As children progress to P.6, EdCity knows that parents must wish to be better prepared for secondary school selection. Fear not! EdCity has compiled expert advice from various sectors to help you plan ahead and achieve twice the result with half the effort.

By mastering three key areas – building a portfolio database, developing application strategies, and preparing for interviews – you can confidently guide your child through the S.1 Discretionary Places (DP) applications and together secure a place at your ideal secondary school!

Phase 1: Building Your Child’s Personal Portfolio Database

1. Preparing Academic Records: Compile all report cards from P.4 to P.6, saving them in both PDF and JPG formats. This ensures seamless uploading to any system.

2. Highlight Key Achievements: Select the most impressive certificates and activity awards that align with your preferred school's ethos. This ensures your child's strengths are immediately apparent.

3. Professional Passport Photo: Ensure your child wears their neat school uniform for a vibrant, professional photograph that leaves a positive impression.

4. Showcase Subject Work: Organise samples of work from Chinese, English, Maths, and other subjects, such as essays or daily exercise books. Some schools may use these as reference material.

5. Teacher Recommendation: If you can secure a tailored recommendation letter from a teacher highlighting your child's unique strengths, that would be ideal.

6. Portfolio Storytelling: Organise compelling personal narratives into different versions, incorporating activity photographs to showcase your child's vibrant and memorable growth journey to the school.

Phase 2: Developing Application Strategies

• Research on Target Schools: Before applying, conduct some preliminary research. Carefully review each secondary school’s admission requirements to ensure eligibility before submitting applications. Pay close attention to application deadlines and enrolment information sessions. Should application fees be payable, ensure electronic payment methods are readily available to avoid missing out on opportunities.
• Review Application Materials: As the school may pose questions based on application documents, ensure all submitted documents are organised and reviewed beforehand. This preparation will boost your child's confidence during the interview!

Phase 3: Interview Preparation

• Self-introduction in Chinese and English: Work with your child to craft self-introductions in both languages. Keep the content straightforward—the key is to showcase their personality and ideas, enabling them to articulate these effectively across different interview settings.
• Preserve Complete Documentation: Remember to keep all submitted application forms and supporting documents well organised. A thorough preparation will convey your earnest commitment to the school!

The transition to secondary school marks a new milestone in a child's educational journey. Rather than leaving preparations to the last minute, it is far wiser to begin now. This approach not only makes the process smoother for everyone involved but also significantly enhances the child's chances of securing a place at their preferred school!