Hwa Chong Institution (High School)

[wonderm]

TravelMummy:

HairyOrange:

[quote=\"TravelMummy\"]Thinking about what third language option to advise ds to apply for. He is going to be sec1 next year. Am thinking of a practical option like Bahasa Melayu rather than French or Japanese as which many kids drop after 1-2 years. Understand that the lessons are conducted in school so he doesn't have to travel far either. Do many kids normally take up this option; are there exams for this and is it easy to drop at will if ds realizes subsequently that he is no longer keen? Appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Hi TravelMummy,

Congrats on yr son entry to HCI. I know my answers probably too late. HCI teaches compulsory Malay in Sec 2 for all students. So if yr son wants to choose another 3rd Lang, can still appeal after Nov 23. BTW, because if huge 3rd Lang intake from HCI, school arranges multiple shuttle service to the 3rd Lang centre in Newton. Thu is HCI 3rd Lang day.

Thanks, HairyOrange for your advice. I didn't know they make Malay compulsory in year 2 anyway. So I've kinda \"wasted\" my option?! :yikes: Do they normally arrange shuttle services? DS kinda said he didn't mind Japanese so he can then read manga comics better but we dissuaded him cos he had to travel to a different location to take the language, and we though Malay is easier since it is taught in school. Haiz. How to appeal now and who to appeal to pls? Appreciate your advice. Thanks.[/quote]All HCI boys take Conversational Malay in Sec 2. But it is really quite light and if you seriously want your son to know Malay, I think he would still need to take it as 3rd Lang.

My boys didn't take 3rd Lang but I believe the school arrange for shuttle bus services for those who attend 3rd Lang lessons on Thursdays.

Hope it helps.

[wonderm]

TravelMummy:

HairyOrange:

Tuition is not encouraged as the boys hv little time for tuition.
I really get that when HCI included a Chinese book in the book list about kids not needing tuition! Never thought such a book exist! But it's a great philosophy which I wholeheartedly subscribe to.

HCI is STRESSFUL in my eyes but the boys seem to thrive in such environment. Don't expect to sleep early, they seem to compete who sleeps the latest but the camaraderie and teamwork is amazing.

This worries me a little. Why can't they sleep early? Is the workload that heavy? I insist on my kids sleeping before 10pm. In fact they turn in around 9.30pm usually. I don't much care about tuition - never really subject DS to such torture anyway - but I do insist on eating well, sleeping well and exercising well.

It is true many HCI boys sleep late. It seems to be the case for many Sec school kids anyway. But there are boys who sleep early too. My boys slept before 10:30pm in lower Sec (with occasional afternoon naps) and I know they have friends who sleep earlier than them. If your boy has been sleeping early, I am sure he can still do so, maybe just slightly later than before.

[TravelMummy]

wonderm:

TravelMummy:

[quote=\"HairyOrange\"]

Tuition is not encouraged as the boys hv little time for tuition.
I really get that when HCI included a Chinese book in the book list about kids not needing tuition! Never thought such a book exist! But it's a great philosophy which I wholeheartedly subscribe to.

HCI is STRESSFUL in my eyes but the boys seem to thrive in such environment. Don't expect to sleep early, they seem to compete who sleeps the latest but the camaraderie and teamwork is amazing.

This worries me a little. Why can't they sleep early? Is the workload that heavy? I insist on my kids sleeping before 10pm. In fact they turn in around 9.30pm usually. I don't much care about tuition - never really subject DS to such torture anyway - but I do insist on eating well, sleeping well and exercising well.

It is true many HCI boys sleep late. It seems to be the case for many Sec school kids anyway. But there are boys who sleep early too. My boys slept before 10:30pm in lower Sec (with occasional afternoon naps) and I know they have friends who sleep earlier than them. If your boy has been sleeping early, I am sure he can still do so, maybe just slightly later than before.[/quote]Thanks, wonderm, that's reassuring.

[ljk]

When is Sec 1 registration at HCI? Is it 23 Dec?

To maintain in IP, one has to get MSG < 3? Or is it 3 and below? How is msg score calculated? So worrying…have to closely monitor my child’s progress to ensure he stays in the IP program. Stress!

[0xBB40E64E]

ljk:

When is Sec 1 registration at HCI? Is it 23 Dec?

To maintain in IP, one has to get MSG < 3? Or is it 3 and below? How is msg score calculated? So worrying...have to closely monitor my child's progress to ensure he stays in the IP program. Stress!

MSG= Mean Subject Grade aka Average grade of all subjects

Eg:
EL:A2
Math:A1
CL:B3
Chem:A1
Physics: B3
History: B4

MSG= (Sum of all subject grade) / (Number Of Subjects)
= (2+1+3+1+3+4) / (6)
= (14) / 6
= 2.33

A MSG below 3 aka Ave grade less then a B3 should be fine.

[wonderm]

The 6 subjects which are included in MSG calculation for Sec 1 & 2:


Language Arts
Higher Chinese
Maths
Science (includes Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Integrated Humanities (includes Geography and History)
Infocomm Studies

[ljk]

Thanks wonderm and 0xBB40E64 for your clarification.

Just to clarify, would the marks from physics, chemistry and biology be divided equally to get an average and the average score is then added to calculate the msg?

[wonderm]

ljk:

Thanks wonderm and 0xBB40E64 for your clarification.

Just to clarify, would the marks from physics, chemistry and biology be divided equally to get an average and the average score is then added to calculate the msg?

For Sec 1 and Sec 2, Science is considered as one subject. Each term there will only be one science test. Physics, chemistry and biology are taught during science lessons. For my two boys, the ways school covered the 3 sciences were not the same. So they may tweak it again next year. Don't worry about the details for now.

[0xBB40E64E]

wonderm:

ljk:

Thanks wonderm and 0xBB40E64 for your clarification.

Just to clarify, would the marks from physics, chemistry and biology be divided equally to get an average and the average score is then added to calculate the msg?

For Sec 1 and Sec 2, Science is considered as one subject. Each term there will only be one science test. Physics, chemistry and biology are taught during science lessons. For my two boys, the ways school covered the 3 sciences were not the same. So they may twist it again next year. Don't worry about the details for now.

To further elaborate, there will only be one exam paper (LSS), and as for the mark allocation for the 3 modules, IIRC it's split evenly, but even if it's not, it's beyond anyone's control, so no point worrying about that.

If you are really worried, you can from time to time ask to view their ePortfolio.

[ljk]

Once again, thanks wonderm and 0xBB40E64E for your clarification. Sharing from your experience helps new HCI parents like me.

:thankyou: