Admission for shatin junior school

Posted by peanuts (68 days ago)

my daughter was offered interviewing opportunities from SJS in this Jan and March, and we were not be able to make it since we were still in U.S. at that time. Now we are moving to HK in May and asked if they would like to offer us an chance at this point. They applied that T"hank you for advising me your arrival in Hong Kong. Unfortunately I cannot offer any interview to Michelle at this moment, you will be contacted if a place is available."

Does any of you know what this really means? Does it mean the space is full for year 1 already? Or they are still waiting for the feedback from parents whose children got admitted? Any information will be highly appreciated.

A related question: does anybody know the admission status of RC college primary year one?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by TC Ng (68 days ago)

It appears that your daugher has missed the interview so I would imagine that all places have now been allocated. It will depend on how long their waitlist is as to how long you will have to wait. Year 1 & Year 7 have the longest waitlists so it maybe that she will not get a place for year 1 at all. However, Hong Kong is very transient and it maybe that not all the allocated places are filled at the start of the new term in Aug so you may get a place although unlikely.
I would advise you to call the school and ask how long the waitlist is and where your child is on it and what are the chances of your child getting a place in Aug. If it is long you may request that your child goes to another ESF school and then she can transfer when a place comes up at SJS which will then put her at the top of the list at SJS if she is already in an ESF school, there may be lenghtly travel involved this way though. You could also call ESF Head Office and ask about obtaining a debenture which you can apply for whilst you are still overseas which may give you a guranteed place. Good Luck

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by caty (67 days ago)

I fully agree with TC Ng and you should just call and email to school. Try whatever you can think of to do to impress them. As I've known 2 families who have applied for SJS at same Year 2 and 4 for almost a year and for just 4 months respectively. Guess what, the children who applied later got an interview for both grades a month ago and got in, though all the children are good friends with very similar ethnic and language background. The thing is, easy, that the mom with successful children had pushed and pushed and yet pushed the school so much till she heard a positive news from SJS. She called the school to ask where the boys stood at the list and told them that her sons wouldn't have anywhere to go as they had no knowledge in Chinese. Somehow it worked... in 3 months and the boys were called for an interview. The other family got to know the trick and are now checking upon the waiting list from time to time. Recently SJS told them their children are at around 10th at their grades, so it's likely for them to be offered interviews before the next school year. As TC said, Year 1 place is just so hard to get, but you still don't know there might be some children waiting for the result from other schools. Besides, people do come and go in HK all the time. It wasn't SJS but my best friend's daughter was offered an interview from KJS (another ESF in Kowloon) for Year 1 in mid Sep., a few weeks later the school year began, and switched from Oct. last year. ESF schools are quite big, so you don't just need to give up if you're so keen for it. Wish you luck!!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Mighty (67 days ago)

Regarding RC admission status, I read in local chinese web that quite a few people are still having their interviews. Locals usually do not just apply for one school but 2 or 3 or more. So it is really hard to say but definitely you should apply for RC as well if you have not. I applied for RC in Feb and was offered an conditional offer as I am currenly overseas like you. Good luck.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by namaste (67 days ago)

My daughter had interviewed for SJS in December and was offered a place, which we declined. I remember that at that time, they were between Admissions Officers and were in the process of hiring a new one. The person that I was dealing with, who usually works at the front desk, was very confused every time that I called, even though we were forefront on the waiting list and in the process of interviewing. If I were you, I would continue to call and explain your story. Also, get your actual number on the waiting list and check on it frequently. The first time my daughter was offered a place there was THREE days after I put in the application, after they had told me that it was a three year wait! That made me wary of their credibility.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by katietang (67 days ago)

As earlier mentioned RC is a PIS School and is a IB school from junior right through to senior very different from esf school and as said early on you will get priority to transfer to school of choice if you already in a ESF junior this would not count with RC. At ESF school a requirement of entry is student must speak english fluently not the case with RC who must give priority to permanent residents 89 percent around.ESF schools and ESF Educational Services PIS schools are not the same very different ESF Educational Services was formed to generate revenue for ESF Schools. You need to check which system will suit your child best but be aware two very different education systems two very differnt school systems but still under the same umbrella company

(I am based in Hong Kong)