Hwa Chong Institution (High School)

[HairyOrange]

TravelMummy:

Hi, my DS has received a CO into HCI and ACSI and we are trying to make a choice. I have a few questions I hope you can help me with:

1. DS' HCL is not particularly brilliant and gets by with a pass in school. Is HCL in sec 1 v tough and gap btw pri & sec HCL v big? How does one normally bridge the gap? Do most kids from an English speaking background require tuition to cope or is the school teaching sufficient?
2. DS is not the brash outspoken vocal type. Personally I would like for him to develop the kind of vocal, confident nature you often see in ACS boys. How does HCI encourage kids to speak up? Chinese culture often emphasizes humility, and many are reticent. What is the culture like?
3. I read in previous threads about the consortiums - how do they work and how are kids allocated?
4. Holiday planning - I originally booked tickets to be away from 14-31 dec. looks like there could be school activities on last week of dec?
Appreciate your advice. Thanks.

Hi TravelMummy,

I did not answer some of yr questions adequately.

HCI's consortium approach is pseudo Varsity approach of a school within a larger school approach where they have their own head of consortium and their own student councils (the is also a High School council). More attention from consortium management and more leadership oppty for students. Consortium will follow you thru all 4 years. It's like the multiple colleges in OxBridge with a US fraternity blend.

BTW my son came from a pretty popular boy mission school (notorious for lousy CL) with average HCL and CL. He is coping w/o tuition.

[TravelMummy]

HairyOrange:

BTW my son came from a pretty popular boy mission school (notorious for lousy CL) with average HCL and CL. He is coping w/o tuition.

Thank you so much, HairyOrange for your detailed answers. DS does not dislike CL. How wonderful that your DS is able to debate in CL! I hope mine is able to do the same next time, without breaking into English midway. I am also encouraged to hear that your DS is coping without CL tuition. Did he have any tuition at the primary level? Is the idea to read a lot, including CL newspapers? How does he bridge the gap between primary & secondary level? Heard kids are studying \"Romance of the 3 Kingdoms\" at yr 1?! I was a bit daunted...

[MummyMoo]

HairyOrange:

Hi Mommymoo,

Think we covered yr question on the DSA thread, hopefully some WL2 parent can answer U. My suggestion, let yr DS decide after PSLE, let him visit Kiasu parents and talk to both RI and HCI parents / DS. Very importantly, attend the HCI DSA Parents Symposium in late Oct. I know CO parents definitely get invited around 2-3 Oct. Will be best oppty to learn abt school thru Q&A, witness winning projects and speak to staff and student leaders.

I guess, if DS puts HCI 1st Choice and RI 2nd, he has fairly strong chance of getting into HCI.


Let DS know that he shd not be influence by current classmates as he will quickly make new friends in secondary school. Go with his passion and what each school can offer. I can safely tell you both schools are neck-to-neck in all areas. HCI emphasis on values are highly visible and you will find it manifested in yr DS after a while. The boys are very competitive BUT function mostly as a family and will willingly share notes.

HairyOrange,
Thanks for your reply. Your note is very re-assuring.
Yes, I told DS the same thing, think about this after PSLE, most importantly, to focus on PSLE now. He is invited to attend HCI DSA symposium on 19 Oct, after PSLE marking week. HCI is my first choice, and DH's alma mater. DS is influenced by friends, and somehow changed his dream school to another school along the way.
Character building is very important to us, and I can see my elder DS developing this during sec school years.

thank you again

[tsh0202]

Hi,

Any parents know the venue for Sec2 Parents’ Symposium this Saturday?

[jesschan]

Hi! My son is in HCI Sec 1 this year. Can anyone recommend a good tutor for Language Arts? Please send me a PM. Thanks!

[keinic]

Hi Keinic and DS,


Congrats on yr CO and welcome to HCI, schools starts 7.20 sharp so be there 10mins earlier because Sec 1 classrooms are furthest from school field. Self drive drop off very convenient because if multiple entrances. Like what Wonderm shared, Thu is 3rd Lang at Newton center and school arranges affordable shuttle one-way. Thu ends around 7pm if taking 3rd Lang. Malay is done in HCI. Other days very CCA specific, sports 3 days weekly common, more during competition. Most CCA, except Canoeing trains in school premises so little traveling. But be prepared that yr DS will be home irregular hours but by late afternoons most days because of endless group project works, seminars/talks.

HCI is. GREAT school, no regrets![/quote]


Hi HairyOrange,
Thanks so much for the detailed info and your well wishes :thankyou: I've no doubts HCI is a great school and I certainly hope that DS's journey there will be a wonderful and interesting one. I'm really grateful and appreciative to all fellow KSPs in this forum who are so willing to share info and give sound advice, whenever they can. :salute: Thanks again for your sharing

[sunnymoon]

May I know what Chinese textbook HCI used for sec 2 and which literature book HCI used for sec 2. Can someone share this? Thanks

[yukilei]

tsh0202:

Hi,

Any parents know the venue for Sec2 Parents' Symposium this Saturday?

It's at Cheng Yi Lou at the college side. Is this meant to be for current Sec 1 parents or current sec 2 parents?

[tsh0202]

yukilei:

tsh0202:

Hi,

Any parents know the venue for Sec2 Parents' Symposium this Saturday?

It's at Cheng Yi Lou at the college side. Is this meant to be for current Sec 1 parents or current sec 2 parents?

This is for current sec 2 parents.

[yukilei]

tsh0202:

yukilei:

[quote=\"tsh0202\"]Hi,

Any parents know the venue for Sec2 Parents' Symposium this Saturday?

It's at Cheng Yi Lou at the college side. Is this meant to be for current Sec 1 parents or current sec 2 parents?

This is for current sec 2 parents.[/quote]Thank you.