Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Class Sizes and Allocation
1. How many P1 classes do you have in QtPS, and how many students are there in each class?
We have 7 P1 classes, with a maximum of 30 students in each class.
2. How are students allocated to classes in P1?
Students are allocated to respective classes based on the equal distribution (as best as possible) of students of different genders, races, and ethnicities.
3. Where are the P1 classrooms located?
Primary 1 classrooms are located on the first and second levels.
Teachers & Communication
4. How many Form Teachers does each class have?
Each class has 2 Form Teachers who teach the class different subjects.
5. How do parents/guardians communicate with teachers?
Parents/guardians can write a note in the Student Handbook, send an email to the teachers, call the office and leave a note for the teacher to return the call etc. Parents/guardians may wish to check with teachers on their preferred modes of communication (e.g. Class Dojo, etc.).
6. Can parents/guardians meet teachers or School Leaders?
Parents/guardians should call the General Office to make an appointment to meet with teachers, Year Heads, and School Leaders.
School Operation and Dismissal
7. What are the school hours?
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 7.30 am to 1.30 pm
- Wednesday: 7.30 am to 1.15 pm
8. Where can parents/guardians wait for students after school?
Parents/guardians can wait at Gate 8 (back gate) and Gate 1 (canteen gate). These gates are open for dismissal at the following times:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1.30 to 2.00 pm
- Wednesday: 1.15 to 1.45 pm
9. What happens when parents/guardians are late for pick up?
Parents/guardians should call the General Office to alert the school. After the school gates are closed, students will be brought to the General Office and parents/guardians will be called.
Services: Student Care Centre & School Bus
10. Is there a Student Care Centre (SCC) in the school? How do parents/guardians apply for SCC?
Yes, there is a Student Care Centre (SCC) in the school that provides after-school care. Parents/guardians of students who have successfully secured a place in the school will be invited to apply.
11. Is there a school bus service? How do parents/guardians apply for the school bus service?
Yes. Parents/guardians of students who have successfully secured a place in the school will be invited to apply.
School Programmes
12. What are the niche areas for QtPS?
QtPS has niches in Visual Arts through our Learning for Life Programme (LLP), as well as in Environmental Project-Based Learning, through our Applied Learning Programme (ALP).
P1 Registration
13. Who is eligible to register for P1 this year?
Children born from 2 Jan 2017 to 1 Jan 2018 (both dates inclusive) are eligible to register for P1 this year.
14. What are the chances of securing a place in QtPS?
The P1 registration differs from year to year. Parents/guardians may monitor vacancies in the school via MOE’s website during the P1 registration exercise. For the past two years, balloting has occurred in Phase 2C.
15. Does QtPS offer a parent volunteering scheme for P1 registration purposes?
No. Parents/guardians can join the Queenstown Parent Support Group (QtPSG) after their child/ward has successfully secured a place in the school for the coming academic year.
16. What are the different phases of the P1 Registration exercise? What supporting documents do I need to register?
Please refer to the MOE P1 registration website at https://www.moe.gov.sg/primary/p1-registration/registration-phases-key-dates
17. Which schools qualify for P1 Registration 2A in QtPS?
Queenstown Primary School, Tanglin Primary School and Mei Chin Primary School.
18. Is the P1 Registration result based on a first come, first served basis?
No. Other than Phase 1 of the registration, results for the other phases are based on the location of Singapore Citizens (less than 1km / 1-2km / over 2km), Singapore Permanent Residents (less than 1km / 1-2km / over 2km), and International Students.
19. I will be overseas during the P1 Registration exercise. How do I register?
Please refer to the MOE P1 registration website at https://www.moe.gov.sg/primary/p1-registration.
All registration will be done online.
20. After my child has successfully secured a place in QtPS, what are the key dates I will need to take note of?
Parents/guardians of children who have successfully secured a place in QtPS should keep the following dates free:
- Admin Day (October 2023, date to be confirmed)
- P1 Orientation Day (November 2023, date to be confirmed)
The school will advise parents/guardians on the confirmed dates and platforms for these events through your mailing address closer to the date.
21. What is Admin Day?
Admin Day is a day organised for all P1 parents/guardians to purchase books and school uniforms.
Financial Assistance
22. When can parents/guardians apply for MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)?
Application link for MOE eFAS will be available online. Information will be provided via the 1st P1 Welcome Letter that will be sent to you via your mailing address.
Approval and collection of school books and uniforms will be in November (tentatively).
Daily Concerns: School Bag, Recess, etc
23. Are students expected to carry a heavy bag to school daily?
School bags must be manageable as students will be required to move between different classrooms and levels for various lessons. To manage the load, some books are kept in school by teachers or in the students’ individual lockers. Students are advised to pack their books and learning materials according to the timetable and avoid adding unnecessary weight to their bags.
24. What times do Primary 1s have their breaks?
- Recess Time: 9.00am to 9.30am (30 mins) in the canteen.
- Elevenses (snack break): 12.15pm to 12.30pm (15 mins) in the classroom.
Parents/guardians should pack light, healthy snacks that can be easily eaten in the classroom.
25. What should students bring for recess? How much money should they bring?
Students should bring plain water in water bottles, refillable at water coolers around the school. Students may bring their own food in lunch boxes or purchase food from the canteen. Water bottles and lunch boxes must be clearly labelled with the student’s name and class.
If a student is buying food and drink from the canteen, a good amount to bring is $2.00 to $2.60 in cash/ePayment. Set meals range from $1.80 to $2.00. Drinks range from $0.80 to $1.20.
For students who prefer to go cashless, POSB Smart Buddy watches may be used. Application details will be provided before P1 Admin Day.
Students under MOE FASor School-Based Financial Assistance Schemes will have money credited to them in their Ez-Link cards upon activation for them to purchase their meals.
It would be good to teach your child how to count money in preparation for school. Do give your child smaller denominations, like 50-cent coins or $1 coins, as these are easier for them to handle. Please avoid $5 or $10 notes.
26. Is there Halal food sold in the canteen?
Stalls 5, 6 and 7 are Halal Certified by MUIS and sell Halal food only. Stall 8 sells Halal steamed buns.
Orientation & Buddy System
27. How do students familiarise themselves with the school?
On P1 Orientation Day, students will be introduced to various parts of the school through a guided school tour by our student leaders.
For the first 2 weeks of school, P1 students will be paired with P4 buddies during recess.
P4 buddies will assist P1 students with recess routines such as buying food at the canteen and items from the bookshop. They will also get P1 students familiar with the school compound and be a friend to them.
Form Teachers, the Year Head/Assistant Year Head for P1 as well as student leaders will also be guiding your child/ward when moving around the school.
28. When is P1 Orientation Day? What happens on this day?
P1 Orientation Day will be between 13 November to 17 November 2023 (tentatively). Both parents/guardians and students will be invited to P1 Orientation Day.
Students will get to meet their new classmates and enjoy meaningful activities together in their classrooms. In addition, they will also be taken on a guided school tour by our very own student leaders to familiarise them with common places in the school compound.
Parents/guardians will be welcomed and engaged by our school leaders (Principal and Vice-principals) in the hall on important school information to kick-start their child’s / ward’s journey as part of our QtPS family.
Student Management
29. How does the school manage bullying?
All students are educated on what bullying is at various platforms, such as during Form Teacher Guidance Period (FTGP) lessons. Students are taught explicit skills to manage or report bullying cases to their teachers. Students are also encouraged to share their concerns with a trusted adult, such as parents and teachers. The school works hand in hand with parents on any concern raised.
In the event that bullying has been reported, Form Teachers and Year Heads will carry out thorough investigations with all parties involved, ensuring the accuracy of information and fairness to all parties involved. If the case of bullying is found to be true, necessary follow-ups with parents and students involved will take place. The aim of these follow-ups is to educate students about their actions and consequences. In QtPS, we take on restorative practices and social skills equipping as two of our core practices to educate our students and to mend relationships that have been strained. In more serious cases, the discipline master will be called upon for further investigations and to mete out necessary consequences. The school adopts a zero tolerance stance towards bullying.
Special Education Needs (SEN)
30. How does the school support students with learning and behavioural needs?
Support for students learning and behavioural needs is available in the school. A team of specially trained teachers, Allied Educators (Learning & Behavioural Support) [AED(LBS)], Allied Educators (Counselling) [AED(Counselling)], as well as MOE Psychologists work together to identify and support students’ needs through various programmes and Individualised Education Plans (IEPs).
Transition from Kindergarten to Primary School
31. How will students be supported in their transition from kindergarten to primary school and adjust to new primary school life and longer school hours?
Sitting through longer school hours is inevitable in primary school due to the more extensive school syllabus.
The school will support students’ transition to primary school through
- P1 Orientation Day
- P1 Level transition programmes, such as Year Head engagement sessions, P4 Recess Buddy Programme, and other level and class bonding activities.
- Emphasis on class routines, with a slower pace of work and no or less homework in the first month of school
- Specially crafted lesson packages on the transition to Primary School and gaining greater school independence
- Allied Educator and Counsellor support for students with higher needs
The school will also monitor the transition of students through Year Head and level teachers’ check-in meetings.
32. How can I prepare my child/ward for the transition from kindergarten to primary school?
Parents/guardians can support your child’s/ward’s transition through home preparation before the start of school, such as
- establishing a good sleeping routine with an early bedtime, e.g. 9 pm
- getting ready in the morning for school
- reading the timetable accurately
- packing the school bag
- filing in worksheets neatly in files
- counting small denominations of money
- washing hands with soap before and after eating
- covering nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing
33. Must P1 students be toilet trained?
Yes, all students must be toilet trained in order for them to move about independently in school. As going to the toilet is a private and personal affair, it is best that your child/ward is able to go to the toilet and clean up after herself/himself independently.
In the event your child/ward accidentally soils himself/herself, the school can assist your child/ward to change into a new set of school uniform at the General Office, subject to the availability of spare school uniforms and sizes.
Co-Curricular Activities
34. Are there Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) for P1 students?
No. Students are encouraged to take up a CCA at P3.