot and very quickly in their first years of life. Good
habits are easier to ingrain and defects are more easily overcome.
Today you are training the adult of tomorrow.
Q5 Why do we need the Continuing Education Programs For
Parents which Cherrybrook provides? After all our parents brought
us up without any formal training in parenting and we turned out
fine.
A. Our parents were brought up by intuition. The challenges of
life today make it risky to leave parenting to intuition alone.
New knowledge and information is available to us which can change
something desirable into something achievable. We must remember
that our parents intuitively brought us up well, but to try to do
it today without the necessary preparation would be foolish and
could have the most unfortunate circumstances. We only have one
chance to get it right when it comes to the upbringing of each
child.
Q6. What academic curriculum can I expect at Cherrybrook? Is
the emphasis on character education at the expense of a rigorous
academic program? Will my child be ready for Primary 1?
A. See section on Our Curriculum
Q7. Who are the teachers and how are they selected?
A. Cherrybrook carefully selects teachers for their
professionalism and commitment to the philosophy, mission, virtues
and values upheld by Cherrybrook. We hire teachers who regard
their work as a vocation, and not just as a job and who are
interested in the integral development of the child. Our teachers
are provided with ongoing professional and personal training to
maintain the high standards expected of them.
Q8. What is the Personalized System of Education?
A. The Personalised System of Education is the means of
teaching those good habits which form the basis for everything
that is done at Cherrybrook. Each student has a personal tutor
with whom the parents meet regularly in order to ensure that the
school's academic and social activities are tailored to the
child's needs. Through the personal attention, friendship and
counsel that the tutor provides, the parents gain an insight into
the child's character. The tutor can share with the parents what
strengths, talents and possibilities lie within the child.
For the parents, the tutor is the principal means by which they
can know that the personalized attention that their child receives
in the school reflects their own principles and values.
Q9. What amount of involvement is required of parents in
Cherrybrook?
A. Parents (that is, both mother and father) are involved
through the Personalised System of Education in a partnership with
the school to develop each child to her full potential. This
requires that parents teach by example and liaise with the child's
tutor about her progress. Parents' attendance (mother and father)
at Parent-Tutor Chats is essential. Parents are also expected to
attend Continuing Education Programs in the form of seminars,
workshops, talks and other activities. It is vital for the
effectiveness of their children's education that Cherrybrook
parents actively participate in these programs which cover a wide
range of topics to help in the professional task of parenting.
Please see the section on Parent Involvement for further
information. The School's key emphasis, however, is on the
parents' task as educators in their homes. Please see the section
on How Parents Contribute to the
Success of Their Child's Cherrybrook Education
Q10. Since Cherrybrook has a Catholic ethos is it not then a
Catholic school?
A. No, it is not. It is a secular school with a Catholic ethos.
The values inspiring Cherrybrook are those of the Catholic faith
because this is the wish of the founding members.
As an analogy, a law firm made up of Catholic partners is not
referred to as a "Catholic law firm" nor do they
necessarily give their firm a Catholic name. Neither is it
presumed that their fees will be necessarily cheap or subsidized.
People simply look at it as a professional business operating in a
professional manner on professional terms. The same applies to
Cherrybrook.
We, therefore, welcome children of all races, religions and
backgrounds. Our current cohort come from Chinese, Indian,
Filipino, Australian, European and even Middle-Eastern families
who are of diverse faiths - Christians, Muslims, Buddhists,
atheists and free-thinkers. They are also of diverse financial
circumstances, because financial aid is available, on an
individual basis, for those who need help to meet the full fees.
.
Q11. What is the application procedure?
A. For a start, parents can contact the School at 6468-6550 to
arrange for a tour of the school at 3and 5 Vanda Road (at the
junction of Eng Neo Avenue and Dunearn Road). The next step is to
complete an enquiry form following which the school will contact
the parents to attend a presentation for both parents. The
presentation provides parents with information on the philosophy,
curriculum and administrative details pertaining to the school.
Interested parents can then ask for an application form, which
will serve as the basis for the parents' interview with the
school.
This application procedure is necessary because our philosophy
gives priority to the formation of parents, it is therefore
essential for them to understand the importance of unity between
the school and the home, and the kind of commitment we are asking
of parents in our school.
