Hwa Chong Institution (High School)

[Song22]

lexis:

Are these immersion programmes open only to CSE students?


Like Song22.. time for us to consider it for our sec 2 boys! Some of my boys' classmates already have a target (!) but mine has no real idea or inclination. what does CSE entail? Does it 'guarantee' better grades? Do CSE students get priority into special programmes at Year 5/6? Do special programme kids do better at A-levels?

crazy to think so far ahead.. but some of my friends with kids in JC are strongly encouraging me to get my son to opt for CSE (if he qualifies).

Lexis, which cse programme is your boy interested in? Is he more inclined to maths and sciences or humanities?

[lexis]

Song22… he is not actually interested in any! haha. but of all the 3 (Bicultural, Humans and Sci/math) i think if any, he is most suited to SM - def not Bicultural.


then again… i think he treasures his free/play time too much to get involved in MORE projects. Didn’t Dr Hon say that if you want to have some time to pursue your own interests, best to just do IP?

But just curious what other parents think of CSE, especially if their sons have gone through it and are at JC/graduated already.

[Song22]

lexis:

Song22.. he is not actually interested in any! haha. but of all the 3 (Bicultural, Humans and Sci/math) i think if any, he is most suited to SM - def not Bicultural.


then again.. i think he treasures his free/play time too much to get involved in MORE projects. Didn't Dr Hon say that if you want to have some time to pursue your own interests, best to just do IP?

But just curious what other parents think of CSE, especially if their sons have gone through it and are at JC/graduated already.

Yea, would be great to know

[mommylow]

Newkiasufat:

mommylow:

Any parent here whose DS had gone for the 4-5 weeks China Immersion Programmes to Beijing or Xi'an/Wuxi Winter Campus for Sec 3 CSE students and would like to share with us your son's educational experience there?


I understand the 5-week BSC Beijing immersion programme is more intensive and demanding in the aspect of China studies. My son is in SMTP and I am not sure whether to let him participate in the Beijing segment which I think should be more enriching compared to Xi'an and Wuxi.

Your feedback and advice on choice of programme will be greatly appreciated.

My son joined Beijing immersion last year, just for fun and relax.

I hope it had been an enriching and rewarding trip for him. Did he come back with a deeper understanding and appreciation of China and Chinese culture?

This programme will be greatly beneficial to BSP students but I can't help wondering about the relevance of this Chinese immersion programme to SMTP students but the school makes it compulsary for those in CSE.

The good thing is such trips offer experiential learning outside the classroom, enabling them to step out of their comfort zone and learn to live independently as well as honing their interactive and social skills.

[mommylow]

Song22:

mommylow:

Any parent here whose DS had gone for the 4-5 weeks China Immersion Programmes to Beijing or Xi'an/Wuxi Winter Campus for Sec 3 CSE students and would like to share with us your son's educational experience there?


I understand the 5-week BSC Beijing immersion programme is more intensive and demanding in the aspect of China studies. My son is in SMTP and I am not sure whether to let him participate in the Beijing segment which I think should be more enriching compared to Xi'an and Wuxi.

Your feedback and advice on choice of programme will be greatly appreciated.

Hi mommy low, can you also share more about SMTP? How's life in SMTP? Is it much longer hours and tougher? Is your ds enjoying it? Thanks!

Ds is coping reasonably well so far. It isn't as bad and tough as he has imagined it to be. Of course, it's only about two terms after being in the programme and many in his class are still coming to terms with its demands. The average term 1 MSG scores are about 2-3 with some getting 4 or 5.

Tough it may seem at first, it is definitely a very enriching programme as it takes learning to a higher level and offers many opportunities to stretch you to your fullest potential. A senior now in JC, had told me it was well worth the sweat and tears.

Study hours are longer and lessons generally end at about 3.30pm except Thursdays and on Fridays for CCA. DS normally has to stay back after school almost everyday for discussion with team mates to work on their Science project, a research module all SMTP students need to complete with the aid of a mentor. Study load tend to be heavier as compared to Sec 2. I heard those in IP classes are by no means having an easier time. It can be just as demanding if not more. The key to cope is to have good time management and learning to prioritise. Passion, interest and drive are important factors too.

[Song22]

Thanks for sharing mommylow!

[lexis]

Thanks for sharing, Mummylow.


Is the Science project a replacement for the Independent Studies (IS) module, or is it in addition to IS, meaning they have two projects instead of one (like in sec 1 &2)?

[mommylow]

Hi lexis, the students are required to do only one project for Science (IS), so no additional project like what you may think.


My onły gripe with the SMPT programme is the students are not doing any humans subject, not even one. They take social economics instead. I would prefer it if they can do Literature to keep them intellectually productive, boost their imaginative powers as well as refine their verbal and written skills and stretch their critical thinking.

Now I have to make sure DS is finding time to read on his own since sustained studying of Lit in school is not an option now.

[lexis]

yikes. i didn’t know that SMTP don’t do humanities.


Do they still do ELL? how does one practice writing for GP since they don’t do any humanities subject (which, like you, I feel promotes analytical thinking, writing skills)?

[CatMoon]

Hi,

sorry to ask this simple Qn: What is SMTP?
My ds is only in sec 1.
:scratchhead: